What do men like???

E

elva826

Joined
Oct 6, 2015
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Hi everyone...

I'm looking to purchase a knife as a gift for my partner's birthday. My budget is around $80-$100, I'm from New Zealand and the knives here are a bit more expensive than in the States - or I could use Ebay. I was thinking of something that would be practical for everyday use? What do you guys think? Hes 26, this will be his first pocket knife, still a student. I Have no clue about the differences between variations for each model... Would be great if I could get a few recommendations...

I have surfed through some threads and jotted down a few mentions... not sure if its any good, comments please? :)
1. Kershaw Leek Folding Knife Black
2. SOG Flash II - quite like the camo handle $
3. Spyderco Dragonfly
4. Spyderco Endura4
5. Buck 110 50th anniversary

Thanks so much everyone!!!
 
What does *your* man like? Do you think he would like a traditional knife? (think, "old fashioned pocket knife, the Buck 110 is traditional-ish) If a modern knife, would he like flashy and tactical looking or more understated?

Etc.
 
Well, I don't know what sex has to do with it, but of those, the Dragonfly seems best suited to your requirements. If it's in your budget (100 NZD is about 60 USD, so probably not), get one in ZDP-189 steel.

The Dragonfly is large enough to be useful for most everyday carry (EDC) tasks, but small enough that it should be as legal as one can be carrying a knife in NZ, and the least likely to scare people when he uses it. A cursory glance of NZ knife law tells me that your country has a UK-style "unlawful, but it is a defence to prosecution that ..." statute that says that if it comes up, you need to explain to the police why you need that specific item for that specific task, and it's up to their judgment (or, if you choose to fight it, the court's) about whether it's confiscated and/or you're prosecuted. In other words, while you're permitted to bring a knife with you to a picnic, if they decide that your scary-looking, all-black folder is inappropriate for the task of slicing apples, you're in trouble.

The Leek and Flash are far more likely to get him into trouble, given that they both "flick" open; the Endura and Buck 110 are both fantastic knives, but too large to carry in that environment. For that matter, the Dragonfly can be opened with one hand and locks open, so even that could be problematic. If you want to avoid the hassle, it may be better to buy him a Swiss Army Knife.
 
I second the SAK. I think he'd be thrilled with a Victorinox Farmer. It has that quality look and feel, along with functionality you won't find in an Endura. That said, I've carried an Endura since 1998 without a problem.

Joe
 
Very thoughtful of you, i would look in to the Spyderco UKPK ;)

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This is equivalent to going on a car or gun forum and asking what kind of cars/guns do men like. We all have different preferences. If he is not a knife person a multi-tool type of knife like a swiss army knife or leatherman will get a lot of use over most. My recommendation would probably be for a Victorinox Compact as it has a lot of useful tools to help in normal day to day life. But you really can't go wrong with a Victoninox, Wenger, or Leatherman when it comes to multi-tools, just pick one based on his need.

From your list I can tell you they are all good knives you picked out but I would avoid the Buck 110 if your not sure if they would carry a knife as it's quite big and heavy and definitely requires the sheath. The larger size of the Flash II and Edura may be a bit of an annoyance to someone who didn't have a interest in carrying a knife before as well. The Dragonfly and Leek will probably remain unnoticed while carrying it till he needs it and would be my picks based on your 5.
 
I find the Buck Vantage to be a really good looking and functional knife and have heard others with lots of amazing things to say about it. I personally haven't gotten one yet, but I have handled one for a few days straight while camping and it was an awesome knife all around. It wasn't mine, so I wasn't too rough on it, but it did what i wanted very well. I'll definitely be picking one up because it was really enjoyable. I would recommend getting the Buck Vantage Pro Large with the s30v steel and the g10 handles. It's a huge difference from the standard Vantage.

Maybe some other members here could vouch for it as well and add anything worth noting since my time with it was limited.


Edit: as a side note, money isn't necessarily a deciding factor on an awesome well to use knife. You may also want to look into the offerings of Opinel and Mora and see if those might be something he would like. I know for certain that Opinel offers a very classy feeling that is rich with history and the design is so solid it hasn't had to change in many many decades.
 
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Hey and welcome to the forums.

For a first knife I would suggest a Dragonfly or Delica. Plain edge VG10 steel unless he works in salt water (in which case go with H1). I suggest VG10 because it's pretty easy to sharpen and performs very well.
 
Out of all those mentioned I would go with the Spyderco Delica as it is not scary to the average person and it will cover most things that you need a good knife to do ~~ nothing fancy but a knife that will get the job done and does not scare everybody when you go to cut a string or open a package.!**
 
What does he like to do? Outdoor adventures? Best bet in my opinion as already mentioned is a Swiss Army knife, many styles and tools, I personally like the ones with an Alox (aluminum) scales that come in different colors. Also, never owned one, but I would also give the Opinel a try. Lastly, depending on him, do not forget the Svord knives, the peasant, or a smaller fixed blade, made right there in NZ. Do not know how NZ laws would look upon that. Let us know what you decide.
 
Have a look at Boker' s New tech-tool. Price is in your wheelhouse and is essentially just a Swiss army style knife
 
If you get a sak,get a suspension clip they make carrying. Sak easier
 
I was under the impression (maybe wrong) that in New Zealand pocket knives are not allowed but Victorinox Swiss Army Knives are. The Alox Cadet (Victorinox) would be a nice gift. So, that would be my suggestion. If I am wrong then I would get him a Spyderco Dragonfly or, for a bit bigger, a Delica (the Cat is nice too).
 
It all depends on your partner.

What hobbies are engaged in?

What mode of dress is most often worn?

City or rural dweller?

How does your partner feel about a knife?

A moderate Swiss Army knife like a cadet may fill the bill. It's unobtrusive, has a few real tools on it that have real world function. And the alox scales have some class and can be engraved if need be.

With the laws in your country, I;d be very leery of large locking blade knives. Could be unlooked for trouble.
 
Not knowing anything about your fellow there (other than the fact that he has a very thoughtful lady), I would say that one of the most overall useful pocket knives for general purposes would be a Victorinox Pioneer. It comes in a textured Alox (aluminium) handle material which makes it light and slim for pocket carry, while packing in a very useful blade and several other tools in the same package.

Besides looking classy, it is very handy. Also inexpensive, typically around $30 US when purchased in the US.

My preference is for the similar but smaller Victorinox Cadet in the silver Alox, just because my daily knife needs are modest. The Pioneer (and variants of it like the Electrician) has a very useful punch/awl tool which comes in handy for lots of things that you don't want to use the main blade for.

We kind of need to know more about him, because as it turns out, not all men are interested in the same things.
 
Well, for a first knife I would consider one of the following (keeping the law situation in NZ in mind):
- SAK with not too many tools (those get awkward to handle) - there are different sizes - it would be best if you would try a few on local store (surely easy to find)
- simple traditional slip-joint (that means without any kind of lock for the blade) knife - maybe something from Case could fit the budget
- Spyderco UKPK (medium sized multi purpose knife, no lock)
- Spyderco Dragonfly - it does have a lock, but the knife & blade is really small, so if the situation is not black&white with law enforcement, than it should be OK. It really is a little jewel when it comes to usability.

If you guys do not live in large(ish) city and the knife will be used for tougher outdoor tasks, than I guess that having one with blade lock should be no problem. I have been lucky to visit New Zealand (best holiday of my life!) few years ago and I did not even see a police car outside a city. On the other hand it may be hard to find a good quality larger (I mean blade length of 3.5" - 4") knife within your budget.
 
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