New girlfriend, New to knives!

First off, you're awesome to care so much that you're asking for advice. Second, what's his intended use? You mentioned the Woodsman's Pal, so I take it he wants a larger fixed blade? I'd take a look at the Becker series, specifically the BK7.
 
After you have given him his Becker, um excuse me, I meant birthday knife invite him to Bladeforums.
 
Look at the pattern: Ulu, Crocodile Dundee knife, Rambo knife, Woodsman Pal. He likes show-off knives (not that there is anything wrong with that). He will not be happy with a folder, nor a small camping knife. He wants a large, showy knife. Why not get him a katana? You can get a decent katana for under $100; I got my brother-in-law one for about $40 and he loves it.
 
Cold Steel Spartan???

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LudiChris said:
Look at the pattern: Ulu, Crocodile Dundee knife, Rambo knife, Woodsman Pal. He likes show-off knives (not that there is anything wrong with that). He will not be happy with a folder, nor a small camping knife. He wants a large, showy knife. Why not get him a katana? You can get a decent katana for under $100; I got my brother-in-law one for about $40 and he loves it.
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A "decent" katana is not going to be available for under $100 and sure won't be for $40.
 
archieblue said:
My answer is... for Gods sake get a USA made knife you're very lucky beau can take pride in carrying... not some knife that is a "steal" because it is made in Taiwan. Hang around here for a few months and you'll be teaching him a thing or two about knives. Guaranteed.
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I just got a Spyderco Szabo. Made in Taiwan. Spectacular. Over $100 though. Too good to get cheap.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
He will probably carry a pocket knife more often and thus think of you when he uses/fondles it. So I would vote for a folder (pocket knife).
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BladeChick777 said:
^^ Agreed. I would get him a folding(pocket) knife.
With that idea, check out Spyderco.
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^what they said, because I agree with them and because I've noticed they both seem to generally be thoughtful and clueful (yes, it's a made-up word, so what?) posters here.

My beloved wife recently bought me a folder that I have every intention of carrying regularly, to the point that I'm currently having it pimped out to better meet my everyday needs. She bought me a very nice knife, but it's the fact that despite not being into knives she researched and selected an excellent knife for me that makes it extra special to me.

You'll get plenty of good advice here (incidentally, let me add a fifth vote or whatever for the Becker if you go fixed blade on your stated budget), but consider a folder as an option he might carry all the time. Also, I think you're pretty awesome for doing this :)
 
If a large, jaw dropping, yet well made and practical knife is what you want, look at the Ontario Marine Raider Bowie SP10. Its solid, useful and looks the part.
He's a very lucky man!
 
Greg - thanks for the compliment.

As for USA made knives - Yeah, they're nice, don't get me wrong. But there are several knives made over seas with matching or even better(Yes, I said it) quality.

I have actually come to prefer Spyderco's Taiwan made knives over any USA made knife(Again, Yes, I said it). They're excellent quality.

The reason I recommend Spyderco is because you can get well made knives with superior materials at a bargain price.
For example(if you want USA made):
Spyderco Manix 2 - excellent steel and upgraded handle material along with an awesome lock and USA made for around $75 - $80
Spyderco Native - great EDC with the best feeling FRN(handle) I've felt with an awesome steel, fits the hand like a glove and USA made for around $60
Spyderco UKPK - a good steel and good feeling handle, USA made for around $40

I'm just providing some examples. I would however go with a Spyderco Sage 1 or Sage 3(Both around $100) for all around EDC. The Native and UKPK are also excellent all around EDC blades(for well under $100). If he would want something heavier and more heavy duty, you can't go wrong with the Manix 2.
The Delica and Endura come in all kinds of colors and are great EDC's as well. And you can get a Spyderco Stretch in Dark Green with an upgraded steel around your price range as well.

Just look into some of the suggestions and pick which one strikes you that you think he would really love.

However I agree that he seems to be a fixed blade guy. So I can't really recommend much there. I prefer a pocket knife that I can carry around all the time and use when I need to.
 
^^ Squeak is an excellent little EDC.
I just had a cute idea...
Get yourself the Pink Spyderco Squeak, and him the Black one(both will be under $100).
Then He'll have a nice little EDC and so will you and you'll have matching knives.

Or for a little over the budget you could get him a Black Native and you a Pink Native.

Lol. I'm just rambling but it would be kinda cute.
 
Does he like recurves or not?

I like curves on my blade; if he's the same, then choosing a knife with a nice recurve will definitely appeal more than a non-recurved knife.

Recurve:
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Non-Recurve:
zt0170.jpg
 
Bark River Knife and Tool. Figure what size fixed blade he wants. What are the knife laws where you live? As in legal carry lengths. Or wait and buy Archie's Russian made Shirogorov. Hmm ;)
 
If fixed blade is his thing then the Beckers are great - any of the BK-5, BK-7 or BK-9.

I like BladeChick777's suggestion though and was going to say something similar. For your budget you could get two Spyderco Delica 4s which come in a range of coloured handles and go with the 'his and hers' thing. The Delica is an awesome EDC (Every Day Carry) blade, light and easy on the pocket, fun to play with and a great cutter made from great steel.
 
Bless your hearts, y'all are amazing!! I'm having the time of my life reading all these helpful posts! Thanks so much for all the insight! Now I REALLY know how much I don't know. I do know that he has a "folder" (gotta get the lingo down:cool:) that he carries a lot. Would he really want another one?? He's so good to me and I want to get him something special. I KNOW I'll end up with something good with all this awesome info! Thanks again!
 
zebragirl83 said:
Bless your hearts, y'all are amazing!! I'm having the time of my life reading all these helpful posts! Thanks so much for all the insight! Now I REALLY know how much I don't know. I do know that he has a "folder" (gotta get the lingo down:cool:) that he carries a lot. Would he really want another one?? He's so good to me and I want to get him something special. I KNOW I'll end up with something good with all this awesome info! Thanks again!
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It really depends on what he wants... I know I love folders, but I also have a fixed blade or two that I can use while camping. If I personally were going to be limited to just two knives, I'd prefer a fixed and a folding rather than two fixed or two folding. But that's just me. Someone who lives in a rural area might just want two fixed whereas someone in an urban area might just want two folding.
 
zebragirl83 said:
Bless your hearts, y'all are amazing!! I'm having the time of my life reading all these helpful posts! Thanks so much for all the insight! Now I REALLY know how much I don't know. I do know that he has a "folder" (gotta get the lingo down:cool:) that he carries a lot. Would he really want another one?? He's so good to me and I want to get him something special. I KNOW I'll end up with something good with all this awesome info! Thanks again!
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It's great to see a good Southern girl doing her due diligence on something most of us Southern boys hold dear. It seems your beau appreciates size, aesthetics, and little of the jaw drop effect from what you've said, and I couldn't agree more with all the posts about a folder. It's worth trying to find out if he carries a folder with some sentimental value (you may want to avoid getting him one too similar if it is an heirloom or gift from his father/grandfather etc). If its an heirloom piece, you might want to look at some of the more modern alternatives that were previously suggested- Spyderco, Kershaw, Benchmade, and Zero Tolerance are all great options. All of those knives can not only be beautiful and useful, but you can get the sort of jaw dropping effect from the opening and closing. They can have a really satisfying quick snappy open, and plenty of us like to sit around and play with them on the couch or at our desks for just that effect. If he is into more old fashioned and traditional folders, case is always great option too. If I had to lay my reputation as a Southern gent on the line (and agree never to wear seersucker or bow ties again if wrong) for one suggestion, I'd suggest a modern folder. The benchmade griptillians are great hefty knives with nice all around usefulness, there are a number of beloved and very nice spydercos in that range that some of the more knowledgeable members have suggested, ditto kershaw knives, and probably my choice from the bunch would be a blemish zero tolerance 350 from kershawguy. They are big but not too big to carry, you can opt for a blade with the impressive tiger stripe finish for a unique and memorable look, and the assisted open feature will give it that snappy effect to push it to the desired level of excitement.
 
Every guy who carries a folder, would love another.
Why don't you ask him about the folder he carries, why he likes it.
There is a large range of very different folders.
 
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