What to choose for heirloom knife?

R

Robt

Joined
Sep 29, 2001
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I'm looking for recommendations on a good, heirloom sort of knife to give to my son in about 16-18 years. I see it as being a fixed blade medium sized knife, maybe a 5" blade.

The idea is to use it to cut my son's umbilical cord in a few weeks (he's not quite born yet :) After he grows up he would get the knife as a symbol of his independence.

In case you can't tell, I'm not too knowledgeable in the world of knives, although I do have a fondness for a Kershaw Ken Onion folder I found last year.
 
Hmm, 2 questions:

What's your price range?

What kind of materials can the knife be constructed of? (I'd guess this is very pertinent if you plan on delivering in a hospital instead of homebirth)
 
For heirloom purposes, I'd go with something traditional, like a Marbles Fieldcraft. And as for cutting the umbilical cord, Marbles convex edges come scalpel sharp.

I think this is a neat idea.
 
Welcome to the forums Robt and what an OUTSTANDING idea. I only wish I'd thought of it 9 yrs ago. Just Can't tell you how much I like that idea. Today my youngest boy just got the hang of riding a "two wheeler" as he calls it without training wheels. I'm not sure who is feeling more full of pride me or my son but either way it's one of those significant rites of passage in a person's life that both the parent and the child remember their whole life. So anyway today's bike experience has me sort of in the moment for that sort of symbolism to create a moment in time for your son that he will remember his whole life when his father let him know that his father thought he was now a man.Lots of very neat directions you could go with that all of which are likely to be very meaningful and memorable for your boy. Most cultures older than ours had some sort of ceromony or challenge or endurance of some kind that was a clear point of demarcation between boyhood and manhood. I think it's too bad our culture went away from this tradition personally, the Jewish bar mitzvah(SP?) is probably the closest thing still being practiced that I know of. Hey Robt you can make your contribution to our culture by re-starting the tradition of clearly marking the point between boyhood and manhood.Personally I think that would be a good thing.

Anyway, knife suggestions. I would think you would want something in the fancy/presentation grade that could be displayed on a mantle or bookcase. But all I would venture to suggest is something in a damascus blade is the way I'd go, personally I love the raindrop pattern Damascus.

And finally CONGATS on your soon to be new addition!
 
In this thread here I shared the knife that I had made for my son. There are pictures and a mini review in there if you are interested.

Hunting season is upon me again. I should really do a proper review of that knife too. Funny that I say "make no mistake..." in that review. ;)
 
I have two sons and being a NEWBIE, I want to be certain my modest knife collection contains at least two true "legacy" knives. One boy is reaching his 20th and has already raided my safe for a few MT's and his EDC, a Random Task. Of course he has a few guns and that area is covered for leaving my Boys and daughter a few beauties. BUT knives????? Just do not know what to do. Great thread, I did not have the courage to first ASK this, but now I WILL. What would be a great "pair" of knives to have some meaning to my sons when I am just too damn old to remember my name. I figure I have a week to go!!!!!!
Thanks....wolf
 
Thanks for the advice guys,

My budget is pretty flexible, but I'd rather it didn't go over $100-$150.

The birth will be at home, so we get to make all the rules! I actually got the idea from our midwife, who had a dad do this recently.
 
Maybe check the Buck forum, they will customize blades for customers. I'm not sure what kind of premium they charge for the service, though.
 
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