Posted on 11/08/2018 3:44:13 PM PST by ModelBreaker
Looking for recommendations for a high quality folding knife as a gift for my son. He likes knives that kind-of spring open. I'm not sure what to call the mechanism that springs open but is not a switchblade.
3.5 inches is legal where I live. I put a link to Spyderco as I understand they are one of the good companies.
Kershaw Leek...the version with the solid frame blade-lock versus the liner lock. I prefer the smooth blade instead of the serrated blade. The 1660CKT has a black coating on it that helps with your grip as opposed to the (silver color) stainless steel one that’s beautiful...but a little slippery in a sweaty hand.
I love mine...it’s outta my pocket 5-6 times a day.
Have to agree with Kershaw. I carry the Leak. Makes a great money clip, too.
Later
I just got this one a couple days ago:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071P431N5/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Honestly, not sure I like it yet. It’s very heavy for its size, the spring doesn’t release particularly easily and it seems like it could have a more comfortable grip.
The more money you spend, the quicker it will get lost.
40 some posts and nobody adds this?!
How much are you lanning to spend?
planning
100-200 dollars
If you don’t mind paying a bit of a high price then buy him a Zero Tolerance assisted opening knife.
They are top-notch and worth every penny.
Just be careful if you come North with that. It’s considered a “gravity knife”, and our brilliant federal government considers them a prohibited weapon.
I have one but (don't tell the person who gave it to me as a gift) it doesn't get a lot of use because I tend to abuse knives and get them dirty. I don't like to get dirt and grit in the springy mechanism of my Benchmade.
For my daily carry I have a couple of others that are a bit more pedestrian, but easier to clean and take care of.
But if that's what he likes, there are few if any IMO that compare to Benchmade.
Selecting a knife for someone is like buying shoes for them. You can’t win. So *take him shopping*.
First, sit him down in front of a computer to look at a gazillion different knives, so he can at least narrow down the class of knife he wants. Once he gets a general idea, then look for all the styles and models within that class.
Next, take him to a few knife stores. Talk with him and the knife sellers about various knives in that class, their advantages and disadvantages. Let him try out the look and feel, the grip, and find out about various types of steel.
Examine his possible selections based on utility, like a tool. What does he want this tool for? What is it good for? Is it for ordinary daily carry, incidental use, working use?
Blade HQ has a huge selection. The Boker automatic are very nice at a reasonable price.
This one is $40 bucks.
I carry a Ka-Bar Dozier folding hunter every day. It cost all of $20, and my Benchmades see little use now. The Doziers are great knives for the money.
Wow, that was a very looong time ago.
When I was a kid growing up in the 50s and 60s, Daddy subscribed to several outdoor magazines such as Outdoor Life and Sports Afield.
I always liked knives and was reading one article by some guy. He commented on the Swiss Army Knives. he said something like “I think your tools should be carried in a tool box, not a knife”.
I thought that I had read some words from a real pro and always looked down on those poor guys who didn’t know anything and carried their tools on a knife.
Then around 1990, I saw, I think it was the Tinker model on clearance and for some reason bought it. I learned very quickly that it was a really useful knife.
Since then I have added maybe 30-40 others. Probably the most expensive was the (darn I have a mental block and can’t remember the name). Anyway it has more tools than I will ever use. I like it but it is too large to carry in your pocket.
I still have some of the other expensive knives including an engraved Spyderco. For wimple utility, those Swiss knives are extremely useful.
Forget assisted openers and get him something useful that he will use every day. A Victornox Tinker.
I just remembered the Swiss Army knife which has so many tools. It is “The Swisschamp”.
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