Pocket Knife recommendations?

[Bob Riefer]

Hi all,
I hope to lurk more in this section of the forum as I learn more about hand tools (just starting that journey).

In the meantime, I do have a question I thought you might have a take on...

My 75 year old father is impossible to buy gifts for, the proverbial "guy that has it all", so I try to pick quality over quantity.

He really likes to carry a pocket knife and has a couple sentimental and utility options, but nothing truly noteworthy. As such, I thought he would appreciate a very high quality pocket knife. Some quick searches turns up some beautiful options, but I am unsure how to determine which ones truly stand apart. I'm thinking something sophisticated, sleek, and useful for the small tasks he often uses his knives for (opening packages, odd/small tasks, general day-to-day usage).

Do you have any brands/options that you would recommend?

Thanks!

Bob R.

[Jim Koepke]

Good morning Bob.

I have carried a pocket knife with me for over 60 years. Over the last 30 or 40 years a small Swiss Army Knife has been my choice. Before that I carried a larger SAK with a corkscrew, screwdriver and leather punch.

Pocket Knives.jpg

When these are in antique or second hand stores for five or six bucks I tend to bring them home. That may stop now since my last purchase brought home a nice stash of these. One even had a small ball pointpen instead of the usual toothpick. My grandkids have loved receiving them as their first pocket knife.

https://www.victorinox.com/us/en/Pro...y-Knives/c/SAK

There are many features from which to choose to find one just right for your father.

jtk

[David Bassett]

Not sure if a Swiss Army Knife counts as special in general or what specifically would appeal to your Dad. But I'm really partial to a specific SAK model, the Rogue now renamed the Rambler. It is the same small length and width as the Classic, (sold everywhere and, I think, most of the models shown by Jim,) but is "3 units" instead of "2 units" thick. With that extra depth it changes the tools and the usage dynamic significantly (IMHO).

First the two unit thick scissors and the one unit thick knife blade both open away from the lanyard eye-hole which reduces interference. Second the extra thickness allows a true Phillips head screwdriver / bottle opener to be next to the nail file. (PS- the SAK nail file may seem silly, but my wife says it's the best metal nail file she has ever used. Though she still prefers a specific brand of emery board.)

You have to search for this model as it is much less common than the Classic, but for an unnoticeable increase in size I find the extra utility well worth the search (and, yes, extra price. It's not carried by the mass market discount retailers.)

[carey mitchell]

While I was working, I carried the smallest Swiss Army knife, as I had to wear a suit, and I never like bulky stuff in my pockets. That came from spening 4 years in a military college back in the 60s, and we wore the army khaki uniforms in moderate weather. They were starched; anyone who wanted to look sharp never put anything in the front pockets, and the starch eventually stuck the pockets to the front fabric; thus no wrinkles. 60 years later, I still put on my pants like I did those uniforms, and cannot stand wrinkled clothes.

But......when I got home, the knife got serious; something I could cut anything with and sharpen it right up. I spent some serious money over the years and lost some nice knives. after the last, I started buying moderately priced knives. Currently my favorite is a Buck #3894, 2 blades.

As I look in the desk drawer, I just counted 9 knives, and there are likely more under stuff - those are the ones that didn't pass muster. Bottom line, today at 79, I go for what pleases me and gets th ejob done.

[Mike Henderson]

While I was working, I carried the smallest Swiss Army knife, as I had to wear a suit, and I never like bulky stuff in my pockets. That came from spening 4 years in a military college back in the 60s, and we wore the army khaki uniforms in moderate weather. They were starched; anyone who wanted to look sharp never put anything in the front pockets, and the starch eventually stuck the pockets to the front fabric; thus no wrinkles.

When I went through Army OCS, they didn't want us to put anything in our front pockets so we all had bulging butts because everything was in our back pockets. I always thought it was dumb - just for appearances.

Mike

[Assaf Oppenheimer]

your asking a hard question because I have no idea of your budget.

In general, there are the "supersteels" that are popular among high end collectors such as CPM SV30 or CPM SV35, most makers use high end materials to make a high end knife. To start from the top end I like Chris Reev's pocket knives. for something a little more sanely priced you might try BenchMade (I just saw that they offer customization). for an excellent daily carry though, you can't beat an Opinel no.8

[Rafael Herrera]

Without knowing your dad, it'd be difficult to suggest what he would like. If he's the frugal kind, he may not like a fancy knife.

Vintage pen knives can be found on antique stores. You may find something interesting there.

Of the fancy kind, there are many out there. There's a French brand that I like the look of, Laguiole.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

This is the knife I have used for everyday carry for several decades. https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/act...n/lst-22-06009 I have donated several to the ATF since 9/11. I buy them locally in an ACE hardware store. They are relatively cheap, reliable, sharpen easily, light weight, and a lock back. This knife cleans easily if used for something that gets it messy and it's made in Portland, OR. When I climb out of bed each morning, I get dressed, loading this knife and a backup set of keys in my left front pocket. I have a much more expensive Gerber lock back knife I carried in my day pack when I hunted elk. It was a pain to sharpen BUT it held it's sharpness through skinning and field dressing several elk before requiring more sharpening.

[Bill Carey]

I got tired of finding myself needing a cutting edge with one hand holding something so looked for an auto knife I could open one handed, and five years ago settled on this Boker knife. No regrets at all. Carry it at all times.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Boker-Kalashnikov-Automatic-Knife--9485

[Edward Weber]

I've been carrying a Gerber Paraframe for the last several years.
Lightweight, clip onto my pocket, all stainless.
Goes through everything and can be put through the dishwasher
There are a few different styles
https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/sho...rated-22-48447

[Rob Luter]

I have a cigar box full of pocket knives. I’ve carried the SAK Classic SD for 35 years. I’ve been through several. The TSA has 3 or 4 of them .

Small blade, scissors, nail file, tweezers, and toothpick. Doesn’t take up much pocket space. It’s all I need for an EDC knife.

[Jim Koepke]

I got tired of finding myself needing a cutting edge with one hand holding something so looked for an auto knife I could open one handed, and five years ago settled on this Boker knife. No regrets at all. Carry it at all times.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Boker-Kalashnikov-Automatic-Knife--9485

The large knife in the image with my post is a Boker. That is the knife in my pocket when there is some heavy cutting to do. The blade is easy to grip between two fingers and open (two handed). It's a great one trick knife that has a history possibly predating WW II. Back then there was also an "electrician's" model with a second, large, flat screwdriver blade.

jtk

[Jim Koepke]

A nice thing about the Swiss Army Knives is there are models to fit the interests of the owner.

Scroll down the Features selection for an amazing array of options.

jtk

[Thomas Wilson]

Case Medium Stockman with stag scales. I prefer stainless blades to carry everyday. Carbon steel rusts from sweat. Case also makes the Stockman with fancy scales. The knife is otherwise the same. Many people consider Case knives collectible. I think it is a well-made knife.

[Derek Cohen]

For something special, have you considered …



Regards from Perth

Derek