Gift for someone who's not a "knife person"

S

Soomander

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Nov 5, 2014
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Hey wondering if the Mini Cold Steel Recon 1 would be a good choice of gift for my friend. I don't have much experience with Cold Steel's products but have heard many good things about they're durability. This person usually only carries a phone, wallet, and keys. Do you think the added weight of the knife will be a problem; is it light enough so it won't make a considerable difference? I chose this knife because I'm worried they will misuse a less robust knife. How is the tempering on the steel? About how long of "regular" use will it take to dull the blade? If it becomes dull it won't be a problem as I can just sharpen it for them.
 
Cold steel's have a very strong triad locking system and is overall a great knife. However, unless your friend is planning on batoning or prying like crazy with his knife there are many other lighter options. I personally love my spyderco delica 4. Its a light option, has good steel and grippy handles. You can also choose between about 6 colors. Also the ontario rat model 1 or 2 (smaller version) are great knives and at under $30 it's a steal.
 
How about a small to midsized swiss army knife? Maybe the model made to pass TSA travel standards? No blades.
 
I'd go a little less aggressive than a Recon 1. That's a scary black knife. Maybe a spyderco with a less threatening scale color? Delica, Stretch, many choices.
 
The Delica and Endura lineup were my first choice but I let them use my Manix 2 on multiple occasions and they aren't a fan of the Spyderco hole's sharp transition.
 
My guess is you give him a knife, he says thanks and then it sits in his utility drawer. If he's not a knife person, he's not a knife person.

If he has expressed interested in carrying a knife, I doubt a Cold Steel is the right way to start.
 
Soomander said:
The Delica and Endura lineup were my first choice but I let them use my Manix 2 on multiple occasions and they aren't a fan of the Spyderco hole's sharp transition.
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then the ontario rat 1 or 2 might be a great and affordable knife. You can buy two for the price of a cold steel.
 
A bit more info would help. What's his age? What does he like to do? Does he work, and if so in what type of environment (i.e. office, outdoors, etc)?

Without knowing answers to the above I'd second a good Victorinox. Even non-knife people will find them useful. You've got a full range to choose from depending on what his needs and daily activities are.
 
They've borrowed my knife multiple times when we were out together and I have no doubt they'd carry it with them. I don't think that they'd care about the Recon 1's design. It'd be nice if the future responses were about the other questions I asked about.
 
Scurvy092 said:
My guess is you give him a knife, he says thanks and then it sits in his utility drawer. If he's not a knife person, he's not a knife person.

If he has expressed interested in carrying a knife, I doubt a Cold Steel is the right way to start.
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This is about right. If you want to get a non-knife person a gift, get them something they can actually use. What are they interested in? Do they collect anything in particular? Have a favorite product of whatever sort? If so get something to compliment that. I got my brother in law (not a knife person) a set of Vise-Grip pliers, channel locks, and a 10 in 1 Klein screwdriver. He uses tools and has a need for them. Coincidentally, I gave him a Kershaw Blur and it sits in his drawer, has never used it.

Soomander said:
The Delica and Endura lineup were my first choice but I let them use my Manix 2 on multiple occasions and they aren't a fan of the Spyderco hole's sharp transition.
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That is what gives you the necessary traction for being able to open the knife. I've seen some sharp ones, but nothing that would cause a cut, provided that someone has any kind of callus and not baby soft hands.
 
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Also, my friend has a Victorinox with them at most times but has said before they'd rather have a dedicated knife on them.
 
Soomander said:
The Delica and Endura lineup were my first choice but I let them use my Manix 2 on multiple occasions and they aren't a fan of the Spyderco hole's sharp transition.
Click to expand...

If you mean the hole itself having sharp edges, I've actually used a Dremel to smooth that a bit on my Stretch.
 
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