Trying to get a folding knife for my dad

[nick21]

He finally agreed that he may have use for a knife, which is a victory in itself because he's a pain in the ass to Christmas shop for but anyway.

I asked him to look at my Tenacious and Delica so that I could have an idea of what kind of knife he may liked, and gathered some of his preferences.

He seems to want:

A blade that's between 3 and 3.5 inches.

Something that's fairly heavy. Between 3.5 and 5.5 ounces seems like a fairly decent range.

G10? He liked both the FRN handle and the G10 handle but he seemed to have a preference for the G10. This doesn't seem to be as important to him as the others though.

He told me that he'd prefer a steel that holds an edge well.

Any ideas?

EDIT: Almost forgot, he told me that he'd prefer a lockback unless it's a stiff one

EDIT EDIT: My memory sucks. He said that he likes satin finishes, but I'd consider this optional. Preferably not a black blade though

 

[grownstar]

Just get him a Buck 112 and call it a day.

Could we also have your budget? Not sure if you listed it.

 

[dalefuller]

The Buck will be iconic as a locking folder... a bit uncomfortable for pocket carry, but many folks do just that. Al Mar does some nice mid-locks that are available in G10. Their AUS-8 is an excellent everyday steel for that type of knife. Some of them are available in ZDP189, but I'd prefer the AUS-8 myself. ZDP189 is too hard for me to deal with when it needs something and it's not the best at corrosion resistance. A. G. Russell also makes some nice lockback folders in that size range that are available only from his web site.

 

[DocT]

Maybe he really doesn't want a knife?

Anyway, if he wants heavy, I agree, get him a Buck 112. (If you want it just a bit lighter get the Ecolite/paperstone version)

I would strongly suggest, however, that you get him a Spyderco Delica 4 FFG. Lock back, good steel, holds and edge all day, and it comes in colors (black, green, orange, blue, more). It will fit his hand well.

 

[nick21]

Whoops, the budget would be under $100. I'll check the Buck 112 out. I know he used to have a Buck 110 with finger grooves when he was a teenager. It was stolen though

The Delica is also a possibility. I was thinking the Endura since it's larger and a little bit heavier though.

 

[Inazone]

The Buck 110 is still available with finger grooves, appropriately called the 110FG. Buck makes quite a few nice lockback knives, although I don't think any have G10.

Personally, despite having other "better" lockback folders, my favorite is a SOG Salute, which is pretty hefty and has G10 over steel liners. Being a SOG, it is imported (China, I think) and made of typical steel (8Cr13MoV) but that doesn't stop it from being a good knife. I also have an EKA Swede 8 that is arguably of better quality, but not the G10 I prefer.