Help me come up with the best knife for my needs

A

ahenry

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Sep 19, 2001
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In this thread, http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1766223#post1766223 I mentioned the reason I need/want to purchase 6 or 7 custom knives. I also mentioned that I need each knife to cost approximately 100 dollars. I gave a rough idea of my ideal knife for this, but lots of people suggested different types of knives and since I liked a lot of the suggestions I think I might change my plan a little. So lets do that. Lets design the best knife for these groomsmen gifts.

Let me state the dictating criteria:
Price: The knives for the groomsmen has to come in under 100 dollars (the knives for the best men can be more, we’ll get to those down the road)
Looks I want a good looking knife. Doesn’t have to have a Damascus blade and cocabola scales, but I want a knife that they can think of as a great looking blade.
Practical It needs to be one that is useful. I don’t want to give a man a tool that he can’t even count on, so it needs to have quality steel, and a functional design (i.e. fantasy blades look cool, but they’re mainly for show).


Right now, thats about all I can think of. So with those criteria what sort of knife would you guys get? Folders, fixed, “tactical”, production, semi-custom, collaboration (Ken Onion/Kershaw type), or what?
 
Look at the Himalayan Imports khukuris. They can be had at special prices from anywhere from $40-$175 for most working blades. I know a few people who used them for groomsmen gifts and they are really top notch quality! If they were made in the USA they would be pushin' $500-1000! I cut me wedding cake with a Ang Khola model at my wedding! As far as using them they are made of VERY TOUGH 5160 steel and zone temperd to 55 on the spine to 58-60 on the edge and will never break! I have used them for over 10 years and they just keep on getting better! Sereously go look at the H.I. forum!;) Good luck!
 
Give Mike Cooper a shot at L6steel@aol.com .

He has some basic models that I think come in at under a hundred bucks.
apr6+JR+cooper.jpg


This is a variation of his basic neck knife. He makes them in wharncliffe and hawkbill blades also and a good choice of handle materials.

Maybe for the best man something along the lines of one of his Mighty Mites with some nice wood scales like this:
jun+17+mite1.jpg


He will do quite a wide range of knives from basic neck knives to large fancy bowies....hunters and whatever.

I dont know what his current prices are, but they have always been very reasonable for exceptional quality.
 
This topic has gone beyond the topic of custom knives into semi-production and production and is being moved to the general forum for further discussion.
 
Fair enough Blues. Ideally I’m still looking for custom, but I figured I would open the door for any type of suggestion. Thanks for moving it.
 
ahenry-- you might want to take a look at Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works They have several knives within your price range, and they are great folks to deal with. In particular, you might want to check out the custom fighters and the Mini Starlight. The blades are parkerized, but can be bead blasted upon request, so I don't know if they would meet your aesthetic requirements. They are, however, very functional and very affordable.
--Josh
 
Neck knives? Kukhris? Hatchets!?

This is a groomsman's gift, that hopefully the recipients will use and cherish, right? Honestly, unless you have a really special group of guys, most folks will get more use and appreciate a $10 keychain SAL than a $100 custom knife. Why spend the money on something that won't be appreciated an will sit in a drawer?

Again, unless these are "knife guys", I would stay small. Check out the small linerlocks that Delta-Z offers. Delta-Z contructs top-notch knives, they just don't have the big name. 440 steel and really classy looking wood handles, with <3" blades. All that for $30, you can't miss! If yoiu really want to drop some coin, I would look into William Henry knives, or look at the small SS or silver Buck gent's folders that AG Russell carries - you can engrave the scales. If you're set on a bladed instrument, give something they can reasonably carry (trust me, for most of the populace, 2.5-3" blade is pushing the limits of reasonability) that is either very practical or very classy.
 
I agree. Remember you are asking people who breathe evry breath while holding a blade. I would go with a small mid range folder. Stainless spyderco's come to mind. LOts of sizes and save some $$ for the honeymoon. Most "normal" people will not, or won't be able to carry a fixed or large folder. I recommend a production piece too. Any sub $100 custom is bound to be low in the F&F dept. I amn sure there are exceptions, but generally. How would you like it if the person who's wedding you were at was a mechanic and gave you a new $100 ratchet? Well, if you are not a guy into tools, you will feel likke your groomsman when you give them a tactical fighter. If they are cops, outdoors types, fire people, etc. then all shall be well. Good luck and keep in mind I am hardly ever right.
 
What sort of use will the groomsmen put the knife to? If some work in an office wearing a suit and tie, others a Home Depot in blue jeans and, yet others outside (Electrician, Military, Fishermen, etc.), you will to find different knives for each that are appropriate for their lifestyle.

An often overlooked and heavily used knife is the kitchen knife. This doesn't have the appeal, flash and, overall cool - neato factor but, is a very practical blade that will be used daily.

The George Tichbourne kitchen knives are attractively priced and a good value for the money. The paper micarta with red liner against the 440C makes an attractive piece. I have the K6 which is a very versatile multi-use knife. At $120 it is slightly out of your price range but, certainly worth the money.

Tichbourne Kitchen knives
 
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