A knife for a lady

5

5Ronins

Joined
Feb 25, 2005
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I've pretty much decided my girl needs a new knife. Most knife nuts can apreciate that.
I've decided on a Civilian but know little aside from the stats on most Spyderco's.
Are these fragile?
What's the difference between a civilian and a matriarc (sp?)

I would of course go for the Spyder-edge and g10 handles.
she doesn't have to worry about survival (that's what I am for), just self defense.

Any new first hand comments I would love, till then I go back to scanning the forums!
 
I wouldn't go for the Civilian. It's too major in my opinion. It's pretty much a 100% SD tool and nothing else. It even has a warning label stated that it's not designed for utility and the warranty will not cover any damage caused by utility use.

I would get something a "regular" knife, Delica, Cricket, or the Ladybug (especially the serrated one, don't look it down by its size) will serve well for SD if well-trained. Also, the plus side is, those are knives that she can use it as a tool.

Then again, I woudn't even imagining using a knife for SD, it's even too dangerous for the user. A papper spray is a far better choice. Or, the best of all, try to stay safe instead. My 2 cents.
 
I'm going to have to agree with Tok. No Civilian.

The Civilian is JUST for self defense. She won't be able to do anything else with it. The blade style isn't suited for utility and the tip is way too fragile to do any kind of every day cutting. I guess it could be used for utility, but the chances of the tip breaking are pretty high. There are also other spydies out there that will accomplish simple cutting chores so much better.

As for self defense. I agree with Tok again, get her some pepper spray. If she doesn't know how to use a knife there's a good chance it can get turned around on her.

If you are absolutely set on getting her a self defense knife - go with the matriarch. It's a lot smaller and lighter than the civilian but with the same blade shape and SD idea. You'll have to scout around for one. I'm pretty sure they are discontinued.


I'd just get her a small utility oriented spydie to start out with. There are spydies with blades under 3 inches that are easy to carry and that cut well.

The Delica, Calypso Jr., Salt 1, Native, Dragonfly, etc. If you want to go more expensive, try the Para-Mil, or Yojimbo. They both make great utility pieces.

Oh yeah, and everyone should have a knife they can use for survival. What happens if you get eaten by a dinosaur? ....or a zombie?

-Bryan
 
Kopa, Kiwi, Cricket

Occasionally you can find pink Delicas and Crickets on resale market.
 
sorry, i should have added abit more than "I agree with Tok..." :o

A few spyderco's that i would recommend are jester/ladybug, cricket, dragonfly, Calypso Jr (great knife), Native, Alimite walker, or kopa or kiwi.

whatever you get her, i hope she enjoys it!!!
 
I have to chime in here but I am split in agreement. I would say no to the civillian as well It is a dedicated self defense blade made for trapping limbs etc with the blade shape.

Where I will disagree with many of the above posts is in suggesting a kiwi (I have one and love it, jester or ladybug) for a defensive knife. The Calypso Jr is a wickedly sharp knife in a small package and it is about the smallest of knives I would recomend if you are interested in self denfense applications. My point is less on blade length becuase a 1" difference in blade length is not really that big of a difference if you are involved in a SD situation but the overall smaller size of the smaller knives makes them more diffucult to easily manipulate and keep hold of under stressful conditions.
 
There's a way to hold a small knife to make it more effecient in cutting, more comfortable too, in my opinion. When opened, put it between the index and middle fingers, make a fist, serves as a claw. I found that way especially comfortable for the Ladybug. You can do the whole thing in one hand with ease, too.

You just have to remember where did u put it so u won't have to fumble around and look for it (it's small) when it's being called. :)
 
5Ronins said:
...What's the difference between a civilian and a matriarc (sp?)
Click to expand...

The Civilian is tip down carry (so the ring is up) and the Matriarc is tip up carry and different handle material.

A self defense knife should only be used for that purpose and not dulled on other tasks.

My wife carries a Civilian clipped inside her pocketbook with the ring up so it's easy to grab and open.

She also carries a swiss army knife for normal use.
 

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You might want to look at the Harpy. More size efficient than the Civilian and capable of utility tasks as well. Other than that, the Delica, Calypso Jr and Dodo are all pretty decent and should match up to the task.
 
I bought myself a Grey Calypso Jr. a while back. My wife liked it and just took it for herself. She said that I already have enough knives and that one was going to be her's. So she essentially picked it out herself. She carries it most of the time whether in her handbag or on her person.
 
Of course I have no knowledge of her combat blade skills (if any) or her temperament; Is she a tiger? Or maybe less ferocious.

So, for self-defense, I think a judicious mixture of caution, avoidance and high quality pepper spray is probably best, on general principles.

As for "A knife for a lady". If she wants one, I would suggest going to the Spyderco.com website and collaborating on which is the most appealing. You and she could have a meeting of the minds on this.
 
I'd read carefully the replies above. Also, the knife is for a woman, so it must appeal to her sensibilities and taste to be used and carried.

I purchased a micarta calypso jr. for my ex-wife years ago. She still has it and keeps it with her. I sure do miss that knife.
 
Well after handling my Native II PE, my girlfriend decided that that was the knife for her. It hasn't left her side since leaving mine :grumpy:

Oh well, like I needed a reason to buy another Spydie :D
 
RGRAY said:
The Civilian is tip down carry (so the ring is up) and the Matriarc is tip up carry and different handle material.
Click to expand...

My Civilian was set-up with both tip up and down carry options (different pocket clip from the one shown and an extra set of holes near the top hole)

Just fyi
 
pageophile said:
My Civilian was set-up with both tip up and down carry options (different pocket clip from the one shown and an extra set of holes near the top hole)

Just fyi
Click to expand...

Are you sure it was a Cilvilian?

Can you post a picture?
 
Take Her to a knife shop and have Her handle a Spyderco Endura,Delica and a Merlin.Those would be my first choices but as the man says"your mileage may vary".tom. :cool:
 
5Ronins said:
I've pretty much decided my girl needs a new knife. Most knife nuts can apreciate that.
Spyder-edge and g10 handles.she doesn't have to worry about survival, just self defense.
Click to expand...
The SE Dodo meets your requirements, comes in blue, she'll love it,
G-10 handles, se or pe reverse S blade, plus it will work for SD, a lot of guys have lost their dodo's to their g/f lol
tom
ps I only have 2 ronins lol :D
 
Thanks for all the replies guys, you've given me a chunk to think about.
I know her tastes very well. She already carries a SAK and occasionaly when she remembers a stinger.

We've talked and come around to smaller choices like the cricket SE, spot, dragonfly.

If i just don't buy one she might never decide :P

Let's have a moment of silence for all the good knives lost to our women hehehe
 
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