Knife gift giving protocol-used knives

D

Dago Red

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
987
I have given many knives as gifts over the years, I love sharing my passion for them. I also enjoy telling younger recipients about the tradition of giving a coin when they get a knife (nobody seems to really remember that though) and use the explanation of it not severing the relationship.

here is a new one for me. My father-in-law, who I get along with but am not "close" to wants to get into sailing. I had the idea for my wife that we put together a package, sailing book, knot book, practice rope, and a sailing knife. I did a BIN (hopefully it arrives in time, didn't realize it was "economy" shipping for $5.50, douche). I have never given a used knife as a gift. Obviously I'm going to clean it up, shine, oil. my question is this:

on a used knife, and this one is advertised as never sharpened, is it ok to sharpen the knife? He's not a collector, may not even care about it, and I doubt has a way of putting a good edge on it. I was going to put probably a 20 degree on it with my lansky (all I have right now) and get it shaving sharp. Any protocol I'm breaking by doing that?

Thanks.

Red
 
I'd sharpen it. But if he's not a "knife guy," you probably need to let him know it's shaving sharp. Otherwise, he might lose a thumb. I would have no problem receiving a used knife as a gift and would appreciate the effort taken to sharpen it. 'Way cooler than some WalMart cutter in a blister pack. But then I'm a knife guy.
 
If he's not the type of guy who has a stone to put it to, I'd say sharpen it up for him. Sounds like a nice, and thoughtful, gift idea! :thumbup:
 
I would definitely sharpen it.

If it is obvious that the knife is used, and if you feel it necessary, let him know why you selected this knife, and that you put a nice edge on it for him. That may mean more to him that you took the time to find a good one and make it serviceable.
 
Thanks guys! I thought that's how I'd be happy getting it but thought I'd check. I'll take that idea of telling him how sharp it is, I've seen non-knife people do some really silly things with knives to check how sharp they are. I had a friend in jr high who sliced his palm open seeing how sharp a hunting knife of mine was. idiot. :)

Merry Christmas!

Red
 
Dago Red said:
Thanks guys! I thought that's how I'd be happy getting it but thought I'd check. I'll take that idea of telling him how sharp it is, I've seen non-knife people do some really silly things with knives to check how sharp they are. I had a friend in jr high who sliced his palm open seeing how sharp a hunting knife of mine was. idiot. :)

Merry Christmas!

Red
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We all got to learn somehow right? :D
 
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