Knife recommendation for a retiring friend

I think i would agree with Mk-211 on his suggestion of a Worksharp RMX knife in 3v or m390. Based on your friends needs I think it checks a lot of boxes. Especially the finger safety and ease of use for dexterity issues.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
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.
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Civivi "Buster " . SNECX superlock . Clever top slider lock , similar to Cold Steel Atlas and Demko Shark .

4" blade in a large sturdy folder . My fav lock for easy open /close .





 
Consider getting him an Emerson -- they're built for hard use. He might also appreciate a Grippie: they're tough, reliable, lightweight and available in a lot of steels these days.
 
Let's try to keep it on topic, folks.

Also, the OP stated that his friend is not interested in a fixed blade, so that option is off the table.
 
WedgeAntilles said:
If keeping fingers out of the path, and 1 handed usage are strong thoughts, consider an OTF maybe?
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Hadn't given it much thought but not a bad idea. I'll try to get his feeling on an OTF.
WedgeAntilles said:
Hogue Exploit or a nice Microtech.
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Same as above. For sure going to keep these in mind though as maybe's.
DocJD said:
Civivi "Buster " . SNECX superlock . Clever top slider lock , similar to Cold Steel Atlas and Demko Shark .

4" blade in a large sturdy folder . My fav lock for easy open /close .





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Big nope on the Buster since a while back I handed him my Vision and the Buster looks super similar. He didn't like it at all. I do though. I do find it odd though I occasionally have to oil it or the lock squeaks. Funny.
Ajack60 said:
Spyderco Manix 2
Zero Tolerance 203
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No Manix because the lock is too tight. The ZT 203 is a for sure contender though. M4 steel with a crossbar? It's not fancy but it will outlast the amount of years both him and I have left combined.
Alberta Ed said:
Consider getting him an Emerson -- they're built for hard use. He might also appreciate a Grippie: they're tough, reliable, lightweight and available in a lot of steels these days.
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I'll look up Emerson's offerings. Last I looked I'd swear they were all Ti liner locks. Grippie??? My google-fu is failing me...
JB in LV said:
Is small fixed blade from a maker here an option? I've done that a time or two.
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Tried to briefly ask but didn't have time before he departed for a bit. Still an option but I think he's not big on the idea of carrying fixed blades.
SharpBits said:
A folder from BogdanS BogdanS could work as well.
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I was just looking at his work and wow. Just wow. But they all look like frame locks. And I would rather die than ask him to coat any of that fancy blade steel. But still just wow. Sent his website to a couple of guys now.
co556guy said:
Pm2 crucarta would work well. Cruwear is a good steel for him, lock type keeps fingers out of way when closing, and it’s not so much $ that it’s hard to replace when he wears it out.
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The more a cru-carta is mentioned the more I feel like this is a good option. And it wouldn't be hard for me to sharpen when he needs it redone. And there's parts a plenty if needed. And if he gets bored with the scales there's only a million options. Keeps getting higher on the list. But I'm a massive drooling Spyderfanboy so maybe I'm a bit biased. Maybe.
 
I sincerely hope no one thinks I'm being rude if I torpedo their suggestion. He's worth putting in the effort. He twisted my arm into getting me out from a cubicle hell kind of office years ago. One of those buzzing overhead lights, moldy smelling carpets, sort of functional A/C, you look forward to retirement or death whichever comes first kind of jobs. So I'm trying to be sure the office does a nice luncheon, flowers for the wife, some kind of presentation, and this as a little something personal for being a cool dude. I don't know a lot of people in my life worth this much effort so I'm going to take my time and put in the work on this. And I really do appreciate all the input and suggestions from everyone.
 
Mk-211 said:
If he likes OTF knives, check out some reviews that WValtakis WValtakis did recently.

He beat the heck out of a few for "science!" 😆
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I'll have to look up later what you're referring to but you put the ear worm into my brain about some of his posts about the amazing engraving he does. If I did get him a PM2 model and a set of Ti scales then I could send the scales off for engraving and have time still to get them back.

Things that make you go hhhmmmm....

Actually... As much as I hate to say this after I just typed all that. That's just not him. That's me again. Jeeze this is hard. I need to keep slapping myself and reminding that he's a user enjoyer of nice tools. But not fancy tools.

He would very much be the line of "Get yourself a Glock and lose that nickel-plated sissy pistol" except he's had the same Ruger P85 the whole time I've known him. He appreciates things that are nice and just work and work hard. But by nice I certainly don't mean fancy and I need to keep reminding myself of that.

Great movie by the by, 1998 U.S. Marshals.
 
Perhaps the Spyderco Bradley 2 is the ticket? Hard use, not too fancy, excellent steel as long as he is good with carbon steel.
 
SharpBits said:
Perhaps the Spyderco Bradley 2 is the ticket? Hard use, not too fancy, excellent steel as long as he is good with carbon steel.
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Liner lock. Why oh why have they not upgraded to a Bradley 3 with a compression lock already....???

Add to that the BladeHQ exclusive a while back with the CPM Cru-Wear blade and jade G10. Dang, just make that a production model.

But they're all disco now. (sad) I was lucky an amazing member her offered one up a while back.
 
You can safely unlock liner locks and frame locks by turning the edge up, unlock with thumb, index finger to move the blade, get thumb out of the way, then index finger to push it closed. If the process fails, it should fail safe with the blade locking again. Or tighten the pivot some and the blade will just sit there until pushed closed.
 
Here's his subforum.

Chipped Metal

My name is Wilfred "Chip" Valtakis II... I have been collecting, modifying, repairing, and embellishing knives for over 25 years. I offer hand engraving, titanium anodizing, inlays, regrinds, refurbishment, action tuning, etc. If you have a vision for your knife, I can help bring it to reality...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

The OTF videos are on his channel, maybe he can post a link.
 
Honestly at this point based on what the op has described a few knives stand out in my mind.

Spyderco PM2 Cruwear or Magnacut
Benchmade 940/945
Benchmade Adamas Cruwear
Hinderer Firetac 20CV it is however a liner lock.

The Firetac is one of the most underrated folders in existence. The PM2 and 940/945 are both pretty thin at the tip which might not be the best if he’s hard on knives.

For a gift, I’d personally stick with American made but that’s me. Then I’d take his preferences/needs into account and go from there.
 
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