Need Suggestions for Knife for Retirement Gift

Totally Judy

Totally Judy

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
Messages
4,347
I need some help. One of the supervisors at work is retiring next month. This guy sat in with my soon-to-be boss and interviewed me for the job I still have 19 years later. Not the exact same job, but same desk and more responsibilities. The guy's name is Joe.

Joe went to the Las Vegas Knife Show around 15 years ago, and came back to present me with my very first knife - a very sweet and girly-girl pinkish/salmon jigged bone Frost Cutlery slippie. No jokes about Frost - I was touched and thrilled to have my first knife and the blade was even etched. I still have that knife. I carried it in my wallet with me every day. I guess it was my EDC before I ever knew what EDC stood for.

Joe is a Retired Marine Gunny Sgt. He has a knife collection but I have no idea what he has. He wears a basic sheath on his belt and I don't even know what his EDC is. But he uses it all the time.

Whenever I get a new knife, I always show it to Joe. It's all his fault I started buying knives myself.

I just have no idea what to get him for a knife. I don't even know if he carries a pocket knife. Just the one on his belt for sure. This is going to be a "it's the thought that counts" kind of knife, but I want to know that I am getting him a nice knife and not a POS.

I am willing to spend a couple of hundred dollars on him if I purchase it alone. It is possible there might be some gals at work who would want to get involved with getting a more expensive knife. I just decided today that I want to get him a knife and have not mentioned it to anyone else.

So I'm thinking a pocket slippie, or maybe a folder that I would have a sheath made for.

His last day of work is August 2nd. But he lives about 6 blocks from my office, so if I got the knife later than August 2nd, it would not be a problem getting it to him.

You guys helped me out 7-1/2 years ago when I found BFC because I was looking for a Christmas present knife for my Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love. I got him a Benchmade something or other. He loves it and uses it still.

Thanks!

TJ

 
Since you stated you're willing to spend some $$$.......


For a pocket knife, I'd get him a Chris Reeve Sebenza. There are "standard" ones in small and large sizes as well as more ornate ones out there---expect to spend between $330-490 depending on which model/size + style. There are a lot of ornate knives in this range, but the Sebenza is an awesome EDC user knife.

For a fixed blade EDC, I love the Bark River Bravo-1. It's not too large (4.25" blade) and has many handle + sheath options. Price is about $140-240 depending on handle material + sheath
 
For fixed blade. Rat cutlery all the way.

For a folder, What about a buck or Case knife. Me I love trappers.
 
A Sebenza would be the ultimate gift, something to be really proud of, at both the giving and receiving end. Also take a look in the makers forum/section here, they have some pretty sweet custom/one of a kind blades that make you drool, and they would work with you for something extra special too, great guys there.
 
Although I don't own one and don't like framelocks, I would second the Sebenza if you can get some of the others to chip in. Even if he shares my feelings, it will still tell him how much you appreciate him.
 
I would recommend a ~3" custom fixed blade. Since it is a custom you don't have to worry about him already having the knife in his collection.
 
I'd also go with custom or a Sebbie. There are lots of gorgeous knives made here on BFC by some very talented knifemakers and it would be one of a kind. You could also have it engraved like Joe had your 1st knife etched.
 
I too would go with a Sebenza, or a Mnandi, if you're going to spend several hundred for him. If he likes traditional knives, Case and Schatt and Morgan have some very nice limited edition knives. The Case Bose line, or the Schatt and Morgan ATS34 line. If you're going for a custom fixed blade, I would find out what his tastes are. Fishing, hunting, camping, utility work etc. There are many makers on here you could support that offer affordable, yet functional and aesthetically pleasing knives. If you're going for a custom folder, those can get more expensive.
 
Totally Judy said:
I need some help. One of the supervisors at work is retiring next month. This guy sat in with my soon-to-be boss and interviewed me for the job I still have 19 years later. Not the exact same job, but same desk and more responsibilities. The guy's name is Joe.

Joe went to the Las Vegas Knife Show around 15 years ago, and came back to present me with my very first knife - a very sweet and girly-girl pinkish/salmon jigged bone Frost Cutlery slippie. No jokes about Frost - I was touched and thrilled to have my first knife and the blade was even etched. I still have that knife. I carried it in my wallet with me every day. I guess it was my EDC before I ever knew what EDC stood for.

Joe is a Retired Marine Gunny Sgt. He has a knife collection but I have no idea what he has. He wears a basic sheath on his belt and I don't even know what his EDC is. But he uses it all the time.

Whenever I get a new knife, I always show it to Joe. It's all his fault I started buying knives myself.

I just have no idea what to get him for a knife. I don't even know if he carries a pocket knife. Just the one on his belt for sure. This is going to be a "it's the thought that counts" kind of knife, but I want to know that I am getting him a nice knife and not a POS.

I am willing to spend a couple of hundred dollars on him if I purchase it alone. It is possible there might be some gals at work who would want to get involved with getting a more expensive knife. I just decided today that I want to get him a knife and have not mentioned it to anyone else.

So I'm thinking a pocket slippie, or maybe a folder that I would have a sheath made for.

His last day of work is August 2nd. But he lives about 6 blocks from my office, so if I got the knife later than August 2nd, it would not be a problem getting it to him.

You guys helped me out 7-1/2 years ago when I found BFC because I was looking for a Christmas present knife for my Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love. I got him a Benchmade something or other. He loves it and uses it still.

Thanks!

TJ
Click to expand...

Very glad "TJ is back." :D:D

I believe you could contact Ed T and get a Blade Forums 2008 knife for under $100 -- a very nice little knife, indeed. I like the design and I'm getting one.

If you feel that's not appropriate, I'd suggest either a small Custom or Semi-Custom, probably chosen from among the fine Makers present here ... given the short time-scale involved. To get much more specific, I guess we'd need to know more about your Marine. Contrary to popular opinion, they're not all absolutely identical (I know ... I've worked with many).

Hope this helps a bit.
 
Something very nice for a lot less money would be a knife with handcrafted scales by Santa Fe Stoneworks, such as the Spyderco Kiwis that many retailers have in stock, such as Knifeworks or New Graham.
 
Perhaps a nice custom from one of several of the makers that post on this forum. I would be hesitant in suggesting just one. But the idea of a sole authorship, hand made knife would be appreciated by most any man that I know.
Just my .02, no change required.
James
 
Sicne he has a knife collection there is quite a risk that he already has a Sebenza (just check all the comments on the forum).
Unless you can ask someone in his household to spy on his collection, I would rather recommend, exactly in line with moxie above, a real French hand-made Laguiole. I have the impression that they are much less collected by Americans, while they are true quality knives for gentlemen- and food related operation. And they are very pretty. Furthermore, there is a lot of variation in Laguioles, lessening even more the risk of a double.
Next to Moxie's suggestion, also have a look at http://www.cutlery2go.com/frenchknives.html and related pages for nice Laguioles.

There is an interesting alternative if you think he's more a Sebenza kind of knife collector: Klotzli knives of Switzerland are in essence made to the same ultra high standard (ok, I have this from reading, I haven't held a Sebenza myself yet), and it is a pretty rare knife brand, so there is a very good chance that he won't have it yet.
 
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I'll put a second or a third which ever it is for a Case or a Case/Bose.I don't think that you have enough time for many of the customs,unless you can find something already made.Case makes quite a few commemerative trappers and they make belt sheaths that they fit in nice.The Case/Bose knives are probably even a step higher than any of the regular Case knives.
 
How about a Buck 55 folder with mammoth ivory bark handle scales? It's at the AG Russell site under "specials". That is a beatiful knife (IMO) and very practical as well.
 
Decisions, decisions, decisions. I did see a Sebenza that I really liked for him - Stars and Stripes. But it might be out of my price range. Well, I know it is out of MY price range, and I'm not sure who is going to ante up. I have a commitment for $60 from 3 gals at work so far. I think I'm gonna be footing the bill for the most part. But dang, those Sebenza are nice!

He always carries a folder and I see him use that a lot. I've never seen him carry a fixed blade at work. But I have no idea what he carries when he is not working.

His wife and his main passion is gambling. As far a I know he doesn't hunt, fish, etc. etc. But he does like to cook. His favorite 2 kitchen knives are the 5" and 7" K-Series by Cold Steel. He raves about them.

I've mentioned some very well known makers who are also members of BFC, like Kit Carson, and he had never heard of him. What is wrong with him? Well, Kit used to be a member, don't know if he still is. I think he may have brought me in some photos of his collection. It has been at least 5+ years since I saw it. There were a lot of BIG knives and older model knives and probably many military style knives.

I think I'd like to go with a custom folder. Something in my price range since the Sebenza is more than my budget allows at the moment.

I suppose I should head over to the Custom Forum.

Any suggestions for a reasonably priced, well made, and unique custom that is sorta eye-catching?

Thanks,

TJ
 
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