Need a tiny gentleman's folder

I would look at a Spyderco Kiwi or Al Mar Osprey, both are very nice looking, well made small pocket knives with a modern feel and old school looks.
 
I really like the kiwi, but I don't think he'd appreciate it. I might get it for him anyway because it's so beautiful...but it's out of my price range.

Unless of course, NGK wants to be especially charitable for the holiday season.
 
Lots of very good sugestions here.

One question- how old is your dad? The reason I ask is that I think men of a certain age are VERY set in thier ways and if he carried that little slip joint till the blades were gone then that tells me he has very strong preferences.

Also- As an older retired man I can tell you that certain predjudices get stronger as we get older and we wax very nostalgic for what once was. The past becomes more important to us as we get older. At 64, my present age I find myself holding onto things that have my kids shaking thier heads at.

Before you buy him ANYTHING please look at and handle his knife so you will remember it well, then try to buy him a knife as close in style and size as you can. His hand is used to that knife, how it feels, certain way he probly grips it for certain jobs. The blade lenghs are what he is used to working with. As an older man with sons and daughter of my own I know what I'm talking about. If he's used to a small two blades slip joint he won't want a Spyderco lockblade.

Go with Queen, or Case. Something as close to his old knife as possable.
 
Just had a thought, How about looking on E-bay and if you can find one, buy him a used but good to exellent shape Schrade just like the one he has?

I know he'd love that.
 
Before you buy him ANYTHING please look at and handle his knife so you will remember it well, then try to buy him a knife as close in style and size as you can. His hand is used to that knife, how it feels, certain way he probly grips it for certain jobs. The blade lenghs are what he is used to working with. As an older man with sons and daughter of my own I know what I'm talking about. If he's used to a small two blades slip joint he won't want a Spyderco lockblade.
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Just had a thought, How about looking on E-bay and if you can find one, buy him a used but good to exellent shape Schrade just like the one he has?

I know he'd love that.
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Good points.

You can find that knife new on eBay, and now's the time to do it. Schrade quit making knives in 2004, and while the name has been bought out and "Schrade" knives are still made (in China), quality has gone downhill. There are still a lot of U.S.A. Schrades floating out there on eBay though.

I believe that the knife you showed is a Schrade 12OT "Pal". Do a search for "Schrade 12OT" (that's an O, not a zero) on eBay and you'll get at least 6 or 7 hits. Judging by the completed listings, many/most go for $10 or less plus shipping. In fact, I bought one a few weeks ago from a forumite for $10 shipped. Given the price, you can get your dad that knife PLUS another newer, fancier knife.

Be sure you get a U.S.A. made Schrade. I don't know if the new company is putting out the 12OT, but you don't want to get your dad a Chinese knife.
 
OneKnifeMan said:
Why not just ask him what he wants?
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That's my line of thinking, but some folks like a surprise. My wife hates it when I ask her what she wants for a birthday, holiday, etc.
 
Something like one of the Scagel Reproductions by Northwood Knives is a great gift and a great little folder. These are great nostalgic memorabilia as well as a practical and capable folder. It is slightly less than 6" open and sports a 2 and 5/8" blade. I have three of the models in my collection. One I carry now and then. Its a great knife.

Here is a pic of the smaller one. (top one) All of these are two blade folders. They have made three or four different repros now and all are old style slip joints. All have that great snap when you close them and all are beefy and yet small. You can learn more about all of them from this link at the MSA forum. http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showforum.php?fid/66/

CaseandScagelsidebyside-copy.jpg
 
Wow. I missed the $60 max limit. In that case just get him a BullDog take apart knife. These things are great. You can't argue with the quality or the price. Blades are 440C so they are maintainance free. It is a slip joint and a super little knife if you have not seen them. The whole thing comes apart for cleaning and comes with instructions. I've never had mine apart but it looks like it is a cinch.

We are talking about a 3 and 1/8" closed knife with two blades with one in a Wharncliff style and another a modified pen blade that is short and stubby but wide and capable. Both the blades are great little workers. I use mine now and then not because I carry it but just because it is such a neat knife it is hard to not give it some attention.

The big blade is 2" and the small one is 1.5". For the money these are great knives. I got mine for under $50. Last time I checked Smokey Mountain Knife Works had these, and so did some of the other web sites that sell knives. I got my knife from Knifeswapper over on the KF. http://www.collectorknives.net/



STR
 
Hmm...I like it.

As far asking him....I do, but he hates specifics. I've learned not to ask him anything specific about he wants in in general (no pun intended)...for instance, was home for thanksgiving and friday wanted to bring him lunch for the office....I don't ask him what he wants. Because he's not going to tell me. The good news it that he genuinely doesn't care.

And the same is true of the knife. I told him I was getting one so that he doesn't have to use a two mm toothpick esque blade until it disappears altogether. He says he wants another in the same fashion....again, I don't bother asking specifics.

Are there any nice ones that might be able to be engraved?
 
man, ss kiwi-50 bucks, and can be engraved. 2" blade is really small, maybe a small congress pattern, or half congress or senator. There are a few queen whittlers( and the case seahorse) that should fir that small size.

edited to add: BM park avenue, and a new timberline money clip knife by tim Hermann.
 
I love the looks of Boker's new carbon steel whittler. VERY old school, which I suspect your pops would appreciate. There are good deals on Ebay on these knives (new) quite often.

Another option is a Buck 709. No longer in production but I bet you can find one in mint condition without too much effort.
 
How about a Fallkniven U2? Outstanding knife, but it locks. For quite a bit more money, you could try the Fallkniven TK3. If you're going for traditional slip-joint, Bulldog and Boker (German made only!) make really good ones, and you can find them in several places online (discountcutlery.net, knifecountry.com) for less than $50.
 
William Henry Spire Folder features a traditional lock-back system that locks the blade open and spring cams the blade safely closed.

Here is a url with a picture
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5771

Style: Lockback

Blade Length: 2.38"
Onverall Length: 5.5"
Weight: 2.4 oz
Blade material: VG-10 Stainless Wharncliff Blade

Frame: Solid stainless frame, spring, pins, and screws.
Handle Material: Green Jigged Bone

Thumbstud: Stainless
Fittings: Stainless
REVERSIBLE pocket clip that requires just one screw for secure mounting.
REVERSIBLE thumbstud for easy one hand opening
 
The Osprey is a great little knife - but it's tiny. Comedically so. I love mine, and it does a great disappearing job in my office slacks . . . but . . it's really really tiny. If I had never seen one and someone gave it to me I might be taken aback at how small it is. The Hawk is more along the lines of a properly sized pocket knife. I bought an Osprey and a Hawk in Honey Jigged Bone and gave the Hawk to my dad. (I've since bought one for myself, too) He was blown away and carries it every day. Every time I talk to him he tells me how great it is and what he's been cutting with it - and it's been 2 years since I gave it to him. Go with the Hawk.

Both of these knives come in a really cool leather pocket sheath that adds a lot of class. They sit just right in your pocket.

Osprey:
IMG_0023.jpg
 
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