Recommend a knife for my uncle turning 60

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oxy_moron

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Hey hey! It's that time again, meaning, help me pick out a knife! Yes, of course I could do this myself but I would really like some input and curious to see what recommendations you have. Deets are below:

- as title says, this is a gift for my uncle's 60th birthday
- I'm thinking something "nice" but not a safe queen
- he is outdoorsy type into hunting and fishing
- doesn't necessarily have to be a hunting or fishing knife, but certainly could be
- refers to himself as a "poor man with a dream," ie: frugal, walmart budget, not into flashy or extravagant
- he's a laid back, no frills kinda guy
- saw him recently and he carry's a Kershaw, not sure what but 90% sure its a leek
- I lean towards Spyderco but all brand ideas welcome
- realistic budget is under $200, but out of curiosity would love to hear recs from any price range for this event

EDIT: folder OR fixed, though I lean folder for generally higher carry-ability (debatable obv)
 
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What a great gesture. So many choices- even keeping it under $200. I am a big Spyderco fan and there are so many varieties within that brand alone. I love the PM2, but I know many like the PM3 with shorter-blade. Very useful blade and I personally like the design for ease of cleaning out debris or blood. The salt series are pretty awesome with cool colors for being around water. If he likes the outdoors, getting a usable fixed blade from one of the makers on the forums is doable for that price. David Mary sent me a slick EDC fixed blade and I have ordered another from him. A nice personalized knife from Buck or Benchmade is also a thought. Whatever you get him I know it will be treasured and I think it is great you are doing so!
 
beeinak said:
What a great gesture. So many choices- even keeping it under $200. I am a big Spyderco fan and there are so many varieties within that brand alone. I love the PM2, but I know many like the PM3 with shorter-blade. Very useful blade and I personally like the design for ease of cleaning out debris or blood. The salt series are pretty awesome with cool colors for being around water. If he likes the outdoors, getting a usable fixed blade from one of the makers on the forums is doable for that price. David Mary sent me a slick EDC fixed blade and I have ordered another from him. A nice personalized knife from Buck or Benchmade is also a thought. Whatever you get him I know it will be treasured and I think it is great you are doing so!
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thanks! yeah PM2 is def. an option, and I love the salt series for rust proof/fishing knives too.
Do you happen to have any pics of the David Mary piece? I'll go have a look under makers anyway, hadn't thought I'd find anything in that price range tbh. thanks so much! he's a cool guy, always been good to me so i'm honored to.
 
Allan Mosher said:
thanks! yeah PM2 is def. an option, and I love the salt series for rust proof/fishing knives too.
Do you happen to have any pics of the David Mary piece? I'll go have a look under makers anyway, hadn't thought I'd find anything in that price range tbh. thanks so much! he's a cool guy, always been good to me so i'm honored to.
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I do not have a way to post photo’s yet, but it is shown under the ‘what is happening in the David Mary shop’ thread. That blade from Jack O’Neill is beautiful as is everything he has posted I have seen. There are some amazingly affordable knives from some really talented people here!
 
If he's more a traditional knife guy I'm not sure I'd go Spyderco. I've given a few PM's away and honestly, they're not for everyone. Bums me out to see a gift knife not getting used. I'd lean toward a Benchmade Hunt series, Crooked Rivers are pretty awesome.
 
I’ve been seeing Spyderco’s on sale. Now would be a good time to pick up a Spyderco if that’s what you’re leaning toward.
 
Mistman68 said:
If he's more a traditional knife guy I'm not sure I'd go Spyderco. I've given a few PM's away and honestly, they're not for everyone. Bums me out to see a gift knife not getting used. I'd lean toward a Benchmade Hunt series, Crooked Rivers are pretty awesome.
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actually really good feedback, personally I lean spyderco and love to gift them but yeah he really is a bit more traditional. crooked river is a great pick.
 
Allan Mosher said:
Do you happen to have any pics of the David Mary piece?
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I looked at the thread ‘What’s going on in the David Mary shop’- the knife I got is the green handled one on page 98 post 1953.

As was mentioned by others’s there are some great buys going on right now for Spyderco, and the Benchmade Crooked River is a beautiful knife as well. Too many choices🤣
 
If you were my nephew (little older version of yourself), you’d give me a classic Buck 110 with brass bolsters and share the history of it. Maybe the whole Buck company history, it’s pretty cool.

Though I have some 110s already, the one you gave me would be a special gift, and I’d EDC it, leaving the others home. I’d learn to pinch it open with gloves on, thus joining a long line of cowboys, truckers, carpenters, it’s kinda a blue-collar tradition.

When I went to my final rest, I’d bequeath it back to you, and you could EDC it yourself before handing it down to one of your sons.

Parker
 
catspa said:
If you were my nephew (little older version of yourself), you’d give me a classic Buck 110 with brass bolsters and share the history of it. Maybe the whole Buck company history, it’s pretty cool.

Though I have some 110s already, the one you gave me would be a special gift, and I’d EDC it, leaving the others home. I’d learn to pinch it open with gloves on, thus joining a long line of cowboys, truckers, carpenters, it’s kinda a blue-collar tradition.

When I went to my final rest, I’d bequeath it back to you, and you could EDC it yourself before handing it down to one of your sons.

Parker
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aye, sir
 
I would say Cold Steel ultimate hunter.!! Runner up Spyderco Stretch (g10/Zdp if you can find one but any will do! )
Honorable mentions GEC23 (harder to find) and Benchmade Crooked river.

I am a hunter and have used them all. I have used the Ultimate hunter and 23 on the most game. Both incredible. The other two do a great job as well!!
 
My initial thought was with him being of the older generation he probably would be more likely to like a traditional style pocket carry knife something like a Case Stockman, Trapper, or Muskrat pattern. But since you said he had a Kershaw Leek or similar he’s probably used to having something with a pocket clip on it. I’d probably go with a Spyderco Delica or if you think he needs a longer blade maybe an Endela or even an Endura.
 
Cool ideas, I like the one above where he would one day gift it back to you, let it become a valued memory of him. I like the Buck 110 or 112 Slim Pro. or check out the Buck custom shop. I like fixed blades too, so why not a Buck in stag or the Pro series with green micarta with the upgraded steel? And if you want to keep it basic, go for a combo with the 110 or 112 slim and the basic fixed blades in 420HC. Hope you find something just right and let us know what it turns out to be. I like the fact that Buck has a long history.94F4AFCF-1FAF-4001-8745-7DA3B384466C.jpeg
 
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I’ll add a vote for the BM crooked river, the one with the wood handles…
Or if you wanna get something a bit less “flashy” Cold Steel has a ton of good stuff and their prices are generally not bad. I like the Recon 1 series myself. These come in the orange, OD green, and a dark earth brown, and they also have a clip point and spear point. These come in around $130
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