Gentleman knife for best friend's 40th b-day

[mp5423]

My best friend is the brother I didn't have. I would do anything for the guy and his family and he would do the same for me. His 40th b-day is coming up. I wanted to get him something meaningful. He's a guy that's got everything and has good taste so it's hard to find something that will be good for a big occasion like this. I think I decided on a nice pocket knife that he can carry on a dressy night out with his wife but also carry to work at his office. I would like to stay under $300. He's into functional over art. Loves aircraft, race cars and most of all Tactical. I'm thinking titanium or carbon fiber accents or handle. Folding lockable and or assisted opening is good. On the smaller side that's not going to scare people when used. Needs to be made in USA.


The nicest knifves I have is a Case and a Kershaw Chive so this is new territory to me. Been researching for a few days and not finding what I'm looking for. Looked at Benchmade and William Henry but not finding exactly what I want.

Thanks a lot.

 

[shooterpunk]

I'd look into William Henry knives. Here is a link to a beauty that's a little bit tactical looking:

http://www.knifeart.com/e63.html

 

[LastRodeo]

^^ This suggestion is right on the money.

 

[mp5423]

I'd look into William Henry knives. Here is a link to a beauty that's a little bit tactical looking:

http://www.knifeart.com/e63.html

Wow that is nice. The only William Henry I saw that I liked ok had tassels on it and I know he wouldn't like that. This is real nice.

This has a high quality feel to it?

 

[pvicenzi]

In my mind, tactical and gentelman's knife mean opposite things. How about a Strider PT CC.

 

[BladeChick777]

There are a few that come to mind(though none are US made, they are made excellently):
Spyderco Gayle Bradley
Spyderco Caly 3 or 3.5 CF/ZDP-189
Spyderco Sage 1 or 2

The Caly 3 is the smallest, next being the Caly 3.5, and finally the largest being the Gayle Bradley, a nice mid-sized folder.
They all have excellent blade steels and are well below your $300 mark. They all have Carbon Fiber scales. Any of the above would be great for EDC. The Gayle Bradley is a bit more "tactical" than the other two, but I wouldn't really call it tactical, just a great EDC that can be used pretty hard.
I had forgotten to mention the Sage Series. Excellent all around EDC knives with good steel and well made. The 1 is a Liner Lock with Carbon Fiber scales, the Sage 2 is a Titanium Frame Lock.

If you really want small but tough, you can't go wrong with the Spyderco Techno. It's a thick beefy small folder that is great for regular EDC but is great for harder use as well. Excellent blade steel and overall quality.

One that is US made that comes to mind is the Kershaw Speedform II. Excellent steel, great quality overall, and is very gentlemanly. Will make an excellent all around EDC for him.

 

[gnystrom]

For gentleman's carry a Chris Reeve Mnandi is hard to beat, but pricy.


http://chrisreeve.com/Mnandi

 

[Blade-fiend]

Benchmade shoki, William Henry E6 or E10(if he like larger knives), Spyderco Air by bradley, Spyderco Sage 2 or any sage really, and i also really like the Strider PT CC if you can find one.

 

[orixa]

Just to give you some ideas to play with, some makers have "modern-traditional" and sometimes you can choose the material you like.
The price range is more then you budget but just to throw some ideas around:

The first one is a custom TA Davison Sweyback carbon fiber, I borrowed the picture from an Instagram I followed.

This second one is a custom friction folder I have, it's made by Filip deCoene, you can find him on google easily. He specializes in "modern art" minimal functional pieces.

 

[morgaj1]

I don't know how much time you have, but take a look at Alan Davis's knives:

http://alandavisknives.weebly.com/

 

[Taja]

benchmade megumi
http://www.benchmade.com/products/482
spyderco air
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=772
does not look so nice on picture but I saw it on gun show and hold in hands - it's superlight, not scary looking, if you take it out in public and razor sharp
spyderco chaparral titanium
http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?57252-Spyderco-Chaparral-Titan-Stealth-Review

 

[SurvivorDan]

I really like the Bark River City Knife or Essential CPM M4 for a classy but legitimate blade. Handsome pieces of steel..

 

[glocker199]

If he's legal to carry an auto the Benchmade Impel is very cool and about the closest thing I can think of that fits he bill as a "small gentleman's tactical."

 

[Scurvy092]

This thread didn't need to go past the 1st reply.

William Henry > *

 

[Taja]

I agree with Gayle Bradley though I think it will be a little big to take of on public
caly and sage are excellent knives but they look like everyday knife even thy are from very good steel and worked perfectly, I don't think that they are appropriate for 40-s birthday, even sage 2 titanium look like small shy gray mouse

if we talk about foreign I would say vote for fallkniven folders knifeshipfree has a good variety to choose from.

 

[buckeyejake]

Chris reeves mnandi

 

[salmonkiller]

Benchmade 940-1 Osborne folder plain edge modified reverse tanto CPM-S90V super stainless blade and Carbon Fiber handle.

 

[Scurvy092]

Benchmade 940-1 Osborne folder plain edge modified reverse tanto CPM-S90V super stainless blade and Carbon Fiber handle.

This knife doesn't exist yet and the bday is coming up soon.

 

[olybears57]

I would agree with a Chris reeve. Extremely high quality, higher than aerospace tolerances... the list goes on... Perhaps a small sebenza with carbon fiber scale from knife art? Another knife that came to mind, a Todd Begg mini glimpse friction folder with carbon fiber scales. One last thought, maybe a lionsteel tispine? Hope this helps!

 

[Surfingringo]

Spyderco sage series is definitely worth considering. Sage 1 is a classic. Sage 2 in titanium oozes quality. The sage 4 is a good mix of class and functionality.

Here's a pic of the 4 I pulled off google.