Looking for a strong folder as a gift

M

mendelb

Joined
May 16, 2011
Messages
82
Hi,

A friend of mine has bought a farm in France.
I'm looking for a gift to celebrate this.

He's a construction worker, and the farm will need a lot of work.
The place is essentially his retirement plan. But he'll be busy fixing it up for years.

Since I'm the guy with the knife fetish, I'm thinking about giving him a really nice, strong practical knife.
I'm and office worker myself and have no idea what would be best for him.
Price range: under $120

I like the beefy CS folders. but have no idea if they are any good for practical jobs.
The Spartan: is that thing good for anything but scaring the bejeezus out of people?
The Espada, Just a fighter? Or good for practical tasks?

My shortlist so far:
Espada
Pocket Bushman
Spartan
Kershaw Junk Yard Dog
CS Rajah 3

I'm sort of stuck on CS as you might notice. But that's because I don't know what other brands are good at big strong folders. I guess that over-the-top marketing really works, eh?

Opinions and suggestions welcome.
 
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Ah. Having stuck my foot in it on this very forum, I believe I can help.

I'm going to start with the Recon 1, a choice you may have overlooked. I'm assuming that your friend has the usual compliment of hand, farm, and garden tools, so this knife is going to be used for general cutting and the occaisional non-traditional knife job because it's the tool on hand.

The American Lawman was also recommended to me as a "sturdy" folder.

If you're willing to consider something outside the CS line, Timberline makes a number of folders that might fit.

And I'll be the first to say it, because somebody will, sooner or later.

"If you're willing to consider a fixed blade as an alternative, Becker and ESEE make excellent knives for hard use at good prices."
 
I recommend a spyderco. The Gayle Bradley would be my first choice given your budget. Another option would be a Fallkniven TK4, or any of there other less expensive offerings. They make some great knives!
 
also look at zero tolerance knives. depending on how much weight he's willing to carry, a ZT350 or the beefier ZT200 should fit the bill.

have you also considered getting him a multi-tool?
 
If he's using the knife while working on his own farm, I would imagine he is not going to be hassled about using a fixed blade. Get him one of those, or a nice looking French folder like a Laguiole. He can open wine bottles with its corkscrew, slice cheese and meat, etc etc. all in style.
 
jimnolimit said:
also look at zero tolerance knives. depending on how much weight he's willing to carry, a ZT350 or the beefier ZT200 should fit the bill.

have you also considered getting him a multi-tool?
Click to expand...

He's basically married to his Leatherman.
I myself like having a dedicated knife nex to my multi-tool. So I thought he might too.
(I keep a Victorinox Spartan in my bag and a Spyderco Delica on my person)
 
Benchmade Griptillian with 154CM steel is a great knife. The ZT 350 ia a well loved, TOUGH folder. I love my Benchmade Barrage. The Cold Steel knives you mentioned are also good buys. Benchmade and ZT use better steel though, IMO. The Kershaw Blur is also a good hard use knife as is the JYD you mentioned.
 
marcinek said:
If he's using the knife while working on his own farm, I would imagine he is not going to be hassled about using a fixed blade. Get him one of those, or a nice looking French folder like a Laguiole. He can open wine bottles with its corkscrew, slice cheese and meat, etc etc. all in style.
Click to expand...

Both of these might be good options, actually.
I have a great Laguiole myself (olive wood handle, got it from my wife).

I've also contemplated getting him a really bad-ass fixed blade.
He's got trees on his property and will use wood for heating.
Kukri?
 
I'm still trying to figure out why people need "strong folders" but I don't think that's ever going to make sense to me. Anyhoo:

It seems he's set on blades with a mutlitool if he loves it so much. It's only blade fanatics that think the knife on a multitool is inadequate and if he's not a blade nut he probably won't wear another knife. Does he hunt? Maybe get him a hunting knife instead of a ranch knife. Or one that doubles as both.
 
mendelb said:
Both of these might be good options, actually.
I have a great Laguiole myself (olive wood handle, got it from my wife).

I've also contemplated getting him a really bad-ass fixed blade.
He's got trees on his property and will use wood for heating.
Kukri?
Click to expand...
Maybe get him a Velvicut axe from council tool? I can't imagine trying to heat a house with a kuk.
 
Shotgun said:
I'm still trying to figure out why people need "strong folders" but I don't think that's ever going to make sense to me. Anyhoo:

It seems he's set on blades with a mutlitool if he loves it so much. It's only blade fanatics that think the knife on a multitool is inadequate and if he's not a blade nut he probably won't wear another knife. Does he hunt? Maybe get him a hunting knife instead of a ranch knife. Or one that doubles as both.
Click to expand...

He hunts chickens.
Not sure that qualifies. :D
 
There are also a ton of "regional" French folder styles. Maybe the folder from the region his farm is in would be a good choice.
 
Rodent solution. Or a multitool. Or a cheap ax, he prolly already has one though :)


OR.. for $150 assuming he has an 8lb splitting mall, and a regular length chopping axe.... Perfect for wood processing and kindling is the Gerber Back Axe w/ sheath (45912) $48.59, Victorinox Swiss Army SwissTool with Pouch $64.49.... leaving you with $36.92 bux, for if you can get the deal on it, possibly a small skeletonized fixed blade like the Izula for areound $40... $4-5 over budget BUT the Gerber back axe RULES.. I use it almost daily during winter for kindling. That Swisstool is high quality steel and has pliers solid construction with a few other tools and a sheath, plus for the fixed needs or spare or defense concealed you get the Izula.. Those 3 tools should make him very proficient while keeping it easy to carry.

My 2 cents :D

Oh and I wouldn't jip on the swisstool for a cheaper Leatherman Kick... Again my 2 cents, gl!
 
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