Knife recommendation for a retiring friend

M

Maximumbob54

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2024
Messages
1,566
I'd like to give a friend a new knife as a retirement gift. He's hard on his knives so I'm looking for something like M4 or better. I gave him a little Knafs Lander in 14C28N a couple of years ago and man does that thing try hard but not keep up with him. Now he won't be limited by work restrictions on blade length. I know a Sebenza is the usual answer but I'd like to get a more finger safe lock this time.

Right now I'm looking hard at the Cold Steel Swift III with the Atlas lock or the FM-1 with the same. I'd prefer the M4 over the S35VN (not that I think S35VN is a slouch but I do think M4 would beat it any day of the week).

Anything else I should look at??? Not locked into any brand. I was going to get him a Viper Turn at first until 1 I looked up all the talk about their M390 running a bit soft which it seems is true and 2 I'd again rather a finger safe option.

List so far:
Benchmade Adamas CruWear

Cold Steel Swift III
Cold Steel FM-1
Hogue Mysto
Demko AD20 / 20.5
Les George VECP
Kershaw Launch 21
Work Sharp RMX reverse tanto 3V
Benchmade 940 (maybe the -1 in S90V?)
Benchmade 9400 AUTO

Removed
PM2 Cru-Wear / MagnaCut Salt - thin tips for his heavy use, probably will break
Military Cru-Wear !!!! (I didn't know they made these???) - same as PM2, removing these breaks my heart but even I admit they have pointy tips
 
Last edited:
One of the Demko offerings, perhaps, whether those built here or in Taiwan, the Shark Lock is good and strong but easy to manipulate.

Otherwise, any of Andrew's patterns from Cold Steel with one of his signature locks.
 
SharpBits said:
Hogue Mysto in Titanium or Hogue Sig K320 with walnut inlay. The FM-1 is excellent and would not be a bad gift.
Click to expand...

Just looked that up and for sure added to the list of definite maybe's. He does like a tanto and I see they have an offering. I'll try to feel out if he likes a blade coating or not.

Blues said:
One of the Demko offerings, perhaps, whether those built here or in Taiwan, the Shark Lock is good and strong but easy to manipulate.

Otherwise, any of Andrew's patterns from Cold Steel with one of his signature locks.
Click to expand...

Brilliant suggestion. I'll bring a couple of mine now and then and see what he says if he makes a positive comment. Since he likes a tanto maybe he would like a shark foot? Hmmm...
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
Does he need a knife that cuts or digs?

CRK for cutting performance.
Demko for thick edge and digging capabilities.
Click to expand...
He gave me a little Kershaw Iridium in D2 that he says he was "just cutting burlap bags" with and that edge is now butter knife gone. I don't think he is really abusing his knives but he is for sure a hard user with them. Not sure how to really categorize him.
 
I say CRK in Magnacut. But I’m a fan of CRK.

I personally wouldn’t choose any of the other offerings for myself.
 
mitchnola said:
If you have time, finding a LG vecp button lock is the obvious way to go!

But I must warn you, you may end up keeping it and getting him a mini grip at the last minute.
Click to expand...

I've not bought any Les George stuff yet. But this does make me realize if I bought him something flat sided then I could also have it engraved with maybe his years of service or something.
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
I say CRK in Magnacut. But I’m a fan of CRK.

I personally wouldn’t choose any of the other offerings for myself.
Click to expand...
He has a minor loss in dexterity that I hope for his sake stays minor. Thus I'm opting for more finger safe than frame, liner, or back locks. I for sure want something that keeps digits away from blade path. Ease of manipulation.

I was thinking maybe something Axis / crossbar lock but maybe that's a bit tricky with dexterity to manipulate? Like a Presidio would be nice and large enough in hand, but would having to hold with the pinch pull wrist flip be a bit much?

Or I could worry the same about a Spyderco compression lock if I bought a Bodacious. Having to hold your finger just right on the liner while wrist flipping the blade closed?

Ugh. I do not look forward to this myself some day.
 
I’m not sure what you mean by finger safe lock but if a knife closing on his fingers or the lock style being strong enough to handle abuse are actual concerns, get him a small fixed blade. There are a ton of options that fit in the pocket nicely and when you add an ulti-clip to the sheath will stay in place until you take it off. I get more requests for small pocket friendly or horizontal carry fixed blades than anything else.

ETA: I was typing when you posted the answer to the lock thing. I’d offer a different view on the axis/button/shark lock styles. Those blades often drop shut when the locks are disengaged. Strength might not be an issue with them but if there’s a dexterity problem it might not be best to have a blade that closes so quickly. if/when the fingers are in the blade path they will get cut. I generally prefer frame or liner locks for that reason. Drop shut actions are for Tik-Tok.

I still vote for small fixed blade in this case.
 
Last edited:
mitchnola said:
Ouch! I wasn’t ready for that gut punch!
Don’t worry though I’ll be ok in a few days. 😉😂
Click to expand...
No offence meant. I just don’t prefer the shape of the LG handles. They were well made.

To each their own, that’s what makes this hobby great!
 
Here is a great fixed blades in m4. This maker probably has another m4 as well. navman navman
navman

Thread 'FS: Camo Canvas Micarta/CPM 4V Shadow Hunter'

Available. Shadow Hunter drop points in CPM 4V (3/32" thin). Blade length is 3.25 inches and overall is 7.5 inches. The tang is tapered and is wearing some contoured scales of unlined camo canvas micarta with brass hardware. The contouring gives a nice palm swell that fills the hand for a comfortable and secure grip.

These no-nonsense hunters are perfect for small to medium game, waterfowl or everyday cutting tasks. I have three ready for immediate sale.

Hand sewn leather belt sheaths hold the knife securely but release easily.

$300 Shipped in the US...
  • Like
  • Love
 
ScarFoot said:
I’m not sure what you mean by finger safe lock but if a knife closing on his fingers or the lock style being strong enough to handle abuse are actual concerns, get him a small fixed blade. There are a ton of options that fit in the pocket nicely and when you add an ulti-clip to the sheath will stay in place until you take it off. I get more requests for small pocket friendly or horizontal carry fixed blades than anything else.

ETA: I was typing when you posted the answer to the lock thing. I’d offer a different view on the axis/button/shark lock styles. Those blades often drop shut when the locks are disengaged. Strength might not be an issue with them but if there’s a dexterity problem it might not be best to have a blade that closes so quickly. if/when the fingers are in the blade path they will get cut. I generally prefer frame or liner locks for that reason. Drop shut actions are for Tik-Tok.

I still vote for small fixed blade in this case.
Click to expand...

I hear you on the "drop shut" type action. I usually tighten the pivot screw a bit and thread lock it so it requires a bit of wrist flip to open and close or firm finger on the spine downward motion to close or so on. I don't do this on everything but I'm doing it on more and more of them.

He's just not into carrying a smaller fixed blade. I've tried it myself a few times with an Esee Izula and a few other smaller options and I just prefer a folder. But this is about him, not me and he's not about them either. But if he was I know a guy here that I would immediately be ordering from.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
He gave me a little Kershaw Iridium in D2 that he says he was "just cutting burlap bags" with and that edge is now butter knife gone. I don't think he is really abusing his knives but he is for sure a hard user with them. Not sure how to really categorize him.
Click to expand...
He's just a hard user. Thats a good thing. I might get 2 medium priced knives rather than a CRK grade. Then he can rotate them to you for regular sharpening and maintenance .
My late Father in Law was a lot like your friend. His non users were pristine and the users were well used. It all good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top