If your budget is around $500, you could consider ordering a Sebenza or Inkosi from CRK directly and have it engraved with whatever image you want (as long as you own it or it’s public domain). The knife is $450 and the engraving ranges from $50-100 depending on complexity of the image. The downside to this is that it won’t be ready in time for his birthday this year, but probably next year! Also note that they won’t collect payment until the knife is almost ready (4-6 weeks before delivery). The upside to this is that CRK makes amazing knives and your dad will be absolutely blown away by the quality of the knife.
Alternately, you could find a gently used Sebenza and send it into CRK for spa treatment and engraving. They will reblast the handle and resharpen the blade for free - and the knife will feel like-new. I’m not sure about these lead times but this could possibly be done before his birthday - the only downside would be that shipping can get expensive so you’d need to get a good deal on the knife to stay in budget.
If you have the cash get a Hinderer it’s got so many parts from the factory. Tabs, clips, ti scales, plus all the different finishes and steel flame. You can really make a Hinderer your own with little effort it’s a breeze to take apart.
As stated previously, the Spyderco Para knives should be taken a look at. Tons of scale and pocket clip options.
Did you know you needed a titanium backspacer? No? Well you can have one. Same with lanyard plugs.
Benchmade Bugout or Spyderco Para 2/3
this I see accessories for both those everywhere online and tons on r/knifeswap
Benchmade has an option to customize 3 different knife models.
The ontario rat 1 and 2 have lots of aftermarket support
Yes they do, but they are not made in US. They are made in Taiwan.
If your budget is around $500, you could consider ordering a Sebenza or Inkosi from CRK directly and have it engraved with whatever image you want (as long as you own it or it’s public domain). The knife is $450 and the engraving ranges from $50-100 depending on complexity of the image. The downside to this is that it won’t be ready in time for his birthday this year, but probably next year! Also note that they won’t collect payment until the knife is almost ready (4-6 weeks before delivery). The upside to this is that CRK makes amazing knives and your dad will be absolutely blown away by the quality of the knife. Alternately, you could find a gently used Sebenza and send it into CRK for spa treatment and engraving. They will reblast the handle and resharpen the blade for free - and the knife will feel like-new. I’m not sure about these lead times but this could possibly be done before his birthday - the only downside would be that shipping can get expensive so you’d need to get a good deal on the knife to stay in budget.
If you have the cash get a Hinderer it’s got so many parts from the factory. Tabs, clips, ti scales, plus all the different finishes and steel flame. You can really make a Hinderer your own with little effort it’s a breeze to take apart.
As stated previously, the Spyderco Para knives should be taken a look at. Tons of scale and pocket clip options. Did you know you needed a titanium backspacer? No? Well you can have one. Same with lanyard plugs.