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Another "help me choose a knife" thread. :)

Surfingringo

Surfingringo

Joined
May 25, 2013
Messages
3,700
Yep, it's another help me choose a spyderco thread and I am not going to apologize for it because I know it's one of our favorite games to play. The kind where we get to pick out a knife without spending our own money! ;)

So here's the rules. My older sister knows about my interest in knives so she asked me yesterday to help her choose a folding knife to carry in her purse and pocket. I believe it will usually be in the purse. She wants something relatively small but not tiny. Probably 2.5-3" blade. When I asked her what she would be using it for she said "everything and anything" which wasn't too specific but she did stress that she was not planning to be too careful with it so wanted something that could take a bit of abuse. She runs an office so I would imagine it would see some box opening and staple pulling, etc. I don't really like big thick "hard use" knives or how they perform so, yes, I am going to explain the disadvantages of these kinds of knives but after she hears my opinion if she still wants that I would like to be able to recommend something appropriate.

My first thought was something like the techno, but I seriously doubt she would want to spend that kind of money and it's awfully heavy. A delica would probably be perfect if I could give her enough education that she doesn't destroy it. :rolleyes:. Maybe a salt 1 as that would have a thicker tip and tougher steel?

Anyway, here are a few that I had in mind to show her this afternoon. Any other suggestions welcome.

1. Techno
2. Delica
3. Salt 1
4. Squeak
5. One of the value line spydercos. (Honestly though I would rather recommend her something with a better steel since my father or I will probably be the ones who end up sharpening it.)

I'm sure I am leaving out some good options. What do y'all think?
 
As soon as you said Delica for that use, I though sabre-ground model; the Salt 1 would be a nice option, too. It would be easy to sharpen, and wouldn't rust if something were left on the blade for a while. I don't know how well a spyderedge model would work for her, but it would keep the sharpening to a minimum, too.
 
singularity35 said:
chaparral?
Click to expand...

I love the chaparral, but my sister with a chaparral will probably turn out like a 3 year old with a pet butterfly.

Honestly, I'm not giving her enough credit. She's not an idiot, she was just being honest. I will explain the advantages of a thinner blade/grind and who knows, she might decide she would prefer to use her knife as a knife. If she does, I have lots of ideas for her and yes, the chaparral would be near the very top of that list. The good news is she will listen and be honest so if she sticks to her guns and says that the knife will be taking some level of abuse then I want to have a few ideas for her.
 
Surfingringo said:
I love the chaparral, but my sister with a chaparral will probably turn out like a 3 year old with a pet butterfly.

Honestly, I'm not giving her enough credit. She's not an idiot, she was just being honest. I will explain the advantages of a thinner blade/grind and who knows, she might decide she would prefer to use her knife as a knife. If she does, I have lots of ideas for her and yes, the chaparral would be near the very top of that list. The good news is she will listen and be honest so if she sticks to her guns and says that the knife will be taking some level of abuse then I want to have a few ideas for her.
Click to expand...

Gotcha, Techno seems to be indicated. :)
 
Dragonfly salt SE

Small not intimidating, bright colors easy to find in a purse, no maintenance and excellent edge holding.
 
I love my Techno and its my favorite of the knives you listed, but that's a lot of money if the knife will not be used regularly. Also not a great defense knife if it came down to it.

I would have to say Delica. Yup feels like Delica.
 
I love my Techno and its my favorite of the knives you listed, but that's a lot of money if the knife will not be used regularly. Also not a great defense knife if it came down to it.

I would have to say Delica. Yup feels like Delica.
 
Surfingringo said:
Yep, it's another help me choose a spyderco thread and I am not going to apologize for it because I know it's one of our favorite games to play. The kind where we get to pick out a knife without spending our own money! ;)

So here's the rules. My older sister knows about my interest in knives so she asked me yesterday to help her choose a folding knife to carry in her purse and pocket. I believe it will usually be in the purse. She wants something relatively small but not tiny. Probably 2.5-3" blade. When I asked her what she would be using it for she said "everything and anything" which wasn't too specific but she did stress that she was not planning to be too careful with it so wanted something that could take a bit of abuse. She runs an office so I would imagine it would see some box opening and staple pulling, etc. I don't really like big thick "hard use" knives or how they perform so, yes, I am going to explain the disadvantages of these kinds of knives but after she hears my opinion if she still wants that I would like to be able to recommend something appropriate.

My first thought was something like the techno, but I seriously doubt she would want to spend that kind of money and it's awfully heavy. A delica would probably be perfect if I could give her enough education that she doesn't destroy it. :rolleyes:. Maybe a salt 1 as that would have a thicker tip and tougher steel?

Anyway, here are a few that I had in mind to show her this afternoon. Any other suggestions welcome.

1. Techno
2. Delica
3. Salt 1
4. Squeak
5. One of the value line spydercos. (Honestly though I would rather recommend her something with a better steel since my father or I will probably be the ones who end up sharpening it.)

I'm sure I am leaving out some good options. What do y'all think?
Click to expand...

Honestly, I think I would buy her a Cat. It is a good knife and not expensive and if she does snap off the tip you can easily regrind it. The 440C has the advantage of being good steel that can be resharpened on a kitchen knife sharpener, which she will like. She is not going to become a knife sharpening guru. This knife will do what she wants and is about $40. (my Cat is finished better than my Chaparral).

My second choice would be a Dragonfly G10, but the blade is shorter. My tiny wife snatched one of my DFs and replaced her mini-griptilian with it. It goes everywhere she goes and fits in her small clothing or purses easily.

Just my experience.
 
Delica, Cat or Dragonfly 2. All in G10. Good luck finding the Delica in G10. Delica in FRN would be my first choice.
 
My wife loves her Squeak (and her Chokwe). No purse carrying as she rarely carries a purse, so normally it is her Squeak on the weekends. Keeping it smaller may not just be a preference but a necessity. Most ladies' jeans pockets are not deep enough for 3.5"+ knives.
 
1. Dragonfly2. The ergos are off the chart. So much knife for the size and weight.

2. Delica 4 is also an excellent choice.

The ladybug I have (in ZDP) is one of my favorites, but I would put it 3rd for this exercise given your size criteria.

If my sister or wife ever asked, that's what I'd recommend to them, in that order. Oh, and I'd recommend those models in FRN.
 
My daughter likes the delica and the mouse. The mouse is now made by the designer's company, bladetech. The sister to the mouse, the ratel, is nice too and comes in pink :)
 
For a more stout tip, kahr delica?

Edit to add: something similar to the atlantic salt you modded, but in delica size ... Full SE with a bit of PE in front? That will have quite a robust tip, long useful days between sharpening (serration) and a good splinter picker ...
 
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