Suggestions for a Nice Folder for XMAS Gift...Help Please.

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Nalapombu

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Oct 26, 2001
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Hey all.

I have a buddy that’s into knives. I need to pick him up a gift this year and I thought it would be great to pick him up a nice knife. One that I’ve heard him mention a few times is the Hinderer folder and a couple folders from Chris Reeve. Unfortunately I am not able to spend $550 on a gift for anyone. That puts me in a tough spot of trying to find a nice knife that he will like, but isn’t hugely expensive. So, I thought I’d ask for some suggestions.

I’d say I have a budget of $200-$225 or so. I’d like to have something with titanium scales, no preference on methods to open it, clip point or drop point would be great, blade that’s 3.75 to 4 inches….or close to that.
He’s an outdoor guy. Spends lotsa time hunting, fishing, shooting his guns and bow, yard work and other stuff. He’s not a sit around on the couch type. A knife owned by him could literally be used for anything from one day to the next. I don’t think it would matter if it was from China as long as it was a nice knife.

That’s about it. I can’t think of anything else. If you were looking for a folder for yourself and had as much to spend as I do, what would you get? Are there any stand-out folders that fit the bill that come to your mind?

Thank you for your time and any help you can give. Have a great weekend and take care of yourselves.

Larry
 
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Toor merchant 2.0 is the first thing that comes to mind. It does have a 3.5 inch blade though, so a bit under your requirement. Made in U.S. and they’re priced at 210-290 depending on the finish.
 
Buying for a collector rarely goes well. Even if done with the best of intentions.

Personally I’d rather receive something that the giver collects. That way they pick the perfect whateveritis that I know little about, but will still use and enjoy. Knowing it came from someone who knows about that item who choose it for me.
 
eveled said:
Buying for a collector rarely goes well. Even if done with the best of intentions.

Personally I’d rather receive something that the giver collects. That way they pick the perfect whateveritis that I know little about, but will still use and enjoy. Knowing it came from someone who knows about that item who choose it for me.
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This post brings up a good point. If the guy is already into Hinderers and CRKs, anything that doesn't quite measure up to that will always be compared to Hinderers and CRKs and take a backseat, especially if things like the blade shape or other smaller details aren't specific enough to what they had in mind. On the other hand, I've given knives and scissors to people who aren't specifically into that thing and it always knocks their socks off. I take into account things like the tasks I know they would use a blade for, color preferences, comments they've made about certain features or characteristics of my own, and the receiver's physical ability for things like the lock or action. Then I apply my own expertise to pick the best one that meets that criteria.
 
eveled said:
Buying for a collector rarely goes well. Even if done with the best of intentions.

Personally I’d rather receive something that the giver collects. That way they pick the perfect whateveritis that I know little about, but will still use and enjoy. Knowing it came from someone who knows about that item who choose it for me.
Click to expand...
This is a most excellent point... You know your friend better than we do, and you came to the right place for advice, but knife guys can be a difficult bunch to buy for. Does he sharpen his own knives? Maybe a nice water stone or something that contributes something to the hobby without being a knife... If he's into traditional knives, a nice Arkansas stone would most likely be a welcome addition.

If you're dead set on a knife, maybe a traditional in stag? Like a companion/dress knife rather than a full on addition to the main carry stable?

I know that I'm not much help, I just looked at it from my perspective as an accumulator.

drawkcaB drawkcaB beat me to the sharpening idea...
 
If he is real interested in Hinderer, then why not consider a nice used ZT 0562? There are a couple nice used all titanium ones on ebay right now for 240 and 250, and they pop up here on the exchange pretty regularly..

You could even put a nice shiny new edge on it for him, assuming it was even needed.
 
ZT 0562ti, or 0801. You can find them used for between $200-$250. They’re both great solid knives and IMO they don’t fall far behind Hinderers in terms of quality, F&F, etc.
 
You're a good friend.

Lots of good advice here, as usual 😀

My thoughts:

1.) Get him something that is under the CRK budget but surprisingly well built for the money. I've been pretty impressed with the fit and finish of Kizer knives. Titanium, good steel, etc. I have a couple on my wishlist that I would like, and I don't think they really detract from my appreciation of the Inkosi in my pocket.

2.) Get him a nice outdoor fixed blade that is both functional yet means something. I'm partial to Fiddleback Forge. Andy spins a great knife that is meant to be used out in the woods yet sports some of the most comfortable and ergonomic grips I have ever held. However, anything like that from a maker of your choice would probably be well received.

3.) Get him something off the wall. Something ridiculous yet practical. I'm obviously biased, but I have never gifted a khukuri to someone who even halfway likes knives where the big blade didn't light up their face. Lots of steel. Lots of utility. Historic and worldly. Not a ton of dough and well within your budget.

4.) Get him a high-end Multitool like a Free P4 or Charge TTi from Leatherman. You won't go over $200, but they are really well made, totally useful, and certainly blow anything hanging on the shelf at Walmart out of the water. Tough enough to use hard out in the woods, classy enough to show that though and care went into the purchase.

Best of luck!
 
Buying something that any collector collects is difficult. That being said and knowing that your friend is an outdoors kind of person have you looked into a custom Buck?

I've been looking at the Buck Custom 110 myself. It's within your budget and a classic.
 
Your buddy will love the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter. Suitable for all his hobbies and work around the house...he can beat on it and abuse it, it'll take it.
It has no slippery titanium scales and the strongest lock on the market, very strong tip and excellent cutting geometry due to the hollow grind. Orange scales are perfect for hunting..also comes in black.

Knives we're not afraid to use or loose are the best tools for outdoors people.



CS30URY_LSR1.jpg
 
I agree with the suggestions of a fixed blade. Getting him a folder that may not be as nice as his preferred ones will likely just have it end up in a drawer. You said he is into hunting and fishing. There are loads of great knives for those pursuits and you can get a great one that fits your budget. You are a great friend!
 
Guy is a knife knerd, like many of us, and already has (or at least wants), some high(er) end productions.
You want to get him something knice, but can't quite afford that same price range as some of the ones he has.

How about Something top notch but out of his typical wheel house;

-Traditional by GEC like a Beer Scout / Crown lifter... GEC/Northfield/Tidioute are essentially revered akin to the "CRK of the Traditional market"... You can find them in that $200 range if you search around.

A higher end hand made Nepali Kukri? There are a few brands out there with solid reputations, (I often hear Himalayan Imports? tossed around here), but they are also often in that $200-ish range... If he collects folders, a good chance, (50/50 shot at worst), he doesn't have a Nepali Kukri in his collection yet, a lot of us don't, but if you like knives, getting a legit well made kukri is judt cool AF, I don't care who you are.

If you're dead set on a quality folder, (and country of manufacture isn't all that important), consider the Les George designed 3.5" Spartan Astor in CF...

If you are dead set on Titanium, then maybe consider a limited edition, Ken Onion designed,
CRKT Panache? (Brownie points to a "collector" for something limited in nature).
(CRKT has earned a questionable reputation over the years, but that has more to do with their massive catalog of sub $40 mass produced offerings being hit or miss).

Or an Ontario Cerberus, or a Kizer Odin?
Or the ZT 0640 & Brous XR-1 are actually made in the USA (if it does maybe matter just a little)...
 
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