Visiting an Uncle I haven't seen in 40+ years, looking to give a knife gift.

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sunandsteel

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Oct 23, 2013
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I will be visiting an Uncle I haven't seen in a very long time, in fact I don't remember ever meeting him in person only talking on the phone briefly when my late father, who served in the Army, used to talk to him on the phone. My father had 4 uncles and 1 aunt, and he is the last remaining uncle on my fathers side. Technically he's not an uncle but that's what we call him. All four brothers were WW2 and he is the last one living in his late 80's. The knife I give him doesn't have to be WW2 related but I was looking for ideas on the type of knife to give him. Something that won't be hard to open, a warm looking knife, and just nothing over the top with any bling attached. He lives in upstate NY and is as close to Canada as you can get. Right now I'm thinking GEC or Buck but just kicking ideas around. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
 
I'm looking at the EO's from GEC. Besides the one that says Scout, are there other EO's available from GEC?
 
Not too many GEC EOs still available I don't think. Besides the #15 Scouts there were the 3" #25s and the 3 5/8" #85s which were SFOs. I'd imagine a spear or sheepsfoot bladed #15 Boys knife would be easy enough to pinch open even with the EO notch.

Oh, there was also a #56 Weaver jack with a hawkbill.
 
sunandsteel said:
I'm looking at the EO's from GEC. Besides the one that says Scout, are there other EO's available from GEC?
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The #85 bullet end jack is offered with an easy open. . .I've got one of the regular #85's without the EO and it's a joy to carry. The EO variation is harder to find at the moment, though. Maybe consider a regular #85 or one of the other models
with a large spear? They can be pinched open without much effort. :)
 
I'll keep my eyes open maybe for the EO #85, but between the three, which would you guys/gals go with for an elderly uncle?
#15 spear, #85 spear, or #92 spear? I like the wood scale choice, and I'm thinking single spear and the pen blade might be challenging for him so that's the reason I'm thinking single spear.
 
I haven't tried the single #92s so I don't know what the pull is like on them. I know the #15s are very manageable. I love my #85s but I think the #15 would be the best and easiest to find. The #85 has slightly stronger springs and only available in 2 blade form atm.
 
2Dead said:
I haven't tried the single #92s so I don't know what the pull is like on them. I know the #15s are very manageable. I love my #85s but I think the #15 would be the best and easiest to find. The #85 has slightly stronger springs and only available in 2 blade form atm.
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Narrowing it down to a few is a big help. Going 15 singe spear or 92 single spear in wood. If anyone has a single spear 92, how does it compare to the 15 single?
 
Very nice idea to be giving an old gentleman a knife.

Buck knives are usually lightly sprung and easy to open, certainly no 'bling' aspect on them! There is a single blade in Yellow delrin that's not difficult to open, all stainless too meaning no maintenance or rusting/brass corrosion either.

Canal Street's Moon Pie Trapper is compact, single blade all stainless and VERY...lightly sprung.

How about a small lockback such as a CASE Mini Copperlock? They're easy to open/close. CASE Slimline Trapper is an easy knife to open as well, not heavy either, bit long perhaps.

As for the 15 v 92 I don't have Spear versions but I have a 15 Clip and 92 Wharncliffe. The 92 is certainly easier to open, the 15 quite robust but a nice compact knife. I hope you find what you want.

Regards, Will
 
My dad, who has Parkinson isolated to one arm, has never really carried a knife. When I got into them he became interested as well. I gave him a TC Stews Blade and he loves it. The 15 still has this pattern available.
 
Leatherman micra, old guys like em too. If he carries a knife, he's probably already got a favorite.
 
brownshoe said:
Leatherman micra, old guys like em too. If he carries a knife, he's probably already got a favorite.
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Funny you should mention that, a little while ago (last Christmas maybe?) My 80+ year old grandfather saw me using my micra and asked to see it, and he seemed quite impressed with its construction. I've always seen the micra as the most 'traditional' looking multitool, and reminds me of the sears coin screwdrivers that show up every now and again. I think it must be the all steel construction, which (to me) wouldn't look too out of place in a hardware shop from the 50's, 60's or 70's. Also, almost like the old style pliers based knife multitools from before the tie of leatherman.
 
I would be looking for something he probably hasn't seen before. Something which makes him look at it twice. If you can find one or have the time to order one, have a look at the "Chaperon" Opinel models. They're easy to open, have nice ergonomics and for me at least are really quite enjoyable to look at. They don't have bling but they're assembled and coloured to have some interesting, warm patterning.

The other thing to think about is if a knife closes under a spring and nicks him he may not heal up as quickly as some. His skin will probably be more fragile too. He may not have the manual dexterity to keep the fingers out of the way when closing it. All this is said by someone who has been physically put to shame by older people on several occasions so I'm not suggesting he's weak, just that he might have some limitations. Only relevant if it's relevant - again, have been physically out-done by more than one older guy :)
 
+1 on the Canal Street Half Moon Trapper. Very lightly sprung, and quality steel with a great heat treat.

Schrade Old Timer: somewhat lightly sprung and something he'd recognize from his younger years. 8OT, 33OT or 34OT--whatever flavor you think would suit him.
 
Back in 1986, Schrade did a jigged bone folding hunter commemorative knife for the 100th anniv of the Statue of Liberty. Great knife, beautiful statue blade etch. I have one, its part of the edc rotation. They make great gifts. Check the bay, their always available.
 
I'm going to look into all of the suggestions. Thanks.
He's 90+ years old and I know he has a nurse helping him when needed so I really want it to be user friendly.
 
2Dead said:
Not too many GEC EOs still available I don't think. Besides the #15 Scouts there were the 3" #25s and the 3 5/8" #85s which were SFOs. I'd imagine a spear or sheepsfoot bladed #15 Boys knife would be easy enough to pinch open even with the EO notch.

Oh, there was also a #56 Weaver jack with a hawkbill.
Click to expand...

The #92 Talon / Eureka Jack with the wharncliffe blades leaves enough exposed to pinch them open without the EO. Also, if you are handy, a dremmel can make an EO from many other great models,
 
I just saw the part about his age. May want to avoid the elephant toenail then. mine has a strong spring, as to the early 23's

If he likes bigger knives, the File and Wire knives tend to have easier pulls. Their Grandaddy Barlows are easy for me to open the main with just a pinch.
 
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