Gentleman’s Knife Recommendation

[JakeXman]

Good evening all, I am in the market for a “classier” knife. I’m getting married this summer and want to get a gentleman’s knife for the occasion.

What are your recommendations? I’m not opposed to dressing up a cheaper blade with nicer scales or buying something older on the secondary market, I just want something a little unique and special.

Here are my considerations:
Budget: $200
Steel: Don’t care
Size: Smaller than a PM2
Lock Preference: None

If you were in my shoes, what would you be looking at?

[twinboysdad]

Chaparral Raffir Noble

[abbazaba]

Chaparral Carbon Fiber or Birdseye Maple

Bonus: Any Chaparral is one of the most practical EDCs you can own.

[Fly Fishing Rick]

Chaparral in whatever style you like most, I carry a FRN version as my EDC often and love it.

[mikey177]

Check out the M390 Spyopera as well.

[clinton1]

Both of the said options are great.
The Chapparal looks fantastic! (I want one!)
I have the Spyopera amd use it for one of my "classier" folders.

[ladybug93]

ikuchi or spydiechef would get my vote. a ukpk might be nice too for something simple and elegant. if you were willing to go a little bigger, the vallotton and tropen are very unique and classy. kapara looks nice too. otherwise, it's hard to beat a delica or endura with some fancy new scales in a nice material. the sage 5 lw would be another option for a nice scale upgrade platform.

[Coastal]

Any Chaparral would be great, but I'd pick the Sun & Moon. I'd say choose the Raffir Noble, but you can't count on getting an attractive one as there is considerable variation among specimens.

[WilliamMunny]

A G-10 Native 5. It’s smaller and not aggressive looking. But it has a 3” blade that can do a lot and enough handle to fill out most hands. Extremely nice knife.

[vandelay]

Chaparral with bird's eye maple scales is classy. That would be my choice.

The Marcin Slysz knives are pretty nice too but they're well over $200

[Meadowlark]

There are still a few of Knifecenters dealer exclusive Damascus/black pakkawood Delicas as well as the hap40/mahogany pakkawood version still kicking around.

They're pretty slick..

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP11WD ... -exclusive


https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP11WD ... -exclusive

Edit: to include both versions

[HolySteel]

I think the Knifecenter Pakkawood Delica is pretty classy, and nice and small.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP11WD ... -exclusive

[elena86]

The titanium Delica with damascus blade would be my choice. It’s a little over your budget but you will be the proud owner of a classy iconic spydie.

[p_atrick]

Another vote for the Pakkawood Delica. Congrats on the upcoming nuptials.

[kennethsime]

Congrats!

Chapparal in Birdseye Maple would be my recommendation.

I’m also getting married this summer, and will probably carry my Sebenza when I’m wearing pants and a small fixed blade when I’m not.

[Doc Dan]

Dragonfly G10. If you can find a nishijin model, get that amazing knife. The Chaparral is also a great choice. I have all of these and these are what I think of when speaking of a gentleman's knife.

[Wartstein]

Good evening all, I am in the market for a “classier” knife. I’m getting married this summer and want to get a gentleman’s knife for the occasion.
....

First and foremost: Congrats of course!

Then: Just can echo all the Chaparral recommendations.
It is kind of a "mutlitool" : Perfect gents knife, but also (or even more so) real workhorse and great, sturdy EDC.

I think even the FRN version looks very classy already with its grey color, Taichung texture and wire clip.
Also quite unobtrusive, and on top probably the most "user and beater" version (for the times when you don´t need the "gents" aspect).

If you want it to be even classier, but still unobtrusive:
CF version.

Raffir noble, maple and sun and moon are gorgeous too of course.
Maple and especially sun and moon (since the clip is on the bright, white side of the latter) will be a bit more "visible" in your pocket, though not a lot of the knife is sticking out when carried.

/ Now next question: What knife is SHE gonna carry? (And where?)

[skeeg11]

I use my Mantra 2 as a dining out steak knife.

[Bill1170]

Dragonfly Tattoo is a fine-looking piece.

[Stas]

Chaparral. In Birdseye Maple or CF.

Better is only Caly 3.5, but you need to increase your budget quite a bit...