Father's Day Knife Purchase Advice

Mark J

Mark J

Joined
Mar 15, 2001
Messages
2,450
I need advice on a knife to get my Dad. He has always carried small, thin knives -- just something to clean his fingernails, cut open a package, etc. His current knife (of unknown brand) is approx. 3 inches long, VERY thin, has two small blades, and is carried in a small leather pouch. I think he would want something similar (he dislikes heavy or large things rattling around in his pockets), but I'd like to get him a quality knife that will last for his remaining years here with us (he's 75 and his health is declining). Any suggestions? It doesn't need to be made of the latest gee whiz steel; a nice quality "gentleman's knife" would do the trick. Thanks in advance for your help. If anyone knows the answer, you guys do!

- Mark

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“Sometimes the first duty of a responsible man is restatement of the obvious.” – George Orwell
 
The Wall Street Journal did an article on just this topic. Here it is:

WSJ Part 1
WSJ Part 2

Also, here are comments about that article.

Best of luck.

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Ron Andersen
Consumer Services Manager
SOG Specialty Knives, Inc.

Website: www.sogknives.com / Email: ron@sogknives.com

SOGLogo3.gif
The SOG Forum

[This message has been edited by Ron@SOG (edited 06-11-2001).]
 
I bought my dad a BM Mel Pardue 330 for christmas. He had the same problem, he wanted a small knife, no clip, that wouldn't be much in his pocket. He's only 44 and his health is decent so that didn't factor in. Only downside would be that it's a VERY thin HANDLED knife, if he has trouble with his hands he might have trouble holding on to it. It's light, thin, small, sturdy, and simple. You might also look at the spyderco calypso jr. It fits your description. However, he might not like the pocket clip. Other than that, I don't have any ideas. I don't buy alot of small or thin knives
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Here's something else to consider:
My father is in his 60's and he has some trouble opening alot of folders with the nail-nick. His finger-nails are old and brittle and the break easily. Knives with very strong back-springs (like Victorinox) might be hard for him to open.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
You can't go wrong with a Case pattern. I have two "gentleman's knives"( the rest are certainly un-gentlemanly!), both Case canose patterns. One has red sawbone and the other honey appaloossa bone. They are thin, two blades, and I barely notice them in my pocket. They can be on the tough side to open, though, because of the spring tension, so maybe something else would be more appropriate?

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Dr. Steve Agocs
http://www.geocities.com/Chiro75/frames.html


agocs_s@hotmail.com
 
Mark

A man after my own heart. Get an A.G Russell AG6-CF with the carbon fiber handle and put it in a Willaim Henry clip case (the middle size one fits) my favorite little knife.

--Ben

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Mark J:
I need advice on a knife to get my Dad. He has always carried small, thin knives -- just something to clean his fingernails, cut open a package, etc. His current knife (of unknown brand) is approx. 3 inches long, VERY thin, has two small blades, and is carried in a small leather pouch. I think he would want something similar (he dislikes heavy or large things rattling around in his pockets), but I'd like to get him a quality knife that will last for his remaining years here with us (he's 75 and his health is declining). Any suggestions? It doesn't need to be made of the latest gee whiz steel; a nice quality "gentleman's knife" would do the trick. Thanks in advance for your help. If anyone knows the answer, you guys do!

- Mark

</font>
Click to expand...

 
You would definately want to check out the William Henry Evolution series. I think either of the two smaller models would be great. With G10 scales, they can be had for a little over $100, with wood scales figure $20 to $30 more. These are great - super thin, fantastic leather pouch, incredibly smooth action (he'd have NO trouble opening up one of these). Might be a little more than you're looking at, but they're fantastic deals.
 
How much are you going to spend on your Dad? I think he would like the Benchmade Park Ave model 450. If you want to keep it under $50-$60, you could check out the CRKT Tighe Tac.


[This message has been edited by el cid (edited 06-11-2001).]
 
How much are you going to spend ? The cost spread runs from $25+ to $350+ . . .

I always get my Dad a blade for this particular event. . .but he thinks that $75+ knives are too expensive to carry. . .

Here's my input:

High end ~ Chris Reeve small Sebbie or Umfaan.

A Microtech mini-SOCOM (manual) ~ very cool.

Spyderco and CRKT have a very wide range of styles and costs. . . I really like the Spyderco Howard Viele (SP-42) and the CRKT Mirage. . .

Of course, the old stand-by. . .Case.

Better yet ~ mix the old with the new and go for the Kershaw's Double Cross (4380) or the Double Duty (4390). Awesome and sweet rolled into one knife !

It's never easy ! Especially with our inputs !
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GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"
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[This message has been edited by GigOne (edited 06-11-2001).]
 
Thanks for all the great suggestions! Based on your ideas, there definitely seem to be a few knives that might fit the bill. On the cost issue, I would think that $100-$150 would be about my limit.

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“Sometimes the first duty of a responsible man is restatement of the obvious.” – George Orwell
 
I could recommend several different knives, including several that have already been mentioned.

The one I'd like to recommend most is one I've never handled even -- the CRKT small S-2. I just got the CRKT Apache 3 from SMKW. It is such a trick little knife. I had to get the half serrated one. If you could get a plain model, that too would be good.

But, the S-2 has a little more "gee-whiz" factors to it. First, the overall design is quite modern and sleek, with a noticeable curve. Titanium handles, frame lock. The lock shouldn't require too much thumb strength, like the big one.

If the size follows the comparisons of the large -- now discontinued -- S-2 vs Apache, the smallest S-2 should be just a tad shorter than the Apache 3. Means would be very near the size of a traditional pocket knife, but have the clip, and the frame lock. Plus, no chance whatsoever to corrode the handle.

I'd also recommend the Spyderco Native. It might seem too large at first, but I believe it is one of the most versatile knives out there. Or, the Mouse, or even the Toad. Very trick little knives, both of them.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Forgot to add in one more unusual recommendation. Again, can't say I have any experience, but I sure want to.

At BladeArt, there is the sweetest little fixed blade with a nice leather pouch by Arno Bernard. $99, and sooo sweeet! If your father is the adventurous sort, he just might go for it.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Mark J:
I need advice on a knife to get my Dad. He has always carried small, thin knives -- just something to clean his fingernails, cut open a package, etc. His current knife (of unknown brand) is approx. 3 inches long, VERY thin, has two small blades, and is carried in a small leather pouch. I think he would want something similar (he dislikes heavy or large things rattling around in his pockets), but I'd like to get him a quality knife that will last for his remaining years here with us (he's 75 and his health is declining). Any suggestions? It doesn't need to be made of the latest gee whiz steel; a nice quality "gentleman's knife" would do the trick. Thanks in advance for your help. If anyone knows the answer, you guys do!

- Mark

</font>
Click to expand...

 
I would give him a small german knife. Good quality and nice knives. An eye brand or puma would be good.
 
I would go with el cids suggestion of the BM PArk Ave 450. I just bought one for my Dad as a birthday gift and he wore it not less than 2 weeks ago with his tux at my brothers wedding. He thoroughly enjoys having it with him. He especially likes the chain that came with it. It is truly a classy knife, hands down.
W450.jpg


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Ken
firedept_md_wht.gif
"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names." - John F. Kennedy

[This message has been edited by remster135 (edited 06-12-2001).]
 
I LOVE that arno bernard knife I've come close to buying it three time. (I'm pretty close now) but I really don't need it.

--Ben<yeh, I know, why should that stop you?>

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Bugs3x:
Forgot to add in one more unusual recommendation. Again, can't say I have any experience, but I sure want to.

At BladeArt, there is the sweetest little fixed blade with a nice leather pouch by Arno Bernard. $99, and sooo sweeet! If your father is the adventurous sort, he just might go for it.

</font>
Click to expand...

 
Mark,

I would go with the BM450 or the CRKT Ti Mirage, both are about the same size and weight as a regular old slipjoint Case, Schrade, Buck etc. If your dad doesn't like the attachment system...both can be removed.

Steve-O
 
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