• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Suggestions for a knife for a non-knife guy?

Wow, I definitely did not expect this kind of response. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

As for price range, I'm thinking under $40. Don't want to be too heavily invested if it may not get much use.

I am leaning towards something with a pocket clip, as my dad always has stuff in his pockets (change, pen, etc,) and a clip helps things from getting lost.

So far, I like the idea of the Esee mentioned above, as, unlike me, my dad is of the mindset that if one thing does the job, there is no need for another. So if he gets one knife that works for him, he won't buy another. I like Esee's lifetime, no questions asked warranty.

So I'm thinking something with a pocket clip, preferably a black clip, under $40 and probably not much bigger than 3 inches. If you guys have any more suggestions, they would be much appreciated.

Edit: as for the old dog not learning new tricks thing, knives are a passion of mine that I'd love to share with my dad. I feel it's at least worth a shot.
 
Hey man,

I'm doing some searching along the same lines too. I'm buying for a non-knife guy as well, and typically what i've seen for responses and the overall feel I get is that the easier the lock is to manipulate, the more he will use it. Most old timers are comfortable with back-locks, as they have been around for quite some time.

Also, another thing for you to consider is if he would really appreciate a USA made knife more than something made offshore or not - sometimes that matters for other folk more than you would think.

I wish you well in your hunt, i'll keep looking and post anything I come up with for you.
 
I'm in my mid-50s and didn't get interested in pocket knives until a little over a year ago, so it's not too late for us old guys to pick up new hobbies! For pure utility in something I carry every day, I like the Victorinox Cadet with Alox scales. Where I work I can't go carrying a knife with a pocket clip so that or another slipjoint or two do me just fine.

If he doesn't live a knife-centric life now, I don't know how much he would want a modern one-hand opener with a pocket clip. I started out with those, and while they work well and I still use them as task specific tools, they're not something I want to carry all of the time.

A Case Peanut in Chestnut Bone CV is another possibility. They are small, but are also pretty, kind of like pocket jewelry. They are quite useful for daily cutting tasks and if your goal is to perhaps convert him to the dark side, that might be a good gateway drug.

Of the few modern folders I own, the one I like the most is the Spyderco Delica. However, I *am* a knife guy, at least of a sort, and it took me quite a while to warm up to the looks and feel of that knife, even after I owned it. USING the knife is what sold me on it, and now even the parts of it that I originally disliked are features that I appreciate. But the Delica is outside your budget, and probably not a knife I'd suggest for the non-knife guy.
 
Last edited:
Victorinox Cadet in red, people seem to notice it's a SAK more if it's red and be more comfortable around it as it is no longer a knife. It's a tool. Thank you Macgyver.

Or a SAK keychain, the best knife is the knife you have with you and that won't leave his side unless going through a security checkpoint.

The AG Russel pen knife also looks pretty good as well.
http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-ultimate-pen-knife-titanium/p/RUS-P3TIB/

Some type of small keychain snap hook would work well for either so he can keep it on his keys and have it easily removeable. Though I think a Cadet may be a bit bulky in this regard and I'd rather take a Wenger Patriot for that if you wanted a larger blade.
 
For all those recommending Cases and Bucks, how do they carry? I've never carried anything without a pocket clip, and I feel like, as Marc Davis said a page back, without a clip it would get lost in the pocket.
 
Cases don't have clips! Bucks like the buck vantage small and large size in 420 steel comes with a very deep carry clip and carry well. The basic one is like 22 bucks.
 
I would recommend opinel and laguiole
They are good slicers and are not "aggressive" in look
 
Romba1182 said:
This is my concern. As someone who's never carried anything without a clip, I'm curious how they carry.
Click to expand...

Another option is to get a knife with a bail or keychain then you can get a suspension clip that works as a pocket clip. Just Google "suspension clip" and you'll see what I'm talking about.
 
Victorinox SAK Explorer. Scissors and magnifying glass make it much more useful & likely to appeal to non-knife-guys IMO than the basic starter SAKs like the Farmer, etc.

But not as wide as a SwissChamp so it's not discouraging to toss in a pocket for the first time.
 
Ended up going with a Buck Vantage small. Made in the USA, super deep carry clip, and rave reviews from nutnfancy (take that how you will.) Also, I feel like my father would like a modern folder over something old school.
His birthday is a week from today, I'll let you all know how it is received!
 
Romba1182 said:
Ended up going with a Buck Vantage small. Made in the USA, super deep carry clip, and rave reviews from nutnfancy (take that how you will.) Also, I feel like my father would like a modern folder over something old school.
His birthday is a week from today, I'll let you all know how it is received!
Click to expand...

Well, how'd it go?? :)
 
Better than I thought. He's been carrying it daily, and has reported several uses of it. So I'd say it's a success!! Thanks everyone.
 
An opinal #8 is gonna be a good knife for an average sized hand, or a buck 110 would be your best bet for a non-knife person. Something more modern looking may give the gift receiver a thought that the knife maybe a little overkill. A more traditional route is the best way to go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top