Conversation between New Wife and her husband:
NW: You remembered that we’re going to [male friend’s] birthday party tonight?
Me: Uh huh.
NW: What are you going to get him for his birthday present?
Me: A decent pocket knife.
NW: Oh come on.
Me: What?
NW: He probably doesn’t need another one.
Me: Of course he does. No man ever has enough knives.
NW: But I’m sure he has lots already.
Me: How many knives do you think I have?
NW: Yes, but you’re strange.
Anyway, here’s what I got him, a Case Mini-Trapper with a “chestnut bone” grip:
It’s nothing fancy — I’m too poor to buy him a quality knife like an Al Mar — but would any of you turn up your nose at this little present?
Final thought from New Wife:
“But if you buy yourself another knife while you’re shopping, I’ll use it on you while you’re sleeping.”
Chicks…
Quick (unpaid) endorsement: I got the knife at The Cutlery Collection at the Willowbrook Mall in Plano, and spent half an hour chatting with Karl, the owner. If you live in the north Dallas / Plano / Frisco etc. area, buy all your knives from him in future. He’s our kinda guy, but the Covidiocy nailed him, big time, and we can’t afford to lose businesses and people like him.
It goes without saying that if I had the money, I’d probably drop at least a grand there, so nice is his collection.
That’s a great present! Basic diff between men and women.
I don’t get the craze for uber-expensive artisan knives. They’re tools. Case and Buck make great products at a reasonable price and you don’t mind actually using them. Even my most expensive knife, a Benchmade Griptillian folder (defense of last resort) was right around $100 when I bought it.
OTOH, some people think I’m insane for having three 1911 pistols all of which have over two large sunk into them, so I guess I understand it. It’s just that this particular bug never bit me. Terrific present, Kim!
Pocket knife is a great gift, always. So is a Zippo lighter even to a non smoker.
Case knives are a particular favorite of mine, in the muskrat pattern. Tho the blades tend to rust if you edc in your pocket.
If he’s the same guy that was there 10 years ago (and I’m 90% sure he is) he does a good job with sharpening kitchen knives as well, for a reasonable by the inch price.
Ya done good. Instead of socks, some gawd awful tie, or a Netflix subscription, he will always remember that Kim got him a KNIFE.
My own accumulation (not collection) includes:
My father’s two bladed folder marked “TROLL GERMANY”. It resides in my desk.
A still new-in-the-box Swiss Army “Black Tinker”
A Böker #182.
My last purchase was a CRKT “Homefront” which an interesting design that allows you to field strip it.
I’ve had a knife in my pocket since I was 6 years old, I’m undressed without one.
For a while I was a fan of the Leatherman but they were a pain to carry in the pocket.
Since 1970 I’ve had a succession of Swiss Army Knives, I’ve got a lot of them now.
They’re not the best tool in the world BUT they’re the best tool YOU HAVE WITH YOU!
(Best tools in the world are at home on your bench/worktop, gathering dust).
A pocket knife is a great gift and Case makes some mighty fine classic knives. I swung through Bradford, PA and went through their museum and shop. They were bought by Zippo a number of years ago. The combination of the products is a great classic fit. Like preussenotto said above, a Case or a Zippo make a fine gift for any man. The array of options is mind numbing.
I’ve had a Swiss Army Knife in my pocket since I was 16. They’re just too handy to not have in your pocket. I tried to replace it with a Leatherman but they are too heavy and bulky for pocket carry. A Benchmade mini Griptillian is very handy as well and gets used far too often. I should save that for other uses.
JQ
I have a Swiss Army Knife that my mother gave me 25 or 30 years ago (she brought it back from a trip to Austria). More recent acquisitions include a Leatherman Skeletool, a CRKT Vox Piet, and (as of last week) a CIVIVI Mini Praxis. The Benchmade Mini Griptilian is a bit too pricey for me, but my son carries one.
Case makes excellent traditional folders. I carry an “old fashioned” large yellow Case stockman. The three blades can handle most cutting chores.
What an excellent present. I’m sure your friend was delighted, as I too would have been.
Count me among the ranks of the “carry a pocket knife since I was old enough to have pockets” crew. My EDC is a 12cm Laguiole en Aubrac with brass fittings and a yew grip, that was a gift from the Mrs.
My most prized one is a no-name, but wicked sharp, pocketknife that was my beloved late father’s everyday companion.
Best wishes to you friend and for his shop
What an excellent present. I’m sure your friend was delighted, as I too would have been.
Count me among the ranks of the “carry a pocket knife since I was old enough to have pockets” crew. My EDC is a 12cm Laguiole en Aubrac with brass fittings and a yew grip, that was a gift from the Mrs.
My most prized one is a no-name, but wicked sharp, pocketknife that was my beloved late father’s everyday companion.
Best wishes to your friend and for his shop
What an excellent present. I’m sure your friend was delighted, as I too would have been.
Count me among the ranks of the “carry a pocket knife since I was old enough to have pockets” crew. My EDC is a 12cm Laguiole en Aubrac with brass fittings and a yew grip, that was a gift from the Mrs.
My most prized one is a no-name, but wicked sharp, pocketknife that was my beloved late father’s everyday companion.
Best wishes to your merchant friend and for his shop
That’s a great present! Basic diff between men and women.
I don’t get the craze for uber-expensive artisan knives. They’re tools. Case and Buck make great products at a reasonable price and you don’t ming actually using them. Even my most expensive knife, a Benchmade Griptillian folder (defense of last resort) was right around $100 when I bought it.
OTOH, some people think I’m insane for having three 1911 pistols all of which have over two large sunk into them, so I guess I understand it. It’s just that this particular bug never bit me. Terrific present, Kim!
I agree with you about the expensive high end knives. I can appreciate the work that goes into them and their beauty. I just know my luck that if I took it out that I would lose it and I wouldn’t want to do that with a work of art. Also, I’d rather use my funds for something more useful that I can enjoy.
JQ
I’m another Swiss Army EDC guy, every day since I was a teenager. I actually find I use the scissors more than the blades.
I have a dozen or so bigger knives I take hunting and fishing…Gerber, Fallkniven, Benchmade, CRKT et al.
And since I retired I’ve started making my own. There’s nothing quite like preparing a meal or dressing game using a blade you crafted with your own hands.