Help needed (warning...I am a newbie)

J

julesmtn

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Nov 27, 2013
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So...I really would like to get my husband a great knife for Christmas. Originally, I was hoping to make it special and get one that is handmade. BUT, alas, I started looking at all the wonderful Master knife smiths and realized that I cannot afford that on our Army paycheck. My husband has a TON of knifes..benchmades, spyderco, bucks, leathermans, etc. He is an Army Ranger so I am looking to get him one that he can show off at work and yet is useful for everyday use(combat, field, jumping). He was enlisted but then moved over to the dark side. He uses his knives everyday so definitely looking for durability. He is coming home from overseas on the 19th (ish....cross your fingers). So I need to be able to get it before Christmas. I have a budget of 400 but would like something "special". I am not sure what that looks like or even means to be honest. I suppose I will know it when I see it. I carry myself and am not completely ignorant of knives, but I thought I would get some wonderful help from the plethora of knowledge here to try and make this special for him. I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

Thank you so much.

Julie
 
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I'm sure a lot of us will stop in and leave suggestions however I have 2 quick questions that, if you could answer, might help everyone.

#1 - What size hands would you say your husband has? ie. Glove size M, L, XL...

#2 - Any chance you can take some pics of his collection so we can see what his likes & dislikes are?

Thanks and welcome to BF Julie. :)

Also very glad to hear your husband gets to come home for Christmas! :thumbup:
 
First off thank you to your husband for fighting for our country and our freedom, thank you very much. Now are you looking to get him a folding knife or a fixed blade, what is he more into? If he wants to show it off and be combat worthy and with a wallet of $400.00 your world for a good knife is rather large. How about an Emerson Super Commander folding knife, or an Emerson CQC 15 or CQC 8 Wave Super, there made especially for combat. They are all in or around the $200.00 range I believe. Spyderco Military is also a great tactical folding knife and depending where you get it is in the $100.00+ range. For fixed blades maybe a SOG Seal Team Elite, Cold Steel Recon Scout... What knives does he have do you know which ones he has and ones he doesn't so you do not get a knife he already has? That would help a lot with suggestions.
 
Jules,

One of the most beautiful knives (IMO anyway) is Chris Reeve's Green Beret. I actually like anything by Bill Harsey (The Gerber LMF and Spartan Harsey II are in similar style). I love the looks of Black Micarta and the S35V steel has held up wonderfully through my limited use.

Check out those designs... I think that a Spartan brand knife or one of the Chris Reeve fixed blades might be just what you're looking for.
 
Julie, if you are looking for something a step above Spyderco and Benchmade etc., and $400 or under, I would look at the following:

1) Chris Reeve Sebenza 25
2) Chris Reeve Umnumzaan
3) Strider SNG
 
Hi Julie! Such a thoughtful gift! Might I suggest a different approach? Your husband may have all the gear he needs and I suspect he may be loathe to carry anything too expensive or sentimental in the field. Perhaps get him a more dressy type knife and treat the both of you to a nice dinner in the New Year (an occasion to carry it)... win, win! :) Here is a folder made by a Japanese company called Mcusta (the model is the Yoroi) and it can be found online for around $230ish...

yoroi02.jpg


Good luck to ya and Happy Holidays to you and your family!

-Brett
 
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He is 6'2", big hands. Probably between a L and XL. I am not sold on fixed or folding. At first, I thought folding because it is easier to travel with. But he has a love for fixed. Most of his collection is with him or out in the garage. If I had to guess, he has probably 40 different knives. Most are the ones I listed above. I forgot to mention he has Gerbers too. Let me see if I can find a few and figure out how to post a pic. He always is wearing at least two on his belt when working.
 
Custom Fixed Blades can be quite affordable. Custom Folders are another animal.

In your budget you could get him a Custom Fixed Blade & a Production Folder very easily.
That would give him a combo fixed/folder that will fill any requirements he might have.

Most any nice Benchmade/Spyderco/ZT leaves plenty of room for a Custom fixed blade to complement it. You could even find a production knife he might like and have a maker make a fixed blade version of that folder for a matched pair. Or just have a fixed blade version of his favorite folder made.
 
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ESEE Knives, ESEE 6 would be a great choice, maybe Ka-Bar 1214 Combat knife, Ken Onion Redemption is a $200.00 plus fixed knife. With the price range that you have listed instead of getting one special knife you could get two awesome blades.
 
http://julesmtn12.tumblr.com/post/68291820971


Okay, I obviously stink at inserting an image, so I created a dang tumbler. This was the first stash I came upon and is a good representation. He probably has five or more other stashes. The really nice blade set apart from the rest is a Andre Van Heerden, the beautiful handmade blade. The good ones, the gerbers, the benchmades, etc are with him. He is right handed.
 
Have to love the dog hair.....:D

That's fabulously embarrassing. And thank you all for the suggestions!!! I am googling and searching as I respond.
 
I would recommend taking a peek at this one . Very good price for a great steel and a good looking knife. LINK TO SALE THREAD
3080FF66-BD2C-4B52-927E-2F7D60E7DE69_zpsxoklqicu.jpg

If you can find a better priced knife in 3v I will eat my hat!
Disclaimer, My hat is made out of chocolate.
 
He has the beautiful, handmade Heerden folding knife from South Africa, which if I may say so is a work of art. I want something badass but useable, but one he wouldn't buy for himself or one he would love to own. The Reeves looks incredible as well as the Mcusta.
 
Here are a few that I was thinking of, including 2 others made by Bill Coye. These are my favorites for your application, and his buddies will be impressed!

SpartanHarseyModelII.1.3.JPG



GERBER_LHR_30-000183.jpg



4278160.jpg


KD1.jpg


gaw2.jpg
 
Reeves knives are very respected. Quality materials, good designs, and exacting tolerances. The Sebenza is a knife many enthusiasts lust after.
 
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