Pocket knife for the old man?

Frame locks are typically much easier to manipulate then liners, same concept, but since it is the entire frame itself you push, as opposed to squeezing a "sausage finger" in between scales to push a small liner against the frame, it just makes it more user friendly. (Some liners are pretty snug with the contour of the handle too, meaning you HAVE to get your finger in there to manipulate it. Frame locks are typically sturdier too, more meat behind the blade.)

The Vantage however is well designed in that aspect in that the liner is raised a bit above the indented finger choil, but the downside is, with your finger in constant contact, if one was to hard use the knife with pressure, a wrong twisting motion could theoretically and forseeably disengage the lock a bit easier and slicing a finger.

Here's 5 of the ones I mentioned side by side, all ≥3", whereas the Bantam, Lake 111z, and Vantage do have smaller versions.
(The only other one I own is the Titan, but it's not conveniently with my other knives and I don't feel like getting it).



Quick personal description, in order that they get used;
Kershaw Scrambler - one of my most regular edc's, one of the best value knives on the market IMO, a lot of knife for $30, with great fit and detail.
Buck Vantage (pro) - Lightweight, good casual carry, (even in basketball shorts), as mentioned above though I try not to "hard use" it... Great slicer though.
CRKT Free Range - my go to "yard" knife; the grippy handle and ergonomics along with the clip point and lock back are ideal for work in various tasks around the garden, shed, garage, edc.
Lake 111z - "party" knife. It looks good and casual for a $20 knife, it's Lightweight, and so it's typically the one I carry to events like big bbq's, company Christmas parties, the shore, etc. Events and places where there is typically large(r) quanties of booze and strangers... I don't have to worry about it so much. If someone asks to borrow a knife, I'm comfortable lending it out, if I lose or break it, oh well... Nice thing is it can be locked in both the open and closed position.
Buck Bantam - hardly use it. Backup work knife. Finish was rough out of the box, but sharp, and Super Lightweight for the amount of knife it is. Nice big handle for big paws, (on the biggest model). I Bought a skull handle one for my step son for his birthday and figured why not pick a second one up for myself.
 
What about Opinel?

The nostalgic look and operation of it may be a welcomed way into carrying a knife. As well as the simple fact that it is Easy to get Very sharp, they are inexpensive, locking for sizes 6+ and available in a quality stainless steel.

For your budget, you can get a matching one.
 
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Buck bantam BLW. Not too big, not too small. It's light, opens easily, and the lock is in the middle so he can close it with one hand if needed. For the $50 budget, you can get him two....
 
Kershaw Skyline ($40ish) would be a good choice if you're particular about keeping it a USA-made knife. It doesn't have the most traditional appearance, but the blade steel (Sandvik 14c28n) is good for the price point and the pocket clip will maintain a good grip. If you are willing to go international with it since both of them are made in China, the Kershaw Injection($22-40 depending on vendor and blade length) or the Boker Plus Tech-Tool line may be worth a look ($25-50 depending on vendor and tool choice). The Boker has a more traditional feel (slip-joint knife) with modern materials and features (g-10 handles, Sandvik 12c27 blade, and deep-carry pocket clip). The Injection feels great while in use thanks to the handle design, and while the blade steel is nothing too special (8cr13mov) it does sharpen easily. I can't speak for the quality of the Boker since I haven't owned one, but the Skyline and the 3.5" Injection have proven themselves to be great users.
 
Justin Presson said:
That cold steel lucky is pretty good looking but on the higher end of what I want to spend.
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If you like the idea of the CS Lucky, but not the price, check out the line of Boker Tech Tools. They combine a classic slip-joint folder with a multi-position clip. They come in various configurations that can all be had for less then $50.

Also look at the Ka-Bar Dozier Big Easy...similar concept to the Tech Tools. Again, less than $50.
 
Hackenslash said:
If you like the idea of the CS Lucky, but not the price, check out the line of Boker Tech Tools. They combine a classic slip-joint folder with a multi-position clip. They come in various configurations that can all be had for less then $50.

Also look at the Ka-Bar Dozier Big Easy...similar concept to the Tech Tools. Again, less than $50.
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That boker tech tool 1 is pretty cool, he might like that traditional slip joint with a pocket clip. Thanks for showing that one.
 
msnake103 said:
Kershaw Skyline ($40ish) would be a good choice if you're particular about keeping it a USA-made knife. It doesn't have the most traditional appearance, but the blade steel (Sandvik 14c28n) is good for the price point and the pocket clip will maintain a good grip. If you are willing to go international with it since both of them are made in China, the Kershaw Injection($22-40 depending on vendor and blade length) or the Boker Plus Tech-Tool line may be worth a look ($25-50 depending on vendor and tool choice). The Boker has a more traditional feel (slip-joint knife) with modern materials and features (g-10 handles, Sandvik 12c27 blade, and deep-carry pocket clip). The Injection feels great while in use thanks to the handle design, and while the blade steel is nothing too special (8cr13mov) it does sharpen easily. I can't speak for the quality of the Boker since I haven't owned one, but the Skyline and the 3.5" Injection have proven themselves to be great users.
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I like the skyline too.

I just texted the him and asked if he would prefer a slip joint, liner or framelock. His response was don't care as long as it has a pocket clip...lol thanks dad
 
strategy9 said:
Frame locks are typically much easier to manipulate then liners, same concept, but since it is the entire frame itself you push, as opposed to squeezing a "sausage finger" in between scales to push a small liner against the frame, it just makes it more user friendly. (Some liners are pretty snug with the contour of the handle too, meaning you HAVE to get your finger in there to manipulate it. Frame locks are typically sturdier too, more meat behind the blade.)

The Vantage however is well designed in that aspect in that the liner is raised a bit above the indented finger choil, but the downside is, with your finger in constant contact, if one was to hard use the knife with pressure, a wrong twisting motion could theoretically and forseeably disengage the lock a bit easier and slicing a finger.

Here's 5 of the ones I mentioned side by side, all ≥3", whereas the Bantam, Lake 111z, and Vantage do have smaller versions.
(The only other one I own is the Titan, but it's not conveniently with my other knives and I don't feel like getting it).



Quick personal description, in order that they get used;
Kershaw Scrambler - one of my most regular edc's, one of the best value knives on the market IMO, a lot of knife for $30, with great fit and detail.
Buck Vantage (pro) - Lightweight, good casual carry, (even in basketball shorts), as mentioned above though I try not to "hard use" it... Great slicer though.
CRKT Free Range - my go to "yard" knife; the grippy handle and ergonomics along with the clip point and lock back are ideal for work in various tasks around the garden, shed, garage, edc.
Lake 111z - "party" knife. It looks good and casual for a $20 knife, it's Lightweight, and so it's typically the one I carry to events like big bbq's, company Christmas parties, the shore, etc. Events and places where there is typically large(r) quanties of booze and strangers... I don't have to worry about it so much. If someone asks to borrow a knife, I'm comfortable lending it out, if I lose or break it, oh well... Nice thing is it can be locked in both the open and closed position.
Buck Bantam - hardly use it. Backup work knife. Finish was rough out of the box, but sharp, and Super Lightweight for the amount of knife it is. Nice big handle for big paws, (on the biggest model). I Bought a skull handle one for my step son for his birthday and figured why not pick a second one up for myself.
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Thanks for the photos that's a big help, going to go to the local sporting goods store today after work and see there selection.
 
DocT said:
Get him a Spyderco Delica in his favorite color. Spyderco also makes a lot of non-locking knives with clips that are safe to use.
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Yep, same here. I mow a lot in the summer months also, and I have never lost even one of my Spydercos (Delica, Manix LW, and Endura primarily).
 
Spyderco Native in VG-10 steel is what I recommend. Probably will run just a tad over your budget.
 
Get him another knife like the one he misses most, and get a belt sheath for it. Leather with snap perferably, but any outdoor/surplus shop will have a suitably sized cordura+velcro belt sheath.

It doesn't sound to me as if he wants a new knife. More to stop losing the ones he likes.
 
DocT said:
Get him a Spyderco Delica in his favorite color. Spyderco also makes a lot of non-locking knives with clips that are safe to use.
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DocT beat me to it. Get your Dad a Delica, i bet he will love it. Great all around pocket knife that even us old guys can enjoy and appreciate.
 
So I'm narrowing it down and I went and handled some today. I'm liking the Kershaw Link for the more modern and though I have not handled it the Boker tech tool 1 for a more traditional. I think I might just get him both and let him decide. There is a big difference in the two but I feel he could go either way.
A guy can't have to many knives right? 😆
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Native is in S30V or S35VN depending on which generation.
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The spring run used S110V. I have the S35VN version with G10 handles and the old VG-10 version which was my first Spyderco knife. I just thought they still made it in that steel as it would be less expensive. Great knife.
 
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