Special Birthday gift - need 2 recommendations please

[GerrieRPh]

My better half has one of those special birthdays. I want to give him 2 knives, one everyday and one really special. He currently carries a Schrade X-Timer everyday, because it was a gift from someone dear to him. I know nothing about knives, other than he likes the fold up kind, something that doesn't catch in a pocket going in and out. Can you "Real Men" recommend your favorite everyday carry (not camo, because we work outside all the time and dont want to lose it in the grass) and a second one that you really wish you had (but hate to spend that kind of money on yourself)?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Yo Mama]

GerrieRPh, you have a ton of options, what's your price point on each purchase?

 

[dalefuller]

Welcome to BF. Tell us a little more about his work, his lifestyle away from work (hobbies, where he hangs out, etc.), and your budget. I assume the Schrade that he currently carries is the X-Timer with the hump and hole in the blade? Does he like that size generally?

 

[GerrieRPh]

Price point: $100 on the first, $500 (give or take) on the special one.

The X-Timer he's had for 5 or more years. I dont remember it having a hump, nor hole. It looks like simple black knife that retracts and has a belt clip (which he doesn't use). It was probably pretty low in cost at the time of purchase. And yes, he likes that size, he's lost one his Dad gave him (many decades ago) that was the same size.

He rides a desk during the day, but nights and weekends its all outside stuff. Hobbies include gardening, beekeeping, small farming maintenance, fishing and camping, boy scout stuff.
Thanks again!

 

[strategy9]

There are a few different "x-timer" models.

What size/design? Does he like the basic design? Looking for something similar in size/design?

What's the price range you're looking at?
$50 +$150
$100+$500
?

Such details could really help narrow down the search and suggestions.

 

[Hackenslash]

Everyday: Spyderco Paramilitary 2 @ $130
Special: Chris Reeve Knives Large Sebenza 21 with the inlay or graphic of your choice. @ $500

 

[dalefuller]

The special knife might be easier to decide on than the everyday one. For that unique, special knife, I'd recommend going to the "Folders F/S" subforum here and checking out the work that the BF makers turn out. It's really first-rate and could be a very unique gift. You may even get a maker to personalize the knife somehow so that it's a one-off instead of "one of however many". If you need it sooner and you want to go with a production company, a good, established company for high quality "gentleman's knives" is William Henry. Benchmade has their gold-class series and Chris Reeve has some nicely inlaid stuff in large and small Sebenzas, if those would fit your need. Kizer, Spyderco, and ZT also have some presentation-grade knives. ProTech is a good company if you think an auto would be the ticket.

If your SO is like me, the daily carry could be a little trickier. I'm touchier about the knives that I live with every day than I am about the ones I have just for certain times. The daily carries really have to fit me and perform the way I want them to if I'm going to carry them. My rotation currently consists of a ProTech TR-3 SWAT, a Spyderco Para 2 in Elmax, or an Emerson mini-CQC15. All of those except the ProTech will most likely come in higher than your daily carry budget if you buy them new. If you search the Knives for Sale subforum here, you might find "like new" ones for an acceptable amount. Some well respected brands to consider for a daily carry "user" are A. G. Russell, Benchmade, Kershaw, Kizer, Spyderco, and ZT. There are others that are good, but these are all "heavy hitters" in your price and use range. A. G. Russell is doing some good things with office-suitable knives, even if they are made in China.

We're all interested in what you end up with, so once you make your decisions, let us know what you get and how they're received as gifts.

 

[abbazaba]

Endless ideas... first to mind:

Benchmade Mini Griptillian or Spyderco Chaparral if he is practical guy that likes a capable (non threatening) knife. Maybe a Spyderco Sage if he'd like something a little bigger.

I'm pretty sure I'd rather be gifted two awesome $250 knives rather than one $500. In which case I would recommend the Spyderco Slysz Bowie and the Zero Tolerance 562CF.

 

[Hickory n steel]

What about a nice GEC slipjoint for the everyday knife, you can't go wrong with a good traditional pocket knife for everyday carry. Everyone needs a nice stag handled barlow 👍

 

[strategy9]

Maserin atti 2.75"
Lionsteel opera 3"
OR
Karesuando singi 3.25"
Karesuando nallo 2.5"

All make for nice, no clip gentleman's locking folders he can rock in the pocket.

A custom francine etched exotic handled David Boye lockback folder would be a nice "high end" option.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

Spyderco Delica is hard to beat for an everyday utility blade. Nice and light, very slim, ergonomic and comes in easy to find bright colors.

As for something special... Hard to be more special than one of a kind! Get a custom from someone in the knife makers market here on the forum. I'd suggest a T.A. Davison. They're truly spectacular.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

I'd also like to applaud your gift idea. Too often people gift disposable tech fads or a list of consumables that are gone or forgotten in a week. I'd much rather receive a single heirloom quality item than a new iGadget any day.

It doesn't have to cost $500 either. My mom gave me a hand made mesquite burl valet for my nightstand 15 years ago. It was $20 at a swap meet. It's beautiful and I still use it today and will probably still be using it in 50 years.

As such, I'd like to offer my services to you and your husband free of charge. Whatever you decide to purchase for him, when it gets dull he can send it in for an edge that'll put the factory and maybe even the custom maker to shame.

I'm happy to do a couple for you as well. Folding, fixed, kitchen, etc.

 

[GerrieRPh]

WOW, thanks for all the great suggestions. I will carefully review them.

As I started looking at the suggestions online, I was reminded that he once noted a Damascus blade at a gun show. Does that change your recommendations for the special knife at all?
Thanks again!

 

[abbazaba]

As I started looking at the suggestions online, I was reminded that he once noted a Damascus blade at a gun show. Does that change your recommendations for the special knife at all?
Thanks again!

I personally think its a little ugly, but this very limited production run that just dropped this week will hold it's value for sure: Spyderco Native 5 40th Anniversary Knife Carbon Fiber (3" Damasteel) C41CF40TH

 

[arty]

For everyday use, I would get him something that is about the same size as the knife he now has, with a locking blade. This could be a Benchmade Minigriptilian, Spyderco Kiwi 4 or Chaparral, or Spyderco Native. Other options include the Enzo Birk and Fallkniven folders in their new liner lock series. There are lots of knives out there with 4" or shorter handles and blades that are just under 3". If a folder has a clip and your husband likes to just drop it in the pocket, clips can be removed.
I would look at customs if you want to spend $500. Personally, I wouldn't go that far for a pocket knife, but I have purchased a custom sword in the past. IF you want to get a very special knife, a custom makes some sense.
I would take a close look at some of the fancy pocket knives that are out there by manufacturers, before going to customs. Moki makes some nice pocket knives, and the cost is reasonable, given the end product.

 

[Chopper88]

To be honest, I wouldn't spend $500 on this without some discussion.

I think it's a great gesture, but there are so many options, there might always be a 'better' one for sure. (Better as in, that he'd like even more)
If someone would do this for me I'd appreciate it if they gave me a $100 knife with an idea in mind, because of the effort made, and then allowed me to spend $500 on a knife I want myself or perhaps we'd both like.
I'd carry both with equal pleasure, but for different reasons. One for the idea behind it, and one for the idea behind it AND because I love the design etc.

But maybe I'm a little weird on this... Personal experience just taught me I'm almost never happy with these gifts, even though someone has made the effort and spent a relatively large sum on it.
Of course I'd like to get a Sebenza with a wood inlay as a gift for example, but it wouldn't be my first choice. And if someone else picks it for me, chances are way higher they pick one of the inlays I wouldn't choose myself as opposed to the one I would choose. So I'd end up with a nice knife, but not the knife I'd want to have, and even in a configuration I'd never pick myself. I always hate it when something like that happens, I can feel someone thinking "I went to this trouble and spent this money, and he isn't even happy with it!!", that sucks for both of us...
This has nothing to do with me not appreciating gifts and the effort made, I'm just really picky and difficult to please, it has to be that one for me to stop thinking there would've been better options for a significant sum spent (assuming it is in this case as well)
But like I said, maybe that is just me

 

[strategy9]

Mcusta makes some nice gentlemans knives with vg10 stainless Damascus. Real nicely done, for right over or about the $100 mark.

 

[strategy9]

My better half has one of those special birthdays. I want to give him 2 knives, one everyday and one really special. He currently carries a Schrade X-Timer everyday, because it was a gift from someone dear to him. I know nothing about knives, other than he likes the fold up kind, something that doesn't catch in a pocket going in and out.

Price point: $100 on the first, $500 (give or take) on the special one.

The X-Timer he's had for 5 or more years. I dont remember it having a hump, nor hole. It looks like simple black knife that retracts and has a belt clip (which he doesn't use). It was probably pretty low in cost at the time of purchase. And yes, he likes that size, he's lost one his Dad gave him (many decades ago) that was the same size.

He rides a desk during the day, but nights and weekends its all outside stuff. Hobbies include gardening, beekeeping, small farming maintenance, fishing and camping, boy scout stuff.
Thanks again!

So I've been shopping around for myself when I came across something that made me think of this thread from a different angle.

Schrade X-Timer is a simple knife, your guy seems like pretty simple guy. And Not in a bad way, just pretty down to earth. Obviously sentimental.

What about buying him a nice simple Case Trapperlock for $50-100.
Or a Mcusta Damascus gentleman's knife.

And instead of a $500 "knife", get him a Case - "days of the week executive gift set", a set of 7 nice traditional slip joints.

He gets a decent one hand opening, locking knife (with a slim classy look), along w/ 7 nice traditionals in various sizes and patterns. Good guess is he'll eventually pick his favorite(s) and carry them, and still have pocket knives for the rest of life. For a guy carrying an x-timer for 5 years for sentimental reasons, 8 Case knives with variety is certainly a nice come up, and he has options, you know, in case he loses (another) one.

And if at some point he wants something fancier, bigger, more specific, "more knife", he still has the option to pick that out himself, but at the very least he (and you) have a much better picture what it is he likes/wants in a knife (size, blade, handle, etc), when he has several to choose from.

Just an idea.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

Mcusta makes some nice gentlemans knives with vg10 stainless Damascus. Real nicely done, for right over or about the $100 mark.

What he said.

Lionsteel also makes some great ones. They're of higher quality than the Mcusta generally and gift nicely in their little box.

 

[neal70]

If the Damascus isn't stainless he'll have to oil it regularly. Sounds like he doesn't mind maintenance though. Benchmade has a hunting line, with axis locks(really neat and easy to use) that might appeal. You could look around for scout knives too, Queen has some in neat handle materials-buffalo horn etc.
Neal