[Yo Mama]

My birthday is in a few, and my wife wants to get me something special. I'm a gun and knife nut, so it's always centered around that.

I have a Spyderco Native that I really love. I like having 2 of things I love (not wifes :cool:)

Do you think another Native is a good 30th special birthday gift?

[Dirty Bob]

If you can get the new Native in another color or handle type, it would make it unique for you, and not just a copy of the old one.

The Spydercos with stainless handles could also be engraved to commemorate the special occasion.

I suggest you browse some of the better online knife places (knifecenter.com, newgraham.com, etc.) and see if you see anything you like!

Enjoy!
Dirty Bob

[Vonderek]

Depending on your budget, since it's a milestone birthday I would go with a custom folder or fixed blade.

[Joe Demko]

Everybody should own a Randall. If the wait bothers you, buy it through AG Russell or one of the other dealers who stocks Randall's standard models. For a modest premium, you can have it now. I'd order directly from Randall now only if I wanted something non-standard from them. I bought mine when I was 30, the wait back then was supposed to be a year. They got it to me in around 9 months. I understand the lag is several times that these days.

[owen]

How bout a nice rapier?

[SpookyPistolero]

Get this model, it's absolutely amazing. Opens like butter. Here's a review I did on it:

http://woodsmonkey.com/images/stories/Pictures/Manix2/manix2001.JPG

http://woodsmonkey.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=402:spyderco-manix-2-review&catid=34:knives&Itemid=55

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=418

[W.E.G.]

30-inch katana

http://www.chenessinc.com/30inch.htm

http://www.chenessinc.com/30inch/30a.jpg

[Yo Mama]

I have been eyeing that Manix 2, not much more than the Native, and something I don't have yet in terms of locking mechanism.

I really hate this, buying something for myself right now with money how it is. But my wife feels you don't turn 30 every day.

[hmphargh]

Sebenza? (http://www.chrisreeve.com/sebenza.htm)

[Black Toe Knives]

Chris Reeve's Sebenza.

[Gun Noob]

Do you think another Native is a good 30th special birthday gift?

I'd suggest a Benchmade 710.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/710

Oh, almost forgot... Happy Birthday.

[Yo Mama]

Thanks Gun Noob! I actually have come full circle and am almost about to order the Griptilian. I've never read a bad thing about it, and figure I'll never be able to justify buying one later.

[Gun Noob]

That's a fine choice. I bet you'll enjoy using it.

Don't be fooled by the hollow plastic handle. It is plenty tough and lowers weight. I've got the 550 hollow ground version and it's been a good user for me.

You'll probably find that Benchmade 154 CM sharpens up easily and takes a very keen edge. It sure as heck sharpens easier than their D2 blades.

Axis lock is a winner, too. Comes in real handy when you have to open and close it often.

[TimboKhan]

You will love the Griptilian. If I could only have one knife, it would be an Endura, but that Griptilian is an awfully close second. I have had a 550 full sized for awhile, and I recently bought the mini-version, which is just as nice.

[hmphargh]

I'll third the Griptilian, I've got a 551 and a 556, and I love them both. I prefer a thumb stud to a hole, but that is just personal preference. In the summer the 556 tends to get more use because it rides nicer in the pocket of my shorts, and the 550 gets carried more when I'm wearing jeans.

[19-3Ben]

Ummm.... for 30, how about a .30cal rifle or 7.62x25 tok (since it's a .30cal)?

I know, I'm in the wrong crowd to be suggesting a firearm, but it's one that would really be appropriate!

[bikerdoc]

One does not need an excuse to add another blade to the collection :)

Endura, Manix, Griptillian, another native, Go for it my friend, all good choices

[hso]

What's the upper limit to spend? Without that you can fill the field with suggestions that few of us could afford.

Since this is for your 30th birthday (BTW, happy upcoming 30th!) you'll want something that she sees as being special to you. That doesn't always mean practical, but it's always nice if it becomes an EDC.

[Yo Mama]

Ok, a few questions on this Griptilian before I order. I find them for around 75 dollars after shipping. I'm having a hard time deciding which one to go with now.

1. That spyderco hole looking thingy :), is it made with Spyderco? Does it weaken the blade at all? I'm used to my Native now, and like the hole, but it does add quite a bit to the size of the blade if I'm looking at it correctly.

2. The black finish on the blade, does this hold up? Or should I get without black finish?

3. Is the full size 551 to big for cliping to my pocket and wearing all day? I know it's supposed to be a lightweight knife.

[Gun Noob]

For what you use a pocket knife for, the hole shouldn't make a difference IRT durability but it does make the blade stick out higher than the drop point, for example.

I'd go with an uncoated blade. Never noticed any rust on my uncoated 154CM blades. It's just extra money for it and looks like crap after it gets all scratched up from use.

I don't really notice my full size Grip but it is thicker than the 710. YMMV

[Haifisch]

For your 30th Birthday, do it up right with this Bad Boy...

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/IH8MUD/16ABSJ.jpg

[hmphargh]

Ok, a few questions on this Griptilian before I order. I find them for around 75 dollars after shipping. I'm having a hard time deciding which one to go with now.

1. That spyderco hole looking thingy :), is it made with Spyderco? Does it weaken the blade at all? I'm used to my Native now, and like the hole, but it does add quite a bit to the size of the blade if I'm looking at it correctly.

2. The black finish on the blade, does this hold up? Or should I get without black finish?

3. Is the full size 551 to big for cliping to my pocket and wearing all day? I know it's supposed to be a lightweight knife.
1. It is not made by Spyderco, I don't own one so I can't speak to the strength, but it is pretty close to the spine, so I would imagine that it won't effect cutting performance. And a knife isn't a crowbar, right?

2. The black finish gets scratched up, there is no way to get around that. Mine don't have rust on the (154CM) blades either. And for the record, I'm in Texas, so my knives are no strangers to humidity.

3. I don't think the full sized Griptilians are too big for comfortable pocket carry with some caveats. As I mentioned, I usually carry the full sized one when I am wearing jeans and it clips on to the pockets perfectly comfortably. When I wear shorts, I typically keep the knife down in my pocket, not clipped on because the fabric tends to get ripped up. When I keep the knife down in pocket, I feel like the full sized Griptilian flops around in my shorts pocket a bit too much and gets uncomfortable.

When I'm wearing jeans, I tend to grab the full sized Griptilian.
When I'm wearing shorts, I tend to grab the Mini-Griptilian.
When I'm wearing dress trousers, I tend to grab an Al Mar Eagle Ultralight, Benchmade Benchmite II, or Case Barehead Slimline Trapper because I usually want something a little fancier/different when I'm dressed up.

[Gun Noob]

Might as well post some pics. :D

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu45/BM710/550HG%20Griptilian/Grip6-1.jpg

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu45/BM710/550HG%20Griptilian/b9b57488.jpg

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu45/BM710/550HG%20Griptilian/fedd2676.jpg

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu45/BM710/550HG%20Griptilian/Grip-4.jpg

[Yo Mama]

Thanks for all the happy birthday replies! I'm feeling older now, so once I order this I want to laser engrave it with, "Old Man".

It'll be my old man knife!

[hso]

That spyderco hole looking thingy , is it made with Spyderco?

No

BM licensed the feature from Spyderco. Matter of fact, the Griptilian design is somewhat of a collaboration between them. Spyderco had a remarkably similar knife in flat G10 scales at one time.

Does it weaken the blade at all?

No

I'm feeling older now, so once I order this I want to laser engrave it with, "Old Man".

You may want to hold off on that until you're actually an "Old Man".

[Gun Noob]

AFAIK, Mel Pardue designed the Griptilian. FWIW, I don't see Sal Glesser's name on it anywhere.

[Yo Mama]

You may want to hold off on that until you're actually an "Old Man".


How about then:

1st side: You're getting
2nd side: old, man

:D

[Yo Mama]

Ok, went with the Griptilian, and got the big one. Wife won't let me have it till next week, but I got to play with it a bit. I'm sold, completely, awsome knife, coolest lock.

[7X57chilmau]

:) Nice knife!