Knife for my dad, deciding between 2 Kershaw.

celtic11

celtic11

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Dec 28, 2012
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So I decided to add an inexpensive knife to my dads gift this year but would like a little insight. My dad is not a "knife guy" but he has shown a slight amount of interest in my knives in the past. I'm a kershaw guy so that's the direction I'm looking at. I purchased him a Kershaw Squaw Creek with the CF inlays. I read the specs on the knife but when it showed up I was really taken aback by how small it is (2" blade, 3.5" closed). I typically carry at 3.25" blade but I don't want to get him something that large as I want it to be an easy pocket carry type deal for him. I'm thinking about hanging onto that and getting a Indian Ford for him which looks like a slightly larger version of the same knife (2 5/8" blade).

So I guess my question is, is the squaw creek too small to be a useful tool? It feels majorly inadequate when I handle it, but I'm not sure if my perception is skewed by kershaw blurs and ZTs.
 
I think you are thinking about it like a knife guy. Non knife people dont need big blades for it to be useful. They seem to like small and discreet. I think you did fine for a non knife person.
 
I concur, for a non knife person, the smaller knife will be fine. He probably will feel more comfortable with the smaller knife. You can always get him something a little bigger later on. I lean toward a small knife when gifting to a family member.
 
Thanks guys. That's what I was thinking at first, and then started over-thinking it.
 
Let me join the chorus of approval. Non knife people are quite happy with smaller blades. Check out the traditionals; they usually have small blades compared to modern tactical folders. People like them. They are useful without being intimidating.
 
Yeah the squaw creek is more of a traditional knife. With the carbon fiber adding some modern flair. Far from tactical though.
 
Yeah man, you're overthinking it. Just last month I got my old man a Buck 55. Compared to my 110 it felt like a toy. A really beautiful, well-built toy ;) But he loves it. Carries it in his coin/watch pocket and it's come in handy a couple of times already.

I checked out the Kershaw you mentioned. It's a nice model. I'm sure he'll like it.
 
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Kershaw Wild Turkey

It packs a 3.25" blade, but is still very thin. The wood handles, bolster, and nail nick do give it more of a traditional feel, if that's what you're going for. Very slim, and very easy to carry (in pocket - no clip).

WildTurkey_20141215_800x449.jpg
 
flarp said:
Kershaw Wild Turkey

It packs a 3.25" blade, but is still very thin. The wood handles, bolster, and nail nick do give it more of a traditional feel, if that's what you're going for. Very slim, and very easy to carry (in pocket - no clip).

WildTurkey_20141215_800x449.jpg
Click to expand...
The wild turkey looks nice and is the general style that I'm after. I think it might be a little large for him though. I'm mainly choosing between going with the Squaw Creek that I already have purchased, or upping it to the Indian Ford.

Than you for your suggestion, though.
 
Can I also suggest the AG Barlow medium lockback series, they use the same steel as the Kershaw, it has a tad thicker handle that is super comfy and several handle options. But you also have bird in hand, so maybe you can gift that to him now and see if he is keen on it and get him something else later.

RUS-CB13YD-co-er.jpg
 
cchu518 said:
Can I also suggest the AG Barlow medium lockback series, they use the same steel as the Kershaw, it has a tad thicker handle that is super comfy and several handle options. But you also have bird in hand, so maybe you can gift that to him now and see if he is keen on it and get him something else later.

RUS-CB13YD-co-er.jpg
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Thanks for the suggestion. I am pretty in the dark when it comes to traditional knives and my dad kind of strikes me as a traditional meets modern type guy which is why I went with the Kershaw with carbon fiber. I wanted something small and unobtrusive since he isn't used to carrying a knife. But those you posted look nice also and I will be looking into them as well. I went with the Kershaw because it's just what I know. My knife collection only runs about 16 knives but all but two are KAI and those two were gifts.

I do like the look of many traditionals and would like to invest in a few soon, so recommendations are always welcome.
 
flarp said:
Kershaw Wild Turkey

It packs a 3.25" blade, but is still very thin. The wood handles, bolster, and nail nick do give it more of a traditional feel, if that's what you're going for. Very slim, and very easy to carry (in pocket - no clip).

WildTurkey_20141215_800x449.jpg
Click to expand...

The Wild Turkey Damascus is a great knife. I have one (and the matching Damascus Double Cross). Seriously attractive knife.

For the traditional knife, even if you don't know much about them, go Case. Fifty bucks or so and really decent quality. Of course, the traditional guys will tell you about GEC and Queen, but those cost more. I like Case's stainless steel. Takes a wicked edge, it does!
 
NeilB said:
The Wild Turkey Damascus is a great knife. I have one (and the matching Damascus Double Cross). Seriously attractive knife.

For the traditional knife, even if you don't know much about them, go Case. Fifty bucks or so and really decent quality. Of course, the traditional guys will tell you about GEC and Queen, but those cost more. I like Case's stainless steel. Takes a wicked edge, it does!
Click to expand...
Like I said, I went with a Kershaw for a reason. Its a brand I'm comfortable with and have dealt with a lot in the past. I guess you could say I'm brand loyal. For him, this will be a fine knife at $22. My concern was with the size of the knife and nothing else.

Case does make some really nice looking knives and obviously the name carries a nice history, but just not what I was going for with this purchase.
 
Speaking of traditional meets modern, the AGR barlow has washers even though it's a barlow design. So it stays perfectly centered forever and opens one handed if you needed. It's a fan favorite design but I prefer slim trapper traditionals and smaller 2 inch bladed traditionals like the one you originally got for your dad myself! I have to pass through metal detectors every few weeks in NYC and I don't like causing commotions. The small traditionals don't really get much of a glance from security.

But back to your questions 2inch blades are very capable they can handle most of your everyday needs except dip into a peanut butter jar or cut a hero sandwich!
 
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