Knife for a non-knife person?

JSMcustoms

JSMcustoms

Joined
Feb 2, 2012
Messages
1,792
My older sister's birthday is coming up and judging by the condition of her current EDC (that I'm constantly having to repair blade play etc.), a new one is well overdue. The old TimberWolf branded thing marked as '440A' has gotta go. Granted, the thing is almost ten years old, so for a cheep Chinese knife, it's done better than expected. I've got a few different things in mind, but buying a knife for someone is always a bit of a reach... The following are my considerations.

- Ontario Rat II
- Spyderco Centofante 3
- Buck Vantage Pro (0347BKS)
- Kershaw Skyline

Basically my budget is in the $30 to $60 range. Any other good recommendations?
 
Would she get more use out of a tool over a dedicated blade? Something like a nice SAK? I've been pleased with my Boker Tech Tool which is just a more refined SAK with a pocket clip.

A Kershaw Leek is a nice edc blade as well.

The Spyderco Dragonfly is a handy knife, too
 
Steely_Gunz said:
Would she get more use out of a tool over a dedicated blade? Something like a nice SAK? I've been pleased with my Boker Tech Tool which is just a more refined SAK with a pocket clip.

A Kershaw Leek is a nice edc blade as well.

The Spyderco Dragonfly is a handy knife, too
Click to expand...

I think she'd get more use from a dedicated blade. She likes the size of her current one (about 3 inches).
 
Can't say a particular knife I'd recommend, but maybe something with pins and a lockback rather than adjustable pivots and a very slick opening liner lock. Something like a steel handle Delica I think is less screwing around or chances of accidental opening. I don't personally care for the Spyder holes, but the Delica is a good example of tough and simple.


Another one along those lines with a 3" blade would be a Bucklite Max. Pins, lockback, good steel, simple.
 
Last edited:
Mini Grip
 
Solid considerations all, but I'm curious about whether she'd prefer a flipper over a non-flipper and if the varying steels is important to her(or you if you're the one maintaining, sharpening). If a flipper is preferred, the Kershaw Link may be an option. The ergos of each will play a part in this as well.
 
The ontario Rat 2 looks interesting and also non-threatening... (bottom knife)

img-ontario-rat-ii-05.jpg
 
I'm thinking of getting a RAT II from WallyMart. Less than $30., including sales tax, delivered to the local store.
 
My first thought was a SAK too but since you thought folder...

Ontario Rat 2 with 3" blade. Best bang for the buck for a budget knife imo. Btw, it comes in pink. At or under $30. Since there is $ leftover in your budget and you are trying to update her EDC, maybe a keychain or small pocket flashlight? Always worth having (assuming she doesn't have one already of course).
 
get a leek; everyone seems to love them once they come into contact with them. how about a nice stockman, from take your pick?
Neal
 
neal70 said:
get a leek; everyone seems to love them once they come into contact with them.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ. :) I'd always heard that as well, so I finally picked one up. I hate it. The quality is there, but the ergonomics aren't. The handle feels wrong and the assisted opening is annoying. Oh, and the blade profile is extremely unattractive, imo.
 
I've given my sister (non-knife person) a Mini Grip and a Vic Huntsman that I carried & used for a while, as well as a Classic. I haven't seen the Mini Grip since I gave it to her, but I have seen the Vics clipped (carabiner) to her bag and she's told me about times one or the other has come in handy.
I gave her the Mini Grip because during one visit, I saw she had a no-name liner lock and wanted her to have something more trustworthy that also came with a warranty. I'm not sure she ever warmed up to it, though. She took to the SAKs fairly quickly, though.
 
How about a Cold Steel Tuff Lite? Not sure what she's doing with her knife, but the wharncliffe blade excels at most EDC cutting chores and it's very easy to sharpen. Also tough as nails and very comfortable and controllable, even during extended cutting tasks.
 
Another little knife that's quite robust for it's size is the Boker Nopal; I have one and it's very stout and 440C (supposedly) steel too.

boker-plus-01bo180-large.jpg
 
Of the four you've suggested the best EDC is the Skyline.
Consider a Boker Tech Tool 2 in CF. All the knife of a standard pocket clip folder with the utility of a SAK. Really nicely done. If I can find a good sale price on some, it might end up my 2016 gift knife.
 
RX-79G said:
Can't say a particular knife I'd recommend, but maybe something with pins and a lockback rather than adjustable pivots and a very slick opening liner lock. Something like a steel handle Delica I think is less screwing around or chances of accidental opening. I don't personally care for the Spyder holes, but the Delica is a good example of tough and simple.


Another one along those lines with a 3" blade would be a Bucklite Max. Pins, lockback, good steel, simple.
Click to expand...

Yep the buck is great, my 482 has served me flawlessly for the past 2 yrs. It's lightweight, ergonomic,easy to open, has a pocket clip, and relatively easy to sharpen. Plus it's American made and only costs 20$ ( it comes in a small medium and large sizes )
 
Rat 2 or Spyderco Delica 4. Both are small and light and non threatening. Not sure if she has long fingernails but the spy-hole opening might be easier to open with?

GCPdWTt.jpg
 
My wife loves the $70 Tattoo version of a Spyderco Dragonfly I got her. They can certainly be had for less in nearly every color FRN handle you can think of if you shop around. Great smallish "chick" knife, and legal almost everywhere, ever Chicago, with it's 2.5" blade...

She also likes her orange Leek...

She also likes her orange Avispa when she needs a "real knife" as she calls it...

If going the Vantage Pro route, I would say go with the Vantage Avid instead... Nicer looking with wood handles, (think "accessory" for a female), and the sandvik blade is tougher and easier to touch up, as opposed to the s30v on the pro model... For a "non knife" person, it is the much better choice IMHO.

I personally like the ESEE Zancudo better then the rat2, same price, similar size, but a framelock and a narrower neck grip.

Maybe a snall Vantage Avid + a Zancudo/Rat2 for around $70 shipped...
 
Shankenstein said:
Solid considerations all, but I'm curious about whether she'd prefer a flipper over a non-flipper and if the varying steels is important to her(or you if you're the one maintaining, sharpening). If a flipper is preferred, the Kershaw Link may be an option. The ergos of each will play a part in this as well.
Click to expand...

Steel is only somewhat important on my end of things as, yes, I'm the one sharpening and maintaining the thing, but for the most part because the intervals between sharpenings will be less (she does use a knife on a daily basis for one thing or another).

Charlie Mike said:
Mini Grip
Click to expand...

Is also a very good option.
 
The Vantage Pro from the options you mentioned. Great steel, looks classy, and made in the U.S.A!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top