Gifting used knives? What are your thoughts?

R

Reznik572

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Nov 15, 2009
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Hey guys,

With the holidays approaching many of my family and friends celebrate Christmas so I get in on the gift giving/receiving even though i'm not religious.

I'm curious as to what everyones thoughts are on gifting a knife or multitool that's been used, from my persoanl collection (not off ebay)? This just kind of poped in my head just now so I havent given it a lot of thought. I think my close friends/family that are into knives as much as I wouldnt mind, where as gifting to someone just starting out might be a bit put off that they just received someone elses junk kinda thing.

Not trying to be cheap and this year money isnt of a concern for me, its just that I've lent friends/family/co-workers knives/multi's that I can tell they were impressed with/or commented on and I could easily part with some of them, and they are 100% funtional, just used.

EDIT: For me, my train of thought anyhow, if a friend/family member gave me a knife I know they've used and loved then it'd mean even more to me and wouldnt just be another knife, but soemthing I would keep, use and always remember.
 
Quite honestly, if money isn't a concern for you, I would get them a new copy of the multitool that you had lent them, so it could be their own.
 
My Aunt just bought several "Awesome Augers", they were $1.50 each.

I'll take the used quality tool over something I'd never use. It's tough to know. If someone was impress with one of your blades, then they would appreciate it. If I gave my Aunt a Busse, she'd see it no different than the Awesome Auger.
 
I like the idea of passing on a trusty tool/knife that has done well by you onto someone special. It would almost be like the trust you have in the knife is part of the gift. It only makes sense to me if the person is particularly close to you though.
 
Gifting can be a highly individualized subject, so making general statements is a little tricky...

My take is that quality is quality. So long as the blade edge is in good working order (not chipped or dull), any rust spots have been taken out (a problem for some bead blasted finishes), and the action and lockup are still good, any person who uses it is bound to realize what a quality tool it is.

So long as it's a nice blade, (and not one of the low-quality pieces that can be found for so cheaply) in some senses it's even *better* than giving new, as the user doesn't have to worry about the item being "too nice to use" (a remark I've sometimes seen when people talk about gifted knives).

It really depends on the person, though... If a person doesn't think knives useful to begin with, they likely won't appreciate the quality of construction on most folders, and might be better off with a Swiss Army style blade. Another trick, is if they already 'are' into knives, it has to be a higher quality piece than the one they already edc, or it'll just go straight into their own unused pile, and then things are right back where they started... ^_^;
 
I've done it, but never as a traditional gift, e.g. Christmas, birthday, etc.

And never a well used knife, either.
 
I think if you are going to give it as a gift do it for no special reason (just because). I do not think you should give a used knife for say christmas or a birthday it is kind of tacky. Unless it is a collector grade knife that has alot of value like a Loveless or Moran or that has been passed down from generation to generation in the family then that is a different story.
 
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I don't know if this fits the theme or not, but I happen to be the 4th generation to have a hunting knife that has been passed down thru our family, & in the year 2014, this knife will be passed on to the 5th generation when my son turns 30 as I did when my father gave it to me. This knife has no value, a chipped place in the 5" blade, tip is pretty well worn, & the stag handle looks life a 3 year old had it for a week. But the stories, the memories I remember of dad using it, and now my son remembering he & I using it makes it special to us. It is so old you can not even see the mfg.'s name or any other markings on it. I think dad finally replaced the leather sheath somtime before he gave it to me, but I would not take any amount of money for it. Sometimes used "things" can be the best ones to give.
Be safe.
 
The best gift is always the one that will mean the most, to the person it is given.

I would give a used knife or anything else used to a close friend or family member for Christmas, but only if I knew for sure that person would appreciate the gift and understand it's value.The value could be either in dollars or just sentimental value.
 
I test a lot of knives and can't use them all, :rolleyes:

...so I often give knives to people that I know will use them. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:




Big Mike
 
my supervisor bought a knife, from me, to give to his son as an (early) Christmas present. it was a quality knife, but you could tell it had been lightly used. his kid (soldier and knife enthusiast) loved it. YMMV
 
I became good friends with a coworker over the last two years . I have shared with him my love of knives and the usefulness of carrying a knife ,I noticed he thought the same way so I gifted him with a lightly used knife and a flawless like new headlamp for Xmas last year;he carries the knife daily and has asked me to sharpen it a few times he uses the headlamp often as well (he works on cars alot). A few months ago we went fishing together and I gave him another lightly used knife that had a bit of meaning to me ,I told him he should either keep it in his tackle box or he could carry it when the other knife is dull .My coworker has a strong appreciation for these gifts and he has mentioned them to others in a very kind way so I felt the gifts were appropriate.
 
For me personally, passing along or gifting a used knife, simply as a gesture of appreciation, friendship, or to fill a need is Ok.

For gifts for Christmas, birthdays, or other special occasions new is the only way to go.

Kevin
 
Back in the days when Christmas was a time for enjoying family, friends and tradition, the gifts one gave and received were measured by the love and thoughtfulness of the giver, rather than today's yardstick of the dollar. It didn't matter if the gift was used, handmade or spanking new, if it was thoughtful, it was a good gift. It would seem to me that a gift from your personal collection qualifies as both a useful tool and a gift that is important to you. A card that says the knife is from your personal collection, would be an added bonus.
 
I wouldn't buy used knives for holiday gifts. Instead I'd look for good quality knives in a lower price range, if necessary.

However, every kid would love to have an old pocketknife that their father or grandfather actually used. That's the sort of gift that can't be bought in stores. :)
 
Dag-nabit said:
For me personally, passing along or gifting a used knife, simply as a gesture of appreciation, friendship, or to fill a need is Ok.

For gifts for Christmas, birthdays, or other special occasions new is the only way to go.

Kevin
Click to expand...

same, i've gifted used knives to friends at random times in the year...christmas and birthdays i get new.
 
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