Need knife ideas for brother and nephew

Artfully Martial

Artfully Martial

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
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I'm getting them knives for birthdays.
For my brother I want something between 2.5 and 3.5 inches, roughly. I'd like it to be assisted opening, and it has to look very cool, even at the cost of steel quality. I'd like at least AUS8, but I'm flexible. Between 50-100 dollars. Right now I'm looking at a Van Hoy snap fire or mini mojo for him.

For my newphew, I want something below 2.8 inches or so. Preferably 2.5 inches. Steel quality isn't that important, but it must be decent...let's start at 440A, or, maybe even 420HC. It cannot be assisted opening. It must be an attractive knife, but not in a very mean or very tactical way. This knife would be under 30 dollars.
 
For the little knife, why not a good SAK? No way tactical and maybe more useful depending on age.
 
Well, SAKs are fine, and I'm actually carrying a cybertool right now, but...I don't like them as knives. Their blades are just too fragile in general, in my experience...and none of mine lock, but that might have changed....
 
Artfully Martial said:
Well, SAKs are fine, and I'm actually carrying a cybertool right now, but...I don't like them as knives. Their blades are just too fragile in general, in my experience...and none of mine lock, but that might have changed....
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They do make locking SAKs these days, the Trekker is a one hand opening, liner locker I think. I've never handled one, but I'm sure they're good quality. I've never experienced a fragile SAK; Victorinox makes excellent knives. Why not get him a Vic Soldier? It doesn't lock, but it's a hefty knife, and the Alox scales are much more durable than the plastic (that said, I've never had a problem with a plastic scaled SAK either, but I've only had Vics, never a Wenger). The Soldier was around $20 several years ago when I picked mine up.

If you really don't want to get him an SAK, look at the Kershaw Vapor, the small one. I EDC'd a Vapor II for a long time and was very pleased with it, even though I had knives costing 4 or 5 times as much. Solid frame lock and it looks pretty modern and cool. AUS-6 steel is decent enough, Kershaw's heat treat is good... it kept a good edge, but is fairly hard to sharpen for some reason. The small Vapor can be had for around $25, probably less if you look around a little.

How about a Buck 112, or the new 55? Great knife, and a true classic (the 110/112 design is just about my favorite knife design ever). Buck's 420HC is great steel too. The 112 is around $30 and the 55 probably a little less. I've yet to handle a 55, I may break down and buy one just to see.

That's just my 30,850 Turkish Lira.

Ben
 
I'm going to say stay away from the snapfire. It is not assisted opening and it is awkward to open/close also. I would recomend a Kershaw Leek. That guy is a classic and is always great for gifts. Also would be good would be the Twitch XL from SOG. It has an intersting shape and the modified back lock is really incredible.
For the nephew: How about a Buck 55? Blade is 2 3/8. Steel is 420HC. It looks very nice. It has a sturdy lock. I can't find anything to dislike about it.
-KC
 
I bought the Mini Mojo sight unseen, and was very unhappy with the closing mechanism, not ideal for one hand use at all, although it can be closed with one hand. Others might like it, mine moved almost immediately when I listed it for trade.

Look at the Flash I, Twitch II and XL, Kershaw Blackout, Avalanche etc.
 
Took a look at the Flash I, and it's pretty cool. I'm considering it, though it looks pretty tactical. I'm looking for something more artistic, more extreme, less mean.

The Twitch 2 looks fantastic. I know it was aimed at my brother, but I don't think it's flashy enough. However, if only they made a non assisted opening version....(maybe they do?)...I think this would be almost perfect for my nephew. Maybe just a little long.

The 55 is a good knife, but just not what I'm looking for.

When thinking for my brother, think alternatives to the snap fire....I want a knife that has a similar look to it...something more artistic, extreme, not tactical...I might just run with the mini mojo, however. I personally don't find it hard to close.

Use that Twitch 2 as a sort of a template (but non assisted) for the nephew. Right now, though, I'm thinking he's going to end up with an FRN Dragonfly.
 
The Kershaw Centofante assisted opening knife is pretty cool looking. Handle and blade coated with black Tungsten DLC and only 500 made. $66.43 @knifeworks.com. (The blade is 440A but Kershaw does an excellent heat treat on it. Kershaw 440A in no way resembles the 440A on the cheap knives you've seen around)

ks1615mot.jpg



For a smaller knife... Providing you haven't ruled out slip joints, it's hard to go wrong with a Case Tiny Trapper. Around 33 bucks at knifeworks.com.

nashvilleknifeshop_1850_6677118
 
Camillus Heat for the assisted opener. Under 50 bucks with aus8 blade. IMO it's one of the best bargains out there. For the little guy I'd go with a Buck/Mayo Mantis. 2 3/4" blade of 440C steel at around 22 bucks. I have both of these knives and am more than satisfied with them.
 
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