looking for a knife need help

L

Lookingforhelp

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Oct 4, 2020
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Hi, I'm looking for a knife to gift to my Boyfriend, he's really into knives and I really want to get this right, and show him I care about his interests I've been doing a lot of research on different steels and lengths but ultimately I'm pretty lost.

I know he wants a decent sized folding pocket knife

I've been looking at these steels S30V, 154CM, or VG10

I want to get him something sleek but still rugged?

my budgets maxes at $100
any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
 
Any ideas what size range for the knife ? Or maybe wha.t your boyfriend will be using this knife for mostly? That may give us a better starting point. And welcome to the forums.

Good luck.
 
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mostly for everyday carry looking for 3.0-3.7 length blade
I was looking at
Gerber 06 Manual Combat Folder, 3.6" S30V Serrated Blade,
and was very sad to see that its been discontinued.
I'm currently looking at
Gerber Decree tactical folding knife 3.7" S30V combo edge Blade
 
VG 10 and 154CM are going to be easier to find, under the $100 mark.

If I can get you to move that price limit up by about $10 or so, you'll find the Nemesis MPR-3

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Blade steel is S35VN, a little different from S30V, which was found to have some brittleness problems, if not heat treated to exactly the right formula.

Kershaw CQC-4K.

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Well within your price limit this time. Kershaw gets the best out of the alphabet soup steel, do while it's not a VG10, it's still worth recommending.
 
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For around a hundred you can get a Cold Steel Recon 1 in S35vn.

This is an excellent heavy duty knife.

You could also get a Spyderco Endura 4 in assorted colors in VG-10.

A Kershaw Blur in 14c28n is a long time favorite of mine. It’s assisted opening, comes in different colors, and has been regular EDC for me.

03272906-933B-4860-A37C-45947198C3AA.jpeg C1CC6647-FCAD-4A36-97B8-E1918631C8A0.jpeg 56FE720A-C657-4CE2-B70B-E2E36F33A27B.jpeg
Here is an assortment of good blades under a 100.
25B1E6FD-2465-4368-8E22-01ED7A226F59.jpeg
This Buck Slim Pro in S30v and Micarta is a very light C512AE61-EC0B-4D4A-8B9D-C1FAD5BD63B7.jpeg C8A14463-7AA3-41B0-B853-D9BC8F7109F6.jpeg

While it’s not a Endura, the Pacific Salt is similar and in rust proof steel.
 
"Decent size" is a bit of a personal preference, but you really can't go wrong w/ either of these 3 as a quality gift...

3.75" Buck 110 slim pro plus w/ s35v blade; (made in USA)
Exclusive from from copper & clad;
-exclusive redesigned modern version of a real American classic w/ an iconic brand and a great warranty.
*(The s30v models are not exclusives but a bit cheaper. I'd recommend micarta)
https://copperandclad.com/?s=110+slim+pro&post_type=product&type_aws=true

Or

3.4" Spyderco Endela or 3.8" Endura w/ Emerson wave (made in Japan)
-it's basically getting him a $100 Emerson, but backed by the Spyderco brand and their great reputable build quality and warranty.
https://www.bladehq.com/?search=Spyderco+emerson

Anything between that 3.5 - 4" range could be adequately considered "decent" sized, but any of those 3 I can Guarunteed to be memorable and meaningful gift to a knife lover...
 
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I wouldn't post links in this thread to non-bladeforums dealers, it is probably considered deal-spotting
 
With a $100 to spend, it's hard not to include a Spyderco Delica or Endura. I'd also throw in the Kershaw Bareknuckle.
 
I'd stay away from Gerber, they have destroyed their own reputation years ago because they outsourced their production to china and making bad knives.

For $100 you'd be able to get some entry level spydercos in VG10 (avoid 8Cr13MOv).

If you want to impress with the steel, the Fox Knives Libar is available in m390 for that price. Fox knives also has other models with that steel in that price range.

Steel is important, but it isn't the end-all-be-all, so I wouldn't focus too heavily on it.

The lionsteel opera seems to strike a nice balance between sturdy and smooth. And they look very classy, to boot!

If you want a more traditional knife, take a look at Böker. They are a bit more expensive than Case (which does excellent work in the budget range), but often offer better steels (Case's Trusharp is fine, but you get what you pay for). Robert Klaas also has nice stuff, but I have no experience with them.

Kizer also has some very nice knives. They give you a lot of value for money and have very modern designs. Civivi too.

And another thing occurs to me as well: Many vendors offer engraving services for a low cost. It could be a nice gesture to engrave something on it, like the date of your anniversary or something. (That way, the knife will be smooth in more ways than one).
 
Buck Vantage Pro: https://www.dlttrading.com/buck-347-vantage-pro
Buck 110 or 112: https://www.dlttrading.com/searchresults.html?search_query=Buck+110
https://www.dlttrading.com/searchresults.html?search_query=Buck+112

These Bucks are American made, and either have nice pocket carry clips, or well done sheaths. There are quite a few 110's and 112's with with different steels.
All but the automatics are within your budget. (As you can see I'm slightly partial to Buck...and DLT :cool:)

Nice of you to do this for your boyfriend :)
Good luck on the hunt, and let us know what you decide on.
 
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Hello and welcome to the forums.

I will echo what L Lodd said, I'd stay away from Gerber. For the money, you can do better.

I'd also stay away from fully serrated or partial serrated blades. For normal everyday tasks, I'd suggest a normal blade.

Many great suggestions so far : Spyderco Endela or Endura, Buck 110 or 112. The Recon 1 might be too big but it is a great knife for $100.

Cold Steel Code 4 comes in a few different styles. I like the clip or spear point. Sleek metal scales and the Tri-ad lock is one of the best locks in the business.
https://www.bladehq.com/?search=code+4
 
Many options here. Some questions to help consider the options.

1. Do you know what knives he has now? Can you get some pictures of them?
2. When you say rugged, do you mean rugged looking? A knife that can take some abuse? A blade that stays sharp a long time? This could influence what I would recommend for a blade steel.
3. Do you know if if sharpens his knives?
4. Is there anything in particular he will cut with it? Does he use it at work, for example? Or just general pocket knife stuff?
 
Spyderco Delica, Endura, or Para 3 are great choices. Don't fret the steel too much. The knife's design and function are vastly more important than the steel. VG10 and BD1N are very good steels.

Now for me, if you can just squeeze in a couple more dollars, the Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight in black or blue handle is the way to go: https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-manix-2-lightweight-translucent-blue

The M2LW is extremely well respected and widely regarded as among Spyderco's best knife designs.

Spyderco has an outstanding reputation among us knife geeks and are seen as real users. They look a little weird due to the hole (used to open the knife) but are built for function.

Best of luck and good for you! :)
 
I recommend taking a look at Spyderco, Civivi, and Benchmade. All three are high quality brands that have something to offer near or below your price range. Two knives that come to mind are the Benchmade Griptilian and Spyderco Endura 4. Both knives are well proven designs and are close to your price range.
 
I would not recommend Gerber.

Cold Steel Recon 1, or Ultimate Hunter (their triad lock is the top lock for strength and safety. Second to none), or Code 4.
 
I would recommend a Ontario RAT 1 in D2 steel. The steel choice is usually in title on most seller sites.
It is a good basic knife, handle very comfortable to hold, well made and comes in variety of colors, coated/uncoated blade.
Plus the price is about $70.
Save $30 or take him for a couple beers.........
 
The Rat 1 is under $40 most places. It's a good knife for the price. Given that her budget is $100 the Manix 2 LW and some other knives suggested here are in a different category from the Rat.
 
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