Help picking knife for girlfriend

C

crab886

Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
13
Hey guys,

I have decided that it is time for my girlfriend to start carrying a knife. I've been looking around, but I haven't found anything that fits all of the needs that I think she might have.

  • Must be simple, I'm thinking a slip joint. No need for multiple blades- one good one would be plenty.
  • Preferably stainless. She has never carried a knife before, and I don't want her to worry about rusting
  • It has to be something that looks nice to her. Her favorite color is red, and I think she would be really into a bone or wood handle.
  • Blade length has to be shorter than 3" and fairly slim due to Washington, DC length restrictions.
  • My budget is fifty dollars
  • Made in the USA is preferable, but not mandatory

I have been looking at some Case knives, which I own and love, but I haven't seen something that I feel is perfect. Any suggestions?!
 
Kabar Dozier Hunter, in pink. $20.

Model 4065PK (with thumb hole) or model 4062PK (with thumb stud).

I bought my wife the 4065PK.
 
Boker makes a small version of the sodbuster which she might like. Traditional yellow handle, though.

I know it's a multi blade knife, but many girls do seem to dig the smaller SAKs
 
I gave my girlfriend (now wife) a spyderco centrefante 3 (I probably spelled that wrong) she still carries it and loves it. Also got her a red izula.
 
I went looking at knives a few weeks back with my wife and she really liked the Kershaw Skyline and Chive. I'm probably going to buy her a leek or chive soon.
 
Case, and many other US cutlery makers, do have a variety of Peanut pattern and pen knives that could appeal to her.

I agree with the Kershaw Chive option, although it might be out of spec because it has a liner lock that is part of its SpeedSafe system along with the tip lock to prevent accidental openings. I don't consider these complications since the knife is quite easy to operate with its assisted opening feature. And it's available in a viariety of scale colors and treatments (including a blade and scales rainbow Titanium-Oxide coating), one of which should certainly appeal to her, if she wants to go beyond the red choice you specified. Best of all, they're USA-made.

If she's willing to accept a lock-blade and doesn't mind a black Zytel handle, then you can also consider the SOG Auto-Clip, (but it's made in China). The Kershaw DWO (also made in China, sorry), with Co-Polymer handle and a back lock, can be considered as an option too, if she's so accepting.

For slip joints, I would suggest the Spyderco Squeak, which is an excellent EDC for anyone, and compliant with knife restrictions in many jurisdictions, including the UK. It is made in Italy, though. If you want something with no clip and all stainless, you can check out the HoneyBee and Grasshopper, also from Spyderco, but made in China. Their Bug model is great but may be too small for your purpose.

If you're interested in something more traditional, and you're willing to go the extra mile ($$$), the top choice would be Al Mar's Osprey model which is available with beautiful scale options including Mother-of-Pearl, Black Pearl, Abalone, and others. However, all are lockbacks and made in Japan. Or consider AG Russell's Ultimate Pen knife, available with Abalone or Black Pearl scales, which are slip joints, at about half the price of the Al Mar models. They're also made in Japan.

Unfortunately, none of these fit ALL your specs, but they're all excellent options to consider, and will help guide your search.
 
crab886 said:
Hey guys,

I have decided that it is time for my girlfriend to start carrying a knife...... Any suggestions?!
Click to expand...

Problem #1.....

Just like choosing a firearm for someone - if she doesn't choose it, it's doubtful that she'll carry it.

Does she even want to carry a knife?
 
kershaw scallion. usa made and a very good knife. I have the leek but the blade is 3 1/4 long and you wanted under 3 long.
 
+1 on the Kershaw Scallion as well, although it's bigger and chunkier than the Chive, and has a frame lock design instead of the Chive's liner lock. It's also available in the same color and coating options.
 
Daddyo16 said:
Problem #1.....

Just like choosing a firearm for someone - if she doesn't choose it, it's doubtful that she'll carry it.

Does she even want to carry a knife?
Click to expand...

Sorry, should have been more clear. She borrows mine all of the time, and has asked me to pick one out for her. It won't be seeing much abuse, but I want to get her something nice.
 
For something, small, red,inexpensive and D.C. friendly - perhaps a Victorinox (Swiss Army) Floral knife or Ambassador (has nail file and scissors as well as blade).
 
According to a thread Cassull posted yesterday, I would say a benchmade balisong would be your best bet:)

Just kidding, do a search for cassull's most recent started threads and you will see what I mean:)
 
rjdepedro said:
Case, and many other US cutlery makers, do have a variety of Peanut pattern and pen knives that could appeal to her.

I agree with the Kershaw Chive option, although it might be out of spec because it has a liner lock that is part of its SpeedSafe system along with the tip lock to prevent accidental openings. I don't consider these complications since the knife is quite easy to operate with its assisted opening feature. And it's available in a viariety of scale colors and treatments (including a blade and scales rainbow Titanium-Oxide coating), one of which should certainly appeal to her, if she wants to go beyond the red choice you specified. Best of all, they're USA-made.

If she's willing to accept a lock-blade and doesn't mind a black Zytel handle, then you can also consider the SOG Auto-Clip, (but it's made in China). The Kershaw DWO (also made in China, sorry), with Co-Polymer handle and a back lock, can be considered as an option too, if she's so accepting.

For slip joints, I would suggest the Spyderco Squeak, which is an excellent EDC for anyone, and compliant with knife restrictions in many jurisdictions, including the UK. It is made in Italy, though. If you want something with no clip and all stainless, you can check out the HoneyBee and Grasshopper, also from Spyderco, but made in China. Their Bug model is great but may be too small for your purpose.

If you're interested in something more traditional, and you're willing to go the extra mile ($$$), the top choice would be Al Mar's Osprey model which is available with beautiful scale options including Mother-of-Pearl, Black Pearl, Abalone, and others. However, all are lockbacks and made in Japan. Or consider AG Russell's Ultimate Pen knife, available with Abalone or Black Pearl scales, which are slip joints, at about half the price of the Al Mar models. They're also made in Japan.

Unfortunately, none of these fit ALL your specs, but they're all excellent options to consider, and will help guide your search.
Click to expand...

Wow! Great information. Most of the Kershaws and Spydercos are too wide- she says that she wants something more "normal" looking. The grasshopper looks like a good one though, does anyone make aftermarket scales?

The A.G. Russell Ultimate Pen Knife might be a good candidate. It looks like I can find them within budget too. I will run them by her (she obviously gets the deciding vote).

I think that she would be into a Japanese carpenter's knife as well, but all of them seem to be too long.

Great feedback everyone- keep the suggestions coming! I might even have to pick up some of these for myself.
 
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