Pearls before swine

robicon said:
Bought Lone Wolf Paul Pranksters for my groomsmen (x4).

Bought the Lone Wolf Lobo (cocobolo double action) for the best man.

Picked up a Lone Wolf Double Duty for myself:D


Classy, well-made knives can be recognized by even the most newb of knifeowners.

Generally speaking, I try to buy the best knife I can that fits the circumstances. Even if they're not knife afficianados before, maybe after they receive a decent knife...they'll become one.


I've received too many cheap chi-com knives as gifts (weddings etc.). They never get used and end up in a junk drawer somewhere. I don't intend to follow suit.
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x2

Exactly what I was trying to say

Kevin
 
I mainly carry slip joints, so when I give a first knife to a non-knifenut it is always a slip joint.

It is easy to carry in a pocket or purse
It is totally non threatening
And there are so many different patterns and sizes, I can choose according to the persons needs.

I find Rough Rider in a nice bone to be a high quality and looks well that folk really like them.
They come very sharp and are easy to sharpen on kitchen sharpeners

A non-knifenut person cannot tell the difference between a Rough Rider and a much better knife, even when I try and show them!


SAKs are also excellent first knives
 
Sep said:
- No custom or semi custom knife. They're very unlikely to appreciate the difference between a $33 BM Monochrome and a $330 CRK Mini Sebenza.
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Get the best knife for the money (depending on your budget). They will appreciate it once they learn more about knives.
 
Dag-nabit said:
At Christmas time last year I gifted about 12 Fallkniven U2's as promotional items for my business.

Granted some of the recipients were knife users, if not actual knuts, but some of the recipients were also new to the concept of carrying a knife.

One of the most common comments I received back was; "Do you have any idea how nice it is to receive a quality knife instead of some made in china piece of crap".

The office administrator (lady) at work was commenting just recently how much she likes and uses it. Keeps in her desk drawer for opening packages etc.

The point I'm making is that quality will often shine through, even if the recipient isn't entirely familiar with the gift.

I agree that CRKT or the likes is over kill, but not so certain that a quality blade would necessarily be under appreciated by the uninitiated.

Kevin
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Peope never rell realize how useful a knife is until they have one. Ive noticed also that this snt gender specific women i have given knive sto tend to appreciate them as much as men, i tend to gift knives like the k.i.s.s and the h.u.g to women and spyderco enduras to men.
 
Sep said:
If you decide to give a first knife to a non-knifenut, what qualities do you think they'll appreciate?

Here are my thoughts:
- No super steel. They don't understand the difference, so the price difference is wasted.
I agree on no super steel, but for a different reason. The high edge retention steels are harder to sharpen and most folks don't have the skill or tools necessary to sharpen them. Many people judge a knife by how sharp they can get it. If they can't sharpen it, they will think the knife is cruddy rather than that their skills are lacking.

- No custom or semi custom knife. They're very unlikely to appreciate the difference between a $33 BM Monochrome and a $330 CRK Mini Sebenza.
Agree. You don't have to buy a custom to get a good knife. A Monochrome is actually one of the best deals out there today. But you can get a nice Spyderco or Buck or Benchmade Red Class and have a very nice knife without breaking the bank.

 - Get something on the small side, like 3" blade and under. Bigger blade might freak them out or be considered impractical.
Agree

- Get something pretty and shiny. I tend to avoid stainless steel frame because it's slippery, but it's my first choice for a gift knife because it's sleek and pretty.
Not to sure about that. Handsome, yes. Pretty?

What do you think? Or better yet, what's your experience in gifting a knife? Do you find yourself more excited about the gift than the recipient?
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My experiences of giving knives to friends and family follow my comments above. Kabar Doziers, Case mini-trappers, a couple of Buck folders, and the like. Well made knives, not too expensive, steel that holds a decent edge but is easy to sharpen. (all of them were well received. Many thanks I have gotten in return.)
 
I sometimes give knives as a way to buy stuff I'd personally not want to use, but like to see anyway. Also, I don't want to create a sense of obligation from those who cannot afford to spend very much on stuff for me.

Last Christmas I gave a (flimsy) CRKT Rollock to a semi knife guy...he loved it for the novelty factor and showed it to several people. I gave some CRKT rainbow P.E.C.K.s to women too. Who knows if they'll be used but could literally be earrings. CRKT products look great to casual users and are cheap enough for random gifts. Too bad they are not very good users.
 
I think that an alox sak would be great. They look awesome, wear great, they're sheeple friendly plus they perform great. Plus, giving a slipjoint will teach knife safety.

Maybe a solo or a really nicely colored cadet.
 
Brown synthetic jigged handle SS blades Case Peanut was what I gave my grandson for his first knife on his 8th birthday. Made in USA $22.95 and he loved it. If a person is not a knife nut I will still give Made in USA good quality knife.
 
Just like any gift, you have to tailor the knife to the person. For example I have one brother who is into hunting and rafting, and doesn't take the best care for his equipment, so a good choice was rust free Spyderco in H1. The other brother is a citified engineer, so a smaller "watch-pocket" sized Spyderco Cricket was the way to go.
 
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