Spring is (almost) in the air...

Christian · Feb 25, 1999

Well, I have a couple of questions I really need help on. SWMBO's b-day AND our anniversary are almost here (May 31 will be 3 years, YAY![Wheww])

and this year we are going to do a couple of day hikes/ overnite car camping trips. I need some ideas for a small/medium FB to buy for the wife (production only, please- cheaper and easier for *ME* to care for and I wont have a massive coronary if I catch her cutting boxes w/staples or wire-y type things around the house) to carry on our forays into the Sierra Nevadas. I was thinking along the lines of a Frosts (Sweden), but other than that I am drawing a blank. Keep in mind that *I* will be primary care provider (Good Thing[tm]), and I know that she shouldnt have a knife unless she is willing/ able to care for it properly, but I havent gotten through to her (yet) about proper knife care, other than kitchen knives- which consists of "Honey, get out your knife doohickey's, this knife is dull!"
I guess I am kind of hoping that by getting her her own hiking/ camp knife, I might actually get through to her. Not to mention, all the knives are NOT on the same person(me) JUST IN CASE[tm]. (We all should know how Mr. Murphy works by now.)
Thanks, guys. Any/ all hints/ tips/ tricks/ ideas are greatly appreciated.
BTW, stag or antler or ANY animal by-product except for the sheath (unless it is documented as fake or "salvaged") is a HUMONGOUS NO-NO! With the exception of leather shoes and McDonald's, animal products are a big problem w/ SWMBO. (I keep trying to tell her that PETA stands for "People Eating Tasty Animals", but I keep getting smacked- wonder why?)

Let's put it this way, there are absolutely no fur ANYTHING allowed in the house, unless worn by the original owner.

Thanks again.

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I don't suffer from stress. I'm a carrier.

[This message has been edited by Christian (edited 25 February 1999).]

Kodiak PA · Feb 26, 1999

Christian,
Get her a Spyderco Moran. It's a wonderful fix blade & it's not too large, it's less than $60 on the net, it's a good looking piece and it doesn't have that tactical look that some new knife people don't like.

She will like the mirror finish to the blade and the steel is VG10 and will hold an excellent edge. this knife used to retail $160 or so and it's the biggest bargain on the market right now for a FB in my opinion.

You can't go wrong with a Spydie Moran.

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~Greg~

Brian Lavin · Feb 25, 1999

The Moran is a good choice, it woks well outdoors and is also a heck of a kitchen knife. Another inexpensive choice is a Buck Mini-Mentor. I have the regular size Mentor, which I just received and it looks to be a great all around knife, the Mini is about 1/3 smaller and would be a very innocent looking but great performing knife for any person. Plus it has a cordura sheath. There have been no corduras skinned in the making of these sheaths

CD Fleischer · Feb 25, 1999

A Cold Steel Master Hunter is a good choice. Comfy handle, 4" flat ground blade. You can get it with a cordura sheath and in AUS8 stainless to make it easier on you. I think they are around $40.

The Moran is a better knife for the money, however. I would look carefully into this one.

An AG Russell Bird and Trout might be a good choice, as well, if it isn't out of your price range.

Let us know what you decide!

Clay

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

"10,000 Lemmings Can't Be Wrong!"

James Mattis · Feb 26, 1999

The Spyderco-Moran ain't a bad choice. If you get an Edge-Works Kydex sheath and hide the leather one issued by Spyderco, it can be free of animal products. The Fallkniven F1 is a good choice, as long as you don't mind a leather sheath. Also take a look at some of the traditional style Scandinavian/Finnish knives, which are build for woodcraft, and don't look tactical. That suggestion was slightly self-serving, but another place that specializes in them is Ragweed Forge - http://www.ragweedforge.com/cat-kniv.html

Nothing wrong with Frosts of Sweden - very useful, if a bit plain and inexpensive for a romantic present.

As far as animal products go, most if not all antler used in commercial knife handles (and most custom knife handles too) is seasonal shed antler, and not a byproduct of venison. A leather sheath comes from killing an animal (circle of life!), while an antler handle probably doesn't.

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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com

mr mike · Feb 26, 1999

Go to Wally World they have a lot of
inexpesive knives. Scharade.Buck and
others. If she messes it up they takes them
back and if she does you want need
CPR or be Heli lefted out of the back
country, Mike sorry about the spelling it
4 in the morning here

[This message has been edited by mr mike (edited 26 February 1999).]

mr mike · Feb 26, 1999

sorry about the spelling in my last post
Christian but 4 the morning here and the
forum want let edit I guess we broke it
Mike

Christian · Feb 26, 1999

Thanks, guys- I am off to search through some catalogs both on- and offline. So far, I am leanng towards the Spydie Moran or a wood handled puuko. Actually, SWMBO doesnt have a problem with leather, just fur, ivory, et al. (I know- doesn't make much sense, does it?

) I'll keep everyone posted how it goes. BTW, James, this isnt the romantic part of the gift, just the icing on the cake.

P.S. Now, if there were a mini version of the Outsider available...

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I don't suffer from stress. I'm a carrier.

[This message has been edited by Christian (edited 26 February 1999).]