Good knife for an older guy?

draggat

draggat

Gold Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
2,992
Yesterday was my father in laws 63rd birthday. Unbeknownst to me, he wanted a pocketknife. My wife told me about 2 hours prior to the party, which wasn't enough time. Her sister bought him some ridiculous wrench screwdriver in the handle of the knife thing. This Christmas, I plan on replacing that pile of junk with something a knife knut would be proud of. Limit is $200 or so.... for all he's done, I could drift a bit further up on this.

I know a lot of folks won't read all of this, but for those that do, I thank you. His hands shake a little bit, so I wonder if an assist, ca legal auto, or just standard opener are best.... maybe a spydie hole? I'm a big GEC fan as far as traditionals go, but they take a bit more to open than he has power for. Length should be around the 3" mark and the rest is up for grabs.

Personally, I don't like the 3 finger style knives so I probably won't go that route. My two choices so far have been a Delica or a Protech Half Breed. Any comments from the older gents here would be greatly appreciated.
 
Does it need to be a one handed opener, or just a nice knife that's easy to open? If the latter, have a look at the Opinels with chaperon or horn handles. These are some of the upmarket Opinel range. They're much less expensive than your budget but are very nice looking knives and once sharpened are wonderful slicers. Then you can see what kind of scotch you can get for about $130 to make up the difference :D
 
Well, I am over 60 so I guess that I qualify. I would get him a Buck Custom 112 folder in S30V. You have a good selection of scale materials to choose from and engraving is available. Any 'man of years' would be pleased with such a gift.
 
draggat said:
Yesterday was my father in laws 63rd birthday. Unbeknownst to me, he wanted a pocketknife. My wife told me about 2 hours prior to the party, which wasn't enough time. Her sister bought him some ridiculous wrench screwdriver in the handle of the knife thing. This Christmas, I plan on replacing that pile of junk with something a knife knut would be proud of. Limit is $200 or so.... for all he's done, I could drift a bit further up on this.

I know a lot of folks won't read all of this, but for those that do, I thank you. His hands shake a little bit, so I wonder if an assist, ca legal auto, or just standard opener are best.... maybe a spydie hole? I'm a big GEC fan as far as traditionals go, but they take a bit more to open than he has power for. Length should be around the 3" mark and the rest is up for grabs.

Personally, I don't like the 3 finger style knives so I probably won't go that route. My two choices so far have been a Delica or a Protech Half Breed. Any comments from the older gents here would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...


Hello,

I am also somewhat advanced in years.

Seeing that your Dad (Father-in law)has weakish hands I would think that a Spyderco Delica would be a good fit.

The Delica is very easy to open with either one hand or two, and is a very good little knife to boot.
The handle on the Delica is not too small so he will be able to grasp and use the knife easily as well.

Good luck with your search.


Cheers.
 
Last edited:
I think a Benchmade 940 or 943 might work. The axis lock is smooth and the knife is big enough for most tasks while still being slim and lightweight, nice S30V blade.

If you're considering assisted opening knives, then the ZT 0770CF is definitely worth a look. I've been using mine a lot since I bought it a week or so ago, it's light and compact. Top notch materials and very useful blade shape.

Protechs are great but I personally feel that the Half Breed looks horrible. I'd rather go with one of their manual knives (the TR-3 Integrity is fantastic) or one of their smaller California legal models like the Runt. Another good auto option with a sub 2" blade would be the BM Impel.

Also, check out Hogue folders. They are easy to open and, thanks to the button lock, easy to close for somebody with weak hands as well.

Finally, if he's into traditional knives, GEC makes an Easy Open Jack that has a cut out on the handle which allows the user to pinch the blade with two fingers to open it. I'm especially fond of the sheepfoot version with 1095 blade and red jigged bone handle.
 
Either a Spyderco for the hole opener, or an Axis Lock Benchmade. Either will work well for your FIL's trembly hands. The Delica is a great option, easy to open but hard to open by accident, and the back lock is hard to close by accident, yet simple to work with two hands. In my experience, the Spydiehole is a safer and more reliable opening method than either thumb studs or a flipper. As for locks, I'd steer him away from liner locks because of his limited dexterity - potential for injury while unlocking is too great.

Autos are fiddly and fraught with legal complications. Assisted openers are harder to safely close than purely manual knives. Does this knife need to lock open? If not, there are nice friction folders available. The Opinel suggested earlier also has merit, provided he can work the locking ferrule.
 
You need to know if he wants a traditional or modern. If traditional, here is another vote for a GEC easy open. They might not be easy to find.

Someone else mentioned friction folders. That is a great idea. You can get a decent custom from some of the makers on BF for under $200. I think he would really like that.

For ease of opening moderns, gotta love the hole.
 
I have similar hand issues, although mine come and go right now. I would eliminate autos and A/Os if he has trouble with his grip and shaky hands. Both of those have to held fairly securely when opening and most will require two handed closing. Spyderco's hole opener lends itself well to either one of two handed opening even under stressful conditions. The hole is a more secure opener than small studs. One or two web sites have some very nice LE Delicas with bone handles and Santa Fe Stoneworks is continually putting out modded Delicas with really nice scales.

GEC, Tidioute, & Northfield have some exceptional traditionals. Fallkniven has a "gentleman's folder" that is a combination of traditional looks and modern technology that I've been tempted by. They are all traditional nail nick openers but he should be able to hold in one hand and open the blade with the other. That might actually be the best way for his to open it anyway if he's having issues with his hands. Even when you're shaking a bit, two-handed opening is pretty secure as long as the knife doesn't have a ridiculously strong backspring.

A G Russell puts out a one-handed opener traditional that has a concave opener replacing the tip of the blade. You catch it on your pocket to open it similar to Emerson's wave.

You may want to take a trip to a knife store and handle the traditionals yourself to check the backspring strength if you decide on a traditional pattern. Just remember that on a slipjoint, backspring strength is what helps hold the blade safely open.
 
You've got time - why not steer a conversation toward knives to get a feel for what he likes. You can keep it discreet, or be direct - depending on whether the element of surprise is important. Talk to your wife - find out if he carried in the past, maybe you can get a feel for his taste in that way. If it doesn't have to be a surprise, go direct. Look at knives with him...take him to a shop or gun/knife show, so he can see and handle different knives.
 
If your father in law is not a "knife guy", I would look at the Spyderco Native. It is one of the early Spydercos and it just keeps getting better. The current one (Native 5) is really smooth and I would probably look at a steel upgrade from VG-10. I believe they are available in S35VN and S30V. The Delica or the Sage would be very good choices too. I just tend to think that you are looking at a bit higher grade Spydie than the Delica. The Delica is one of my favorites by the way.

I really like GEC slip joints. I agree with what has been recommended.

If you want something inexpensive in a slip joint, I really like the Vic Adventurer with the side lock. The side lock works well by the way. It is very easy to pinch open and it is one of the 111 mm 2-layer knives.... essentially a tinker but larger. The toothpick and tweezers sure are handy and I EDC one everyday along with another knife (currently the Native 5, ZT 0770CF, a Cold Steel Tuff Lite, or GEC #42).
 
Last edited:
I'm pretty sure that when an older guy says he wants a pocket knife he is thinking traditional. Easy Open is the way to go or a lock back, just make sure the lock isnt too hard to disengage.

For a lock back, I would recommend a Moki Blakiston Fish Owl Small (weird name, great knife). It is very easy to open and disengage the lock. The fit and finish is superb.

As for an easy open, I would say a GEC, but the EO are hard to find. There are a few EO Case knives, I believe they are all SFO's of one retailer. Google Case Easy Open and you should find them. I have a easy open Case sodbuster, I would recommend it.

One more thought, a SAK cadet. If he doesnt like it, someone you know will.

Hope that helps.
 
You'd be surprised how many older guys like moderns. You don't have to use the clip which is why I suggested the Native 4 as it is still pretty pocket friendly with the clip removed.
 
My post was a response to the OP, not to your suggestion. I started typing my response before I saw what you posted. Each of us should feel free to provide their own opinion.
 
I'm 64.
I have a Delica 4 that is great. Very easy to open etc. If he wants modern that is a fine choice.
However if it's a traditional folder he's after I highly recommend a Buck 301 or 303.
They are very easy to open compared to a lot of other slipjoints, made in USA, and probably somewhat familiar to him
For under $100 you could get him both and cover both worlds.
 
LastRodeo, my response was to your post. But, many younger people have this fixation that someone 60 or over automatically wants a traditional like he probably grew up with. Bump that age to 75 and I would definitely lean toward a traditional. I suggested a Vic and my Dad always sort of smiled when I started carrying one about 20 years ago. He viewed them as toys essentially. He was a Case and Schrade guy (slip joints) for the most part and would have been appauled with GEC's prices (I won't even touch Tuna Valley). Needless to say, he could have snapped his fingers and bought a Jag if he felt like it, but a $125 slip joint...... OMG!
 
I would look at a decent fixed blade made with traditional materials with a decent tan or natural leather sheath.
 
A Benchmade 707 Sequel is easy to open and is not large. If he shakes and has limited hand strength this would be my first choice. You can get it in standard black and one company has them in royal blue. This is a first class knife.

 
draggat said:
I plan on replacing that pile of junk with something a knife knut would be proud of. Limit is $200 or so.... for all he's done, I could drift a bit further up on this.

I know a lot of folks won't read all of this, but for those that do, I thank you. His hands shake a little bit, so I wonder if an assist, ca legal auto, or just standard opener are best.... maybe a spydie hole? I'm a big GEC fan as far as traditionals go, but they take a bit more to open than he has power for. Length should be around the 3" mark and the rest .
Click to expand...

It's a wild guess that anyone pass 60
who isn't well versed or informed about current trends
Probably still has an inclination to old standards
Like the generic buck 110 or the likes.
But this is not to say that the older generation shuns changes.
In fact I would expect men from these passing generations
to be more excited upon being shown the light
With help from more youthful knife nuts.
Having said that, IMHO a great introduction to the 21st century advances
Would be the Spyderco lum in g10 scales
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=617
I feel it might appeal to someone who appreciates simple lines
With great cutting abilities.
With an exotic but uncomplicated design finished with modern touches.
You might in the end
try and get him to talk about what he finds appealing in a knife.
Lets just say, you pretend that you are buying it for yourself or Something.
And immediately take note of what he thinks of the narrowed down choices.
I assure you that nothing hurts worst than an unappreciated gift of love....
 
Victorinox alox


Or maybe this one with the easier to open main blade, it's actually quite light weight also.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top