Knife recommendation- gift EDC

[spydergoat]

Looking for a Spyderco to gift a friend, what says the forum? I know this has been posted in the past, but there are lots of cool options right now. Here's the idea:
-First Spyderco
-Budget up to $125
-EDC/utility
-Idiot proof
-Easy to carry
-Fairly tough and corrosion resistant
-Mid-size; work friendly
-Edge holding/stability (I know he won't touch it up)

A couple models I have in mind now are:
-Native 5 Lightweight S30V
-KJ Exclusive 20CV Delica
-CS Para 3 Lightweight CTS-XHP Exclusive
-Para 3 Lightweight BD1N

Thanks!

[Wandering_About]

My vote is Native 5. Excellent work knife.

[Evil D]

Max idiot proof in this price range = Salt 2 SE

Rust proof and tough, SE will hold up better than PE.


If he's anti-serrations, I'd go with a Native 5 Salt in MagnaCut if they're available in time for your gift. For PE this is probably the hands down best option for all your criteria until MagnaCut is available in other models. Your only issue may be if he can live with yellow handles or not, but you can dye or swap them too.

[z1r]

You've got some great suggestions there already but I think this knife is a real winner too:



In the end, any knife gifted to you by a friend is a GREAT knife, and a great friend!

[knivesandbooks]

I gifted the Native 5 LW and he loves it. Even more impressive is that he isn't a knife guy, uses the knife daily at work on a farm, and hasn't chipped the S90v edge.

I also think a Chaparral makes a great gift knife.

[abbazaba]

The consensus seems to mostly be that Sage 5 LW has more universal ergos than the Para3 LW.

Chaparral is a great option for some that doesn't pry with their knives and appreciates pocketability and slicing ability above robustness.

[ladybug93]

i would agree that max idiot proof would be a salt knife with a backlock. i like compression locks, but i'm not sure i'd consider them "idiot proof" because the average person can't instinctively figure out how to close the knife just by quick inspection.

the native is a good option if you think he'll be abusive with it because it has a robust blade. on the other hand, i personally prefer other models with thinner blade stock because they cut better.

really, just about any model with a backlock and frn handle will fill the needs. pick whichever you think he'd enjoy/use the most.

[Matus]

I would go with the Para3 LW in BD1N. Awesome little knife with a very nice finish on the blade

[benben]

Some great suggestions, I’m thinking a FRN model in the Native / Delica / Rockjumper / Endela size range.

In your price range I’d probably gift someone a K390 Delica, or bump it up a little to the Endela. I know you said corrosion resistance but my K390 Endela has just slightly slightly darkened a little, and it stays super sharp forever it seems!

If it has to be a stainless, David is right, serrated will outlast plain edge hands down, but…will a serrated edge work for him? Tons of great choices in those 4 models I named in my first sentence!

Either way, good on you for gifting your friend a Spyderco, you can’t go wrong no matter what model you get him!

I got my daughter’s BF a serrated Salt 2 H1 cause he loves to fish, got my boss a orange VG-10 Delica cause he loves orange, both are over the top happy and carry them everyday!

Don’t overthink it and let us know what you choose.

[cycleguy]

+1 KJ Delica

[cjk]

What kind of work does the giftee do? I'm assuming "office job" by the original post.

I think I'd go with
-KJ Exclusive 20CV Delica
or alternatively,
-Chaparral Lightweight Lockback Knife Gray FRN model # C152PGY

[spydergoat]

Great recommendations! In response to questions:
-SE or PE will work
-Probably magnacut is shipping too late
-Stainless preferred, K390 might be pushing it
-Giftee works in government enforcement so mix of office and field work and LE but no need for self defense knife

[cjk]

There are combo edge Delicas and Endelas available. Would the thin red line or thin blue line models be appropriate?

[Notsurewhy]

Native 5 lw or salt 2 would be my recommendation. S35vn tenacious as a dark horse? Or would that be too big?

[JFrame]

If you want to save a few bucks (well, more than a few), Knifejoy has a number of their Delicas, Enduras, and Endelas on sale at the moment.

[TkoK83Spy]

Has your friend seen/held any of your knives? I ask this, because I see the list is all LW/FRN models. I know in my experience, when I've shown people that aren't knife nuts like ourselves, an FRN model...they normally don't seem very impressed with the "plastic" look or feel compared to knives in G10, micarta, titanium. Something to consider before spending the money.

[ladybug93]

Great recommendations! In response to questions:
-SE or PE will work
-Probably magnacut is shipping too late
-Stainless preferred, K390 might be pushing it
-Giftee works in government enforcement so mix of office and field work and LE but no need for self defense knife

i'm not sure why, but i feel compelled to suggest the rockjumper. it fits my earlier suggestion of a backlock frn knife and the wharncliffe blade is about as utilitarian and neutral (in the handle) as you can get.

[RevMike]

My first thought was a Native 5.

[Doc Dan]

The Delica has a handle designed for a woman's hand. I go with a Delica or Salt 2. It is also slimmer than the chunky N5. You can get it in pink or teal, too.

[Wartstein]

The Delica has a handle designed for a woman's hand. I go with a Delica or Salt 2. It is also slimmer than the chunky N5. You can get it in pink or teal, too.

Well, Doc - THIS "woman" here has a pretty substantial beard, is almost 6.2", has L to XL rather strong hands and actually loves the Delica / Salt handle...more so than the Natives