How about knives for her?

not2sharp

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Messages
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A little over a decade ago the gun industry discovered women and started to produce guns specifically targeted at this market. Have we failed at this. Could this be why so few ladies enjoy our knife knutiness?

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I think that quite a few of the knives out there would appeal to women. It is just that most women do not know or care much about knives. That is somewhat the fault of us knife knuts for not passing on our enthusiasm to our partners and female friends.
Give a female you know an small SAK or one of the Spyderco knives marketed towards females and I am sure most would like the gift very much.
That is not to say most would go crazy for knives like we do, but it would start them on the path.
Keith

[This message has been edited by Keith Montgomery (edited 01-15-2001).]
 
Sak's and Micras are a standard stocking stuffer and small gift item to the ladies in my life.Plant the seed and watch 'em grow.
 
Most women love the little SAK knives with a blade and a pair of scissors (you need to caution them though that they may not be legal to carry everywhere).

I have given most of the women who are significant in my life a knife of some type.

When I go to local gun and knife shows, I often see a folding knife with a clip tucked into the pocket of a woman's jeans.

I often go camping with a group and all of us, including the gals carry knives. I even teach knife use and maintenance to Girl Scouts (It's one of their requirements).

Go ahead and get that gal of yours a knife or two!
 
Here is a scan of Lorena's engagement ring, he should have known better!

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G2

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"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...
 
Several years ago, when the Leatherman Micra first came out, just in time for Christmas, but were not available much outside of the Northwest, I bought a bunch of them for Christmas gifts. I gave one to everyone in my family. But, I hesitated to give one to my mother since she's never carried a knife or taken the slightest interest. However, I decided that she might feel left out if everyone got one except her, so I wrapped one up with her name on it. She immediately put it in her purse and sings the praises of it frequently. The scissors clip coupons and loose threads, the file fixes a rough fingernail, the screwdriver tightens her glasses, and the blade opens packages easily. You know, they're making packages and even paper envelopes so much stronger these days (it couldn't be that she's getting older
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) and so a little help is welcome.

So, I think that once women discover the utility of a pocket knife, maybe they'll take a bit more interest. It may just take some thoughtful son... or husband, or brother, giving them one.


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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
Q: What is the primary exposure that "Joan Q. Public" has to people carrying/using one-handed folding knives?
A: Bad guys in action movies.

I'm fairly convinced that the reason that many of my friends carry knives now is that they've seen how useful doing so has been for me. Give them numerous practical relentlessly peaceful counter-examples to the bad-guy/action-movie image and, over time, they will get over this.

Amongst my circle of friends (primarily smart/active/computer types, in their late 20's and 30's), I've been spreading the knives-are-cool virus for years. There are probably half a dozen women in the group who now have/carry knives (always as tools, not weapons, BTW). And I've run into some interesting opinions and preferences along the way, some of which probably don't match the preconceptions of most of the (predominately male Knife Knut) crowd 'round here...

They've expressed a strong preference for (partially) serrated blades, which I found rather surprising. They tend towards liner-locks, complaining that lockbacks are too hard to close (which rules out many of the smaller Spyderco knives that might otherwise be appealing). Thumb studs win out over Spydie holes, both for ease of opening and aesthetics. As well, a short radius between the thumb stud and pivot can be easier to open for their often smaller hands. They tend to shy away from G10 and Zytel handles, some expressing a preference for aluminum. They really like the tactile feedback from opening knives, though they tend not to flick them open fast the way "boys" do. But some will, in fact, occasionally sit around opening and closing their knives for the sheer enjoyment of the tactile feedback -- one of them rates my knives by the quality of the "snick" noise they make when the liner drops into place upon opening.

(Note that I'm not saying "all women react this way", but rather, "here's how a few women I know have reacted".)

Silverwing is probably pretty well known to long-time forum members, but I thought I'd mention some interesting comments from a few of the others...

Tamson expressed an interest in having a knife, so I showed her my collection, and gave her a bit of knife education, with the intent that I'd buy her the knife of her choice once she decided what she liked. Well, she not only decided that she liked the BM Stryker 910SBT best (yep, all black, very pointy, tanto, and serrated), but that she liked my Stryker best, and now she won't give it back
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Actually, this worked out pretty well, because I'd already effectively replaced my early 910SBT with a 910HS. She reports gleefully using it to open packages in the office, which unnerves her boss a little...

And Valerie, bless her heart, was the one who, back when I had 4 or 5 knives, and was trying to justify each one and why I needed another, said "silly, you're a collector -- you don't need a reason to get another one". She's also helping to spread the knife virus amongst our friends, and often buys knives as birthday presents for not-yet-infected friends. She has a pair of green Benchmade Leopards (one full size and one Cub) but covets a William Henry T-10CF Lancet, and my baby Sebenza.

Anyways, where was I going with all this? Oh yeah... yes, I think that marketing knives to women would be a great idea, but I don't think a stereotypical response (i.e. make them small, inoffensive, and pink, with matching lipstick cases) will fly. The industry first needs to find out what would really appeal to them.

And, if you want to make a difference on a personal level, enough so that you are willing to spend some time and maybe spring for a decent knife, expose your friends/relatives to the practical uses for carrying a knife; and if any show an interest, be willing to sit down with them, and show them different styles of knives, locking mechanisms, and such, along with some discussion of knife safety, the local legal aspects of carrying a knife, etc. If they're still interested, take them to nearest knife shop that has a good selection, and be willing to buy them their first knife if one particularly appeals to them.

I've found that this process is much more likely to plant the seed for a future enthusiastic knife user, compared to simply presenting someone with a knife with no prior introduction, which is just as likely to end up with the knife taking up permanent residence in a dresser drawer.

By the way, my favorite first answer when someone asks me why I carry a knife goes something like this:

"You know how hard it is to open that d*mned plastic packaging they use on everything these days?"
"Yes..."
"Well, not for me
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"

My $0.02...

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Carl /\/\/\ AKTI #A000921 /\/\/\ San Diego, California

Think this through with me ... Let me know your mind
Wo-oah, what I want to know ... is are you kind?
-- Hunter/Garcia, "Uncle John's Band"
 
Sorry -
i dont believe our wifes are that silly!
My wife select from my knives what she thinks will be needed.
Mostly a "Spy Endura" or a "CRKT Bearclaw".
I never heard her ask: "would`nt this look better in pink or rosa?"
but: " is this one sharp enough?"
There is a difference, they (the female) look at knives as tools, not toys (like male)and they (!) know: a tool must work, not only look good!



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*Da Gschwinda is da Gsünda*
 
The V-nox Classic or Leatherman Micra shoud appeal to most any woman. The scissors and nail file seem to be the main attraction.

Paul
 
Mine carries her damascus ProTech Runt auto.Won't leave home without it.
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have a"knife"day
 
Mine carries a little Spyderco Clip-it which
she really likes. Right size and proportions,
and it doesn't weigh her down.

T.
 
My other half likes the following knives from my collection:
- BM330 ("cute" blade shape, according to her)
- BM850 (rainbow anodizing on bolster)
- CRKT Urban Shark

Don't ask me why - I get a headache from trying to figure women out
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Red



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"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
My wife does like "pretty" knives, but then, she's also the person who once described a Desert Eagle .44 Magnum as "cute". I'm not sure our local firearms dealer has recovered yet.
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In reality she prefers a more "ladylike" .357 Magnum revolver or her Baby Eagle 9mm.
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The first knife she has ever really liked is a Buck Lightning in marbled blue aluminum that she found at a gun show. When I later bought my multi-colored Kershaw Boa I was delighted with how well it matched her Lightning. We make a great pair...

[This message has been edited by bquinlan (edited 01-15-2001).]
 
My wife carries her two SAKs, first a Vic Classic with a LED ubder the Sheild/button, and a Wenger Esquire. She prefers "borrowing" my Benchmade Leopard over the Spdyie Delica because of the thumbstud vs hole. (hmmm, the bad jokes are endless...) <g> She"s certainly less a knife knut than I am. (My latest addition is a CS Mini Culloden I got at Xmas from the In-Laws.)
 
My wife, who is a total pasifist and doesn't understand my interest in weapons has concented to start carrying something. I gave her an Opinal. Suits her just fine!
 
my wife has ZERO interest in knives. The only one she ever even mentioned was the Emerson LaGriffe. She said "I would almost carry that one" I don't understand.....

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Brian
"one life, one knife"

[This message has been edited by bteel (edited 01-15-2001).]
 
Hope you guys don't mind if I chime in here.... I visit frequently but don't post very often.

A very good friend introduced me to the world of knives about a year ago. Before then I was clueless. But, with some exposure and education I became more and more interested.

My first one, was a MicroTech UDT in purple! Allright, I confess, it was the color that attracted me to it at first. After carrying it for a few days though I found out how very useful it was and now I carry a knife every day! I work in the IT dept. and there is also something to be cut.

Of course, I couldn't have just one.... LOL I moved on to MicroTech's Mini-Socoms. Both a manual and automatic. The automatic is a Brend satin and is beautiful! In fact I think it is my favorite. However, I carry the manual most every day since it is less likely to scare the office crowd.
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When I first got the manual it was pretty funny... I could barely open and close it with both hands. But, I didn't give up and after a few weeks I could not only open it almost as fast as an auto but I can close it with one hand too! Sounds kinda silly but since I had never been exposed to anything like this before I felt it to be quite an accomplishment.
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I got a high polish CRKT P.E.C.K. but I haven't mastered it yet. It's a bit small but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

Carl, you mentioned serrated blades... Now, that's something that just doesn't appeal to me. But not all the guys like them either.

There is one that I have been wanting since the day I saw it. A Stan Fujisaka (sp?) custom with MOP handles, engraved anodized titanium bolters and satin plain blade. It's a bit pricey so I guess I'll have to save my pennies. Yes, it's kinda on the feminine side but I like the tactical look too! Go figure... just give us choices, I guess.
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Maybe I am the exception to the rule, but I am really enjoying this new realm!

SharpGirl
 
I'm a knife chick, have been for many many years, but that happens when you grow up in a town with a knife manufacturing plant I guess
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I do love serrations, have nearly all my kitchen knives serrated too, but I must have a straight edge by my side as well. I've got tons of Grohmann Knives, old style folders straight edged), lockblades (serrated and straight) and about a dozen or so fixed blades. My favorite outdoor knife is my #R1S D.H.Russell Original Design knife, just feels awesome in the hand and is super for fishing and camping too, and I love the super sweet leather sheaths, feels just yummy by your side.

I carry a small lockblade (import) that is serrated and is one hand opening with pin (I do prefer pins over holes) and I have a bunch of Victorinox of all sizes although I rarely use them, just have them around just in case.

I have knives all over my house as a matter of fact, used to make some of my boyfriends a bit nervous
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My latest boyfriend found a Grohmann Zytel featherweight lockblade in the bathroom by the bath oils two days ago as a matter of fact and picked it up looking at me curiously
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I'm having a custom fixed blade straight edged knife done up for me with black water buffalo scales and white scrimshawing that I designed myself.

And lately I've been really attracted to sleek Italian styling like Antonio Fogarizzu, just gives me shivers thinking about his knives
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And I'm a bit of a crow, so I'm also in the market for something with paua shell or opal along with damascus *drool*

I find it hard getting excited over a lot of the mainstream knives out there because they are so damn bland looking, almost look like they were spit out by a cookie cutter!
What's the word I'm looking for..oh yea.. Boring!
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Comfort is also very important, along with good steel, I have no use for crap that won't hold an edge. And if the lock or folder doesn't open and close fluidly, or with a nice snap, keep it, I don't want it.

Cheers
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~KC
 
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