Suggestions for an "heirloom" knife

mattz357

mattz357

Joined
Jun 20, 2002
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My son is almost three weeks old now and I'm looking for ideas for a knife I can buy now and keep for him until he's old enough to own it himself. I bought him a Ruger Bearcat the day after I found out my wife was pregnant, and I bought a Buck 110 the day I found out he was a boy, but I want to get one more thing. I'm torn between another folder and a nice fixed blade, perhaps a bowie style or a Buck Special to match compliment the 110. I'd like to keep it under $100 for now (I'd love to order a Randall model 1 for him, and he'd be old enough to own it when it was done, but I can't afford that), but if I'm able to sell a few of my knives that might go up a little. I'd like it to be American made, but it doesn't have to be. Blade must be "stainless", and by that I just mean silver in color with no coating or finish, and plain edge.

Based on this, what would anyone recommend? If I were interested in getting some work done on the 110 (filework on the back of the lock/blade, etc.) what is the best source? Thanks in advance for any suggestions or help!
 
The one he's gonna want when he's older is the one you're using now. Pick a good knife for yourself or one that you already have and use it until he reaches whatever age you think is appropriate, then give it to him. Tell him about some of the times it came in handy or whatever stories are related to the knife. Fall out of a canoe with it strapped on if you have to. :D Let him see you using it as he's growing up, especially if you go camping or fishing or whatever together. I think it will mean more that way.
 
At Blade '05 I bought an A.G. Russell Premium Scout Knife with Stag handles to put away for my grandson (who is now a little over 2 years old).

The last couple of Russell catalogs no longer offer the stag, but the knife is still offered. A traditional Boy Scout knife (spear point blade, can opener, bottle opener, screwdriver) with an ATS-34 blade. Nice.

Russell also offers a Boker Scout knife.
 
I would suggest perhaps something in a nice fixed-blade and sheath from Bark River.

I still have the fixed-blade knife and sheath my father gave me when I was old enough :).
 
For fixed blades, I really like the look of the Randall #1, but I don't see anything similar from Bark River or Russell. Do they make one and I'm just not looking in the right place? Thanks!
 
TorzJohnson said:
The one he's gonna want when he's older is the one you're using now. Pick a good knife for yourself or one that you already have and use it until he reaches whatever age you think is appropriate, then give it to him. Tell him about some of the times it came in handy or whatever stories are related to the knife. Fall out of a canoe with it strapped on if you have to. :D Let him see you using it as he's growing up, especially if you go camping or fishing or whatever together. I think it will mean more that way.
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Mr. Johnson, this is the perfect response to his question.
NO blade could be more valuable or precious to me other than the one my Dad used and gave to me in a quite moment when it was just him and me.
That Case knife sits front and center in my collection. It's me prize possession.

Peace.
 
Get him a Dozier fixed blade, and while your at it get yourself a matching one. Bob's got great prices and amazing quality. I can't think of any "Heirloom Makers" that most of us can afford other than Bob. It's going to be something that he and you will both come to love and use.

I agree with those that say anything you have or use he will love. I can remember having to have my own set of keys just like my father (what a good memory).

I'd would get my nephew a Dozier, but I think his Dad and Gramp's got it covered. Or I'd have to get them one too.
 
Randall 1- 4 year wait period anyways. Or the tried and true classic, the Buck 110, in custom form
 
Bark River fixed blade. Totally classic, best fixed blades on the market today (especially for the price), imo.
Look into the Teddy or Rogue bowie for a classic blade, but really any of them will be great.
 
Another vote for a Bark River fixed blade. There are lots of very nice models with a gazillion handle options, for around $100. They offer 12C27 (stainless steel) and A2 (high carbon steel) blades, with no coating and a wicked convex edge.
 
How about a snody activator in carbon fiber and silver twill. Comes with a nice sheath too. That's about a hundred, and looks like a custom...
 
What TorzJohnson said :thumbup:

I've heard stories over and over from guys who've gotten knives from there fathers. All of the knives are inexpensive (or at the time the father bought it) Case, Victorinox, Buck, etc. Those guys either still use or treasure that particular knife.

The cost of an 'heirloom' doesn't really matter; it's the memories tide with them. Pick your fav knife you have now, use it for a while and put it away for 'junior.' He'll enjoy the memories later.
 
Hateman said:
What TorzJohnson said :thumbup:

I've heard stories over and over from guys who've gotten knives from there fathers. All of the knives are inexpensive (or at the time the father bought it) Case, Victorinox, Buck, etc. Those guys either still use or treasure that particular knife.

The cost of an 'heirloom' doesn't really matter; it's the memories tide with them. Pick your fav knife you have now, use it for a while and put it away for 'junior.' He'll enjoy the memories later.
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I'm jumping on the Torz Johnson bandwagon. Both my father and grandfather were/are knife guys, so I've had many knives passed down to me (Guns too:D )And the ones I treasure the most are the ones I remember watching them use. My grandfather's Buck 301 Stockman is one of my favorite things in the world. It is beat all to hell, with one of the blades broken and converted into a screwdriver. It was never a flashy, expensive or fancy knife, but he carried it for years and loved it, and I watched him use it on countless occasions. Just holding that knife brings memories of my childhood flooding back. I have many, many fancier knives than that old 301, but none of them mean as much to me. I have my grandfather on the other side's KaBar from when he was a Marine in WWII, that saw action at Okinawa. He died when I was very young, but that knife is an important part of my family's history, and it means a lot to me as well.

Now my son, when I start handing my knives down, boy is he in for a treat! I plan on repeating the favor Dad's given me, that is to pass on a really worthwhile collection. Recently my father announced to me that he's going to start handing his guns down to me now, while he's still around to see me enjoy them, and enjoy them with me. Oh yeah! Dad has a world-class gun collection, exquisitely maintained, that he's been working on his entire life. His knife collection is nothing to sneeze at, but it's basically an afterthought compared to his guns. Eventually I'll have almost one each of every model revolver Colt and S&W has made from the 50's until now. Without spending a penny! So sweet! This collection will be passed on along with my guns, and my knives, to my son. Little bastard better not sell them!
 
I'm having a hard time finding info/pricing on Bark River. I've found a couple of places that sell them, but they don't list all the handle materials or pricing for them. The knife pictured where you click on Bark River at A.G. Russell is really what I'm looking for, but when you get into the Bark River section it isn't there (http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/a_through_d.html). Thanks for all the info so far and keep the suggestions coming!
 
Heirloom quality? Looking for a handmedown for generations are we?

I'd say it must have steel or titanium liners, heck brass would be nice but FRN or G10, or Micarta by themselves with no other backing would not cut it for living through generations. I'd go with a nice quality handle material and something historic from the time he was born though. Something like the Carbon Fiber, or G10 is a good choice in conjunction with a metal liner I think.

Maybe an assisted opener or Waved knife or some other such thing that has come out around our present time in history. For lock tpes, the axis lock type, compression or ball bearing style lock maybe since those two are fairly recent additions to our current times and trends also.

All of these are high quality usually also but not all will have steel liners. A good titanium knife is something to think about and certainly a sign of the times.

Slip joints are always a good choice too and last for a very long time but not something likely to be a reminder of what was happening at this time when your son was welcomed to the planet. If that means anything I mean. I would focus that way personally for someone in my family is all I'm saying.

STR
 
You seem to prefer traditional blades. How about a nice one for yourself, and then following Torz's advice? Try the buck custom shop for the 110 of your dreams--premium steel, your choice of bolsters and handle material.
 
shaldag said:
You seem to prefer traditional blades. How about a nice one for yourself, and then following Torz's advice? Try the buck custom shop for the 110 of your dreams--premium steel, your choice of bolsters and handle material.
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That's the first thing that came to my mind too. Stag or Water buffalo scales and a premium steel blade. :thumbup:
 
mattz357 said:
I'm having a hard time finding info/pricing on Bark River. I've found a couple of places that sell them, but they don't list all the handle materials or pricing for them. The knife pictured where you click on Bark River at A.G. Russell is really what I'm looking for, but when you get into the Bark River section it isn't there (http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/a_through_d.html). Thanks for all the info so far and keep the suggestions coming!
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Those models are probably discontinued, Mike Stewart makes knives in batches and you never know, they might come back later. But similar knives are available that are put together by Bark River for Blackjack Knives, or check out the Bark River Teddy. I have a few Bark Rivers, good knives.
 
mattz357 said:
For fixed blades, I really like the look of the Randall #1, but I don't see anything similar from Bark River or Russell. Do they make one and I'm just not looking in the right place? Thanks!
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You want a BlackJack Model 1-7, made by Mike Stewart (of Bark River). Beautiful Stag for just over $200, and classic leather washer for ~$160.

Check out New Graham Knives -- they've always been good to me...
 
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