Christmas Gifts

S

Saint Duck

Joined
Oct 16, 2021
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15
Just got into knives this past year, after I broke a clip on my old knife. I just ordered a couple as gifts for my son and daughter in law. He's a lawyer, she's a principle so I tried to take that into account when picking some. I ended up going with a Ferrum Forge/Drop Gent for him and an Boker Urban Trapper petite for her. Both in carbon fiber. Both are considered 'Gentleman's/Ladies' knives. Non threatening, quality knives from known makers. Court and school may be off limits but anywhere else is good to go. Does anyone else give blades at Christmas or am I being an idiot? Don't want to become 'that crazy grandpa raving about guns and knives' guy.
 
If they have an interest in knives or everyday carry then I think the gifts will be welcome. Or, if they appreciate them for their practical value in this world of pre-packaged plastic that gets more frustrating to open as it boasts more loudly about how easy it is to open.

Only you can read your intended audience and decide if these are genuinely good gifts, or if you have let your enthusiasm spill over. Although some would counter by saying that just asking the question belies some doubt on your part.

Maybe bring the subject up delicately with them. Get some idea of how near or far they are from the "prepared mindset".
 
Gave a Puma stockman in bone handle to my wife’s uncle last year. His father ( my wife’s grandfather ) used to talk about German steel and had a few knives, so I gave her uncle it in memory of him and the German steel he liked. This year I am giving a Jeff White English trade knife with a tiger maple handle to a friend who is a Civil War re-enactor, so it is made up of materials that would have been around in that timeframe, so he could use it in his events. Then don’t forget that many of us participate in a gift exchange during Christmas. So yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus that gives knives for presents. Just don’t get on the naughty list by doing something stupid with the knives. :p
 
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I am a girl dad. On top of that, I am the least alpha chest-thumping caveman that feels the need to live vicariously through his kid. From an early age, my 11 year old has been given free reign to follow whatever hobby, social, or educational path she sees fit. Never pushed into sports, never stressed about straight As. Just enjoy this run through things without the added stress of worrying about disappointing someone who is already disappointed in themselves, thus pushing all the bs.

But you are damn straight that I put a multi tool in her hand as soon as she was old enough. Over the last 2 years, I have probably purchased her 5 Leatherman/SAKs just to instill how incredibly handy they are after witnessing me "save the day" with some sort of tool a plethora of times.

She kinda gets it, but I dont think she wants anymore knives/tools. She is getting a blue (her favorite color) Leatherman Micra from me this Christmas. Why? Because I am THAT guy, and if I am going to be the kind of dad she isn't going to resent or need therapy over, then by the gods she is going learn how valuable a good pocket knife/multi tool is. Scissors. Who the hell doesn't need a pair of strong scissors? Even a tween age girl could use a Micra in her purse, right? 😉

You're doing good. I have always thought that pocket knives (and especially a MT) were ways to augment human ingenuity when given suboptimal situations. Perfect gift when Murphy and his Law strike.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
But you are damn straight that I put a multi tool in her hand as soon as she was old enough. Over the last 2 years, I have probably purchased her 5 Leatherman/SAKs just to instill how incredibly handy they are after witnessing me "save the day" with some sort of tool a plethora of times.
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I'm proud to say that I recently found out that my youngest daughter (16) daily carries the Swisstool I gifted each of my three kids for Christmas 5-6 years ago and uses it often.
 
If you don’t wanna be “that guy,” Opinels, Moras, and Swiss army knives are perfectly tame gifts. If a grown adult is intimidated by any of those cutting tools, I don’t wanna be in the same room as them. I don’t own the knives you mentioned, but I like the clean designs. As long as they aren’t allergic to knives, I think you chose awesome gifts.
 
They used to call me the knife fairy at work, because I gave away so many...

Here are my experience giving away knives:

To knife/outdoorsy people:
Spyderco Military FS S30V: well received, uses often
Spyderco Manix 2 S110V: (very) well received, knife was thoroughly thrashed for 3 years then lost in the wooooods
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Cant believe I just made a frozen 2 reference, forgive me BF...
Artisan small archaeo (fancy damascus one): well received, Europe carry, display piece

To non-knife people (aliens?):
QSP/Bestech etc kitchen knives: very well received, people think they're awesome even though they're usually 60-80$. Dont get me wrong, they're quite good for the price, but looks are slightly deceiving
Shun kitchen knives: I've given away a few over the years, people are generally disappointed by their plain look (unless it's a kaji, hikari, fuji, etc) but get happier as they use it more
SAKs: given tons of these away. I try to buy ones that fit the person and they've been generally forgotten and not carried. I feel that if they did carry it they'll appreciate it
Bark River: yes I gave a non-knife person a bark river. It was well received for being pretty but not really put to much use
Boker Magnum Mermaid: surprisingly, people think these are some expensive knives and display them
GEC keychain 05: gave it to a girl. It was returned to me and I'm still single

That's the recent ones I can remember...cheers.
 
EngrSorenson said:
I actually have to avoid buying knives for people in my life, because it’s more of a “me gift” than a “them gift”.
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Before it arrives at your doorstep, it’s a them gift. Once you have it in hand, it magically becomes yours and you now have to buy a different gift.

This is assuming your own taste applies to gift knives too, haha.
 
I'm giving six knives as gifts this Christmas and a Spyderco Knife Sharpener. A lot of it has to do with a gift not just being something they need but a representation of the gift giver. I always include a nickel with them, in the old Norse tradition of a coin always with a knife, when given as a gift.
 
DangerZone98 said:
Before it arrives at your doorstep, it’s a them gift. Once you have it in hand, it magically becomes yours and you now have to buy a different gift.

This is assuming your own taste applies to gift knives too, haha.
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I’ll even give them to the intended recipient:
Me: *waits with anticipation as they open gift*
Them: “oh, a knife. Cool, thanks.” *places in on the table*
Me: *picks it up off the table* “now let me tell you about all the cool features… let’s start with the steel.”

By the end I’m sure they regret me buying them anything.
 
I bought knives for my two son in laws .... Cvivi Dogmas in damascus.
I'll let you know their reaction to them after Christmas.
 
I decided to give the Kid his first knife: a Civivi Ferrum Forge Odium.
Plenty of easily sharpened blade, and it's pretty non-threatening.
 
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