Need help chosing a gift.

B

Bolt

Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
449
Hey everyone, I need some advice.
I saw my uncle for the first time in a long time this Thanksgiving, and I noticed that he had a cheap little folder in his pocket. I asked to see it, and realized that it was a cheap little China special. Maybe three inches in total size when closed. Had a flimsy liner lock and partial serrations. He said that he loved carrying it.
I knew that my mission would now be to find a quality knife that I could give to him, to open his eyes to a real knife.
He is a very important person in my life, and I do not want to give him something that is cheap.
I am however on a very tight budget.
I was thinking of a Benchmade Benchmite or a Boker Ceramic (Are they any good?)
Any thoughts?
 
You can't go wrong with a BM. For the $50 and under look at the Benchmade mini-griptilian or the Spyderco Native at Wallie world ($40), or the Boker Trance Framelock...
 
For a gift, I'd stay away from the black plastic knives and look for something with a little class. I have absolutely nothing against the Mini-Griptilian or FeatherLite, both are fine knives, just not what I would choose for a gift.

I've recently bought two Case knives that are very nice and a Schatt and Morgan Peanut that is fantastic.

That's just me though. You know your uncle better than I do. :D
 
Wish you were my nephew.

The ceramic knives are very nice looking ( http://www.knivesplus.com/BK-2031-Boker-knives-ceramic.HTML ) and are good quality, but take some patience and practice to sharpen properly.

If he's using it around the office then this might not matter, and it'll last a long time before needing sharpening, at which point he can go to a knife shop, pay five bucks and get it done professionally.

If he's using it for more outdoorsy/work-ish kind of stuff, I'd go with the Benchmite. For a similar sized knife, with a fun assisted opening feature though, you could go with a Kershaw Chive or Scallion, or a SOG Twitch I. I've got both those and can recommend them as great, handy, easy to sharpen pocket folders.

If you want something bigger (3" blade), the Leek that Glockman suggested would also kick ass.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions so far. This is giving me many ideas.
The junk knife that he has is all stainless with a black rubber insert in the middle of the handle to give it some dress-up. It is a very small knife, as he carries it in the pocket. I would definately like the one I get to have some class to it, as he career is a professional one. I hope these few more clue help the hunt.
Thanks again.
 
Consider a CASE Mini-Copperlock

It's slim with no exposed blade tang tearing your pockets, comes in a variety of scales-bone is ALWAYS nice-and is a lockback so it can do the safety business:thumbup: Stainless too for ease of care.About 3.5"/9cms shut.

A touch of class here and a fine present to give or get:D American made too.
check www.wrcase.com should be under 50 especially on e-bay (I can recommend some reliable sources if you need)
 
Schatt and Morgan is classy! Check out AG Russell's website. Personally, I like my Kershaw Leek, and my son has a Chive. They are easy to carry and plenty of "stuff" for EDC. I like the Benchmite, but they take a bit of getting used to if you don't get the Auto model. The local sports ripoff store asks $119 for the Benchmite, seemed a bit pricey for such a small piece. AG Russell has some nice Gentlemen's knives under their own name.
 
Friend I am going to give you some good advice and advise that you not pay the
inflated prices for these knives that your uncle wont notice the difference in.
The real beauty in my opinion in these old heirlooms is the ability to have
3 or 4 blades in a pocket knife. For that I doubt you can beat the value of
MARBLE's Sowbelly or Congress as sold at http://www.Eknifeworks.com
for less than $25.
On the front page click on the box that says search for manufacturer and select
"Marbles Outdoors" I love multiblade folders and am willing to give up the new
fangled lock back knives to get the versatility.
It might be easier to go to the Marbles MFG website and click on POCKETKNIVES
to see them all. Also a best kept secret is their huge Buck 317 Trailblazer replica
called the Trapper I think. 5.5 inches folded for less than $25.

Not meaning to offend any of the others as I am sure they are speaking of
good knives but your uncle wont apprecate the hi tech stuff as much as
an attractive old type nostalgic knife. Marbles folders are what I always give
as gifts to all relatives.... AND USE when dressing deer.
 
Also a best kept secret is their huge Buck 317 Trailblazer replica
called the Trapper I think. 5.5 inches folded for less than $25.
Click to expand...
Most Buck Knives are still made in the USA, but not the Trapper models. They are imported from China.
 
Hey Bolt, you can quickly narrow your choices with a few questions:

Traditional or modern design?
Natural materials or synthetics?
Price range?
Size?
Locking blade or slipjoint?
 
Sorry I made a mistake the Huge marbles knife is the Hunter ( two blade )
and the Coke Bottle.( single blade). I'm not surprise they are made in
China but they are pretty darn good by them selves and when considered
as value for the dollar, unbelievable.
 
I didn't mean to imply they aren't good knives. The Chinese Bucks get positive reviews also, and are backed by Buck's full warranty.

But many of the online dealers don't advertise that those knives are imported from China, so I thought Bolt should be aware. And many old-school folks would be disappointed to receive an American brand knife that wasn't actually made in the US.

If you visit the Buck Knives website, they clearly mark each knife that's made in the USA:
http://www.buckknives.com/
The American made Buck knives don't cost much more than the imports.

Here are the Marbles knives that are still made in Gladstone, Michigan, the Classic Series:
http://www.marblesoutdoors.com/cutlery/classic.html
 
How old is your uncle? If over 60 or so, a nice Case XX might bring a smile to his face!
 
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