Dad wants a SAK...apparently he misses his climber

[GraysonK]

Ok, so now what do I get dad?  I was talking to him about the MT I want to get for mom and he mentioned that he misses the climber that mom said I could have and he would never miss.    So, should I just get him a replacement climber or I'm kind of thinking of getting him a huntsman.  He doesn't spend nearly as much time outdoors as he used to, but I thought it might be kind of neat for him since he used to be an avid hunter.  His knees just can't take the walking anymore and he's been working out of state for over a year now.  I also kind of thought of getting him an explorer.  If I ask him what he wants he'll just tell me not to spend money on him and won't tell me what he wants.  So i have to guess.  So what do you all think?  For a little background, my dad is a pharmacist, he travels a lot with the pharmacist on the go, when he is home he tinkers with stuff, has 3 tool chests full of different tools, several MT's he doesn't really carry, but apparently wants and uses a SAK.  So, any ideas?  Actually I'm thinking of getting and explorer for both of them, mom and dad.  Or maybe an explorer for mom and a huntsman for dad.  What do you think? 
Thanks everyone.
Kel

[Gareth]

Tricky one this.  if he misses his Climber then you'd certainly be on safe ground getting him a new one.  However the Huntsman is one of my favourite SAKs and I'll never tell someone not to buy one, you could even go for the Plus scales on both the Huntsman and the Explorer.

One big difference for me between the Huntsman and the Climber is the thickness.  I know there's not a lot in it but it pushes the Huntsman out of pocket carry and into a belt pouch for me.  So you might want to think about how he carried his old one and if he'll mind a slightly bigger SAK.

[John]

you could even go for the Plus scales on both the Huntsman and the Explorer.

Oooo they do plused scales for the explorer,can these be had in the UK anywhere?

[Singh]

A Climber and Super Tinker are the same tool, except the Super Tinker has a phillips instead of a corkscrew. Perhaps a Super Tinker would be good for him?

[Sazabi]

I'd suggest an Explorer Plus for him, Kelly; since he's a pharmacist - and the pill bottle writing can be small at times - having the magnifier to ensure the medicine is the medicine could come in handy (yes, I know it's just as easy, easier actually, to go by shape, color, and stamping on the pill), but ensuring the instructions on the label are correct can be hard on the eyes.

Either way, just let me know what you want and what colors and I'll get them for you and have them sent out ASAP.

[nuphoria]

You can get plus scales and slap them on most 91mm SAKs I believe - Neil might have some


I'd second what Gareth said Kel, depends on where he might carry it.

[jazzbass]

If you think he'd carry a 4 layer, get him an Explorer Plus if he doesn't spent much time outside anymore. If he's more of an inside person these days, I'd go for a Compact over a Climber. Same basic functions, plus scales & mini screwdriver and 2 layers vs. 3. As a general purpose SAK, I find the Compact hard to beat. It's thin enough to almost always be carried.

[Freudian Frog]

I'd suggest an Explorer Plus for him, Kelly; since he's a pharmacist - and the pill bottle writing can be small at times - having the magnifier to ensure the medicine is the medicine could come in handy (yes, I know it's just as easy, easier actually, to go by shape, color, and stamping on the pill), but ensuring the instructions on the label are correct can be hard on the eyes.

Either way, just let me know what you want and what colors and I'll get them for you and have them sent out ASAP.

Seconded on the Explorer.

[Mr. Whippy]

Let me toss in there the option of a cybertool.  That long driver is quite awesome 

[John]

Let me toss in there the option of a cybertool.  That long driver is quite awesome 

+1 on that Mr Whippy 

[Rodion]

I gave my dad a Ranger and he swears by it to this day. Seeing how he's a senior citizen, he's also unlikely to be suspected of terrorist activity if seen with one outside. Highly recommended. 

[AHB]

Get him something Alox.. Dads digs Alox...  

[Santos]

I would say the Compact instead of a climber slimmer. Go the extra bit and replace the mini screwdriver holder(aka corkscrew) with the philips.
Or go the easier option and tell him since his getting old he needs the Duke of Edinburagh Award SAK (A philips Compact with the round tip blade )   

The has also been quite a few malboro TRAIL GUIDES pop up on US ebay recently,  (and... mod a philips!) would make it a good 'Compact Tinker Champ'

http://sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Trail+Guide

Still the same thickness as a climber 

[Shane769]

Tough choices Kelly. Anyway you pick, I think you should see if Tinnie can make you up some custom scales that match for your mom and dad. I think that would be neat and they would appreciate that.

[ICanFixThat]

I like Compacts, Explorers, Rangers, CyberTools, and Climbers.... hard one.  (OK I know I like them all)

The Ranger and CyberTools are a bit bigger so I think you need more input before going quite that large. 

I agree the Explorer+ sounds like a great idea for a traveller and and pharmacist.  No wonder he misses his Climber if he travels, you can't travel without a SAK.

The Compact is so damn handy has a pocket knife though and so easy to carry....

The Climber does not have a Phillips so if he maybe does not need that, the Compact, or Climber might be the one.  If you think he could use a Phillips then the in-line Phillips and Mag on the Explorer+ is killer combo. 

The Explorer+ would probably be my choice for a Traveller, but the Compact is so easy to carry as long as he is not an avid small blade user.

You'll have to gamble I'm afraid, or get him a StayGlow Climber.

[Neil]

Lots of good ideas here.  I'd also suggest Explorer or Compact.  Wouldn't like to choose between the two though. Luckily, that's your job

[GraysonK]

Actually I'm getting him another Climber.  And as far as mom goes, I'm gonna get her an Explorer, I think.  But it's gonna have to be for her birthday.  I've been told not to get her anything else for Christmas and if I do she'll just get mad and not use it right now out of spite.  She's an odd little woman sometimes but you gotta love her!    Thanks for all the suggestions and help.   Ya'll rock!

[GraysonK]

A little update, I'm also giving dad my silver pioneer.  I never use it, preferring the Farmer if I'm feeling the bigger alox love at that moment.   He hasn't asked for it, but I think it might be a good everyday pocket knife for him.  He has never had any alox SAK's, at least he hasn't for the last 25 years or so, so I think he might like it a lot.  I hope I'm right.  And at some point, maybe for his birthday, I might get him an explorer.  We'll see how he feels about mine when he sees while I'm home for Christmas.