Stocking Stuffers for in Laws?

[ocnLogan]

Just as it says, this year my wife and I will be having Christmas with my In laws, and a brother in law who I've not yet met. My wife asked me if I could get them each a knife for their stockings, something "cheap". I translate that to mean < ~$20.

My father in law does use knives, although he doesn't really sharpen or take care of them. The only knife I've ever seen him carrying was some sort of ~3in tanto bladed cheapo folder. I commented to him on the somewhat uncommon tanto point, and asked him if he liked it. He replied that he found it useful for "chisel" type work, or for cutting carpet (owns an apt or two, and is generally a pretty handy fellow). I think he'd be ok with other profiles though. He works managing janitorial work at an airport (I.E. he doesn't actually do the work anymore. Business casual dress if that helps any).

The brother in law I know almost nothing about. He's "into outdoors", drives a truck, and is a lawyer.

Some things I've considered:

RAT 1/2 (touch over budget)
Some sort of budget Kershaw (not sure on the models, I never look <$25)
Cold Steel Mini Tuff lite
Inox Opinel
Kabar Dozier

Am I missing anything else that would be "perfect" for this? What would you all pick for this situation?

Thanks .

 

[littlesamurai]

I got Opinels this year for my father in-law and two brothers in-law. One for myself . And a Jr. (no tip) for a nephew.

 

[d0nut]

You can get a red Victorinox Cadet for $23.10 online.

I think that's a pretty good deal, although just a couple bucks over your limit.

 

[22-rimfire]

SAKs are always good choices. I like the Kabar Dozier in this price range too.

 

[collim1]

In that price range Victorinox, Morakniv, and Opinel will get you the most for the money.

 

[Bob W]

When it comes to gifts, you can't go wrong with Victorinox. :thumbup:

 

[daizee]

SAK, Case, or Opinel - hard to beat a traditional in the $20-$30 price range. Your selection of quality knives really declines under $20.

All three of those brands are still made in their country of origin.

 

[ocnLogan]

In that price range Victorinox, Morakniv, and Opinel will get you the most for the money.

These are usually my recommendations as well . I love my Moras and my Opinel. I'm going to stick with something folding for the gift, and the Opinel I'm still not sure about gifting just because I don't know if either of them will be put off by the "non-modern" look. I know it would perform well, I just am not sure if they'd get over the "it looks funny" thing and discover their usefulness, which was why I was trying to stick with something that looked a bit more like what they are used to. Maybe thats not something I should be worrying about though.

And I'm not a huge Victorinox guy (nothing against them, just haven't been "into" them). Any particular SAK I should look at in that price range?

SAK, Case, or Opinel - hard to beat a traditional in the $20-$30 price range. Your selection of quality knives really declines under $20.

All three of those brands are still made in their country of origin.

Agreed, totally. I usually say "RAT 1/2" to anyone looking for a folder that is inexpensive at about the $25 range, but trying to go any lower in price gets you into "i'm not sure if I'd feel good about suggesting others use this" territory pretty quickly.

 

[emw479]

Kershaw Shuffle or Cryo, you cannot go wrong with either.

 

[Yesterday]

I second the Cold Steel Tuff Lite or mini Tiff Lite. I have the Tuff Lite (the bigger of the two) and was very pleased. The mini one is more of a key-chain size, and the bigger of the two can fit a man's hands much better.

 

[Dacus_Nomadic]

Check out the CaseXX Executives. Around 20 to 25 apiece, and they're slim, so they don't jam out of the pocket. It's what I usually throw in my dress pants.

 

[collim1]

These are usually my recommendations as well . I love my Moras and my Opinel. I'm going to stick with something folding for the gift, and the Opinel I'm still not sure about gifting just because I don't know if either of them will be put off by the "non-modern" look. I know it would perform well, I just am not sure if they'd get over the "it looks funny" thing and discover their usefulness, which was why I was trying to stick with something that looked a bit more like what they are used to. Maybe thats not something I should be worrying about though.

And I'm not a huge Victorinox guy (nothing against them, just haven't been "into" them). Any particular SAK I should look at in that price range?

Agreed, totally. I usually say "RAT 1/2" to anyone looking for a folder that is inexpensive at about the $25 range, but trying to go any lower in price gets you into "i'm not sure if I'd feel good about suggesting others use this" territory pretty quickly.

The Tinker is a very handy model. Good selection of tools while only being two layers thick. Easy to carry and has a philips driver instead of the goofy (in my opinion) corkscrew.