Gift blade

J

jacobts2013

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Jan 1, 2014
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I know there are going to be many forums like this this time of year and know that there have been others, and I do apologize if I am contributing to an annoyance.

I am looking at getting a gift for my younger brother this year. He is 11 years old and a very interesting kid. I'm deployed and won't be home this year so I want to make it special. He's also entering a time in his life where he now has extra responsibilities (baby sister on the way) and I feel that a good blade will signify as well as help teach greater responsibility. I'm looking for something more along the lines of a traditional single blade folder, or at least something that can't be constrewed as a weapon. Also (the hard part) a custom or midtech would be the desired option over production. Looking to keep it under $250. Thank you so much!
 
Wow, $250 for a first time knife? Wish my older brother had been more like you. :)

My first thought is something not too large, with a blade around 3" or so. And a locking mechanism for sure. I've had some good luck with Benchmade knives and they have a 'mini' series that might work. Check out the Presidio Ultra, HK Axis or the Stryker. For something a little different they also sell the H2O Folder. It's designed for usage in marine environments, meaning it should hold up to anything he throws at it. The blade is about 3.5" - so maybe it's too large - but another benefit is the tip is more of a blunt-nose design. That would make it far more difficult to poke himself with it. If he likes funky colors that one comes with yellow scales.

Cold Steel has the Mini Recon and Finn Wolf, either of which could work. The only thing that would be a question in my mind is the locking mechanism on both is the old style spine button. For someone learning how to properly fold a blade that might lend itself to some anxious moments.

CRKT makes the No Time Off, although if he's not a pretty big kid the handle may be large for him. The G.S.D could prove to be a winner. Cool looking knife that's a good size, along with having a flapper and frame lock. That should make it easy for him to open and close.

Last two I'll throw out there are the SOG Vulcan Mini and Twitch XL. I have two SOG auto's and they're both very nice knives, so if you go with either of these you're virtually assured to get a solid product.
 
Thanks a lot for taking the time to give some great options, really liking the crkt options you mentioned. I'm not a huge fan of g10 (unless it's done properly) and frn, so I'm really liking the GSD
 
Benchmade North Fork
Traditional styling with a classy wood handle
Unaggressive drop point blade just a hair under 3", so not too big (or too small)
Good edge retaining steel (s30v) won't dull quickly, and will hold a working edge for quite a while after that, though you might have to help him sharpen it when that time comes when you get home though. Make for a Good bonding moment...
Axis lock is easy enough for an 11yr old to operate, yet sturdy enough to help ensure he won't lose a finger due to a failure (though that's never 100%, it's better then a liner or framelock, esp. for a kid)...

Definitely be a really nice first classy knife, and knifeworks will do an engraving service for free for benchmade products, so you can have his initials, or name put on it, make it a bit more special...
 
I support the North Fork (or another smaller, classy looking Benchmade) recommendation quite a bit, it will still be nice in ten years and it's a great size.

Axis locks and others that keep fingers away from the edge will make mom happy, and it's a fun lock from a tactile perspective.
 
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