Need budget knives for groomsmen gifts... IDEAS?

I'd recommend the Case over the Queen because>>

The Queen steel (D2) needs to be taken care of. It's not stainless, and will pit and rust. Don't know if your guys are ready for that kind of gift.

Case oozes class, the great fit and finish and mirror-polished blades will wow the folks for sure.

Queen saves their really super fit and finish for their Schatt & Morgan knives.

(Of course I'd recommend Schatt & Morgan, but they would surely be budget busters.)

Go with the classic slipjoint knife, the Case Whittler or Stockman. They are practically designed to be given as gifts; many styles even come in gift tins.

Any time I've given a Case knife as a gift it has been greatly appreciated.
 
another vote for the Kershaw Assisted opens. I gave my brother-in-law a $30 Wally-World Chive and he loves it. [he's a plumber]

He has mentioned how fun it is to show to people several times. very nice little knives and a ball to play with.
 
Great advice on the Queens vs. Case. I'm really getting swayed to the Leeks with all these suggestions though (I know I said I already decided on the Queens... I'm a bit indecisive on this one, haha).

I showed a few of my buddies the Queen Gunstock vs. Kershaw Leek and every one of them preferred the Leek (that's without seeing the assisted opener).

I also called a "Things Remembered" store in Columbus, OH and I could have the knives engraved with their names for basically 10 bucks each.

QUESTION: Are the Kershaws made in USA? USA components?
 
The leeks may be a bit big for non knife people. The semi-warncliff blade shape looks pretty 'mean' and the blade is kinda big for basic EDC tasks (which most new knife carriers use it for anyway).

I carried a leek for quite some time, and just found that the tip was too pointy and I was always afraid of it breaking. It is also NOT a good choice to use around the sheeple, I stopped carrying it just for that reason.
 
Yes, Kershaws are made in USA but Kershaw is not a USA company. It's owned by Kai Cutlery which, I believe, is Japanese.

IMO, match up the type of knives with the kind of people your guests are. If they're basically conservative folks, get them something conservative like Case. If they're the kind of people who would prefer (enjoy?) a nasty (in the good sense) little assisted opener, go for a Leek. Leeks are nicely made. But most people who are not knife knuts really jump when they first handle an assisted opener. They are just not ready for it.

I wouldn't feel comfortable handing out - as gifts or otherwise - assisted openers to people who are not familiar with them.

Finally, there's the question of location. That is > In some (becoming more numerous) areas, LEOs do NOT look kindly on assisted openers.

I agree with TFin04 about the Leek.
 
I recently got my Leek from MidSouth Shooters Supply for $34--the nice stainless steel version. They also carry sharpening stuff; I got a so-called Deluxe 4-rod turn box (ceramic rods medium and fine). If each guy got one of each that would put you at $50.

It's also possible places like New Graham might swing you such a deal if you're buying several, as you plan to.

Well, that's my contribution. I also like the idea of customizing the kind of knife for each groomsman-- you can get creative for sure.
 
I guess it's funny how perceptions differ. I find the Leek to be fairly non-agressive looking and not at all large. Two ladies at my local library carry them at work. Although this is Texas. :D A thin tip is good for some things, not so good for others. And if you show your buddies once how the assisted opening works they will be fine. They don't kick like an auto.

I do agree with the advice on checking out New Graham for your purchase. Great folks and great service.

Jack
 
I am going to Wally World this afternoon to check out the Kershaw Chive. I don't plan on buying it, but I want to see how fast/aggressive this assisted opener is.

I will probably buy via eBay or Midsouth Shooters because of their great prices.
 
Finally, there's the question of location. That is > In some (becoming more numerous) areas, LEOs do NOT look kindly on assisted openers.
Click to expand...

Rifon2, I'm not sure what you are basing this information on, but we have little legal issues with AO's. Kershaw has pushed a ton of advertising dollars educating LEO's on our SpeedSafe technology, with much appreciation and understanding from them. We do LE trade shows regularly, and most LEO's enjoy our AO's. AO's are no more a suspect than any one hand opener IMO, and there are no laws prohibiting AO's that we are aware of.
It is unfortunate that some LEO's don't understand the knife laws currently on the books. Many find a specific look,size, or feature a determining factor on whether or not a knife is legal, but most of the time that determination will not hold up in court.
The future of knives in general is in question, and I appreciate the fact that organizations like AKTI are there to assist in representing all types of knives and the laws that protect them.

Sorry for the rant, but I think it is important for people to feel that they won't be breaking any laws by purchasing an assisted opener.

Thomas
Kershaw Knives
 
Hey Bobcat, that is a great idea. That will be a gift they will really appreciate. I don't know about the price range but AL Mar has some very dressy small knives you may want to check out.
 
Sooo, I just got back from Wal-Mart and they actually had the Leek in stock. I spent about 10 minutes playing with the flipper and LOOOOOVE it. These are what my groomsmen (and maybe best man) will be getting. I'm going to order them online and then have their 1st and last names engraved on the handle.

I'll also be ordering one extra for myself, haha. :-D That flipper is fantastic! I also really liked the Buck Rush but it doesn't have the same room to engrave on it like the Kershaw.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions! I'll post a pic of the engraved knives once I get them done in a month or so. :-D
 
Oh yeah, concerning the AO. I didn't find it scary at all and the guys are going to love it. The guy at wal-mart said it is his EDC and he doesn't even use the blade lock in his pocket; never had a problem with it opening.

I was expecting something more like a switchblade, which this is nowhere near. It is small enough and doesn't look that intimidating to me.
 
How about Spyderco Navigators? Almite handles, nice looking, unobtrusive, inoffensive, sturdy, sharp, well designed, well made... Under fifty bucks if I'm not mistaken. I think I got a pair of them for thirty-something.

-
 
bobcatpilot said:
Sooo, I just got back from Wal-Mart and they actually had the Leek in stock. I spent about 10 minutes playing with the flipper and LOOOOOVE it. These are what my groomsmen (and maybe best man) will be getting. I'm going to order them online and then have their 1st and last names engraved on the handle.
Click to expand...

You've said, "This is what I've decided to get," so many times already that I'm convinced you're going to end up just getting them all Sebenzas!

(do a search for "Sebenza" and see what you find, if the name is new to you...)
LOL! :p


-Jeffrey
 
Yah right, I can't afford those. :p

I'm pretty sure that I might be, maybe, kind of for sure, decided, finally, without a doubt, sort of, that I'm going with the Leeks... :) haha
 
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