Reccomend Special Birthday Gift

[GIGANTOID]

Hello all, this is my first thread and I'd like your input.

I'd like to get my brother a special 'lifetime' knife for his 30th birthday. Something he'll have forever. Prefer a folder for every day carry that will slice, dice, chop, cut and poke. A real good all rounder if you will. My preference is towards a tactical style knife and have been looking at the Benchmades in particular the 553, 710, 940 and 942. So I guess comment on those and if they're good perhaps something in other brands.

I think my max budget is about $150 but i'm not too proud to spend less.

I've tried searching and it seems it's borked. Is there a general list of blade quality and manufacturer quality i can view somewhere.

Thanks much.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Welcome to the forum.

Out of those knives you've listed I'd say the 940 is the best one for all around use and also not too scary looking.

You might also look at the Al Mar Mini SERE 2000, the Kershaw Nakamura, the Spyderco Persian 75mm, and the Spyderco Ocelot. They are all great knives and will last him a long time.

Unless he really likes Tanto style blades you may want to steer away from them as he may not find them as useful.

The knives I suggested all have about 3" blades to help things stay legal.

Good luck in your search and do let us know what you end up choosing.

 

[Monocrom]

Those models from Benchmade are all excellent choices. Since this is going to be a very special knife, another good option would be a Spyderco Endura 4 with a Stainless Steel handle. It has extra mounting holes for the clip, so your brother can carry it any way he wants (tip-up or tip-down). Definitely a nice feature when buying a knife for someone else.:thumbup:

It retails for about $90 and with the $$$ you save, you can get it engraved! Anything from just his name on it, to something more artistic and detailed.

 

[Hair]

If he would prefer a smaller, lighter tactical, I'd recommend the Buck Mayo TNT 172. It is light as a feather, but very stout. Looks great, and opens as smooth as a Sebenza. It can be had for 145 with free shipping from Ira Wood and Sons.

It he likes his knives bigger and beefier, I'd suggest the Spyderco Manix, Spyderco Military, and Al Mar SERE 2000. The Military is the slimmest and lightest of these 3, but it is still very strong. It is probably the least beefy, though. The Manix has the strongest lock. The SERE has the most class. These are all under 140.

For around 150 you can also get a Skirmish or Mini-Skirmish. The Skirmish is huge and sexy. Very strong. The Mini is still pretty large, but more pocketable.

The BM 710 is a classic, but I find it a little boring. It may fit him well, though.

 

[oregon]

Benchmades are terrific, however you might also consider:

Buck Mayo TNT. A brilliant collaboration.

Buck & Tom Mayo, both legends in their own time.

My regular carry. Light, strong, elegant, impressive, premium materials, S30V blade, titanium handle, Bos heat treat, stong titanium clip (tip down) & slices like a razor. Easy to forget it is there. Thankful that it is.

Your brother's jaw will drop. He is lucky to have such brother.

Got mine for $145, delivered, @ IRA Woods.

Best,

oregon

 

[FullerH]

Unfortunately, my top three recommendations are out of production and their prices have risen sharply on the collectors' market. So,a good choice for multiple chores might be the Spyderco Chinook. It is built like an M1A1 tank and has a very strong blade with a very good sweep to the edge that allows easier cutting. Another choice, and one that I personally like a lot, is the BenchMade 921 SwitchBack, an Axis Lock knife with a main blade of 3.3" and a non-locking penknife blade of 2.1". That second blade is superb for picking out splinters and other such picky work.

 

[Franciscomv]

If you want something really special get him a folder customized by our own STR or Oupa (from KF, I'll give you his contact info if you can't find it).
I got a Benchmade Ares from Oupa with desert ironwood handles for $150 that's probably my nicest folder.

 

[sammyboy]

i am thinking of buying myself a spyderco atr.
it also teems to fit chat you want to buy you brother, it is very strongly built and it also comes in black for that "tactical" look.
it has been my pleasure to own quite a few spyders and they are all very well made.

 

[ginshun]

If he is more apt to use or carry something a little smaller, the Spyderco Kopa would be a good choice. Lots of cool, and classy looking handle options available.

You can't go wrong with a BM 710 though.

 

[JPD1998]

Here's some of my favorites. As a previous poster mentioned , you can't go wrong with Benchmade. My personal favorite is the BM 420, it has a custom look to it, however if I could only own one it would be the 710.

 

[Gringogunsmith]

He's gonna be thirty.
Leave the kiddie ninja crap on the shelf and get him a folder from the Buck custom shop or one of the limited editions.
Or a handmade custom with some nice wood or bone, some filework etc..
Something that might become a family heirloom instead of... well... nevermind.
Yo ! Word up ?

 

[JGarth]

I would highly recommend the HK 34 series (made by Benchmade). It very well made in the USA with 154 steel, extremely smooth opening, and very stury axis lock. I liked so much I have 2 of the full sized version, and the 14200 SBT on the way. they are under $150. I have the BM 420 and love the blade, but I like the handle much more on the HK34's......wish they could combine them...the HK34 just looks & feels more like a custom...
My opinion for what it's worth.

 

[Hair]

He's gonna be thirty.
Leave the kiddie ninja crap on the shelf and get him a folder from the Buck custom shop or one of the limited editions.
Or a handmade custom with some nice wood or bone, some filework etc..
Something that might become a family heirloom instead of... well... nevermind.
Yo ! Word up ?

I am trying to decide whether I should bother talking sense into you, or if I should just save my time.

If you are into traditional knives, that's cool. I like them too. But tactical knives use the materials they do and look the way they do because it makes for better performance. I hate the word "tactical" and I don't like how many modern tactical knives try and look like military hardware. But tactical shapes are usually more ergonomic, G-10 is grippy and more durable than wood, bone, or stag, and blade coatings protect against rust and finger prints. Sorry, but having to wipe prints off of polished blades every time I open them can get in the way of work.

I like working knives, not drawer queens. I like users, not knives that are trying to look good. Tactical knives may be ugly, but they work well.

If you only buy knives that look pretty, then I think you're as much of a poser as some kid who thinks he is going to slay ninjas with his Dark Ops.

There are "tactical" knives that are just wannabes. Flea market stuff that has a camo finish and breaks after a day of use. There are also legit heavy-duty knives that look the way they look because it makes for better performance. They aren't mall ninja crap. Yes, some areas of tactical design are mostly for looks... but you don't think traditional knives use stag and wood because it cures cancer, do you? It's all for looks.

Dig what you dig, but leave the childish insults at home, please.

 

[GIGANTOID]

I totally forgot to put 'slaying ninjas' as one of the needs.