Knife for a girl

my wife is a total knife nut, almost as bad as me...:o she has a whole drwer full of knives... she EDC's a benchmade mini-griptillian, kershaw chive or a byrd cara... she also a hs a few nice custom fixed blades...
 
TemplarKnight21c said:
A female friend and I would like to go camping this coming spring/summer, and I want to get some of the gear together that we'll need. We'd be hiking to whatever camp site we'd be using, so I know I need good packs and pads and such. But what she's really wanting is a good knife, especially after seeing mine. But she has small hands, so my knives (which fit my big hands) really aren't the right size for her. Any ideas? I was looking at the Gerber Big Rock Camp Knife, or some of the Helles, which appear to have small handles.
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Sounds like budget and longevity are the issues to me. Heirloom gift, quality production rig or a budget user? Then fixed or folder?

For a traditional looking knife, I think you are right about the Helles. I agree with others on the Falkniven WM1--- heck, I want one myself. The AG Russell Woodswalker is a nice little utility knife, but more on the food prep side really. The Bark River Mini-North Star would be perfect, IMHO.

For folders, the Benchmade mini Griptilian, Victorinox Fieldmaster, and Spyderco Delica are favorites of mine.

She might like a multi-tool too. Leatherman Juice models and the Micra appeal to women in my experience. They can be as gadget prone as the guys are.

I would go with a Helle with a small finger guard, or the Bark River, a Leatherman Micra, a firesteel, a whistle, and a small compass, or a K&M match case. That will equip her right and may open conversations about basic woods techniques--she might save you sometime!


One lesson I learned with packs: take her to a shop that handles a lot of women specific packs and preferably a female clerk, and go look at other stuff while she looks. Let budget be no object. To be fair, I wouldn't want anyone picking out my pack. My wife and daughter are very headstrong about what kind of pack they want and my most diplomatic advice has fell on deaf ears. If the clerk knows her business, your GF will get a good fit and one appropriate for the load. If she's pissed about it halfway up the mountain, it won't be your fault :) BEEN THERE DONE THAT :o
 
OK I have to say it.

A woman's knife? How 'bout a Battle Mistress? :D

Seriously, an RC-3 or 4 (both have the same size grip) would be my first choice. They're good knives, come sharp, are easy to maintain, and won't break the bank.

I wouldn't get a Mora simply because they look cheap, and that might not go over well. If you want to try that kind of knife, get a Jarvenpaa, Helle, etc. They cost more, but look like a much nicer knife -- remember, you're dealing with a woman. And they are also very easy to care for.
 
mtnfolk mike said:
my wife is a total knife nut, almost as bad as me...:o she has a whole drwer full of knives... she EDC's a benchmade mini-griptillian, kershaw chive or a byrd cara... she also a hs a few nice custom fixed blades...
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I'm jealous... :thumbup:

It's too bad we don't live closer, I'd like to pair them up so your wife could turn mine into a knife nut.. :D
 
Consider one of Kosters Bushcraft knives in 3V. The grip is on the smaller side.
 
I think that you could add a small Opinel as well as a small, light, dependable folder. My wife loves hers and uses it for carving whenever we go camping.
For a fixed blade my wife loves a 3" puuko I made a sheath for.
 
What a blade from one of the great bladesmiths here on BF ?
Check out Stompers Budget models or Sicily02 (Bryan Breeden) PSKK or Handy little knife :thumbup:
 
My daughter's happy with her Kershaw chive. It's nearly weightless for backpacking, and handles little chores. We usually use fuel stoves for cooking, so the fire-making chores stay at the woodstove back home.
 
My GF is about as girlie-girlie as they get. Think model->sorority girl->mommy. When I took her knife shopping, she asked for a Kabar shorty, but secretly she wanted the full size, stacked leather handle, Kabar fighter. How do I know this? Because she begged and begged until she got MINE. Prior to this, I had offered her bigger, smaller, less expensive, more expensive, etc., as alternatives to giving her my one and only Kabar, but she stood her ground, so this Christmas passed, I gave it to her. It was my cheapest Christmas ever, so I am somewhat ambivalent...:) She is, of course, smiling ear to ear and still deciding where to cache it. I'm betting it will end up being cached near wherever she hid the shorty.
 
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My wife is very partial to the Gerber Profile, as well as the Schrade Old Timer with the Safe T scales. For a folder she likes the Kershaw Mini Cyclone, and most of the 91mm/111mm SAKs.
 
In my younger days (not married) I would have glady traded you a a knife for a girl. Now, I'll keep the girl and the knife I have. Thanks for asking though.
 
Talfuchre said:
What do you think about a Ka-Bar short version? Just a thought.

TF
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I'm guessing you were addressing me. If not then no big deal, otherwise I consider the shorty to be a marginally useful knife as it comes out of the box. I don't actually own a shorty, but if I did, I would probably spend a few hours reprofiling it before I'd carry it. I'd also like a somewhat bigger handle and better quality sheath, but other than that, it's a pretty good knife.:)
 
back to kabar... you could get her the sized down version of the kabar or go for Simmonich Salish, very good knife
 
C'mon...take her out and buy WITH her, not FOR her.

Share. Get in touch with your inner child. Create an event.

Think "Boogie" in Casablanca. "Louie, this is the beginning of a ....."


:) :) :)
 
A couple more Belt Knife suggestions that are compact and useful for users who are not blessed/cursed with a Yeti paw:D

Bark River Escort, a really good pointy stainless Barkie which if you get one in Red Micarta is very HOT

Bark River Pro Scalpel II, carbon, outstanding, ergonomic and compact multi tasker.
BRKT are fairly expensive so if you need a cheaper blade how about

BUCK GEN 5 in Blackbirch. Stainless with a sheath that straps on to the shoulder strap of a pack and can be carried horizontal/vertical on the belt.Nice,practical sharp&easy to maintain.good quality finish on this BUCK and under 50USD I reckon, a bargain.
 
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