special gift

K

Kleingra

Joined
Aug 19, 2014
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Just found out my sister is going to be having a son. I wanted to get a knife for them to give him when he is old enough, so he could have a nice pocket knife from his birth year. Since I like yellow Case knifes my first thought was a yellow peanut. But then I was thinking that the yellow knifes are kind of workman, and the birth of child might deserve something a little more special. Maybe something from GEC? Any sugestions? I've got a couple months left to consider it. My brother in law is an avid outdoorsman so I'm sure this is a gift that will be apprechiated and used.
 
I'm on for almost the exact same reason. I just lost the spyderco folder that I've carried for almost 20 years. It was my whitewater guide knife I carried for "caught under water" emergencies, it's been hidden in airport bathrooms for a week at a time b/c a forgot to get it out of my pocket before hitting security.... it's been used and cared for every day.... and I planned on handing it down to my son (6 months old) one day. I lost it on a kayak fishing trip last week, now I'm kicking myself for not retiring it earlier. So... I'm going to buy a good new knife that I can carry for the next few years so my son Fisher can have a high quality hand me down knife from his dad from his birth year when he's old enough. I'm thinking a nice Benchmade with a D2 steel, but not positive yet. I'm open to anyone's suggestions. For now, I'm going to start shopping. I'm also considering getting my name engraved on it and leaving room for his name to be engraved.
 
Buck, Case, and GEC all have methods of marking the tangs of their knives for dating to the year; so finding one for this year is easy enough. The hard part is picking the right knife. Buck production knives are mostly workaday knives, with some higher grade, but their custom shop work is top-notch, you could have a truly distinctive, special knife made to your specification. Case makes a very wide spectrum of knives from very affordable working knives to the very exclusive Tony Bose collaboration knives. All of the GEC knives are a step above standard production from Buck and Case, but not as costly as Buck Custom or Case/Bose knives. Browse their websites and start picking - and congratulations on the children! OH
 
PGhsteve, this being the traditional side to the forum you probably wont get any modern suggestions, only traditionals here. I would try the general knife discussion. But, if you're open to traditionals, Cory's post below is also my suggestion.

Kleingra... I would probably get a Northfield 72 in stag. Congrats on becoming an uncle. You're off to a great start.
 
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The obvious choices to me are either a GEC or Buck custom shop product. GEC makes it very easy to identify when your knife was made, especially if you get one with a serial number as these come with a COA that is dated. Buck's custom shop would allow you to get etching on the blade so that you could put the name/date on it. For an outdoorsy family I'd probably go Buck, as it's the company that dad is more likely to know and appreciate.
 
Cory Hess said:
For an outdoorsy family I'd probably go Buck, as it's the company that dad is more likely to know and appreciate.
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I thought of Buck for this exact reason, but the only products of theirs I'm familier with are modern folders and the 110. Neither of which I feel are appropriate as a knife that will likely be given to a young man as his first. I'm going to have to take a closer look at thier other traditional offerings.

KBA the 72 is a nice looking knife and Stag is a material I am strongly considering as my brother in law is a big deer hunter. That one may be a contender.
 
The thing to remember is that any gift will be treasured. Some of the knives that hold the greatest value in our house aren't the ones that cost the most or are necessarily the best. Instead, they are the ones that came from special people and were given for special reasons. Whatever you choose, it will be a winner and a treasure for years to come.
 
Kleingra said:
I thought of Buck for this exact reason, but the only products of theirs I'm familier with are modern folders and the 110. Neither of which I feel are appropriate as a knife that will likely be given to a young man as his first.
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Take a look at the customized 503 and 505. With blades of 2 1/2" and 1 7/8" respectively, they are not near the monster that the 110 is. They are both available in elk or stag handles.

Do you know what type of knife your brother-in-law carries or uses for hunting? I know with my kids the number one factor is whether or not the knife looks like mine or my wife's.
 
I'm a buck guy, but great eastern has some beautiful knives as I've seen lately. I'd at least take a peak at them. There copperheads are bad ass.
 
Get them a Buck 112 or a Custom Buck that they will have many years down the road and something they will use and think of you all every time.! Then later on when they do get to hunt and fish with you ~~ then you can get them a Buck fixed blade to boot.!***
 
I agree on a GEC #15 Boy's Knife. Around this forum it's the "rave" knife. So you would be getting him something popular from this year that is a great user knife for any age. It has half stops for safety. I'd recommend the Farm Boy version so the spey blade can be used first and the clip blade would be dulled and not sharpened until the kid is ready:

15-Tidioute-Cutlery-Farm-Boy.png


The Spey blade is unique in that it allows tip cutting (making strips out of birch bark on a flat log) but doesn't puncture skin very well at all on a slip.
Training will need to be given to the boy to learn how to use a knife, but that is the fun in it. This is like making the decision to teach them to ride a bike. MAGNITUDES more of kids die on bikes each year than in knife accidents, but many kids begin riding bikes before they can properly walk.

My Grandpa gave me his hunting knife (Buck 112) when I was 12 years old as he drove us back from a fishing trip. I remember that moment of him trusting the knife to me like it was yesterday. I don't remember the day I got my first Sebenza, and I'd sooner lose the Sebenza I have now than that Buck 112. My Grandpa knew it was a special gift and it was that attitude that made me listen to him when he showed me how to not cut my fingers off when closing it and how to sharpen it (he got me an Arkansas stone and oil for Christmas later that year).
 
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I have to say that GEC would be my choice as it is something that would be truly cherishable. The #15 is awesome, or perhaps an 85?
 
Spameater12003 said:
Easy. GEC Boys Knife #15.
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I also think a GEC #15 would be a choice, something he'll not only treasure as man and boy, but a good all-round size too. Lots of blade options available, including easy-open :thumbup:
 
Thanks so much for the feedback. A few very good options I hadn't thought of. Also its nice to have a place to turn for like mindedness. My wife thinks gifting a knife to a newborn is silly. I knew everyone here would understand as will my brother inlaw and future nephew.
 
Kleingra said:
My wife thinks gifting a knife to a newborn is silly. I knew everyone here would understand
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It's like asking the bartender if you should have a drink. It's not too often that you'll hop on Blade Forums and see somebody recommend against a knife purchase, especially when it's to be given as a gift.
 
Kleingra,
Great Gift Idea, Your Nephew will think about Your thoughtfullness forever.
This will also teach him responsibility when he is allowed to use and carry it.
I would lean toward G.E.C. or Case, both good knives.
Get onto their websites and look at the different styles, GOOD LUCK and CONGRATULATIONS.
 
I have been putting knives away for.my 1 year old for awhile.
You could buy him a 15 with glow in the dark handles for when
he turns 10 or so
Get him a really nice one for graduation
 
OK, so let me offer you a different point of view on this...I will try to draw a picture for you.
So far, you have no idea whether the kid is going to like knives when he grows up, or not...and the odds are, he won't (cause knife nuts are a minority of the population, let's be honest about it).
But then, his uncle (you) will try to pass him our passion, and that's going to be a great gift.
Then, the kid will (hopefully!) go through his own path of discovering knives (who knows what he will like: modern folders, fixed blades, slipjoints).
Then, eventually, he will grow up and get wise ;) and learn to appreciate traditional knives...and only then he might really get fond of the knife you are buying know.
Long shot? sure it is. Worth it? it's up to you and no one else.
But if, in 25 years, a young man will be happy owning a traditional knife produced in his year or birth, then you will be happy, just like all of us.
With this said, I suggest that you get something that is already part of the history of American cutlery (I'm not American, but I know it matters to you folks).
So, my vote goes for a Buck 301 stockman, or (even better) a Buck lockback (like a 110 or Frank's 501 - not sure the model is right - in S30V).
Or, wait until he's old enough to appreciate a traditional knife, and buy him something that he likes when he's 21/25 or whatever...and just put away the money now :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
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