Help me pick just one knife

onojoe said:
Before you all panic, its not for me. I have no problem picking multiple knives. Its for my nephews.
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I believe your nephews would appreciate more you picking their knives than a total stranger picking them.
 
I think a Farmer with a bit of something different like the ones Cutlery Shoppe offers from time to time would be very special, and practical.
 
rune1279 said:
I agree with Woodrow, there -- stockman all the way. Though I'm partial to the Buck 303 myself, seeing as my cool uncle gave me his when I was a teenager. :)
--Mark
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I'd go with the stockman too. Case makes quite a range of sizes.
 
Cory Hess said:
.... Having one similar to the one that you carry would make it special and more likely to be carried.
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I think this is probably the most important piece of advice on this thread.

When I was in college, my uncle, who is quite an outdoorsman and world traveler, gave me a SOG multitool as part of a kit of things he said would help in my adventures in the world. He explained why he liked it and preferred it to a Leatherman. I remember thinking how cool it was to benefit from his experience and to have something he himself would use. 20+ years later I still have it and it has accompanied me on many adventures.

Greg
 
This comes back to the eternal questions: how old are they, what will they be doing with them, what will you be teaching them to do with them. An SAK solo, especially in one of the Alox colors might fit the bill. Good quality slipjoint but lacking the personality of the more traditional covers.

Are they city boys or country boys? Older or younger? City kids that will just cut open the mail - maybe a peanut or something else with just one or two blades. GEC White Owl, TC Barlows...

Country kids who will be whittling and other stuff - Case Sodbuster, GEC Farm and Ranch.

My first knife was a Camp King scout knife. My dad retained possession of it for the first few years and I asked for it when I needed wanted it. It had a belt loop snap that attached to the bail to make sure it stayed in our pocket. When I graduated the eighth grade my grandparents gave me a medium sized stockman style knife. Now a lot of my EDC knives are something made by John Lloyd and a medium to large stockman. But I grab a Case Sodbuster or back pocket sized trapper when working outdoors.

Anything from a 108 OT or Case Eisenhower to a Todd Davidson go in my pocket for church.

Whatever you go with, I agree with those who say it will be more special if it's just like the one Uncle Joe carries.
 
WA Martin said:
This comes back to the eternal questions: how old are they, what will they be doing with them, what will you be teaching them to do with them. An SAK solo, especially in one of the Alox colors might fit the bill. Good quality slipjoint but lacking the personality of the more traditional covers.

Are they city boys or country boys? Older or younger? City kids that will just cut open the mail - maybe a peanut or something else with just one or two blades. GEC White Owl, TC Barlows...

Country kids who will be whittling and other stuff - Case Sodbuster, GEC Farm and Ranch.

My first knife was a Camp King scout knife. My dad retained possession of it for the first few years and I asked for it when I needed wanted it. It had a belt loop snap that attached to the bail to make sure it stayed in our pocket. When I graduated the eighth grade my grandparents gave me a medium sized stockman style knife. Now a lot of my EDC knives are something made by John Lloyd and a medium to large stockman. But I grab a Case Sodbuster or back pocket sized trapper when working outdoors.

Anything from a 108 OT or Case Eisenhower to a Todd Davidson go in my pocket for church.

Whatever you go with, I agree with those who say it will be more special if it's just like the one Uncle Joe carries.
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Good point, they are what I would call suburban kids. They like the outdoors, but more skateboarding than hunting. They are all over 18 with the oldest 24. The thought behind this, is things every man should have, like a suit, wallet, good pair of shoes etc. Well I cant buy them a suit or dress shoes, but I can get them a knife.
 
leghog said:
I believe your nephews would appreciate more you picking their knives than a total stranger picking them.
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I agree, but I am relatively new to traditionals, and the more I learn the more I realize I don't know. Ultimately I will pick one out for them, but I was hoping to get it narrowed down a bit.
 
Why not get a couple and let them pick with your guidance??!!?? John
 
The good ol' Case sodbuster jr is a good choice or a victorinox tinker ( I don't know if they're still available, but I recently saw a deal on them where the tinker came with a suspension clip and a ceramic sharpener all for about 25$ )
 
Victorinox Small Tinker, Alox Cadet, or Evogrip S18. Excellent knife and other tools that make it useful to have. If they're not used to carrying a knife, they might not use it much. With a SAK, they might find the non-knife tools useful and ultimately use the blade as well. I'd choose from these 3 models for their reasonable size and what they might find useful. If handy, the Philips screwdriver on the 2 larger knives is nice to have. If it doesn't get carried, it doesn't get used, which is the main benefit of the Cadet. All are reasonably priced and easy to sharpen and easy to replace if lost or damaged.
 
I'd lean towards a Jack or Stockman in the 3.5" to 3.75" size. I've used up a bunch of those.
 
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Cory Hess said:
That's what I'd go with. The stockman is too much knife for people that aren't knife people in my experience. One or two blades is plenty, and the combination of wharncliffe and pen will tackle any need that they're likely to encounter. Having one similar to the one that you carry would make it special and more likely to be carried.
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I agree with Cory's last sentence, but I think I'd be a little wary of getting your nephews a knife with a Wharncliffe main if they don't have much experience using knives. I worry that an inexperienced user is quite likely to break the tip off a wharncliffe. I'd go with a stockman if you want to give them something similar to what you carry.

- GT
 
hey onojoe.
wade asked the question i wanted to ask: how old are they exactly? (i saw your answer)

the underlying reason for the question is this....I know you are asking for recommendations on knives you think they will like. it may be better to ask them what they like. i am guessing maybe it is a gift. but, perhaps they could be a part of the selection process?

the reason why i say this is that i have a 17 and 23 year old boy. honestly (and sorry guys), it may be that they don't want a traditional knife. i tried to get them to appreciate the SAK's i have or other tradition folders. i love them! but, most of the time, i get a shrug. in the days of everyone having a clip showing on the outside of their pants, that was more what they were interested in...the modern folder. :eek:

i know you want to "teach the children well", and believe me, i get that. but, my opinion is that it's best to get them a knife that they are excited about carrying and using.

btw...my youngest really liked the Buck 112 and he does carry it sometimes.
 
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+1 for the GEC #15 this will always be one of my favorites. Someone also mentioned the 77 and that would be a good option. Between the two, I prefer the 15 in the pocket, their both great in the hand.
 
Hey Onojoe!
Pleasure to meet you.
I don't have any kids, but I have nieces & nephews, related & "brothers" kids.
I suggest a Buck 110.
Traditional, useful, your nephews are grown, they can be trusted with a 110.
The old style, traditional, will give them a link to the past, before everything plastic...
And it will be telling them you are realizing they are becoming good men.
I like the case penknives and such too...they will make birthday and Christmas presents for years down the road.
In any case, what you get them... You're a good man for stepping up as a good role model to these kids!
Best wishes to you & the young men lucky enough to be your nephews!
 
Hmmm... I'm going to try this one again. While I love my traditionals, and carry several at a time- today it's five... I was opening mulch bags with my stag toenail... this past Christmas I bought my girlfriend's two boys SAK Farmers. They wouldn't appreciate a traditional, and they'd never take care of it... the Farmer was sort of a compromise as the saw is completely useless for them, but still, a beautiful, really well-made knife for not much money. SAK recently introduced the Pioneer with scissors, and honestly, if I could only carry one knife, and as a gift for 35 bucks? You can't beat it.

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