Gift Knife for Brother: your opinions wanted

[The Meat man]

My brother and his wife just had their first child, and I thought I'd get a small "congrats" gift for him. He doesn't really have any decent EDC knife and has said different times that he'd like to get a nice one sometime. I think this would be a great time to introduce him to Spyderco. :)

He's a car mechanic, and any knife I get will have to stand up to some tough use. He also doesn't have much sharpening equipment or skill. The knife would have to be very tough, fairly easy to sharpen, and corrosion resistant. Price will have to stay under $100.

I've got a few models in mind but I'd like to see what all of you come up with. :)

[Sharp Guy]

First one that comes to mind is the base Native 5 LW. Another good one would be the Manix 2 LW.

EDIT: Congrats to your bro and his wife!

[tjsblade]

My garage knife is a standard Manix. I feel by comparison it is fairly robust. Full liners, G10, lots of jimping, and a solid lock up. I know mine takes a lot of abuse. I think it is a good "tradesmen" knife. I only buy plain blade knives but I've often wondered if a combo blade with the serrations on the rear half of the blade might be a better multi-purpose work knife. I think they generally sell new for about $110 so just above your price guideline unless you bought a catch and release off of bladeforums or similar.

[SG89]

Tenacious

[ZrowsN1s]

SE Salt 2. It is corrosion proof, so oil, grease, brake fluid, ect. won't phase it much. And if he has no sharpening gear, the serrations will keep him in business until he gets a sharpmaker :D

[JaseRicco]

He's a car mechanic, and any knife I get will have to stand up to some tough use. He also doesn't have much sharpening equipment or skill. The knife would have to be very tough, fairly easy to sharpen, and corrosion resistant. Price will have to stay under $100.

Given these parameters I’d have to suggest Salt 2 or Pacific Salt.

[ucfgrad93]

Cutlery Shoppe exclusive Native 5 with orange scales and S90V steel for $95.

[knivesandbooks]

Pacific Salt or Native 5 LW. SE endura perhaps too.

[Diamondback]

Tenacious

...if your brother doesn't have much skill at sharpening probably the Tenacious, Raven 2, or perhaps the Polestar would be a good place to start. All very affordable, easy to sharpen, and reliable peformers.

As well, the delica and endura are worth consideration.

It's very nice of you to want to give him something to let him know you are thinking of him. Whatever you get, I sure he will appreciate it.

[The Meat man]

Thanks everyone! Lots of good suggestions.

SE Salt 2. It is corrosion proof, so oil, grease, brake fluid, ect. won't phase it much. And if he has no sharpening gear, the serrations will keep him in business until he gets a sharpmaker :D

Interesting; I hadn't thought of any of the Salt models. I don't think he'd really go for an SE edge though, and the PE edge retention is not too great I've heard. Still, it's a trade off from getting corrosion-proof + ease of sharpening. Definitely one to consider.

What about the Delica or other Seki models?

I think my choices are narrowing between the N5, Salt model, or Delica...

[curlyhairedboy]

How about one of the new Clip it multitools? Give him something he can pry/turn a screw with in the shop.

[standy99]

Did he have a boy or girl.

If a boy 2 Delicas one for him one for his son. Give it to him when he turns 10


Cool to get a 10 year old Spyderco when you turn 10.

[The Meat man]

Did he have a boy or girl.

If a boy 2 Delicas one for him one for his son. Give it to him when he turns 10


Cool to get a 10 year old Spyderco when you turn 10.

It's a boy.
Nice idea!

[curlyhairedboy]

Did he have a boy or girl.

If a boy 2 Delicas one for him one for his son. Give it to him when he turns 10


Cool to get a 10 year old Spyderco when you turn 10.

It's a boy.
Nice idea!

this is a good idea if he had a girl too!

[The Meat man]

Did he have a boy or girl.

If a boy 2 Delicas one for him one for his son. Give it to him when he turns 10


Cool to get a 10 year old Spyderco when you turn 10.

It's a boy.
Nice idea!

this is a good idea if he had a girl too!

Right. :)

I think I'll get either the Delica 4 or the Salt 2....
Quick Q here to help me make the decision:

What is the PE edge retention of H-1 really like? Comparable to say, AUS-8 or 8Cr13MoV?

[curlyhairedboy]

it's about there, yeah.

[Don W]

I gave my brother a stainless steel handled delica with the fully serrated blade. He loves it. I also bought him a sharpmaker, because every time I'm at his house he does not have a single sharp knife. He still doesnt have any sharp knives, but now I can at least sharpen a couple when I visit.

[Evil D]

I would really consider his sharpening options and let that decide. Since toughness is a high priority and you want an easy to sharpen steel, he may do well with a Salt 2 in plain edge. It won't hold an edge as long as some of these other suggestions but it'll be far easier to sharpen and plenty tough and as an added bonus it won't rust.

[ThePeacent]

Fifth vote for a Salt, either a Pacific or Salt 2.
if SE it'll hold its "edge" long enough until you visit and can sharpen it for him, and they are durable, long lasting serrations
If PE, H1 will be tough and he'll be able to easily sharpen it on most surfaces and with most tools, added bonus of rust-proof and few parts to break, lose, damage or get dirt or lint on. :cool:

Don't be fooled by linerless FRN, the Salts are hard working machines!

Also the Yellow color will make them easy to spot among other grey tools, machines and stuff on a mechanic's workplace :spyder:

[The Meat man]

Fifth vote for a Salt, either a Pacific or Salt 2.
if SE it'll hold its "edge" long enough until you visit and can sharpen it for him, and they are durable, long lasting serrations
If PE, H1 will be tough and he'll be able to easily sharpen it on most surfaces and with most tools, added bonus of rust-proof and few parts to break, lose, damage or get dirt or lint on. :cool:

Don't be fooled by linerless FRN, the Salts are hard working machines!

Also the Yellow color will make them easy to spot among other grey tools, machines and stuff on a mechanic's workplace :spyder:

I'm leaning more and more toward the Salt 2 myself. I think the combination of toughness, easy sharpening, and corrosion resistance will, for his use, outweigh the mediocre edge retention.

Now my trouble is, I don't own a Salt 2 myself, so if I get one I might not be able to give it away.. :)