Need Suggestions for an EDC for Someone that’s Never Owned a Knife.

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Oct 26, 2001
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Hey all.

I need some help please.

I have a very good friend that has recently been asking me about what kind of knife he could get and carry. He has seen my knives that I carry each day and I guess he has decided to finally try owning and carrying a knife.

He’s not a blue jeans kinda guy. He’s more of a casual Friday dress code kinda guy. He’s a financial advisor and he looks the part. So, a big, hulking knife won’t work for him. It would have to be a bit on the lightweight side.
I also think he’d do best with a flipper with a liner or frame lock. Easy to open, safe, and easy to close for him.
I figured I’d buy him a knife to try and maybe create a brand new Knife Nut!

As for cost, I’d like to keep it under $40 in case he doesn’t like it or tells me he likes it and then tosses it in a drawer and only gets it when he’s got a string to cut.
After I find out that he likes carrying a knife and he’s interested in getting other knives, I can get him a better one down the road.

So, what would you suggest? Anything stand out as a great choice to you?
Any help you can give will be appreciated.

Larry
 
You say he's never owned a knife? Well, it doesn't hurt to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run.

A person with no folding knife experience opening and closing a sharp folder with one hand would give me cause for concern. A liner or frame lock requires a person to put their digit in the path of the blade when closing. Of course if your friend is the diligently careful type, and has good finger/hand dexterity, then this might not be a problem.

For a complete beginner I might recommend one of these. It doesn't have the cool-factor of a one-handed folder, but I think it's a good place for a beginner to start. And I think it might be considered "office friendly", which could be an added virtue. And in my opinion, it's just a classy-looking knife.

Swiss Army 1 Alox handles.

iR3PkdW.jpg
 
I kind of like the look of the QSP penguin series.


And they do kind of funky stuff with micata, brass and carbon fibre.

I thought the blue Jean micata would be cool because it moves away from the tactical black and has the sheepsfoot.

I believe it is cheap as dirt for you guys over there as well.
 
I’d give him something like the SAK Alox Pioneer. They’re small, lightweight, and easy to carry in any pocket. There’s barely any maintenance necessary, it’s easy to sharpen, plus it has a few simple tools that will see lots of use.

If you want to create a “knife nut” give him a reason to carry it everyday, those other tools may just do that. The Pioneer is also easily replaceable. Don’t worry about it being a slipjoint, the actions are smooth and easy to manipulate.
 
Have him buy inexpensive knives first to see the size and type that works best for him and then carry what he likes best for a month or two, at least. More time is better.
Once he has zeroed in on what seems the perfect size, type,method of operation, and shape, then start the drawer full of knifes in the search for perfection.
Does he have a particular purpose for the knife or just general utility use?
 
I’d give him something like the SAK Alox Pioneer. They’re small, lightweight, and easy to carry in any pocket. There’s barely any maintenance necessary, it’s easy to sharpen, plus it has a few simple tools that will see lots of use.

If you want to create a “knife nut” give him a reason to carry it everyday, those other tools may just do that. The Pioneer is also easily replaceable. Don’t worry about it being a slipjoint, the actions are smooth and easy to manipulate.

This seems a good idea & test to see if he really is interested in (and comfortable with) an EDC to me. Others should feel comfortable around him as well.
 
A person with no folding knife experience opening and closing a sharp folder with one hand would give me cause for concern. A liner or frame lock requires a person to put their digit in the path of the blade when closing. Of course if your friend is the diligently careful type, and has good finger/hand dexterity, then this might not be a problem.
My 10 year old son has been opening knives and utility blades for years. If an adult can't open and close a knife, I'd question if they should even use one.
 
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