Need help picking a Spring assisted knife for Father-in-law

Anything Kershaw.

SOG has its fans here, but I personally find most of their products, especially folders, to be shoddy, underbuilt, and highly overpriced. Yes, just another opinion, but i tend to objectively base mine on facts and experience. Steer clear.

You can really do tons better for the same coin.

Good luck.
 
The Buck Quickfire is assisted with a lockback, but the blade is only 2.75".

Also, I wouldn't want to use an assisted for cleaning deer -- I've only owned a few cheap assisted blades, and they didn't hold up too well to dirt and grime.
Good luck!
 
what about the Kershaw Cryo G-10?? Has the g-10 grip on one side, frame lock and I think the flipper will keep his finger safe from closing it. Deep carry which he will like, blade length is on target. Light weight, has some jimping.

How is the blade steel? Chinese 8Cr13MoV. Does anyone know if Kershaw does anything "special" in heat treatment? I know next to nothing about steel other than all the charts I've been looking at.
It seems that yesterdays favorite quickly gets bashed as junk when the new steel on the block hit town.
I know it is not the best steel around but for someone just wanting to try out a spring assist it sound like it is relatively easy to sharpen and if he just needs a good working edge, not a razor blade would this work? does it have a decent edge retention?

Thanks again for helping a noob looking for a gift. A-zon has it for $25.
 
Kershaw is one of the better/more consistent companies in regards to their 8cr13mov...when donevwell It performs a lot like (aisi)440a, or japanese aus8 (to which is it is almost identical in composition), which is to say it's a decent entry level stainless knife steel... A bit less corrosion resistant then 440, but when heat treated properly it takes a keen edge, doesnt hold it the longest but will hold a working edge for a while longer, is tough enough to withstand most daily tasks, (even some minor abuse), and is super easy to sharpen compared to other varieties...

I don't own a cryo, but I currently own several kershaws in 8cr;
2 Scramblers (which i love)
A Thermite
A Tremor
An Emerson CQC

I've been happy with all 'em for what you get vs. what you pay...
 
Cryo G10 would be my choice in a smaller assisted framelock flipper in your price range. That or the Thermite, which is a little bigger. Depends on your taste. I had the original Cryo for a while. Good knife. Gave it to my nephew. I now have the similar but larger ZT 0566 instead, but that's out of your target price.
 
It may come in a hair over budget with shipping but I think it's about perfect for your criteria: the SOG Flashback.

Opinions vary on SOGs knives, but I've never experienced a quality issue from them.

Pros:
Super Grippy - Just look at it.
AUS 8 Steel - Holds and edge respectably, but will sharpen easily on the old man's stones.
Piston Lock - You must move your thumb and index from the bladepath to unlock it.
Safety Switch - No opening in the pocket.
Stainless and Polymer - Rinse, Lube, Repeat.
Deep carry - Not going to come out of the pocket.
NutnFancy likes it - Check YouTube.

Cons:
It's fugly - Old men generally don't care.
Slightly Overpriced - Compared to competitors it's a bit high, but this combination of features really doesn't exist elsewhere.
Safety switch - They annoy me.
Angle - Some say it's hard to open. They're pushing the thumb stud at the wrong angle.
NutnFancy likes it - Check YouTube. (Opinions on him go both ways.)

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It's what I'd buy him given your criteria.
 
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