Knife "gift" recommendations?

J

JBoS6

Joined
Mar 19, 2001
Messages
157
Alright, this is a little bit of an odd question, but I'll try to verbalize it as best I can.

I'm looking for a knife "gift" for a very close friend of mine. He's my brother in all manner except blood. Basically, he used to be military and police, and has told me that he considers me in the trusted circle of his former police force partners, and military "team mates". We have a sworn oath to always have each other's backs, and I would like to get him a good blade (preferably an every-day carry sort, but not necessarily) that I can give him as a gift.

Does anyone have any recommendations for such a meaningful gift? I'm just in the brainstorming stages right now, so price is not a consideration yet. I'm thinking that a custom blade from one of the great smiths out there might be an idea.

I would love to hear all thoughts. Thanks in advance.
 
Be a little more specific:

- size (tactical folder, keychain, etc.)
- purpose
- will this person carry/use it
- would this person be comfortable with a particular size/style
- special features (engraving, etc)
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by RH:
Be a little more specific:

- size (tactical folder, keychain, etc.)
- purpose
- will this person carry/use it
- would this person be comfortable with a particular size/style
- special features (engraving, etc) </font>
Click to expand...

Alright, let's see ...

Size: if it's a folder, I'm thinking something defensive, but with utilitarian purpose to it, as well. If it's a fixed-blade, my thinking is something with Japanese styling.

Purpose: So I've always, in some way, got his back.

Use: I'm thinking that if it's a folder, I'd like for him to carry it. If it's a fixed-blade, it might be okay for it to be a display piece (but definitely be usable, if need/want be).

Special Features: probably want some small bit of engraving.


Thanks for your reply!!
 
Off the top of my head, I'd have to say that for engraving on a folder, you'll likely want a SS handle. For production models:

Spyderco:
Delica
Endura
Police
Native

CRKT:
Navajo

Cammillus:
EDC

Outdoor edge:
Paragee

I'm sure others can think of more, and the custom guys probably have limitless options (how much do you want to spend?).

I'd also like to caution you/your friend. If there is any possibility this may be used in a "got your back" scenario, I would caution you about any personalized touches like engraving. The more 'sterile' the better. As a cop, I'm sure he knows that.

If engraving is not the way you want to go, I think a great place to look for a quality piece is any of the Benchmade Axis Lock models. They are purty, and work well.
 
If you are looking for a great every day carry for your friend, try the Benchmade 940. Wonderful little knife with very uniqe styling. Very light and slim, but the 3.5 inch blade is more than adequate for most tasks. I just got one myself, so I am probably a little biased, but this is one great knife.
 
Chris Reeve Sebenza
Something classy, practical, and that won't let him down.
 
You've got to make two choices here:

First: user or display/presentation piece? It sounds to me like you're looking for a user. Even as a user, though, do you want something more dressy or more down-and-dirty?

Second: price. For a special person, you ought to get a special knife, a one-of-a-kind for a one-of-a-kind. So, my guess is that you're willing to spend a bit of money. But, "a bit of money" is still vauge. A lot of money for some people isn't much money for others.

You can run the range of buying a nice Spyderco Military with stainless sides and having a local jewler engrave something sappy on it to taking the same Spyderco to an artist and having some artwork engraved on it, perhaps a scene that's meaningful to the two of you. How about getting a nice production folder such as maybe a Benchmade 710 and having a customizer such as Frank Recupero replace the plain G10 with rosewood or maybe mother of pearl and add some filework.

If you can go between $500 and $1000, we can start looking at some nice custom and semi-custom knives.

Finally, if your definition of "a bit of money" runs in four or five figures, well, there are any number of custom makers who would be happy to help you out.

Look around here on the forum, look on the banner advertiser's sites, and see if you can find some pictures that will help narrow it down. Spend some time on knifeart.com.

Start with this one:

mopFixedBladeS.JPG


Then, come back and tell us what you've found. I'm sure the folks here can then give you a lot of options.


------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
That Lum Folder from Spyderco is something else, maybe you can look at Lum's personal offerings?

 
Hey, being the military/police guy that he is, perhaps he'll like the styling of a Microtech SOCOM Elite.
It's one rugged knife and if he likes tanto blades, they just came out with a two tone finished tanto automatic.
If you really wanted to get him something nice you might want to consider one of the older double action SOCOM's or one of Microtech's out-the-front opening knives, like a HALO III or a Combat Talon.
Any way you look at it Microtech's knives fit the bill for law enforcement/armed forces use and still look great.
You could always have the blade engraved with something.

------------------
~Fumbler
the crazied knife weilding Sarah McLachlan fan =)
 
I second the Sebenza.
Probably not a better practical knife made, and you can have it personalized with name or any word(s) engraving.

ThomM
 
nothing else need be said [IMHO]

TNT

http://www.mayoknives.com/



------------------
russ aka BladeZealot{former screen name: russ, dec.'99}
a cat almost always blinks when hit in the head with a ball-peen hammer.

the only thing better than a good knife, is a good woman.
 
My closer-than-a-brother best friend was killed in '76 in a motorcycle accident. One of the things his mother passed along to me was his Buck fixed blade. It's sitting in my safe as one of the most valuable things I own, so I know exactly where you're coming from.
If my BF were still alive today, this would be a no brainer for me.

Randall.

Call me a sentimental old fool, but there's just something about reading the history of Randall knives that gets to me. Especially the part where letters addressed to "Knife Man-Florida" make it through the post office, and the Randalls make it back to the letter writer. That kind of, when the chips are down, and rise to the occasion spirit says it all for me.
 
AL MAR SERE 2000. Your freind with love it. It is all business and carrys perfectly.

[This message has been edited by jayharley (edited 04-21-2001).]
 
Go do some shopping to firm up your goals, in no particular order:

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
http://www.nordicknives.com
http://www.arizonacustomknives.com
http://www.bladeart.com
http://www.bladegallery.com
http://www.knifeart.com
http://www.agrussell.com
http://www.levineknives.com/m.pl/catalog.htm
http://www.petestacticalknives.com
http://www.retting.com/inventorycontents.htm
http://www.theedgeequipment.com/
http://www.circlepknives.com/CP_Mainframe.htm

The more specifically you can describe what you want, the better advice you'll get on the forums. I took it you didn't want a production piece necessarily, and wanted to spend custom bucks for something unique and significant... true?

e.g. "Tactical folder, 4" blade, high end materials like damascus, perhaps nice wood or pearl, great user and self defense piece,
under $800".

e.g. "Japanese style fixed blade, 3-1/2" to 4" max for carry, stainless materials for Summer carry, multi-position kydex sheath, top quality fit/finish/materials, under $600".

Some people like to customize an otherwise production knife, but they often end up spending near custom bucks. Custom knives (non production) are a lot more special to me personally, especially when I had a hand in setting the specs (Norris san mai damascus, mokume bolsters, ironwood handle, etc) or adjusting an existing design from a maker's stable.


[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 04-21-2001).]

[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 04-21-2001).]
 
After reading your post, two makers came to mind immediately:

Kit Carson and Bob Terzuloa

Both make wonderful tactical folders that would be ideal for self defense/utility/daily carry. Check them out at tactical folders at Robertsoncustomcutlery

$400 to $600 will buy a very nice knife that your friend should be able to carry, use, and enjoy for many years.
 
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