Gift for the older gent: pioneer, farmer, ?

[Singh]

This is for an older man, just shy of 60, getting ready to retire. He won’t be caught alone in the woods any time soon, so we're not looking for a "survive the end of the world" knife. He also has lots of tools on hand, so the knife doesn’t have to be a defacto toolbox. I'm thinking of a EDC SAK that will be handy.. something neat to have on hand for him to tinker with. I also like the look of the silver alox scales…makes for a classy looking SAK (but at the loss of tweezers and a toothpick).

Choice so far:

1. Farmer (3 layer): All the tools would be useful except for maybe the saw… 

2. Pioneer (2 layer) : Same knife as the Farmer, minus the saw. Same knife as the solider, but has a key ring.

3. Pioneer Rancher (2 layer) : same as the pioneer, but has a pruning blade instead of can opener. Maybe the pruning blade will be more useful than a can opener?

I'm leaning towards the Pioneer. It has the classic compliment of SAK tools, and nothing extra. Since it’s slim, he'll be more likely to carry it around and use it. But the Pioneer Rancher has a pruning blade, which could be useful for heavy cutting…but this will be at the cost of a can opener/small screwdriver.

Thoughts?

[NutSAK]

I would say that you need to consider the Electrician.  Older guys are used to having more than one blade available on a pocket knife, and I find the sheepsfoot blade on the Electrician to be MUCH more useful than the pruner on the Rancher.  I personally don't carry an Electrician often, because of the lack of the excellent can opener/screwdriver, but I think it may work well for him. 

I agree with you that you should probably stick to a 2-layer for a slim profile since he's not likely to use the saw.  This is one of the rare times I would recommend a 2-layer alox model over the Farmer. 

[Singh]

hmmm. Tell me more about his Electrician blade. Is it a bevel-edged? What are some good uses for it?

[gafftapegreenia]

I have an Electrician I am very fond of. I like the sheepsfoot blade on that knife. The flat section is double grind whereas the stripping notch is chisel.


Since purchasing it it has become my de facto EDC with my Blast. I have everything I need!

[Rodion]

I'm getting my dad (just shy of 70, never leaves the house) a Wenger Ranger 61 for his birthday.



Hope it's big enough. 

[Singh]

If it was my Dad, I'd get him a SwissTool. But the older gent I have in mind would laugh at it. He's pretty old school so I have to keep things traditional.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Shockingly I'm gonna recommend a Farmer over the other's purely because (a) it's better to have something and not need it, than need it and not have it , and (b) being a 3 layer the Farmer (or Electrician Plus) tend to be more comfortable in the hand

[Rodion]

If it was my Dad, I'd get him a SwissTool. But the older gent I have in mind would laugh at it. He's pretty old school so I have to keep things traditional.

Similar in my case.

Have you shown the Swissgrip to your father? 

[gafftapegreenia]

I know you really want to go SAK, but (don't get mad at me) you don't think he might appreciate a Case Stockman or Peanut more?

Or what about the Alox Pioneer Settler?



I'm just thinking if he has tools close by, then maybe he just needs a knife...

[WhichDawg]

Shockingly I'm gonna recommend a Farmer over the other's purely because (a) it's better to have something and not need it, than need it and not have it , and (b) being a 3 layer the Farmer (or Electrician Plus) tend to be more comfortable in the hand

eeep the bizzaro-technosocerer is right! it does feel better in the hand, and you can cut many things with the saw, I vote Farmer

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Shockingly I'm gonna recommend a Farmer over the other's purely because (a) it's better to have something and not need it, than need it and not have it , and (b) being a 3 layer the Farmer (or Electrician Plus) tend to be more comfortable in the hand

eeep the bizzaro-technosocerer is right! it does feel better in the hand, and you can cut many things with the saw, I vote Farmer

I'm not bizarre

Ok maybe a little

[NutSAK]

The 3-layer models do feel better in the hand IMO.  So, let's not forget the Electrician Plus.

The Sheepsfoot has a steeper angle to the v-grind than the typical SAK blade also, so it is very durable and maintains an edge well.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The 3-layer models do feel better in the hand IMO.  So, let's not forget the Electrician Plus.

The Sheepsfoot has a steeper angle to the v-grind than the typical SAK blade also, so it is very durable and maintains an edge well.

I think I mentioned the Electrician Plus already

[NutSAK]

The 3-layer models do feel better in the hand IMO.  So, let's not forget the Electrician Plus.

The Sheepsfoot has a steeper angle to the v-grind than the typical SAK blade also, so it is very durable and maintains an edge well.

I think I mentioned the Electrician Plus already

DOH!  I suppose you did. 

[WhichDawg]

Both the Farmer and Electrician Plus are perfect IMO (notice the impressive balancing act here)
with the Classic Farmer and the Smart Electrician (was that an analogy to something else?) 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The 3-layer models do feel better in the hand IMO.  So, let's not forget the Electrician Plus.

The Sheepsfoot has a steeper angle to the v-grind than the typical SAK blade also, so it is very durable and maintains an edge well.

I think I mentioned the Electrician Plus already

DOH!  I suppose you did. 

[american lockpicker]

+1 for the Electrician Plus.

[DaveK]

I am quite tempted by a Farmer (admittedly that's mostly so I can find faults with it and start PM'ing Mick D ), it does look to have the thiings I like in an SAK....

Not really relevant to the topic I know, sorry for that - just had to get it off my chest.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I am quite tempted by a Farmer (admittedly that's mostly so I can find faults with it and start PM'ing Mick D ), it does look to have the thiings I like in an SAK....

Oi

[Swiss Man]

I know you really want to go SAK, but (don't get mad at me) you don't think he might appreciate a Case Stockman or Peanut more?

Or what about the Alox Pioneer Settler?

(Image removed from quote.)

I'm just thinking if he has tools close by, then maybe he just needs a knife...

I have to agree with gafftapegreenia, I have learned from my father in law and other older gents that they are "old school" when it comes to knives they use their blades for everything from cutting paper, cleaning nails and opening cans with the main blade.

He might not even like (or worse yet) appreciate a SAK. To him having a can opener might be redundant or even silly.
The Alox Pioneer Settler might be a good bet or even a Alox Solo.

If this isn't a surprise show him a bunch of different SAKs and let him choose, he might even decide to go with celliod scales (for the T&T) or he might not even pick a SAK.

[WH867]

If you prefer a single layer knife but like the electrician blade there is the Pioneer Apprentice.

[Tarrodemierda]

i just gotta say that the electrician blade is awesome little tool.in my project it will be the only blade.
and in older gent´s eyes it might be pleasant as the shape of that blade is old school,dating back far away to good ols times.its useful from slicin apples to carving wood.

[gafftapegreenia]

And we can't let the Pioneer Pruner be left out either!



Considering all three, I am actually leaning towards the Pioneer Apprentice. That old skool blade is just the ticket. And in alox, it's timeless.

Too bad Vic doesn't make anything with a screwdriver tip blade. Now, THAT would be old skool.

[american lockpicker]

Case makes one with the screwdriver blade.

[gafftapegreenia]

Thanks guys. All this talk about old timer knives, and now I"m sitting on ebay looking at Camillus electrician's knives, deciding which one to bid on. This site is dangerous, someone asks for help and then you find yourself wanting another knife.

[Freudian Frog]

Just buy them all, let him pick one, and keep the rest.

[Styerman]

A Cadet would go well ,as would an Alox Bantam.

Chris

[ducktapehero]

I vote Farmer, even with small chores around the house the saw comes in handy. Plus I think a 3 layer Alox knife just feels better than a 2 layer one.

[WH867]

 My vote would be for the Wenger SI.    I really like a bail on a knife.  old school.

[Singh]

I think I'm going to go with the Farmer.  He might not need the saw, but I think he'll find it a useful extra.Thanks everyone, for all the comments. Good food for thought. 

Heck, this might be a good excuse for me to get TWO farmers, and keep one for me.