Knives you have given away

Most memorable one:
Picked up a gyuto on a road trip down in Texas from a guy who'd studied under Murray Carter and whose work showed strong influence from his teacher, whose work I highly admire. Price was high enough to pinch, but not bite. I figured someday I'd get it into my kitchen rotation, even though I'm pretty well stocked on that front. Never quite got around to using it.

A few years later I gifted it as a "Thank You!!" to a neighbor lady of my Mom's who'd taken Mom somewhat under her wing when my Dad passed away (and continues to be a good friend to Mom to this day) and is seriously into cooking along with her hubby. I knew it'd be appreciated and used, so it was an easy & obvious choice.

I've now got dozens of thrift store or garage sale cheapos I've sharpened up that are waiting for an opportune moment to find their next home. Too much fun!
 
I gave a case pocket hunter with Abalone shell to my brother once for Christmas one year, the small one.
I'm pretty sure it was either regifted or disappeared in a drawer.
 
I like the qsp penguin as a gift. It is relatively cheap comes in a variety of really nice looks like copper or brass. And has a good box.

 
My kids have all gotten an Opinel pocket knife for children and a small'ish Mora fixed blade.

My friends have gotten:
Pena Raptor
A. Wright & Son Lambsfoot
Civivi Elementum 2, button lock in damascus.
My father in law, a GEC #47 Harvester.
 
I've given away dozens of knives in my lifetime, more than I'll ever be able to recall. The excitement and wonder a new knife can bring to someone is always worth it, and it makes it even better in circumstances where maybe the person receiving the knife didn't have a quality tool before. One of the times I do remember quite fondly is when I gave each Scout in the Cub Scout Bear Den I was leading at the time a Buck Bantam and a small Lansky sharpening stone. Some of the parents even came to me later to thank me again, because their sons treated those knives with a lot of respect and it instilled a new focus and importance for knife safety that they hadn't seen from their son before, so that was a good thing. I moved to Webelos with them, and was pretty proud when almost all of them walked over the bridge to receive their AoL patch, that knife in every pocket. It's been some years now, but it still makes me smile to think about it.

I have also gifted knives to friends here, and always get a kick out of seeing them enjoy it. Life is short, and knives are sweet. All to the good, I say.
 
I give all of my nieces and nephews knives when I can. The boys always get a case white bone handled pen or mini stockman when they are born. The girls get whatever is in my pockets when they ask if the knife rule applies to girls like it does the boys. Sak recruit is one of my favorites to give them. Lots of fun. I really like the idea of giving the nephews their first case knife. When I was a kid, case was the standard for which all other pocket knives were measured in my family.
 
killgar said:
Funny this topic would come up, as I was just thinking about this.

I've given away a lot of knives over the years, but the story behind this one just recently became more relevant to me.

I acquired a Parker brand boot knife identical to the one below in the mid 1980's. I left home at 16, lived on the street on and off for awhile, and during that time that knife was my constant companion.

Several years later, in 1995, a friend did me a big favor, and out of gratitude, I gave him the knife. He had really liked the knife, so it was the best thing I could think to give him.

My thinking at the time was "It's a Parker, an inexpensive, mass-produced knife. I'm sure I'll be able to find another one to replace it someday".

Wrong.

I got internet in 2002, and that year I started searching the net for another one of these. I searched regularly, year after year, something I've spoken of a few times on this forum in the past. But I never even found a single picture of one.

Until a few days ago. After more that 20 years of regular searching I finally found a picture of one, the picture below. I still can't believe I finally found it. For me, looking at that pic is like looking at a genuine picture of Bigfoot, or some other rare, almost mythological thing. And it sure brings back memories.

20+ years of searching, finally over. I thought about contacting the owner about buying it, but I don't really need it, and "need" is something I consider before buying anything these days. Just finding this picture, and ending my search, is satisfaction enough for me :) .


hsX7sIK.jpg
Click to expand...
I know this post was made a year ago but it touched me, many many years ago I was in a similar situation so I can relate. if you read this:
I just did an image search with Google and tineye and there are at least two eBay auctions for this knife as well as some European shops selling it online, have a look for yourself otherwise I'll gladly provide links via pm
 
soundless said:
I know this post was made a year ago but it touched me, many many years ago I was in a similar situation so I can relate. if you read this:
I just did an image search with Google and tineye and there are at least two eBay auctions for this knife as well as some European shops selling it online, have a look for yourself otherwise I'll gladly provide links via pm
Click to expand...

I really appreciate the heads-up. I saw one for sale on ebay awhile back, and I see it's still there (I still do a search every now and then).

Like I said in my post, I'm not really looking to buy one anymore. I'd like to get back the one I gave away because it's the actual one I owned and carried, but my interest is purely sentimental. I wouldn't have the same feelings for a different knife of the same model. Beyond sentimental value, I have no need for such a knife, and I already have several double-edged boot knives that I also have no need for.

But again, I appreciate the heads-up, and your offer. And I'm glad you liked my story :) .
 
In 2005 , I gave my nephew my Buck 119 that I bought back in 1990. He was becoming interested in knives and had become obsessed with the 119. He still has it to this day.

And a few years ago , I gave my boss a newer Buck 119. I bought it on a whim but it didn’t feel as solid as my old one did. Probably all in my head. But I don’t like to return knives so I figured my boss could use it since he likes blades. Plus , how could a gift to the boss hurt 😃
 
I’ve gifted many knives over the years, Emerson, Cold Steel, etc.

The most expensive one I’ve ever gifted was this WK Hammer Combat Axe with rubber handle to a very good friend who was kicking himself in the butt for not ordering one when he had the opportunity… the look on his face was priceless when he opened the box up :)

1721128749054.jpeg
 
My niece is having a highschool graduation party Next weekend (not tomorrow).
I hope a 7" chef's knife makes an ok gift, idk?


Those who follow me know I'm slow.....let's see if I can do this. Scale material should be here tonight?
I just finished mostly grinding the bevels. I'm sure I'll have to still adjust them once I start with my edge.... I usually go back and forth a few times....belt, stone, belt, stone, belt, stone......ha.
 
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