What should I buy for a gift?

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lindabun

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Feb 25, 2011
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I feel like it's about time to gift my boyfriend a relatively valuable piece of metal. Jewelry isn't his thing, but he does like sharp things. I don't know anything about the choices out there so how about I tell you the little bit I can and I'll try to give you gut answers to any detailed questions that might help.

I picked Traditional because it sounds like something on the same lines as jewelry for a token of affection. I'm leaning towards fixed blade because he already has his Leatherman that he carries around everywhere, and a little folding one on his keys. I think this would be more of a special occasion - just feel like taking it out today - kind of knife.

Of course it has to be durable for cutting random things. Maybe mostly cutting wood.. or his dinner. I don't know how much he knows about brands/types of knives, but he like sharpening. Maybe this'll introduce him to something new.

I hope this is enough to start on. What would you suggest I look into? I'll try to help narrow it down but I don't know where to start. Thanks for letting me pick your brain!
 
Lindabun,Do you have a budget ?
 
I would suggest Bark River Knives or Blackjack knives if you want to get him a fixed blade. Unless you want to get a fixed blade from a custom knife maker. Others can recommend some of those.

Bark River has a wide selection. Big, small and everything in between with some very nice handle material options. They come with some very nice sheaths too.
 
lindabun,

I would be happy to send you some links for the Bark River and Blackjack knives.

If interested, just go to your UserCP near the top of each page and enable your email.
 
Moved to General Knife Discussion to accommodate a range of options.
 
I've seen some very nice Menefee Made custom fixed blades out there at an affordable price. It would take some searching, but I think I remember seeing one or two recently for sale on some of the custom sites. If you're interested, I just did a search and found a link to a Small Hunter that says available.
 
It all depends on the budget. if you have a 150 dollar budget, troll the knifemakers forums until you see something you like, and then pick it up. if the price range is lower than that, then production is the way to go. higher, get a custom built. just my $.02.

BTW, if you have a little money left over, then you might want to pick him up a little folder for EDC. I will guarantee that he will find it quite a bit more useful than a multitool for everyday quick cutting tasks. i have, myself, gone through this transformation and i now carry a knife about 95% of the time I am awake. a kershaw leek could be just the ticket....
 
If you can give us your budget and a general sense of your boyfriend's character (whether jock or geek, simple or extravagant, etc.) that would help.
 
My recommendation is not what you asked for, as it's a folder. If you have around $330 to spare I recommend to check out the small Chris Reeve Sebenza (there is a normal one and more rare an "Insingo" variant with a different blade).
The reason I recommend this is because many think it's one of the very very best folding knives ever. For a gift, if it's in your budget, he would soon realise if he googles it that he has an almost mythical knife.
Personally, I think it's simply a very capable and precise knife, I didn't see a vision of the Holy Virgin when I first held one, but it would definitely make an impression as a gift.
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I think something around $200. He's more on the weird/geeky side. Simple rather than extravagant. Likes earthy things.

I'm undecided about production v. custom now. I think having a good name behind it is important, or at least some good history story. He likes to make tools out of scrap metal if that gives you a sense of his person. Would it then be better to have something also handmade. Would you be afraid of damaging it if it's too special?

Edit: I am open to a folder. Can't be longer than 3" to carry around. Are there fixed blades that short?
 
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I think he would appreciate a nicer folder knife. In the $200 range there are quite a few options. I would look at benchmade or spyderco production knives. Then look at Fletcher knives for a fixed blade. Then decide which one of the two you see him carrying daily.
 
For a fixed blade- I'd go with something along the lines of a bark river(you could choose bone or wood handle scales to make it feel more traditional)
OR
Get a custom knife, just got to the knifemakers for sale area and you will find tons of great one of a kind knives.

Personally though, I'd go with a folder, much more versatile, and can be carried almost everywhere. and as far as a folder goes, try looking at the case exotic turquoise line, and get a feel for what blade configurations he likes.

just my 2 pesos
 
Hey linda, I just got an ESEE/RAT Izula neck knife and upon opening and handling it today I thought to myself this would be a fantastic gift for a brother or guy friends.. It is a very small, lightweight and high quality fixed blade which comes coated with great color options and is fairly inexpensive.
 
To the OP,

I'm willing to bet that your fella knows a bit more about knives than he lets on--you may be surprised. Perhaps you ought to ask him what his favourite brands are... he may throw out two or three manufacturers that you could choose from. It would give you a good place to start :)
 
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Linda, if you are thinking of a fixed blade, I think this one is great, good steel and good design. I have one and it feels and works super, and is a good size for all purpose use. And this site has some pretty ones,. yet this one with ironwood caught my eye.
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/product_info.php?cPath=465_695&products_id=7849

this one might also be a good choice
http://www.dozierknives.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=82&Itemid=54
or this
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=27&products_id=9818

If you are thinking of a folding knife, this would be a nice one,
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=27&products_id=10416

as would this
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/index.php?cPath=75_540_745

or one of these
http://www.dozierknives.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=54
and he is one lucky man to have a girlfriend who would seek out such info on this site for him
 
If he likes tools made from scrap metal he might like a Michael Morris knife. He is a custom maker who makes fixed blades and friction folders out of files. His username here on the forum is mykulmorris and he has his own website as well.

Is the 3" limit for the blade length or the closed length? As an example, a knife that is 3 1/2" when closed will have a blade that is less than 3". As far as fixed blades go, there are plenty with a 3" blade or less. The overall length will be longer though.

For a production folder I would suggest something from Great Eastern Cutlery. They offer many different handle materials and I would think you would be able to find something that he would like.
 
We're all going to have an opinion on what we like. In your original post however you stated "traditional" "fixed" blade. That's what made me think of getting the Custom from Rick Menefee. I would call and verify it's still available, however he is a LINK to a knife from Rick that is exactly what you asked for. It's a little over your budget, but it's a custom.

Here is another LINK to a knife from Rick that is unfortunately, already sold, but you get an idea of how beautiful his work is.
 
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