The gift of knives to non knife people

For years I have given knives as gifts to mark special occasions; every nephew I have (and several nieces) have received pocket knives for their HS graduation present (always a Case or a Buck). I always give a new Eagle Scout a knife (used to give the Camillus "Eagle Scout" copy of the VIC Classic). I spent 32 years in the ARNG - I give knives there for retirement and promotion gifts - often a Buck 119 now, but I have used several other equivalent models over the years (I had a stash of M-5 bayonets and M8A1 scabbards for about a decade). One of my nephews remarked to me a few years, 'Uncle Bruce, you sure like to give knives, don't you!' when he opened his Buck 303 HS graduation gift. Guess they all think I'm a knife-nut! OH
 
I've given gifts to my siblings (4 brothers, one sister), and my two oldest sons, all "modern" folders. As my nephews reach the age of responsible knife carrying, I'll definitely gift them a quality knife. I'm looking forward to it. I'll have to do some thinking to choose the right ones. Opinels are looking pretty good.
 
When gifting knives to 'non-knife' folk, it's tough to beat a Swiss Army Knife. It's a brand everyone knows/recognises and is often associated with Scouts or MacGyver. Victorinox has also cleverly associated their name to quality time-pieces, clothing, wallets and luggage. I think it has more of a 'wow-factor' to the uninitiated.

People on the Forums often ask for gift knife suggestions to mark special occasions: groomsman gifts, graduations, anniversaries, etc. My first thought is always a traditional knife; a classic pattern just feels more timeless to me. More permanent, I suppose. Long after a modern one-hander has outgrown its five-minutes of fame and the fad has passed, a traditional knife can still ripen into a family heirloom.

To me, there's just nothing classier than a nice traditional pattern in stag, bone or exotic wood. :)

Anyhoo, that's my ramble... :o

-Brett
 
I gave my new brother in law, recently retired USMC, a Spyderco salsa Sunday. I told him there was one stipulation with it. When its dull he has to bring it for me to sharpen, then stay and let us cook them dinner. I hope he takes me up on the offer.
 
timberweasel said:
When gifting knives to 'non-knife' folk, it's tough to beat a Swiss Army Knife. It's a brand everyone knows/recognises and is often associated with Scouts or MacGyver. Victorinox has also cleverly associated their name to quality time-pieces, clothing, wallets and luggage. I think it has more of a 'wow-factor' to the uninitiated.

-Brett
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Brett's right, nobody has the brand association of QA and long term factory backing like Victorinox. I don't know if I ever spoke of it here, but my better half, Karen had a Victorinox lugage set. She's traveled a lot over the years, flying to visit family in other parts of the country. After more than 10 years, her rolling Victorinox suitcase broke a wheel. Karen boxed it up and sent it back to Victorinox, at their Shelton Connecticut location. Darned if they didn't fix it, put a set of all new wheels on it. Now it's good for another 50,000 miles. No charge.

Carl.
 
For simple utility for someone that just doesn't carry any sort of pocket knife at all, it's hard to beat a SAK Classic SD or Rambler. Pop on a keychain and go, and the Classic is available in so many colors and designs that its easy to make it a personalized gift.

The Alox handled Victorinox Cadet is the next step up, and is available in several colors. Classy looking with plenty of utility but more than a key ring knife. Fine for purse or pocket but more chance of getting left behind if they don't get into it.

If your goal is to "turn" them, then something along the lines of a Case Peanut or Small Stockman might do the trick. It's small enough that they'll carry and use it, and hopefully pretty enough that they'll develop some further interest. For the novice knife user you might want to go with one of the stainless steel varieties to minimize maintenance needs, and maybe offer to sharpen it for them if they need help.

Or even better yet, show them the coffee mug and back of belt technique. The more you get them fiddling with their new prize, the more chance of making a convert.

The Peanut and the Small Texas Jack were the traditional gateway drugs for me. Up until I owned those I was content with just the blade on a Leatherman or one of the inexpensive modern folders.
 
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I gave my Buck 110 to a friend, otherwise I've given out a couple of Opinel 8s. One I randomly gave to my brother, the other to a friend at work. He seen the No 6 in my tool pouch and took a look at it and liked it. I offered to get him one and he liked that, I told him the exact same knife came in a larger size and asked which he wanted. He said the bigger one so I picked him up an 8. He uses it at home for cutting up fruit and such and likes it. I told him briefly about the properties of carbon blades but he seemed either disinterested in that aspect or already understanding of it. He's Filipino and speaks English well enough but not for indepth conversation and is a tad on the quiet side anyways.

Another Filipino coworker seen and liked my No 6. It seems the Filipino guys at work appreciate knives to some small extent whereas no one else there cares. Offered to give him one and he said "No no, I drive!" The Filipinos speak a range from severely limited to perfectly fluent, his english is severely limited. But I think he meant he'd be worried about an officer finding it if he were pulled over, worries that it's illegal. Regardless he liked that Opinel and it got us talking briefly, as best we could, about balisongs. I've never owned or handled one but it was something knife related to talk about.

Anyways after that ramble Opinels are easy for non-knife people to get along with I find.
 
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I gave my buddy a Case yellow pen with his initials engraved on it when he got his PhD. He was really excited about it, and I know for sure that he carries it around. He says it's a good luck charm. That works!
I sometimes pick up under-priced knives on the bay just in case one of my friends has a need for a knife. Bulk lots of TSA-stolen classics are great for this, and many have passed on to friends. Or a Buck 303 that I cleaned up to give to another friend who I knew didn't have a pocketknife. Now, his girlfriend probably gave him static about having a 'weapon', but I'm working on him. He just needs a little guidance. Maybe a new girlfriend, too.
 
Giving a knife is one of my favorite things to do!

Recently, I pulled my wife aside, and politely asked her to stop saying "Oh, he gives everyone a knife!" when I gift one to a friend, since it makes them feel less special to hear that. ;)

The most recent one was last week, a tiny lockback with some turquoise on the handle, and a layered steel blade, that I acquired in Santa Fe some years back. Gave it to a friend who just moved into town, as a little "welcome to the neighborhood" present.
Before that, it was a Cozy Glen mini-trapper in red wormgroove bone, to another close buddy.
And the one before that was a *gasp* non-traditional, to a knifeless friend. This guy... I'd tried to give him at least 3 or 4 different ones, over time, but none of them tickled his fancy. Finally I found one that he likes, and now he carries & uses it non-stop! :)

The list is too long... but I get a kick out of it. The perfect gift, if-I-do-say-so-m'self. :D
 
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