Gift idea for 80yr old Uncle? Gentleman carry blade.

I'd also go with Buck, Case, or maybe a Victorinox Alox Cadet. Or why not get him a really nice custom slipjoint, have a look on the traditional forums and the appropriate 'for sale' area. Getting it engraved would be a nice touch.
 
I am truly perplexed as to why there are so many suggestions recommending a custom knife for an 80-year-old man who has never carried a knife before and may not start now. There are some nicely finished and well-built production knives out there with almost any choice of scale material. I fail to see where custom is a better choice in this circumstance.

You may lust after a custom knife. But it's not for you. :concern:
 
Okay, my YOUNG friends...forget the slipjoints and stuff that reminds him of how old he is. We already know exactly how old we are, and we are tired of being reminded by our daily intake of prescription meds, our sore hips and shoulders, and our lack of Vim and Vigor. And, my OP friend, you don't apparently know anything about his history...perhaps he served in Korea or Vietnam while you were in swaddling clothes. Do NOT assume.

I'm a few yrs behind him; I remember my old Buck, Case, Barlow, etc. and I am happy they are gone. Nothing is sweeter than the smooth sniiick of one of my three CRK's or the compression lock on my PM2's. I've had about nine PM2's recently, in various super-steels, and love 'em.

Give him what he REALLY desires: a taste of youth. A used Sebbie or Umnumzaan, a Strider SJ75 would be nice. There is nothing offensive about a few battle scars on titanium slabs. Your uncle has a few scars also. Or, if you want newer and cheaper, a Titanium Lum Chinese (VG-10) for about $160, a Sage 2 in titanium ($150) or a blue PM2 in M390 (they go here for $230-$250) would be right "up his alley." Yes, we old guys even used to bowl... :)
We may not use SmartPhones, but we do enjoy modern folders that are slim, a blade of 3"-3 1/2", max weight of about five ounces, titanium or carbon fiber, and a nice pocket clip.
Honest Injun! Pun intended and apologies to any who might be offended by that common remark from my youth.
Sonnytoo
 
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Certainly helpful suggestions here. Thanks to everyone for chiming in.

My uncle has played an integral part in my life since day one and I think some of the posters nailed it on the head when they said he'd use or like whatever I got him since it was from me. Also, knowing him I think he wants to feel younger for sure and doesn't need to get back to his days as an Eagle Scout. I think that is just going to remind him just how far he has gone in life.

So to narrow it down, I need something that is a blend of "new" and "classic". I know for sure he would appreciate a wood inlay on the handle, or at least something that is vintage but classy. Our family used to own one of the largest apple farms in the Hudson Valley, so wood plays a important part in our history. My uncle was there with my grandfather pruning trees, taking on the harvest and spraying down them down from on top of the flatbed (without a vapor mask ) every season.

Lots of great suggestions and I've got the full list here:

Buck 110, 112
Case
Queen
Northwoods
Great Eastern Cutlery
Sebenza
Strider Sng
SJ75
Slipjoint
spyderco sage 1
used CRK
Northfield UN-X-LD
GEC Conductor
A.G. Russell
Pacific Salt
Delica
Sebbie
Umnumzaan
Strider SJ75

Taking a long hard look at these now thanks. Also, the one I came up with "fits" with his character is the Mcusta Riple VG-10 Ebonywood. Let me know if I should stay away from this one for any reason.
http://www.knifeworks.com/mcustariplevg-10ebonywood.aspx
 
Columbia River Knife and Tool makes amazing knives for less $$$. Check out the Ken Onion Ripple 2 on the knifeworks website. I've handled these knives and they are really nicely made. Grippy steel handles, fit and finish is really nice. Chris Reeve knives will be hard to get under $300 and the ones that you can get will be well used. As a gift, since he doesn't know alot about knives, I'd stick with something NEW and very high quality.

Plus you can have his name engraved on it...

Also, to add to the list of really nice and affordable yet "modern". Bradley Alias I or II. Also at knifeworks and also engraveable...
 
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Lum chinese with glass fiber handle scales from Spyderco. BOOM! ( As long as locking blades are legal where you are go for the lum )
 
I would go small fixed blade or gentlemen folder with a good wood handle. If it is going to be a "safe queen"/ not used don't skimp with cheap steal or a 40 dollar knife. Maybe something like a Chambriard Le Compagnon
iTHIERScompagnonBOULEAU.jpg
 
Something to consider, if you haven't already- what condition are his hands in? Does he have arthritis? Is he capable of performing actions that require detailed use of his fingers? Even if he is active he may not possess the manual dexterity necessary to open many knives. It would really suck to buy him a knife that he can't open.

While I believe that it is the thought that counts, I agree with those who say that it might not be a good idea to buy an expensive knife for someone who might not be into knives.
 
Boozoo Chavis said:
Here's my 2 cents - If your Uncle hasn't carried a knife in the past he's not likely to start at 80 years of age. You might take a look at something like a Mother Of Pearl Case Desk knife. For his Last b-day, I bought my 78 yo dad (who is not a knife guy) a case desk knife for his office at home and he loves it - Mom said he leaves it on his desk and shows the knife to every old buddy that comes by.

At any rate good luck with your search and may your uncle have many more birthdays to celebrate.
(mother of pearl, top pic - abalone shell bottom pic)

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Click to expand...

call this a "letter opener" and it would be perfect for him.
 
Both my Grandpa and my Papaw weren't "knife guys" but they always had a pocket knife. Papaw had a Case Mako and a Schrade slipjoint of some sort, Grandpa carried some knife of unknown origin that looked pretty similar to Papaw's Schrade. My Papaw's brothers carried similar knives, though I only vaguely recall them, and only by looks as I was young and they passed many years ago.

So basically...go for something traditional, a Buck 110, a Case of some sort...maybe a custom/engraved version to make it more personal.
 
Good mix of tradition and modern - Al Mar Falcon Classic Talon (either black micarta or cocobolo). Well made and good looking. Spendy at @140, but not breaking your budget.

AM1003CT.jpg
 
Something easy to open and close, that won't snap shut on a finger. http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CA111/Case-Yellow-Synthetic-TrapperLock-4-18-inch-Closed-3154L-CV

Very easy to sharpen too. Easy to see. Easy to open with the thumbstud , and the "trapperlock" is an easy opening linerlock. Naturally Case makes this in other colors and in stainless ( this shown here is carbon steel) there is a larger selection of colors ( yellow is usually but not always carbon steel in Case brand knives).

5 minutes familiarization is pretty much enough. It's simple, competent, slices well, and sharpens easily.

Of course the Spyderco Delica is a great knife and super easy to learn too. Comfortable, looks good ( great depending on which model chosen. The Ti grip, FFG Damascus model is coming out soon so it can be as fancy, or as plain as desired.

Whatever you get I'd get something not complicated, or one that scares or intimidates him ( I gave a very nice knife as a present to a stepfather. It's peculiar opening design got him bit and he never carried it again. Can't blame him as he needed surgery & rehab on his finger due to nerve damage.

Good luck, and don't get upset if he ends up keeping it in a drawer. Someone not used to carrying one often will do just that. Inspire him by maybe taking him out for the day and telling him to carry his knife for *excuse* reason. :)
 
I don't have the Mcusta Ripple, but it is a very nice knife. I wonder if your relative would like a liner lock. If you have 1 month to wait, you could look at the Buck custom shop for a 501. It is a lockback that is easy to open.
Another option might be one of the Moki knives. The blade can snap shut, if you don't take care. Moki knives are made very well and the fit is perfect.
You should be aware that some models by GEC and Queen are hard to open, and any one of 80 years of age might have a problem with them.
 
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