Clueless & need some advice!

S

Salaam

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Sep 19, 2012
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I'm doing some early Christmas shopping for my husband and realized that I have no idea what I'm doing! I bought him a Gerber folding knife (I couldn't tell you for the life of me which one it was) for Christmas last year, spent hours trying to find a knife that looked sleek and sturdy. Not even a year later, screws have fallen out, the knife itself has fallen apart, a few times and my husband has even been forced to epoxy some of the pieces together.

So, this year I'm giving a knife another shot. After being ripped off with my last purchase, I've been trying to do my research and I'm just overwhelmed. I want a good quality knife, something he can be proud of an not need to glue together! He carries the knife with him daily and gets used on a variety of things, nothing too rough, aside from occasionally breaking down boxes at work. He has bigger hands, so I'm looking for something with a decent sized handle, nothing 'mini'. Aside from that - aesthetically I think he'd prefer something black and just generally 'cool' looking. :o

I'm hoping to keep price in the $50 or lower range. Any help or suggestions you can offer, even a just a good brand I should be looking at - would help so much! Thanks.
 
Do you have any length requirements?

The big 3 companies I'd recommend looking at are Benchmade, Kershaw, and Spyderco.

My #1 recommendation would be the Spyderco Tenacious. It's a fantastic starter knife, and a very good value. You might be able to find an Endura or Manix 2 in that price point as well.

Kershaw has a number of great knives in your price point. I'll let the Kershaw lovers give you more detailed recommendations, but I will mention the Blur. I think that's at the upper end of your budget, but it's a great knife, and can be found for around 50.

Benchmade is generally above your price point, but their HK lineup of knives is generally affordable. I really like the Monochrome. I think that one is around 35.

All 3 companies are very solid, and will be much better value than anything by Gerber. I generally avoid Gerber and CRKT these days.
 
First of all, you have come to the right place! I have been a lurker here for a long time. I highly recommend Spyderco, most likely he will like a one-hand opener with a pocket clip. I'm just saying that if you pick a good brand, that it will have a pretty good steel for the bargon(exclude Gerber please).
 
For under $50 you cant realy get anything that would impress any one that is into knives. or at least nothing that will hold a good edge. For a little bit more you can get a spyderco delica or endura, spyderco stretch in zdp 189, sog vulcan, spyderco paramilitary 2, spyderco manix 2, manix 2 xl, benchmade 707, benchmade 940, piranha pocket auto, the list goes on and on
 
Another vote for the Ontario RAT-1. :thumbup:

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crimsonfalcon07 said:
Do you have any length requirements?
Click to expand...

This could be really important, depending on where you live. You'll have to tell us what state you are in. Some cities have even stricter rules. There is a forum here focused on knife laws, you could look there to see if there are any limits for your area regarding length, type of lock and using a pocket clip or not.
 
That is a very big question. what will your husband use it for?? Once you tell us that we can tell you of a good knife that will fit his needs better.
 
the plain edge spyderco tenacious ($30-$35). look up the knife, it's regarded as one of the best bang-for-buck knives.

what does he use to sharpen his knives (including the kitchen knives in your house)?

i would recommend also getting a sharpening kit like the lansky 3 stone standard kit (model# LKC03).

you could get the spyderco tenacious plain edge and the lansky sharpening kit shipped to your house for around $55-$60.

sp_C122GP.jpg
LK3OC.jpg
 
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Kershaw Skyline and Blur may be good choices. I really like the Leek, but it sounds like you're looking for something a little bigger. Ontario RAT-1 has been mentioned, and that's a very solid knife as well. If you keep an eye out on the exchange, you might be able to pick up a Spyderco Delica or Endura for under $50. Occasionally, someone will also post a Benchmade Griptilian for $50'ish on the exchange as well. CRKT M21-14SFG is a large'ish knife as well for around the price you're looking at.
 
Kershaw would have you covered! they have one of the best customer service depts. in the world should you need it and they will sharpen your knife for free! You have the blur, shallot, Cryo if you think he would like a super tuff smaller folder definetly check it out! (nice weight to it, decent steel,flips open with a flipper, deep carry pocket clip, assisted opening, designed in colaboration with one of the coolest knife designer/makers out there, basically looks and feels like it would cost way more, all around $30!) If you can't tell I think you should check it out!, Knockout, and skyline are good ones too, just to name a few!
 
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Spyderco Tenacious or Ontario Rat 1.

Watch out for the Tenacious though, it's cursed and likes to cut people.
 
I'd say anything by spyderco or kershaw. Tenacious is a great one, or the Endura/Delica, and from Kershaw a cryo, leek if you want to go smaller, or skyline would be great. Any knife from those two companies would be a great choice though.
 
Seconds to any and all that said Endura and Delica from Spyderco.

Also, Victorinox Trekker is solid for a present. Case traditional stockman if he doesn't want a locking folder.

Mora #1 if you want to spend 10 bucks, impress him, and spend the rest elsewhere.
 
Thank you for all the replies, you've given me a lots of great information and brands to look at. I really appreciate it!

For those who asked, we live in Colorado. I believe the standard carry length is 3.5", but I would need to look it up to be sure.
 
Another thought would be a traditional folder.

GEC makes "old time" folders, including those with a lock. They are a tiny bit more than your range for some modes.

Look at collectorknives.net Great Eastern Cuttlery (includes the GEC, Tideoute, and Northfield) brands. It will be the type of knife his grandfather might have carried, and he can carry and use just about anywhere, including Church, and dressier events.
 
I'm in Colorado myself. If you're anywhere near Golden, you can actually drive up to the Spyderco factory and check out some of the knives there. I wouldn't buy them there, because you'll pay double what you can get them for on the internet, but you can handle them and see what you think.
 
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