Wedding gift knives for doctor and helicopter EMT?

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Apalachicola

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Just musing about this. My brother is getting gay married this year and I want something really nice for him and his husband. He uses and likes and cares for good knives, but isn’t a fanatic like I am.

He is a hospital doctor, and probably needs something dressy and not alarming to coworkers. His partner works in helicopters above the arctic circle. They live in Anchorage which is alternately humid and very cold. They know I’m a knife nut, and chide me for it, but I’d like to get them each something really nice - probably not custom since I only have six months from now, but high end production stuff that will last a lifetime if cared for.

The options I’m thinking may seem boring - a Sebenza and an XM 18 in 3.5 or even a bigger Hinderer. I’ve got some purchase options for these two models as well as some time, and own them myself as well. The laws there are ok, so that’s not an issue. Both are outdoorsmen and big game hunters, but they already have knives for those things. I just want something nice - something they will like and use forever but probably wouldn’t buy on their own. I’ve also thought about chasing custom Demkos because I like his designs a lot, but have no idea where to get one (I’ve got the production 20.5 and it’s really good for me.)

What are some suggestions for user knives at the higher end of production. I’d like American made, but have no problem with good manufacturers in other countries - quality is quality, no matter where it comes from. Budget is flexible, but I am not really experienced or knowledgeable about the custom market and the guys I know have long lead times.

Anyway, cheers!
-JW
 
When it comes to gifting knives, I would ask the following questions-

Are you getting it for him/them to use, or just as a "gift"?

Are they actually going to use it?

What will they use it for/ what need do they have for a knife?

Will they truly appreciate the value of an expensive knife?

Will they balk at using/carrying it because it's expensive and leave it sitting in a drawer?

If they carry it, is there a greater potential for them to lose it?

When I think of a classy, quality gift-knife for non-knife people, the type of knife that they might actually carry and use, one that is least likely to upset co-workers, and one that won't be a high-dollar loss if lost, I think of silver alox handle swiss army knives (Victorinox). Covers a lot of bases, and properly used can last several lifetimes.
 
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Yeah good questions.

1. They use them. More than I do probably. They have to. Cutting up meat (they only eat what they harvest) and all the regular things. They both lubricate and sharpen, so it’s not going to go unused.

2. They have the knives they need already. They are knife people, and sharpen and use good kitchen knives, know how to take a folder apart and like the general nice stuff we do, but balk at the price of fancier things.

3. I do not think they will care about the cost, or preserving them. I do more than they do. I keep my knives pretty pretty, but they use them. My brother is a sharpening nut (which may frustrate him with some steel). They use good knives and know what they are.

I also don’t think either knife need be a “im trapped in a burning car and can’t get out!!” knife. One knife needs to be big enough to cut nylon with some muscle. I suspect the other needs to only open boxes from Amazon.

Both guys are embarrassingly accessory lovers - won’t casually lose things. We have another gift for the wedding, but they each one really nice knife. Unlike me, they won’t be bothered by a scratch. I don’t even take my best knives fishing, but they both will.

I’m just so happy he’s getting married and I have an opportunity to give good knives to people who won’t treat them like crap.
 
They probably got many/a lot knives already !?

Just try ask them, not us :^)
 
Apalachicola said:
He uses and likes and cares for good knives,
Click to expand...
My bad, I must have blanked when I read this^ sentence in your opening post. Clearly he doesn't sound like a "non-knife person" (the part about them chiding you made me think "non-knife people"). That changes things. For someone who uses and likes and cares for good knives, a high-end knife doesn't seem like a bad idea.
 
I’d say Benchmade is about their top end, though I know they have some weird Alaskan and Scandinavian stuff for skinning. They like good knives but don’t spend $500 on them. I’d like to get something either would not buy but would use and maintain. My brother uses a Benchmade proper for work at the hospital and his partner uses a fixed blade at work, but I’d like to give him a hard-ass folder.
 
After reading the entire thread I would say you were pretty close in your first thoughts.
I’d say Mnandi for your brother the Doc. Its small and unassuming. Sexy as hell and after having one in my pocket for 16 months I promise it is a very tough and capable knife that the shy medical types wont even flinch at.
For the flight medic I say Hinderer all the way! I believe the name Hinderer is actually derived from the Latin word meaning “ hard-ass folder”!;)

Congrats to your brother.
 
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Try something from Olamic for the artsy one.

WE, Protech, QuietCarry also comes to mind for production. Even higher end go Shirogorov, Vero, etc.

You can get a custom from Alan Folts, Richard Rogers and more at several websites as well, including knifecenter...google is your friend.

Edit: helicopter EMT try a Microtech. Its alaska, I'm assuming you can carry anything lol.

Good luck and congratulations!
 
Congratulations to the Hapy Couple!
I agree with CHNeal:
How about a CRK Mnandi for the Doctor, and a Hinderer XM-18 for the EMT?
 
There are a number of beautiful knives that can be put to use if need be that I think of when contemplating a great gift knife. Since you indicated your budget was a bit higher and already mentioned CRK, a Mnandi or Sebenza are wonderful options that even someone with less enthusiasm for knives would appreciate immensely. Other knives that come to mind would be:

Higher end:
- Arno Bernard Rinkhals
- Fallkniven makes beautiful folders such as in their “Tre kronor” line.
- Quiet Carry- Drift, IQ, West, or Waypoint
- Tactile knife co. Rockwall or Bexar
- Shirogorov Neon
- Spartan SHF

Not so high end:
- Brisa Enzo Birk 75 (a variety of classy scale and steel options)
- Spyderco Chapparell
- customized Buck such as a 110, 112, 503 (you can customize on their website with various handle and steel options)
 
Brown Cortex (you can find these new a few places right now, if you act quickly) for your brother.

Quiet Carry Drift is great for anyone because of the Vanax. The IQs are nice, too. The QCs are not American made, however.

Hinderers are wonderful. A Spyderco PM2 or Para 3 with nice scales, deep carry clip, in a good steel is hard to beat. I hear good things about the Spartans, but I have not handled one.
 
Apalachicola said:
Just musing about this. My brother is getting gay married this year and I want something really nice for him and his husband. He uses and likes and cares for good knives, but isn’t a fanatic like I am.

He is a hospital doctor, and probably needs something dressy and not alarming to coworkers. His partner works in helicopters above the arctic circle. They live in Anchorage which is alternately humid and very cold. They know I’m a knife nut, and chide me for it, but I’d like to get them each something really nice - probably not custom since I only have six months from now, but high end production stuff that will last a lifetime if cared for.

The options I’m thinking may seem boring - a Sebenza and an XM 18 in 3.5 or even a bigger Hinderer. I’ve got some purchase options for these two models as well as some time, and own them myself as well. The laws there are ok, so that’s not an issue. Both are outdoorsmen and big game hunters, but they already have knives for those things. I just want something nice - something they will like and use forever but probably wouldn’t buy on their own. I’ve also thought about chasing custom Demkos because I like his designs a lot, but have no idea where to get one (I’ve got the production 20.5 and it’s really good for me.)

What are some suggestions for user knives at the higher end of production. I’d like American made, but have no problem with good manufacturers in other countries - quality is quality, no matter where it comes from. Budget is flexible, but I am not really experienced or knowledgeable about the custom market and the guys I know have long lead times.

Anyway, cheers!
-JW
Click to expand...

Benchmade has a new version of the Proper called the Weekender coming out with 2 blades and a bottle opener. Maybe get them a matching set with their names and wedding date on it?
 
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