Help picking a gift for a friend!

Best knife to give as a gift

  • Spyderco Dice

    Votes: 2 6.1%

  • Spyderco Para 3-Standard

    Votes: 4 12.1%

  • Spyderco Para 3 Grey/Cruware sprint

    Votes: 2 6.1%

  • Spyderco Chaparral Raffir Noble edition

    Votes: 5 15.2%

  • Spyderco Chaparral Carbon Fiber Laminate

    Votes: 6 18.2%

  • Spyderco Delica ZDP-189 green FRN

    Votes: 2 6.1%

  • Spyderco Native 5 s110v dark blue FRN

    Votes: 4 12.1%

  • Benchmade Mini grip-standard

    Votes: 6 18.2%

  • Benchmade Shori 483

    Votes: 1 3.0%

  • Benchmade Hunt Northfork, 15031-2 wood handle

    Votes: 1 3.0%
  • Total voters
    33
A

Amurr

Joined
Nov 22, 2013
Messages
524
hey folks, out of the following and only the following please help me select a knife to get a friend as a gift. He is not a knife guy so this will be he new EDC going forward perhaps!!!

Not looking for other options as I am only looking at knife works as I want it engraved also and only looking at blade around or under 3”

Thanks a lot
 
Spyderco Dice only because my friend has it and Domino and boy, are they both easy to flip open and lock up. Awesome choice.

BM Griptilian is another awesome knife chosen without killing your wallet yet a pretty awesome, proven knife.
 
Just curious why these options ?

Did you talk to him and find out what he would value in a knife ?
What features do his other knives have in common ?
Is he going to be able to sharpen these modern steels ?

Knives can be like cloths , if you don't know exactly what someone likes a bad purchase can be easy.
 
At this point he is a child in the knife world.
Why these knives
1. Less than 3” blade for legality in his home area
2. Less that $150
3. Sold by knife works that I want to but from because I want it engraved.


He is basically a knife newbie. Not sure how much he will sharpen it etc. it a gift for him. We talked about Knives a lot so
I thought I would get him one to use as a basic edc. Probably the more pocketable the better!
 
I voted for the chaparral cf version. I have not had owned one, but I’ve only heard good things about it. I will be getting one myself shortly.

Edit: I’ve asked non knife loving people questions about knives before... they looked confused. They are much happier to look at a cool knife, than be asked questions they can’t answer :D
 
I’m leaning towards a chaparral right now:
1) flipper/frame lock of dice is slightly more nuanced/complicated for
Newbie
2) it is one of the smallest most pocketable
3) classy for a gift, good fit and finish carbon fiber or special edition
 
Wow, you're generous! I would be blown away by getting ANY of these knives as a gift!

Considering that the FRN Chapparal is quickly becoming my most favorite knife... I had to give the nod to the carbon fiber version (with the Raffir Noble a close second). I also like the Benchmade Shori 483 as Benchmade seems to have more brand recognition with people who aren't "knife people" if that means anything to you/him.
 
Someone who is not a knife guy is likely to find the Spyderco look a bit off putting. Hell I'm a knife guy and I still think they're fugly! (yet quite functional). If you are looking to get this friend into carrying, then I would go with the Mini Grip. It looks good, feels great in hand, and the flickability of the Axis lock makes it a ton of fun to play with. Also Benchmade offers free lifetime sharpening, and (IMO) the best customer service in the business. Fantastic options, especially for someone who has no idea how to take care of a knife.
 
I would go with Raffir Noble because (subjectively) it is the most interesting and neatest looking, so even if you're not a knife person you probably like the handle (especially if KW can sort you "less of a dud" ) second would be CF version, third would be the S110V Native. I feel like looks/visual interest plays a good role especially for non knife people. All knives you picked are gonna perform, but some looks more interesting while others look more like a tool. But ultimately it's your friend, would he like something with a bit flair or would he prefer something understated? If you try to get him into knives I personally think something with some cool look to it would be a better choice than something rather plain looking. Nice thing of you in any case. :thumbsup:
 
Something that I’m learning about non knife guys/gals who REALLY don’t care for our hobby is that hard to sharpen blade steels work amazing, but once they go dull, it’s really off-putting. (That’s why I’m recommending the Gerber EAB to them first). My vote from your choices is the plain Para 3 as both a fidget toy and work knife. Also wasn’t Spyderco going to do some digital engraving with pictures this year?
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
Also Benchmade offers free lifetime sharpening,
Click to expand...
Completely forgot about life-sharp! If the butterfly tax doesn’t scare you, any of your BM options are great for non knife people. I don’t know how to get someone to check F&F before they send it to you, but it’s perfect for non knife people. (Except for the handles, I don’t think I’ll ever get over my pinkie hanging out)
 
Mr.SATism said:
Completely forgot about life-sharp! If the butterfly tax doesn’t scare you, any of your BM options are great for non knife people. I don’t know how to get someone to check F&F before they send it to you, but it’s perfect for non knife people. (Except for the handles, I don’t think I’ll ever get over my pinkie hanging out)
Click to expand...

I had to get aftermarket scales for me to like the mini grip in hand. My hands are a normal size large, which I believe is average.
 
Since you specified that your friend is not a knife person, I’d recommend the Mini Grip simply because, of your options, it’s the most traditional in appearance. For people who aren’t into knives, I think Spyderco knives appear rather unconventional, and seem somewhat a combination of scary and toyish to those not familiar with them. And yes, I realize that “scary” and “toyish” are somewhat contradictory.

The Mini Grip, on the other hand, is more traditional, and I expect more immediately reveal their quality even to non-knife enthusiasts.
 
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A mini grip would be a great gift, especially if you get the 20CV/G10 model. The plain 154 model is no slouch, though. I'd be ecstatic to be gifted either.

If I'd be choosing for myself, the next one I'd get would be the CruWear PM3. I love the grey G10 and the steel.
 
Don't get anything that's too hard to sharpen. I still sharpen my friend's s30v blade I gave him 8 years ago because he can't.
 
Amurr said:
At this point he is a child in the knife world.
Why these knives
1. Less than 3” blade for legality in his home area
2. Less that $150
3. Sold by knife works that I want to but from because I want it engraved.


He is basically a knife newbie. Not sure how much he will sharpen it etc. it a gift for him. We talked about Knives a lot so
I thought I would get him one to use as a basic edc. Probably the more pocketable the better!
Click to expand...
You should consider finding something in an easy to sharpen steel.

If he can't sharpen it on just a basic cheap stone it could put him off.
 
unwisefool said:
Don't get anything that's too hard to sharpen. I still sharpen my friend's s30v blade I gave him 8 years ago because he can't.
Click to expand...
Oh boy... I’m about to take my friend to my B&M for an upgrade to his EDC... I already sharpened his last one, and that was an 8cr reprofile...
 
Oh yeah, I think we forgot to ask. What’s his sharpening system or at least what will it be? (Pls don’t say pull through, because I am on the Wall of shame for that...)
 
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