PhiL:
tough one, but here's an idea you (and other befuddled spouse-types) might try:
she likes the clothes you buy her, so that's good...how about the jewelry? jewelry, being "hardware", is a bit tougher to pick out--more options, more 3D, kinda like a knife... see where i am going with this?
so look to her favourite jewelry for hints. (if she doesn't wear jewelry, look at the type of things she decorates your home with, same idea--gals, you can use this with your guy, too) does she like silver? wood? lots of bitty details or really clean lines? does she keep to one sort of material (only gold with no stones, or only wood knicknacks) or does she like things that combine two different ones? are her things high-tech or old fashioned? is she a small-and-delicate earring type or a big, clunky, borrowed-it-from-vampire-gerbil sort?
(hee hee, sorry, couldn't resist!)
the william henry line has so many choices that there's pretty much something for all tastes there--carbon fiber for those who like the high tech clean look, their diamonds and pearls for the pearl-and-diamond-earrings set.
this hint of choosing-knives-that-remind-you-of-her-favourite-jewelry might just work! for example, i'm a real silver-and-stones sort, and i wear a lot of my native stuff--sometimes the real simple silver, sometimes the fancy beads. looking at my knives, you find clean lines, strong colours, but not a lot of fussy stuff. i like contrasts between two materials, just like i like stones with my silver. if it is fancy, like my Benchmade 850, it's elegantly fancy, just like my beaded earrings...
as for concrete suggestions, from what you've said about her: another idea is the Boye folders. i've seen them at shows with wood and other materials used for the handles; they are great knives! beauty mixed with steel...
from your description, sounds like your wife likes "strong, but pretty"--she likes to sweat, and likes wearing makeup in public. perhaps she did not find the Q to be enough "strength" for her--too much yin, if you will, not enough yang. so a knife which balances both, like your wife, might be just the ticket...
oh, listen to me rattle on...i do love to hear myself type
i hope some of that prattle was at least a tiny bit helpful...take what you like, and forget the rest--and let us know what you finally picked out!
silverwing
