You don’t have to be versed in knives to offer the proper reward to the ‘nut’ in your life. Think past the blade and get one thing they’ll actually love!
Giving items is tough. And whereas a couple of people appear to have a real knack for the artwork, the remainder of us are sometimes left fumbling at nighttime.
Things get much more difficult while you’re purchasing for a member of a selected fanbase. Take the EDC Community, as an illustration. Under the banner of “Every Day Carry,” these people make investments quite a lot of thought into the equipment and instruments of each day work.
Pocket knives are a mainstay on this pastime, making them a pure goal for gift-giving. But knife procuring is a minefield, with tons of of makers and designs.
Instead of making an attempt to puzzle out which mixture the recipient would really like, why not give one thing that may be utilized to all knives, or to the EDC pastime typically?
Below, you’ll discover a number of choices positive to please even probably the most snobbish of knife nerds. And we should always know, as GearJunkie incorporates a couple of such people in its ranks.
We’ve damaged issues up into three ranges, starting from reasonably priced to premium. This ought to aid you navigate the unusual world of pocket knife gifting, primarily based in your relationship to the recipient.
Gift Guide for Knife Nuts
The Tiers of Gift Giving
First up is Level One. Think of this because the “Secret Santa” tier, and also you’ve drawn the identify of a coworker who’s at all times the primary on-scene when there’s a field to be minimize or a bundle to be opened. These are for while you want one thing comparatively cheap, however of a excessive sufficient high quality for normal use.
Then we now have Level Two. This generally is a little bit of a tough one, normally geared toward shut mates. You’ve spent sufficient time with this individual to know a minimum of a couple of of their preferences, and to be greater than casually invested of their response. These are high-quality, moderately priced items that present you’ve carried out some homework.
Finally, we now have Level Three. For all intents and functions, that is the tier for somebody you’ll almost see daily, and most of the time within the evenings. Items on this class are the costly, centerpiece items that say, “I don’t care how strange your hobby is. If it makes you happy, I’m happy, too.”
Got all that? Then let’s get to the procuring.
Sharpening Systems
Level One: Victorinox Dual Knife Sharpener
This compact design ($15) from Victorinox permits customers to hold a honing stone and sharpening system clipped within the consolation of their pocket. The “Dual” method is straightforward: Use the honing rod to straighten out the sting, and the V-shaped ceramic pull-through to carry it again to life.
Now, this isn’t the most effective instrument for repairing a really broken blade. Chips and dents would require a extra aggressive floor than those discovered right here.
But whereas most “pocket sharpeners” quantity to little greater than a gimmick, this mannequin excels at holding sharp blades in working situation.
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Level Two: The Work Sharp Precision Adjust
When it involves worth for cash, nobody offers a keener edge than Work Sharp. Its Precision Adjust system ($60) is the paragon of price range sharpeners. With its adjustable angles and a number of stones, this contraption will put hair-popping edges on all the things from kitchen to pocket to searching knives.
How do we all know? Because we reviewed one a whereas again. An upgraded model has since hit the market, including extra stones to spice up its ending to reflect stage. These stones may be bought on their very own or as a part of a full bundle with the unique package.
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Level Three: KME Sharpening Set
There are loads of guided-angle sharpeners on the market. And in case you’re acquainted with the Work Sharp listed above, this setup might look a bit acquainted. But while you’re on the lookout for razor-quality edges, no person out-sharpens KME ($224).
The clamp, rod, and stone designs have been employed by different makers. But KME has refined the system to an artwork.
The high quality of its sharpening hones additionally units these aside, from the 140-grit extra-coarse to the 1500 extra-fine. Users may also buy stropping surfaces, and even lapping movies for the ultimate micro-finishing.
If you’re on the lookout for a top-of-the-line sharpener, the KME is it.
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Maintenance Items
Sharpening programs are nice. But with so many in the marketplace, reward givers may run afoul of a very choosy particular person.
What about one thing with a bit extra common enchantment? After all, there are different components of the knife that have to be saved in working order. Here are a couple of concepts that ought to please even probably the most discerning of blade junkies.
Level One: Wiha Torx Driver Pen
From their pivots to their again screws, most pocket knives use Torx ($20). These star-shaped heads require particular bits to be able to loosen and tighten their match. And like Victorinox above, Wiha can put the entire package in your pocket.
The Wiha Torx Driver Pen is an effective way to hold a full breakdown set on the go. The included bits vary from T3 to T8, all of which match properly within the hole shaft of the deal with.
The bits themselves are made in Germany, using a instrument metal hardened to 60 HRC. They’re robust and will stand as much as years of repeated use.
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Level Two: KPL Knife Care and Maintenance Kit
KPL stands for Knife Pivot Lube, so this firm is aware of its blades. This upkeep package ($24) comes with a bottle of the model’s proprietary oil, 14 reusable cleansing swabs, a microfiber sharpening fabric, and even a bottle of Vibra-Tite thread locker.
Each of those parts has a use, from holding surfaces slick to scrub or making certain that the screws keep firmly in place. KPL additionally features a die-cut sticker, which may be utilized to your lunchbox or onerous hat.
This is quite a lot of package for $24, from a maker that purpose-builds its merchandise for knife fans.
Level Three: GoodSkrew
Looking for one thing a bit extra private? The cheeky people over at GoodSkrew have you ever coated. These premium drivers ($97-190) can be found in a number of colours and patterns, with supplies starting from titanium to zirconium and metal Damascus.
According to the corporate’s web site, all the things aside from equipped supplies and bearings is created “in-house (designs, crafting and finishing) by the skilled and talented team we’ve assembled.”
GoodSkrew’s operations are break up between Hong Kong and Singapore, so make sure you enable ample time for abroad transport.
Miscellaneous Options
Sometimes it’s greatest to reward with an eye fixed to broader enchantment. The gadgets beneath are extra in regards to the basic enjoyable of the EDC pastime, from firms which might be as smitten by making their gadgets because the recipients might be with receiving them.
Level One: Knafs Mousepad/Poster
Knafs is the brainchild of Ben and Athena Petersen, a pair with deep roots within the gear group. Over his 8 years within the knife business, Ben earned a popularity for data and good humor.
He’s carried these traits into his new firm, which produces novelty gadgets along with blades. We had been charmed by this poster ($15-23) when it appeared, and its picture has caught in our reminiscence.
It’s out there in two sizes, or alternatively in an outsized mouse pad.
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Level Two: Blade Magazine Subscription
Who says print media is a factor of the previous? Pocket knives are tangible, and so is BLADE Magazine ($24). This venerable publication has been round since 1973, and it’s a significant participant within the occasion area as a backer of BLADE Show.
From protection of the most recent releases to options on makers previous and new, its protection has you, properly, coated.
One- and 2-year subscriptions can be found, and every comes with a supplemental information entitled “Sharpening Knives.” This is a beneficial addition, with strategies for honing all the things from folders to axes and machetes.
Level Three: EDC Organizer
One of the most effective items you may give a gear individual is the prospect to hold extra of their favorites with them. And like several kind of bag or accent, the alternatives in model are limitless.
I’ve supplied three choices right here, beginning with the Husky Maximizer 2.0 ($47) from Vanquest. With its wealth of pockets and sturdy development, this lets you carry not simply knives, however virtually a whole instrument set.
Looking for one thing extra knife-centric? Check out the EDC Roll ($90) from Hitch and Timber. This handmade carry methodology contains six waxed canvas sleeves, together with three extra in Horween leather-based.
The final choice presents a mixing of those two types. With the utility of the primary and the fabric high quality of the latter, Nutsac’s Admin Pouches ($169) have all the things you may need in a gear organizer.
Available in a number of supplies and types, this firm additionally boasts a lifetime assure on its merchandise.
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