Hello to Blade Forums! Also... I need your help...

[K.O.D.]

I would like to second/third the suggestion of the Sage 4. You'd be hard-pressed to find another knife that so perfectly fits the criteria. The price is high enough that it's gift-y, but not so high that one wouldn't use it. The knife is handsome and functional, made to exacting tolerances, and backed by a great warranty from a great company. The steel is arguably the most versatile out of the steels you're likely to find in that price range, as it holds an edge well and resists corrosion decently while still having good toughness and reasonable maintenance requirements (it can be stropped and hand-sharpened fairly easily, by comparison to some powder metallurgy steels like M390 or CTS-XHP).

It's also non-threatening, light, and the pocket clip is reminiscent of a pen's clip. Unassuming in and out of the hand.



Oh, and these. Very handsome knives indeed. I don't recall if they have reversible pocket clips though. I almost plugged my own sale ad before I realized that the knife I'm selling that fits the other criteria is not lefty-oriented.

The Sage 4 is a nice knife, but though S30V it is easy to strop and sharpen, I've had terrible "luck" with edge retention and chipping in the knives I've owned with that steel. I've had much better luck with CTS-XHP holding its edge.

Enough of that--couple other suggestions:

Carbon Fiber is a very beautiful handle material, and he maybe interested in a knife with it. Its very unique and classy looking.

Here's a few suggestions for CF:

Spyderco Caly series (3" and 3.5" blades) with laminated ZDP-189 blades (here's a pic of my Caly 3)


Spyderco Gayle Bradley (3.5" CPM-M4 blade)


Though I'm rather upset with their current pricing regime, Benchmade has some nice folders with wood handles;

North Fork--2.97" S30V blade, dymondwood scales, Axis lock.
Grizzly Creek--3.5" S30V blade, dymondwood scales, axis lock, has a gut hook/seat belt cutter too if that interests you oops nevermind didn't realize the clip was one sided. D'oh.
482 Megumi--Though smaller than your guidelines at a 2.48" blade, this is a gorgeous knife with a cocobolo and carbon fiber scales and the new nak-lock. Something to consider. S30V again.

Fallkniven has some beautiful wood handled knives as well. They are up a bit in price though, close to and over your limit.

Best of luck.

 

[AntDog]

I've learned more about knives in the last few days then I'll ever need but my ignorance led me to believe that a nice new pocket knife would be an easy purchase...

Well, it is usually. It's harder to find the more stipulations you add. The toughest thing in your list of criteria is the wood/bone handles on a modern folder. That's usually tougher to find. They are out there, but it's going to take some research.

There have been some great suggestions so far. Just go to google images and start typing in recommended brands and models and see which one you think he would like.

 

[Mikael W]

How about the Fallkniven Gentlemans Pocket Knife.
It meet Your list of criteras, but if You also look for a pocket cllip, this one doesn't have one.

Opening onehanded is possible by pressing the rounded part of the blade.
Here the left hand is used.
It can also be closed with the left hand, but is primarily designed for right hand closing.

The steel is great and stay sharp for long periods of work.
The wood is Cocobolo hardwood.
The cost is around $ 225 and comes in a nice giftbox.

The leather pouch is from KSF Leather and is extra.


Regards
Mikael

 

[KAEDC]

I gave a Benchmade Megumi to my future father in law for Christmas two years ago and he loves it. It's a great classy modern gentleman's knife. No clip tho FYI.

 

[GlockandBalls]

The Sage 4 is a nice knife, but though S30V it is easy to strop and sharpen, I've had terrible "luck" with edge retention and chipping in the knives I've owned with that steel. I've had much better luck with CTS-XHP holding its edge

Are we really bashing steel for an "in the office" application? What is he going to chip it on? Paper?

CPM S30V made by the wonderful Crucible company, will more than suffice for your husbands needs. Just as any CTS steel made by the great Carpenter company will do the same.

I mentioned the Caly 3 in ZDP-189 earlier in this post, which is prone to a bit of rust if left untreated, but you are not asking for a knife to take on the boat so I had no issue with recommending that steel for in the office and I think its a great choice.

Moreover, there are pros and cons to all of the varieties of steel out there. Some hold an edge for a long time but are very difficult to sharpen. Some dull a bit faster, but are easily sharpened. Nonetheless, any steel on any of the higher end knives we are all referring to in this post will be just fine.

Whew... I thought we could get through a post without someone shredding a particular steel.. Especially because of the context.. Either way, best of luck and let us know what you decide on.

 

[K.O.D.]

Are we really bashing steel for an "in the office" application? What is he going to chip it on? Paper?

CPM S30V made by the wonderful Crucible company, will more than suffice for your husbands needs. Just as any CTS steel made by the great Carpenter company will do the same.

I mentioned the Caly 3 in ZDP-189 earlier in this post, which is prone to a bit of rust if left untreated, but you are not asking for a knife to take on the boat so I had no issue with recommending that steel for in the office and I think its a great choice.

Moreover, there are pros and cons to all of the varieties of steel out there. Some hold an edge for a long time but are very difficult to sharpen. Some dull a bit faster, but are easily sharpened. Nonetheless, any steel on any of the higher end knives we are all referring to in this post will be just fine.

Whew... I thought we could get through a post without someone shredding a particular steel.. Especially because of the context.. Either way, best of luck and let us know what you decide on.

I too work in an office. My "office" knives only open mail and occasionally tape to open a box. My 4.5 month old Paramilitary 2 is badly chipped and I've only used in that manner. My Benchmade 162 rolled on me (in 4 places) after cutting the top off a pumpkin. Not exactly hard work. My Spyderco Nilakka could not keep a sharp edge to save its life. Even my Strider SnG had edge holding issues. Not sure if I just had bad luck but from 3 different companies? I was just warning the OP of what I experienced with the steel and that they MAY want to look at other steels.

 

[GlockandBalls]

I too work in an office. My "office" knives only open mail and occasionally tape to open a box. My 4.5 month old Paramilitary 2 is badly chipped and I've only used in that manner. My Benchmade 162 rolled on me (in 4 places) after cutting the top off a pumpkin. Not exactly hard work. My Spyderco Nilakka could not keep a sharp edge to save its life. Even my Strider SnG had edge holding issues. Not sure if I just had bad luck but from 3 different companies? I was just warning the OP of what I experienced with the steel and that they MAY want to look at other steels.

Here's video of abuse.. And to think you chipped yours on paper and tape.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-obVipiFm0E

 

[DocT]

Please, Please, Please! talk to my wife!

That Spyderco Delica with the Damascus blade is a great choice. It is a bragging knife. Here are some choices of pretty, bragging knives:

http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercoc41tifpnative5flutedtitaniumclipitplainedge.aspx#.VA40vMKSwb4

http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercoe...10damascussprintrun1200each.aspx#.VA41McKSwb4

http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercos...bladeglassfiberfoldingknife.aspx#.VA41UcKSwb4 It also comes in black Nishijin. This stuff has to be seen to be believed. It is 3D and beautiful.

This Chaparral was designed as a gentlemans folder and so was the Air.
http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercochaparraltitaniumc152tipcts-xhpsteelplainedge.aspx#.VA41l8KSwb4
http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercoc...erglassfiberhandleplainedge.aspx#.VA42IcKSwb4
You have to see them to see how lovely they are.

 

[22-rimfire]

Good recommendations above.. But for the office, 3" is plenty. I feel a Manix 2 is a bit large for that setting. I recommend a Spyderco Sage 3 with CPM S30V Steel and Carbon Fiber handle (Around $150). Totally sleek, classy, and perfect for the office. Make sure to get the Sage 3 or 4 (Sage 4 has Wood in the Handle as you requested) as they are the only ones that are truly Ambidextrous. My second choice would be the Spyderco Caly 3 with ZDP-189 Steel and Carbon Fiber scales.

The Spyderco Sage is a good recommendation. I'd be proud to carry one.

 

[Sonnydaze]

First of all, thanks for being a great wife. He will appreciate your gift forever.
Lots of good recommendations above. Mcusta lineup deserves a look, and the Spyderco Sage 3 in carbon fiber, or the Sage 4 with its wood grips is excellent and lefty-friendly. The carbon fiber has different "appearances" and can be VERY nice...
All of the following are 3" bladed folders, and "appropriate" for office-carry.
Here is one of mine in the Spyderco Sage 3 series...from left to rt, Sage 3 carbon fiber, Sage 3 blue G-10, Sage 2 titanium grips.

As mentioned previously, the Spyderco Chaparral is great for the office, as well as the smaller Spyderco Air Bradley with wonderful M4 steel to hold its edge a very long time...

The A.G. Russell "one-hand knife" is a modern legend with many admirers... here is a link to their knives, which are only available, AFAIK, through A.G. Russell with no discounts available. The "Lovelace" design is always a favorite....design by Bob Lovelace, a terrifically-famous knife-maker. Again, a 3" blade in a hard-tempered blade-steel which will hold its edge well.
http://www.agrussell.com/loveless-gentlemans-folder/p/RUShhhJG13BP/

 

[MtnMark]

Hard to find that exact criteria. Not a lot of lefty friendly knives with wood or bone scales. One that fits all of these criteria minus the handle material is the zero tolerance 801. It is a flipper type, high end production knife. Few knives I have found are as fun to 'play with'. Also a lone wolf Trask fits all the criteria minute the lefty friendly.

I would stick with Zero Tolerance (high end Kershaw- see kershawguy.com), Spyderco or benchmade (lone wolf). For sub $200 knives these are the goods. There are other good knives for sure, but these are accepted standards. Another good place to shop is bladehq.com. Lots of great knives there.

Also for up to $200 you can expect somthing made in America which is a good thing.

One more thing, my compliments to the 'chef'. I wish every one on is forum had a wife smart enough to ask the right people. Good on you. Good on your husband too

 

[LastRodeo]

Take a look at the Mcusta Gentlemans Folder. They offer some really nice wood handles. The pocket clip is deep carry, which is nice for the office and is preset for left carry IMO. It has Damascus VG10 blade steel (I'm a big fan of VG10). The only thing that doesn't meet your criteria is the blade is just under 3 inches. Although, in my opinion, over 3 inch knives will raise some eyebrows around most offices.

 

[DocT]

How about the Fallkniven Gentlemans Pocket Knife.
It meet Your list of criteras, but if You also look for a pocket cllip, this one doesn't have one.

Opening onehanded is possible by pressing the rounded part of the blade.
Here the left hand is used.
It can also be closed with the left hand, but is primarily designed for right hand closing.

The steel is great and stay sharp for long periods of work.
The wood is Cocobolo hardwood.
The cost is around $ 225 and comes in a nice giftbox.

The leather pouch is from KSF Leather and is extra.


Regards
Mikael

Yes, besides the ones I mentioned this one is a great knife. No pocket clip, but it has a very practical pocket slip. This is a very nice high end knife. If you buy it and he does not like it, you can re-gift it to me

 

[GreytGem]

Take a look at the Mcusta Gentlemans Folder. They offer some really nice wood handles. The pocket clip is deep carry, which is nice for the office and is preset for left carry IMO. It has Damascus VG10 blade steel (I'm a big fan of VG10). The only thing that doesn't meet your criteria is the blade is just under 3 inches. Although, in my opinion, over 3 inch knives will raise some eyebrows around most offices.

I'm in love with the Mcusta you recommended but it doesn't look like it is able to be set up for a lefty. The notches for the deep pocket carry aren't on both sides. I got really excited until I noticed that.

Is the pocket clip the only thing that matters for ambidextrous or should I be paying attention to something else?

 

[dynamicmoves]

I'm in love with the Mcusta you recommended but it doesn't look like it is able to be set up for a lefty. The notches for the deep pocket carry aren't on both sides. I got really excited until I noticed that.

Is the pocket clip the only thing that matters for ambidextrous or should I be paying attention to something else?

You know, honestly I had never even thought of the pocket clip having anything to do with being ambidextrous. This may be because I always put my knife in the watch pocket of nice pants.

I'd look into making sure the thumb stud is on both sides. Some knives only have the stud on the right side.

 

[Jesse B.]

I'm in love with the Mcusta recommended but it doesn't look like it is able to be set up for a lefty. The notches for the deep pocket carry aren't on both sides. I got really excited until I noticed that.

Is the pocket clip the only thing that matters for ambidextrous or should I be paying attention to something else?

You may have mentioned this already, but is a knife with no pocket clip a deal-breaker? If not, MCUSTA has some other offerings with wooden handles and no clip, like this one: MCUSTA Take.

The clip* (reversible vs. non-reversible) and the type of locking mechanism determine whether or not the knife is truly ambidextrous. A popular but lefty-unfriendly lock is the typical "framelock". Most (or all) of MCUSTA's offerings use a "liner lock" which is geared towards righties but can still be used comfortably by southpaws. There are many locking mechanisms in general.
*(The clip gives the fingers of a person's dominant hand something to grab onto when opening or closing the knife one-handed.)

 

[BenchCo Spydermade]

My suggestion would be the Spyderco Native or Mannix2 in S30V or S35VN. I have a Native in S35VN. They seem to be hard to find in this steel. The Native has a blade length of 3" and the Mannix just a little longer. The Native with the G10 handles is one of my favorites. I don't own a Mannix but I have handled them. The standard steel is VG-10, so the mentioned steels are a step up.

If you think he would like an assisted opener, I really like the ZT 0770CF which has a blade length of 3.25" (I believe) and premium Elmax steel. They run in the $140-180 area depending on where you buy.

Good recommendations but one correction. Standard manix steel is bd1 for the lightweight and s30v for g10 version.

 

[LastRodeo]

I'm in love with the Mcusta you recommended but it doesn't look like it is able to be set up for a lefty. The notches for the deep pocket carry aren't on both sides. I got really excited until I noticed that.

Is the pocket clip the only thing that matters for ambidextrous or should I be paying attention to something else?

The pocket clip is actually already set for left hand carry, it wont need to be switched. I have one, I carry it in my left pocket, the blade sits against the seam on the pocket, which is what you want.

 

[GreytGem]

You may have mentioned this already, but is a knife with no pocket clip a deal-breaker?

Yeah, I know he would like a new knife either way but I also know he has a hard time with some knives without a clip, they fall out of his pockets when he is driving or sitting on the couch. I think it's the pockets in some of the slacks, not so much jeans.

 

[GreytGem]

You all have been more helpful than I could have imagined. Thank you!!

I've got a short list - It could be a lot longer but I don't want to get him a knife that he'll need to /want to do more work to get the scales replaced. We've been together for 11 years and I know him well enough to know it would never happen, he'd settle for the handle it came with.

Short list –
Mcusta Gentleman's folder
Spyderco Sage 4
Benchmade North Fork


Which one would YOU choose?