Knife for dad?

The Air is a great suggestion, I don't like recommending non-stainless steels with out knowing that it would be ok. I'm gonna bet that if he not really a knife guy (yet!?), he's not gonna want to worry about M4, no matter how awesome it is.
 
If he's not a knife guy most of what makes the Mnandi great will be lost on him. Start with a quality piece that doesn't break the bank and fits the bill. He needs a true pocket knife. IE a knife that resides in the pocket itself and not hanging from the edge via some newfangled carbotanium clip with a rapid deployment tactical trouser hook. Preferably something pretty too. Might I suggest something like the Al Mar Hawk?
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Might I suggest something like the Al Mar Hawk?
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I was thinking that as well until I checked on the prices and current specs. When I bought my white micarta Hawk in the 80's it seemed like a high tech knife, but now it's nearly $200 and still only AUS8 steel. Still a nice knife but maybe not much of a value. And it's kinda tiny for a modern knife.

How about a William Henry knife?

http://www.knifeart.com/e63.html
 
Check out the line of Northwoods knives at KSF (KnivesShipFree - Derrick, the owner, is a member here and great to deal with!). The Norfolk and Norfolk Whittler may be a good option for you - they are gorgeous, come with a nice leather pocket sheath, and are priced from just over $100 and up to about your max spending limit.

Here's my Ivory Whittler, and I love it!

 
You said he uses it mostly to open mail. In that case I don't think you need to spend $300 dollars on a glorified letter opener. Why not just get him a sak. But if you want something that has some prestige, you can't go wrong with benchmade, Chris reeves, or zero tolerance
 
It sounds like our fathers are very similar people. I would not spend a ton of money. I got my father a Kershaw Scallion with a Damascus Blade. He loves it. It is not threatening and he carries it everywhere. Pulls it out of his pocket all the time. Heck half his friends have bought similar knives from me because he keeps showing it to everyone.

A side note: He was frustrated with the speedsafe and the closing of the liner for about the first hour. Once he got the hang of it everything lit up!
 
Just my 2 cents, but I would be very hesitant to spend $300-$350 bucks on a knife for a non-knife guy.

A Spyderco Caly 3 with Carbon Fiber or a G-10 Dragonfly are both high quality knives that won't break the bank.
 
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