Knife for son

[DavidBrownLaw]

I am contemplating a new knife as a gift for my son. the last knife I got him was a CRKT Caligo. He loves it. I would like to explore a knife of similar size, one step up in quality, price etc. Maybe in te $100-120 range. What do you suggest?
Thanks.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Welcome to the forum. How old is your son?
W/out knowing that, I would recommend a GEC boys knife. Good for anyone really.
Are you looking for something easy open or traditional folder?
Mark

[Quick Steel]

Mark raises a good point about your son's age. If he is an adult or approaching adulthood, I recommend you take a look at the Cold Steel Voyager series [under a $100] which comes in a variety of blade shapes and sizes. Also worth considering is the Cold Steel American Lawman series, just a bit pricier.

[bestgear]

to AAPK - glad to see your post! So if your son liked the CRKT Caligo then he'll love the Benchmade Precinct Flipper Liner Lock Knife Black G-10 (3.3" Satin) Ball 320. First rate US manufacturer that stands behind their products. Normally $150, it's on-sale at https://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade ... ner--33653

Tell your son about AAPK, heck tell everyone you know about AAPK! Let us know what you decide and share some pictures of son's excitement.

[DavidBrownLaw]

Welcome to the forum. How old is your son?
W/out knowing that, I would recommend a GEC boys knife. Good for anyone really.
Are you looking for something easy open or traditional folder?
Mark

He's thirty, an ex-Marine, except he tells me no one is an "ex" Marine.

[jerryd6818]

Welcome to AAPK. Please pass on a huge Semper Fi from this OLD Marine. He's correct. Once a Marine, always a Marine. There's no such thing as an ex-Marine.

For a change of pace, you might consider the Benchmade 555HG-YEL MINI-GRIPTILIAN. It's right in your wheelhouse, price wise. (comes in other colors) ---► https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BM555H ... ow-handles

I'm sure he'll be thrilled with whatever you give to him.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I gave a Marine a Bear Damascus Congress when he went to Iraq many years ago. He got kidded and made fun of over and over about that knife. However, he told me that when other Marines were breaking blades and having trouble, his knife was going strong. I think he made believers in all of them about his “grandpa’s knife”, as they use to call it. So don’t rule out something more traditional and old fashioned as a slip joint. He might really want something like this one pictured.
FYI, it’s in my store.
Mark

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

Welcome to AAPK! I think you are going to need to give us more info on what you might be looking for in this knife. There are many, many good knives in the $100-$150 range. The first question is whether you are looking for another modern, "tactical" knife (like the CRKT), or a traditional slipjoint knife (like a Case or similar). The CRKT is an excellent knife. You could easily spend $150 on knife that is only marginally better (or even not as good) as the CRKT Caligo.

My suggestion is to go to BladeHQ, Knifecenter & SMKW and see if anything catches your eye, then come back and ask about those specific knives. That will gives us an idea of the type of knives that you might be looking for, and we can then make suggestions.

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK! Please thank your son on my behalf for his service to our country.

All good suggestions so far but the field is broad so I'm unsure what you're looking for. My recommendation is to take a look at the offerings from Moore Maker. https://www.mooremaker.com/store/c1/Fea ... ducts.html They have well made knives of quality materials, in many different styles from traditional to tactical folders, plus fixed blades also. Made in U.S.A., family owned and operated business, and priced within the range you're looking for.

Ken

[DavidBrownLaw]

My suggestion is to go to BladeHQ, Knifecenter & SMKW and see if anything catches your eye, then come back and ask about those specific knives. That will gives us an idea of the type of knives that you might be looking for, and we can then make suggestions.

I've taken your advice. I do think my son would prefer something similar to the Caligo. Folks at BladeHQ suggested a We Ignition. At the same time, they have the Benchmade Bugout on sale for $14 more than the We. I know there is a big bias against Chinese knives, but everything I read says the quality is superb. The CRKT has been a big hit. The Benchmade mini grip seems just a bit small and the regular Griptilian seems a bit large. (Is this the three bears story?) Anyway, the two knives I've mentioned seem just about right size-wise. I have a small collection of traditional trappers but a recent stop at A.G. Russell's store in Arkansas let me with two one-hand opener knives I love (a folding gent's hunter and a K12). They are my new EDCs and I'm not sure I'll ever carry a slipjoint again.
Anyway, thoughts on the We or the Benchmade? An alternate I haven't considered?
Thanks.

[woodwalker]

Consider a Benchmade Mini Barrage 585 Blackout. Darn good knife.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

David, I carry a Kershaw double cross. Both primary and secondary blades have thumb studs and you can open and close it from either end w/ just one hand. It looks like a slip joint but it works like a Benchmade or the one hand knife the A.G. has. By the way, i bought both my Double Cross knives from A.G. Russell. The knife has a clip blad and a warnecliff blade and fits in any pocket.
So if you wanted a knife that captures both, you should check it out.
Mark

[Sharpnshinyknives]

David, I carry a Kershaw double cross. Both primary and secondary blades have thumb studs and you can open and close it from either end w/ just one hand. It looks like a slip joint but it works like a Benchmade or the one hand knife the A.G. has. By the way, i bought both my Double Cross knives from A.G. Russell. The knife has a clip blad and a warnecliff blade and fits in any pocket.
So if you wanted a knife that captures both, you should check it out.
Mark

I think i just attached a photo to this. Hopefully if I didn’t I can get it soon.

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

I don't think there is anything wrong with either of the knives you found - those look like excellent knives. If you are interested in a thumbhole style, I think you might as well go to the original - Spyderco. It doesn't have a flipper like the We, but Spyderco blade shapes are darn useful.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco- ... ock--36444
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Sage-Knife--3063
(I love carbon fiber knives - G10 might be a bit cheaper)

[philco]

Get him one of these. You can thank me later.....

Spyderco Stretch 2.............

[Onearmbladejunkie]

I have one arm. I open my folders with my feet and my blade pick. I use my knees and my left thumb nail too. I collect mostly traditional Boker Tree , Schatt & Morgan , Great Eastern Cutlery , and a few Case XX. A great lock-back in carbon is so hard to find at a decent price. I have 70+ knives. If you can count them , you do not have enough. I just bought a rare 2014 Case xx Tribal-lock SS spear blade knife in grooved burnt oatmeal for $76 shipped. What a great knife at a fair price. You can get Tribal-lock Case XX spear blade knives at a great price on EBAY, ($55 to $65)everyday. So easy to use , clean , and oil. These knives were designed by Tony Bose. I have seen fancy engraved ones, sell for less that the new ones. I will never sell or trade mine. You don't have to spend $$$$ bucks to have a great knife. The Case Tribal-lock knife is a perfect boys knife that will end up being his favorite knife. Super smooth with no play at all. They don't make them in super great numbers. I recommend this knife to every collector. I want more in different bone colors.

[jerryd6818]

I recommend this knife to every collector. I want more in different bone colors.

The true definition of a "knife junkie". You'll fit right in here. Welcome to AAPK.

Do you not like the modern knives or maybe the better question is can you tolerate them? Sounds like a Kershaw with Speedsafe® is right up your alley. That or any of the flippers or thumb stud openers. All much easier to open than a traditional knife, although I do get being drawn to traditionals.

[jmh58]

Get him one of these. You can thank me later.....

Spyderco Stretch 2.............

Hey Phil... I hit the "Like' button on this!!! John

[Onearmbladejunkie]

Jesse James makes a $300 tanto titanium flipper knife. I might buy one next year. I just bought a 2018 CaseXX blue giraffe bone Russlock and the 2018 CaseXX blue giraffe bone tribal lock knife. Very pricey and very hard to find. Any well made knife in blue camel bone or blue giraffe bone is in high demand. I looked at the CaseXX web-sight a week ago and these blue giraffe bone were not even list. I ran across the blue giraffe tribal lock on EBAY and I bought it. Then I found the blue giraffe russlock knife and I bought that one. I also ran across a rare 2017 Queen 4 3/8" closed ash-wood single blade SS knife. Queen made Pine Tressel SS knives about 3 years ago. The wood came from trees covered in river mud for about 150 years. I bet this wood is 250 plus years old. Some of the trees from this 150 year old storm dates back to the 13th century. Settlers used the wood to build houses and towns. This Queen knife 4 3/8" closed clip point SS ash wood knife looks better than the ash wood on the Tressel Pine knives. $42 in my hand , I am so blessed today. Hurricane "Micheal" missed us today in S.C. and my knife just came in the mail. I also bought a GEC #43 Oregon Trapper frontier bone and GEC #43 orange camel bone knife , earlier this month. Waiting for my two giraffe bone knives. I am done for this month.

[Quick Steel]

Welcome to AAPK, Giraffe and Camel's bone are favorites of mine, but especially giraffe. Congrats on missing the storm. The devestation has been terrific.

[fergusontd]

This from an old Navy man, always be prepared with a Leatherman, he can always fix what's needed without going back to the toolbox. ftd