Knife for an electrician friend's birthday?

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
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Jan 12, 2013
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He has finally grown tired of his POS SOGs, and has really taken a liking to higher end knives ever since I started getting them and showing off (you'd think we were twelve year old boys, the way we get excited about 'em.)

He wants to get one, but his wife won't let him spend the money. His birthday is coming up pretty soon (end of June), so I have some time to think and shop around.

It just needs to be sturdy, plain edged, and have fairly decent wear resistance - he's really not a fan of AUS8 anymore, so I'm thinking 154cm, s30v, something along those lines. Also, he likes knives that open and close easily one-handed.

I'm thinking ZT, hogue, maybe a Gayle Bradley... Any suggestions?
 
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What kind of budget?

Kershaw seems to have a rather interesting line-up of sharps that would fit the bill.

(the ZT350 would be your best bet tho :D )
 
Okay, was thinking about it a bit further.

Depending on how your friend works, it is in the realm of possibilities that one day, the knife becomes an integral part of the electrical circuit, normally causing the blade to kinda become a molten piece of almond.
So, if we are strictly talking about a work knife, well, a CRKT (M16 or M21 series) could be a nice, economic, working knife.

If the "working knife" is a pretense for you to get him something nicer, then the: "What kind of budget", question applies.
 
Turbomammoth said:
What kind of budget?

Kershaw seems to have a rather interesting line-up of sharps that would fit the bill.

(the ZT350 would be your best bet tho :D )
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly...there's also the benchmade barrage, there's a model with serated edge, black blade, it's assisted, also the handles are non conductive IIRC!
 
I have a benchmade Stryker and my brother has a benchmade barrage. Both are amazing knives! They stay very sharp, they are very solid, and the black coating is very tuff. Both are assisted and are REALLY smooth and reliable. I think the quality of the benchmades is amazing.
I also agree with Turbomammoth about the CRKT M16. I have three different models of the M16 series. They are really great knives. The quality isn't as good as the benchmades but they are a 1/3 of the price. Even though they are not assisted, they are really smooth and the flippers make them almost easier to open then an assisted opening knife.
 
My budget is in the $150 range. I have time to shop around for deals, so don't hesitate to suggest something outside of that.

The M16s are a little too soft in the steel - I'm looking to get him something at least in the S30v/154cm range, maybe elmax (what with ZT and all.)
 
Seriously, I never ever thought about suggesting it to someone; never owned or played with one...

But what about an Emerson? Looks like your friend would purchase in Emerson's branding at 200m/h. 154CM too. Not AO, but waved...

Other than that, some Benchmade (still in 154CM)



or, you know...

The ZT350 in S30V.

Good luck finding what you seek!
 
Seems like a ZT0350 is a good fit - they make a part serrated and it is black coated etc.

Kershawguy has blems listed on his web site for $85!!!
http://kershawguy.com/products-page/zt-blems/zt-0350-serrated-blem/

Incidentally, my son-in-law is an electrician and I buy him knives for gifts all the time - most recently on his birthday I bought him a ZT0700 (from kershawguy.com - kershawguy is a supporting dealer here....) and he loved it.

The 700 is designed for penetration - with a tanto blade.
DSC_0998.JPG


That knife was $100 delivered from kershawguy - can't beat that.

best

mqqn
 
I actually just got off the phone with the guy and steered the conversation towards knives - I found he actually just has part serrated black coated assisted knives because that's what is in his price range. So, he actually wants a plain edge knife that doesn't show wear all too much.

Now I'm definitely thinking a ZT 055x or 056x... Something sturdy with a stonewash.
 
What about a Victorinox Electrician? They're cheap so you could grab one and a ZT for him.
35DA5817-6569-494A-A590-08BD1C7EA228-46977-00001A65FF4F8EB2_zps4f82495d.jpg
 
Get either a paramilitary2 or a hogue ex-01 both are amazing. The PM2 is very well known for its hard use and great ergos. The EX-01 is also a brute and the button lock is great
 
I am a journeyman electronic technician. To be honest my most usefull knife was a small, very sharp, warch pocket blade. I just felt it was esier to control and alway's there. If he wears a tool belt ge probably has more than enough weight to carry around already. Even after I started collecting knifes I did not use them at work. My small watch pocket knife just worked better but I sharpen it almost every other day. Working with wire dulls a knife fast. A sharp blade is important for stripping larger gauge wire. My partner used a razor utility knife.

Does he have Large Leatherman? You may consider a really sweet knife just for non work activitys.

You sound like the kind of friend that is hard to find anymore. I would just make sure it's legal to carry if he is a beginner.
 
Well, the Camillus TL-29 was originally an electrician's knife, I have and love one. Great knife, I wont get into why though. I have one pictured as my avatar.
 
Just to add another thing about the benchmade barrage. My family got a friend one for Christmas that was a plain edge and isn't coated at all. We got it without coating so that it wouldn't show wear, I knew he would use it hard. He does a lot of mechanic work and cuts wire with it all the time. We got it for $120 at a local knife shop. In addition to this friend, and my brother and I, my dad and three other friends all have benchmades. Benchmade is definatly the favorite knife brand of my family and all the guys that we hang out with. I could keep talking about all the good things about them for a long time. Anyway, that's just my opinion. I hope that you are able to find the perfect knife for your friend, even if it isn't benchmade. :-)
 
Kershaw guy has s30v blurs for 75 bucks, new, not a blem.DPX gear HEST2 is a beast of a folder,D2 1/4" thick blade with wire stripper jimping and a bottle opener @ around 175. If auto's are legal in your parts Protech TR-3 is a great knife with 154cm @ around 150.Can't go wrong with Spyderco Military,Southard (200 and up).Benchmade 710 with D2 or Griptilian they come with 154cm,D2 and s30v.
Does your buddy like light wieght knives or big chunky tank like knives. If he likes chunky ZT 300 with S30v.If he likes light go Spyderco.
 
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