Another darned 'help me select a knife' question!

[tonyfromky]

Our boy scout troop's Scoutmaster is retiring, after going above and beyond for a long time. We want to get him something nice.

I was thinking a Delica 4. Nice EDC, great size. I have one in my pocket now.

But I don't want to get him one just like mine. I'd like to notch it up a little.

I have a D4 FRN PE V8-10 (VB-10?) model.

Some time ago I heard something about a new amazing steel :spyder: was introducing.

And how about a SS or CF handle?

Pimp by Delica4!

[J Smith]

I think I would go with a Kopa or Kiwi for that type of gift.
The steel you are talking about is ZDP 189,I know many will disagree but IMO VG 10 is just about as good and sharpens easier.You might want to think about the foliage green Delica,just got one today and love it.The SS would be nice for engraving.

[Padawan]

Any ideas on a budget?

[arnon]

caly 3, g10, vg10 ~$96 http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=6345
Arnon

[tonyfromky]

Seeing that I am the Troop's commitee chairman, I believe I could choke $100 out of the budget. :cool:

[cjgrad23]

the D4 stainless is a pretty good choice for a presentation knife - super flat sides for engraving - i think they are available on the wal mart website for the same as an frn - not sure though

[cobrajoe]

the D4 stainless is a pretty good choice for a presentation knife - super flat sides for engraving - i think they are available on the wal mart website for the same as an frn - not sure though
Indeed they are, I stumbled across this fact last night.

Personally, I think an engraved SS D4 would make an awesome gift, but there's also a few kiwi's with inlays in that price range.

[Padawan]

A SS Delica 4 would be a nice choice. You may also want to consider a Persian 75mm.

[bh49]

With $100 budget for retiring boy scout troop's Scoutmaster I would pick up nice gents knife. My first choice would be PE Caly3 or new black Kopa (should be around $100 as well) also I would consider Kiwi and Lava.

[Puyallupknifegu]

http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3846
http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=4728
http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=6627


Ok, those are my suggestions! Kiwi, Herbst CE, or a new Copilot!!

I vote for the Herbst...very classy and getting to be kind of rare!! :D

Tim

[boxer93]

Tony,
Is your scoutmaster an eagle? If so I have one that he may like :D
http://home.comcast.net/~boxer93/eagle_scout_open_full_br3.jpg
Chris
Scoutmaster T405 Daniel Webster Council, NH

[tonyfromky]

Thread necromancy at its best. :D

The scoutmaster didn't retire when I thought he would. Instead, we've spent the last several months concentrating on seeing our remaining boys get their Eagles. :cool:

The time is on us, however - I need to get back to this.

I love the aesthetics of the Kiwi, but man is it small! The Persian is a lovely thing too.

Final parameters are:

1) Must be elegant. To my eyes, however practical, some knives are not. The Yojimbo, for example. When I want to hack the treads off a tank, however, I will get one! Same for the Native. When I want to pierce a bison's skull, I'll get a Native! :eek:

2) Nothing too big. Much over a 4" handle is out. And not too small. Kiwi may be too small.

3) Engravable. Just a few fond words.

4) The Delica is my last "good" choice. I have one, I really like it, but I want the scoutmaster to have something more.

5) Unusual is good. Kiwi shines here.

6) About $100.

Any final suggestions?

[Raqudu]

The SS Delica would be an excellent choice for a presentation knife, as would the Navigator II. Both are elegant designs, mid-sized, engravable, and within budget.

For "unusual," at least not seen as often, the Navigator would be my pick.

[KaliGman]

The knife I most often give as a gift is a Delica SS with the recipient's name engraved on the blade and my federal law enforcement agency's logo engraved on the handle. Spyderco engraving is very good quality. I have bought more of these engraved Delica and Endura SS knives than any other during my years as a Spyderco Law Enforcement Representative/Dealer. They are always well received.

[Capt. Carl]

I say the persian. I think it is the most elegant knife spyderco offers. It also happens to be my favorite spydie. Bolsters and micarta are awesome.

Good luck on your quest :) !

[santiago]

If you want something a few notches above the D4, consider the Caly 3 (if you're after a hefty user) or the Black FRN ZDP Calypso Jr.

But really, your final parameters pretty much described the mini Persian: elegant, not too big (about the same blade length as the D4 with an even shorter handle), engravable (if you consider the blade to be so), unusual (in a stunningly beautiful way), and you can get one for under a hundred bucks on eBay.

Lotsa luck, man. I'm sure he'll love whatever Spydie you go with.

Update: Pic of the blades I mentioned ( :) ). Might help having them laid out beside the Delica...

http://www.wishcraft.net/img/D4.gif

[ChapmanPreferred]

Here are a few of my suggestions with links to those models on www.newgraham.com.

http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=5050

http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3822

http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=7183

...I hope that your selection will help meet your retiring leaders needs. For my two cents is the third option Caly Jr. with ZDP. I carry one everyday.

Best wishes,

dczippo

[tonydahose]

you can order a SS delica from new graham and have them send it to spyderco for the engraving of your choice. NGK has a pink delica with my daughters name and birthdate in the mail to me now. ill post some pics up in another thread when i get it so you can see their work.

[tonydahose]

Tony,
Is your scoutmaster an eagle? If so I have one that he may like :D
http://home.comcast.net/~boxer93/eagle_scout_open_full_br3.jpg
Chris
Scoutmaster T405 Daniel Webster Council, NH
nice knife. pm sent

[tglahn17]

My suggestion is the Viele 2. I just got one. It's nothing less than a frickin' work of art. The action feels like it's turning on ball bearings. The Micarta on one side and G10 on the other make the piece look classic and tactical at the same time. The trefoil and three small holes in the blade are also a really cool touch. It's a discontinued model, but there are several stores on the Internet that have them for around $100. Good luck,

[tonyfromky]

I think the Volpe is also gorgeous. WhyNot called it an F&F knife. That's that mean?


WhyNot's Corner is a dangerous thread. Look at those Kopas...

And the Lava fits the bill too, a totally meaty little knife. A SS PE...

How on earth will I decide!

[tonyfromky]

Thanks all. I'm going to go with a SS Delica. There's plenty of room for engraving and the Delica is a good first knife, after all.

Edit - for simplicity's sake, I ordered it from Spyderco directly.