Another Three Knife List- For My Daughter

sabre cat

sabre cat

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Jul 4, 2014
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My 20 year old daughter recently informed me that she would like a fixed blade knife. When I ask her what type and how it would be used, all she could say is, "I don't know. I just want a fixed blade."

Well, her comments got me thinking about another knife list of some sort. I figure you folks have much more wisdom and knowledge on fixed blades (and knives in general) than I will ever have. So, I am turning to all of you for help.

My plan is to pick up three knives my daughter. One small folder with a blade three inches or less. Another folder with a blade 3 1/2 to 4 inches. And some sort of general use fixed blade. As I type this, a Mora comes to mind but, I can tell you, my daughter won't care for the plastic sheath.

I am not sure if my offspring is to the point that she would appreciate something at the level of a Spyderco or Benchmade. I am thinking more budget minded. Maybe $100 for all three. $125 tops.

I am open to most any suggestion, modern or traditional. Any ideas?


Thanks.
 
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I picked up a Pathfinder sheath (dave canterbury) for like 5 bucks when I bought my second to last Mora (companion HD) and it works great with that knife and a standard companion, not so much with a classic. That being said, here goes:

Traditional set-$80
Mora Companion w/ pathfinder sheath-$20ish
Rough Rider whittler or stockman etc.-$10
Case yellow CV Trapper w/ Med sheath-$50ish

Not traditional set-$85
Mora Companion w/ pathfinder sheath-$20ish
Gerber US-1-$20
EKA Swede 10-$45

I like to go under budget :) The mora is great, pocket knives can(not will) be good cheap, but a med sized folder should be good quality IMO, as it will inevitably be used for heavier tasks. That EKA is solid and the sandvik steel is great, same goes for the Case with the chrome vanadium.
 
+1 for Mora. The scouts come with leather sheaths I think
An Opinel 7 is nice for a girl... you can also have it painted or with fancy woods or plastic
Something Chinese... either traditional like a Rough Rider/Colt or something modern like a Sanrenmu/Enlan (everybody loves SRM 7010). If you have enough money you could go for a Byrd instead.
 
Ah yes, I forgot about the Mora scout. You are correct they do come with leather sheaths, I think they are around 25 bucks too. I just don't like the full cross-guard.
 
Is she a "girlie" girl? Meaning "pink" is a good option?

If so, if I was in your shoes, I would go:
Locking folder - Ontario Rat 2 - $30
Fixed blade - ESEE Izula - $50
Slip Joint - SAK Classic - $15

Focusing on the fixed blade as the creme of that crop.


KaBar Dozier or Buck Bantam are also good budget options for a folder around $20

Mora Companion for a fixed blade around $15

Rough Rider are good cheap slip joints, or a Case, Böker, or a different SAK for a bit more money...

All great knives, all available in pink,
(also available other colors as well if pink isn't a good choice for her).

Buck Bantam - $20
Mora Companion - $15
SAK Evogrip s17 - $40

Would be another solid 3 way starter pack, focusing on more versatility from the swiss army knife, including a cork screw since she'll be 21 soon, (that is if she enjoys wine with her girls)...
 
CRKT Razel - $21.49 (ok it has a 3 1/8" blade)
Kershaw Cryo - $26.95
Ka bar TDI - $64.39

Total $112.83

Just because I like to be different :)
 
I would look at a buck 501 squire for the under 3" folder, and a buck 113 ranger fixed blade. I don't know about a 3.5-4" blade folder, as those just seem unnecessary to me. Not saying they aren't useful to some people, just not my cup of tea. There is the 110, but I feel it's rather beefy for a woman. Just my .02 though.
 
Victorinox Tinker, Pioneer, Farmer etc...
Benchmade Mini Griptillian or Full size Grip
Mora of your choice and buy or make a decent leather sheath. Plenty out there and not very expensive.

I love my Moras. No 2/0, no 1, Companion MG, Bushcraft Black, Bushcraft Forest, fillet knife, and hook knife. Take your pick they are all amazing.
 
For the price I'd suggest:

Buck Vantage Small
Buck Vantage Large
Buck 119

Or...

1, Let her select a style from yours if you have enough.

2,Sit down with her at a website like KnifeCenter, narrow down the price in the search and let her pick. She'll be much more apt to use it and feel better about it if she picks it out.

3, If you can take her to a large gun/knife/outdoor gear store that has a good selection, let her choose there.
 
strategy9 said:
Is she a "girlie" girl? Meaning "pink" is a good option?

If so, if I was in your shoes, I would go:
Locking folder - Ontario Rat 2 - $30
Fixed blade - ESEE Izula - $50
Slip Joint - SAK Classic - $15

Focusing on the fixed blade as the creme of that crop.


KaBar Dozier or Buck Bantam are also good budget options for a folder around $20

Mora Companion for a fixed blade around $15

Rough Rider are good cheap slip joints, or a Case, Böker, or a different SAK for a bit more money...

All great knives, all available in pink,
(also available other colors as well if pink isn't a good choice for her).

Buck Bantam - $20
Mora Companion - $15
SAK Evogrip s17 - $40

Would be another solid 3 way starter pack, focusing on more versatility from the swiss army knife, including a cork screw since she'll be 21 soon, (that is if she enjoys wine with her girls)...
Click to expand...

Pink is not really her color. She loves purple though.

I have been thinking a KaBar Dozier myself. Also considering a Vic Cadet or Pioneer for the small folder. Beyond that I really am not sure about what direction to take things.

I guess I should let all of you people known that I will ask her to review all of these post to get some ideas. I am enjoying this guys. Keep it up!
 
Esee izula is also available in purple!
So are SAK classics, purple or purple edelweiss (flowers)

Puts you right around $65-$70

Kershaw Leek (assisted) - $35
Buck Apex (Lightweight) - $25
Spyderco Lady Bug (<2") - $35

All (purple) would put you right around $100 as folders.

For just a bit more you could go with a Spyderco Dragonfly, Delica, or Endura
Kershaw Scallion or Blur
Buck Rus
Case Lockback
All available in purple!

Case also makes some puple handled traditionals
Or the cheap but effective opinel has a plum purple option I believe, and also the cheap Kershaw Shuffle (bottle opener) is available in purple

A few different options...
(Prices may vary from dealer to dealer, those are approximates).

Knowing purple is her favorite color,
I think I would go with an
ESEE Izula
Case Lockback (personalized)
And SAK Classic (edelweiss)

All in purple! That would give her a sturdy proven tough fixed blade
a classy little good sized locking folder
And a handy little keychain knife with nail file, scissors, tweezers and toothpick.
And nothing made in china.

All currently available at knifeworks.com, would put you at $120 w/ free shipping
($112 without personized engraving on the case)
 
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For a fixed blade, check out the Condor Bushlore (~$35). The idea about a Mora and a cheap sheath is a good one as well. You could also do a Cold steel Pendleton hunter (~$25).

Folders... I'd be choosing between an Opinel, SAK (farmer, trekker), and an Ontario RAT 2/ESEE Avispa (~$30).

I personally don't find much use for a folder over 3in or so, and prefer fixed blades once blade lengths approach 4in, so I'm just going to stick with that list of folders, instead of branching out to areas I'm not as familiar with to give a recommendation.

The Bushlore, Opinel, and RAT 2 combo will be under budget (~$80), and will meet all of her needs. Swap in a mora for the condor, and you've come in seriously under budget.

Good luck finding something that works for her :).
 
If the ESEE is available in purple then that's a done deal if the blade is long enough. Rebekah will be excited to hear about that. Now, I just have to figure out the other two. Thanks Everyone!
 
Sounds like you know which Fixed blade you want.

As for the folders I'd go with the Spyderco Ambitious for around $35 with a 2.25" blade. For the longer blade check out the Spyderco Tenacious for around $40 with a 3.4" blade
 
sabre cat said:
If the ESEE is available in purple then that's a done deal if the blade is long enough. Rebekah will be excited to hear about that.
Click to expand...

Definitely available in purple, and definitely a proven blade, even a favorite among some. 3" is definitely enough knife for ALL standard day to day knife stuffs, and even "most" other stuffs.

The smaller "candiru" model is also available in purple, and still would be plenty for most day to day stuff.

Might be nice touch to pick up some 550 cord and wrap the handle for comfort though, or pick up the available handle scales.

sabre cat said:
Now, I just have to figure out the other two. Thanks Everyone!
Click to expand...

strategy9 said:
ESEE Izula
Case Lockback (personalized)
And SAK Classic (edelweiss)

All in purple! That would give her a sturdy proven tough fixed blade
a classy little good sized locking folder
And a handy little keychain knife with nail file, scissors, tweezers and toothpick.
And nothing made in china.

All currently available at knifeworks.com, would put you at $120 w/ free shipping
($112 without personized engraving on the case)
Click to expand...

You're welcome ;)
 
RAT-1 and RAT2 for the folders (many colors are available). For the fixed blade, maybe a Light My Fire (Mora) Swedish Fireknife (with an integrated fire steel - again, available in many colors). All three would run you about $100-$120, including shipping.
 
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