What knives are good gift knives?

I gifted a few opinels over the years. One ended up rotting in a toolbox. The other one the lock ring flew off when he opened it after a few beers. Funny stuff. They were the ones you buy in the camping section.
 
Its sort of a test isn't it. If you will look after an opinel, maybe you can handle a more expensive knife. If you can't, well, maybe we don't have you playing with sharp things?
 
Depends on who, how much i want to spend :) Usually cold steel folding knives pocket knives etc or if i want to spend more Dawson knives.
 
gadgetgeek said:
Its sort of a test isn't it. If you will look after an opinel, maybe you can handle a more expensive knife. If you can't, well, maybe we don't have you playing with sharp things?
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That makes sense. But it's a multifaceted ting. If I wanted to introduce someone to the joys of edc the opinel would be my last choice unless the recipient was old enough or had a place in their heart for old fashion whimsical stuff.
 
Oh, for sure, in that case a tinker or climber might be a better choice, but I think you get the idea right? You fit the knife to the person as much as you can.
 
I've gifted five Case fisherman's knives. I also like to gift the SAK Farmer and some of the fancier Opinels. I've gifted a few Spydercos too, and people love them! At the cheaper end, I've gifted Moras and people love those too.

Joe
 
marcinek said:
Depends on way too many factors to answer for me, I like to put some thought into gifts.
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+1

A knife is a pretty niche gift to begin with, unless you like gifting things that people may never use. ;) ....which I do not. To me, the (fore-) thought is way more important than the gift. I've gifted a Spyderco Ladybug. I've gifted a Benchmade 940.
 
Rough riders, Cheap Decently built, non intimidating. I've given quite a few of them to friends. They all love them.
 
Back around 2007 when the TSA was selling confiscated knives by the pound on the Bay I won 25#. The variety was crazy from SAKs to a Case stag fixed blade that some creature painted white. I had a riot handing them out to friends and family.
 
Does the recipient appreciate knives?

Most of the time they dont, so I always gift medium-high end generic, proven stuff.

For example plastic handle Spyderco folders are perfect gifts for someone that needs a knife but is not into knives.
 
I've gifted Chinese folders, mainly SRM and Ganzos, and they almost always were really appreciated (people tend to see them as nice knives, sometimes comparing them with much more expensive folders) or worked for their intended purpose (generate interest in knives/serve as beaters/make a trade more attractive, etc.)
 
I have gifted all kinds of knives over the years; from Hinderer's, Strider's, Emerson's,Benchmade's Spyderco's, and everything in bewtween and and even some custom knives. You really can't go wrong. You know the person and what they like, and don't.
 
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Opinel, (carbon or stainless blade) MAM, Rough Rider (traditional) for under $10 ~ $20 a pop. SAK Farmer, Tinker/Super Tinker, Recruit/Cadet, or classic, if you want to spend a little more.
All can last more than a lifetime, even if the recipient is a pre-teen.
 
I have given 3 or 4 benchmades as gifts. From a mini grip, full size grip to the HK axis folder. I gave a Zt 770CF to someone I should have given a more sturdy knife to, and he broke the pocket clip twice, as well as popping the blade stop out of the handles at least once. That last one was a headache for me, but everyone else was happy with their benchmades. I guess the point is make it appropriate for who you are giving it to.
Best of luck.
 
Giving knives as gifts is dangerous, imo. Sort of like gifting somebody shoes. Just no telling if the person will take to it. It's actually harder if the person is into knives.

For people not into knives, my most gifted "knife" is the Leatherman Micra. I give it with the instruction of keeping it off of a key chain and to carry it in the pocket (for men) or purse (for women). I've had many people I've gifted Micra's to come back and tell me they use is constantly. It's a lot of utility for the least amount of weight.

The next step of in terms of getting a good response is a basic 4 blade SAK. If somebody feels the need to have "a knife", this is close to what's in their mind's eye.

Beyond this, we're into more dangerous territory. If I'm not gifting a Micra or SAK, it's because I'm reasonably sure the person has some affinity towards knives but I'm also less sure that my choice for that person will work for them.

For people who go into the woods, I generally gift the Opinel #9 Inox (one that I've tuned up a bit). For people who like modern looking knives and who don't buy their own, I'll give something like the Buck Spitfire or Vantage. For a brother-in-law who has a Rolex and Mont Blanc pen, I gave him a small Forge de Lauguile. Beyond this, people are on their own.
 
When i think of giving a knife as a gift Victorinox is the first company i think of. Most people will find a sak useful. If i wanted to gift a modern folder, Spyderco Delica all the way.

Jim
 
I've gifted:
an ESEE 3
an Izula II
an ESEE 4
a Victorinox Rescue Tool
a Buck Vantage something or other
a DPX HEST
a Mini-Grip
a BM Harley Davidson something or other
a Delica

HOLY CRAP, I need to stop giving away knives!
 
I typically gift knives, flashlights and other EDC gear to guys in my family for their birthdays and often buy 10 of the same in the interest of fairness and efficiency. We have a $35 limit so buying in bulk and on sale helps keep the cost down. Some of the knives I have gifted are:

Opinel #8 (forced patina & customized handle)
Case Peanut
Case Sodbuster Jr. CV
Spyderco Ladybug Salt
Spyderco Tenacious
Kershaw Chive
Victorinox Cadet
Victorinox Farmer
 
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