Pocket Knife for Dad's Birthday - Suggestions?

Short Cut

Short Cut

Joined
Jan 12, 2003
Messages
38
My Dad's birthday is coming up and I'd like to purchase a really nice pocket knife for him. It must be a maximum of
3 1/4" when closed. I'm flexible on the price, I'd like to keep it under $300 although I could make an expception for the right knife.

I'm currently looking at a couple of Case knives one of which is customized by Brian Yellowhorse. Here's a picture of them:

by5002.jpg
ca1284.jpg


Any suggestions that you can offer as to nice pocket knives and where to purchase them will be greatly appreciated.
 
If you haven't already, try posting this in the Traditional Forum. Those guys really know there stuff when it comes to slipjoints.
-Kevin
 
The Spyderco Kiwi makes an awesome gift for anyone who appreciates a knife! Though if you're really willin' to go the distance, the CRK Mnandi is tough to beat in every way!
 
Had to look around a bit to find out that CRK is a Chris Reeves Knife. The mnandi is "very nice" but at 3.6" it's more than my Dad will carry in his pocket. The Kiwi with the amber jigged-bone slats is a contender, I like it a lot however I think that my Dad will be more likely to carry a traditional slip joint pocket knife.

Thank you for your suggestions. :)
 
Slipjoints don't do it for me, but many people (Dad aged guys) still love them.

I prefer a single blade, locking folder made of good steel (or a slipjoint from a good custom maker, but they are quite pricey).

Examples:
===========

* Chris Reeve Umfaan (~ 2" blade, have to find used I guess)

* William Henry T09, 2-1/8" blade, and 5" when open, and AG Russell says it's 2-7/8" closed (I like the Redwood burl & ironwood scales). $250

Nordic Knives is a good outfit to work with, they carry Wm Henry:
http://www.nordicknives.com/front.html

I must've blinked when Reeve discontinued the Umfaan... must've stopped producing when the Mnandi came out.

Either way, you get a small light knife with a good quality blade (154CM at Rc59-60 for Wm Henry, and ATS-34 or BG-42 for Umfaan also at Rc60).

The one factory slipjoint I really like is this one... the Shrade Joe Kious reverse congress damascus model, 3-1/4" long, with a 2" drop point and a 2" wharncliffe blade. Unfortunately, I haven't handled one of these to assess quality... and the damascus is carbon damascus so it should be a good blade, but not sure how hard they get them:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/nashvilleknifeshop/noname11.html
http://www.schradeknives.com/n100.cfm
http://www.russellsformen.com/03summer03/sch-sjk1.html

And here is a design clone of Ron Lake's tremendous quality custom multi-thousand dollar folders, albeit at a $325 price point... pretty neat, but must say I haven't handled to ascertain the quality CAS Iberia is bringing to market at $325:
http://www.agrussell.com/misc/cas-2050gt.html

The small AG Russell Jess Horn model is pretty decent... you can probably find a used Spyderco Jess Horn too if you try:
http://www.agrussell.com/agrussell/rus-jh50.html


By the way, those Case knives strike me as terribly gaudy rather than fancy or special. Not trying to be a jerk, just being honest. Other people probably love them.
 
I may not be with the program here, as far as the style of knife you want to get your dad, but if utility and good design and quality construction are all key points, would you consider a Benchmade Mini Griptilian? Great knife.

---Jeffrey
 
Hi Short Cut,
I like the knives you pictured above. Seems like you're looking for art pieces more than simple, functional, plain knives. I can understand as it's a gift and you want it to make an impact right?

Customized Case knives seem like a great choice. They're known to hold up well, and the inlays and such do stand out. Myself, i'd prefer Damascus blade steel for the beauty, but the price is steep. Also i feel single blades are more practical and cut weight down too.

I wonder if given something like a titanium, or other very lightweight lockback, if your Dad might like the convienience of a pocket clip? This allows a knife to be kept at the ready, and a thumb stud for easy open, IMHO this style beats out a nail nick sliplock anyday.

There's a Buck at Wal-mart with wooden scales, it's very lightweight and only $40. I think it's great looking, and might make a nice EDC for your Dad. I'm unable to find it online anywhere :( It looks close to the Tac-Lite but has wood scales instead of G-10.

If you give him a Yellowhorse, he may be hesitant to use it, IMO they're too nice to carry. So give him that nice Buck as well :)
 
Don't know who has them or if they can be afforded, but a Schrade Kious stainless damascus slipjoint would probably fit the bill.

Otherwise, it's time your dad started carrying fixed blades in his pocket. If you remove the rubbery belt loop on the new sheath, the Benchmade Nimravus 140HS is an excellent pocket carry. Then there are all of those neat fixed blades from Rinaldi, RW Clark, and Dozier not to mention production bits like the Becker Knife and Tool #11 or the Emerson LaGriffe. Could it be that your father just doesn't know that he would really like to pocket carry a Rinaldi Matrix?

If that last paragraph was totally off base, try to find the Schrade Kious. My coworker has one and it's probably one of the most stylish slipjoints I've seen in person.
 
Hi Short Cut,
I like both of your ideas that you pictured above. I especially like the Case Turqoise canoe. Very nice. I'd be happy to receive either as a gift.

For similar, yet different, styles see Case Brothers.

Case Brothers logo w congress.jpg


Case has revised the old Case Brothers name this year. Very traditional and classy.

*Plus, if I'm correct, they even come with a gift tin.:)

--The Raptor--
 
Short Cut,
I have held one of Yellowhorse's pieces and the pics just don't do the knives any justice. He uses the channel-set method to implant the face of the knife with some of the most beautiful materials out there (spiny oyster, pearl, etc). I think that a piece from him would be an excellent gift. Also, to make it more usable, I would get a suede pocket pouch so that it wouldn't get scratched. I guess it all depends on what he wants to use it for though.
Matt
 
Chris Reeve Mnandi is one fine gents knife. I took the clip off mine, and carry it in a leather pocket pouch.
 
Why hasn't anyone mentioned Santa Fe knifeworks yet?
hmmmm.........
check ebay because to get anything strait from them is pricey.
 
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