Looking to buy a knife for my fifteen year old sister

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
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Feb 2, 2005
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My sister turns 15 next month, and I'd like to get her a knife. I've given one to everyone in my immediate family, except for my 8 year old sister, who has been pleading with me to give her my Buck Cadet, I just don't know if she's old enough. Anyway, my 15 year old sister is interested in knives, but is also afraid of them, well, really, afraid that she might hurt herself. I showed her the nicks on my fingers and hands, but I can understand her point. I was going to get her a slipjoint and teach her how to use it, but I'm afraid that with a brand new slipjoint, that will SNAP closed, might be too much for her. Linerlock or lockback might be out of the question, something like the ARC lock or AXIS lock would probably be too much for her too. I'm looking to start small, probably go with another SAK. I was going to go with whatever SAK had the most gadgets, so that she would get familiar with the knife itself.

So far...
Gave my little brother a Victorinox Tinker, a Buck Cadet with wood handles

Gave my 21 yr old sister a Cold Steel trail guide, a Schrade 897UH, and a Colonial barlow

Gave my father a couple stockmans

Gave my mother (she wants a big tactical folder) a Gerber Shortcut
 
The one with the Spyderco style blade? I think that might be too big for her. Might be a good place to start though.
 
Spyderco Calypso or Dragonfly?

I haven't seen the woman yet who didn't love the Kershaw Chive, Leek, or Baby Boa...(Also might help to build her confidence a bit)

Can NEVER go wrong with an SAK...

Or if you really wanna go cheap, how 'bout a lil' opinel? no scary springs, and it's all pretty rudimentary...
 
How about a Spydie Jester or Ladybug? Good knives and have that "cute" factor! :D
 
The one with the Spyderco style blade? I think that might be too big for her. Might be a good place to start though.
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They have some with the one-hand opening hole, but other models (Rucksack, etc.) have the traditional blade shape. I also like the ergonomic shaped handles.

Does she have any hobbies or favorite areas of study that would be associated with a certain knife style or brand? Fishing, hunting, gardening, etc.?

-Bob
 
This is cool that you're doing this for your sister. You're a cool brother.

I'm with you on the SAK though. I think maybe get her a Climber, Super Tinker or a Huntsman. SAK's are great knives.

Teach her how to use it so she doesn't try to saw through things with the SAK blade and have it close on her fingers.

Sisters are precious. Treat her right.

If you don't want to do a SAK, then how about an Al Mar Osprey in SS? You can get one for around 60 bucks. The blade is under 2 inches and it's AUS-8. Al Mar makes great stuff too.

Here's a pic of the Al Mar Osprey SS:
 
Actually, what about a Hideaway Straight? It's small, sharp, and because it's not a folder you don't have to worry about self-injury with the opening mechanisms. Great utility and SD applications (the website focuses mainly on SD but apparently the designed came up with the idea while gardening :p), and I think the carry options are really good, especially for girls 'cause girls' clothing doesn't really have any decent pockets.

Just my two cents :cool:
[Edited for link]
 
I had my opinions and some knowledge of the market and made some reasonable suggestions on a similar thread at the Spyderco forum.

Simona and Kristi came forth with I think a better suggestion. Take her shopping at a good knife store. You get some quality sybling time enroute. Let her handle and choose from many different mechanisms and knives. What ever she chooses teach her the dangers and attributees of the knife. Preform some routine cutting tasks with her and let her become accustomed to the valuable tool she has chosen. You are not just giving her a knife; you are giving her a life enhancing tool...Take Care...Ed
 
The spyderco khalsa is the only linerlock that doesn't put your fingers in the way of the blade when you close it.

Any knife that opens out the front would probably be less threatening too because you don't have to touch the blade to get it out.

Also, this isn't exactly a knife but it's still cool. Folding scissors.

ThreeWorlds said:
Actually, what about a Hideaway Straight? It's small, sharp, and because it's not a folder you don't have to worry about self-injury with the opening mechanisms. Great utility and SD applications (the website focuses mainly on SD but apparently the designed came up with the idea while gardening :p), and I think the carry options are really good, especially for girls 'cause girls' clothing doesn't really have any decent pockets.

Just my two cents :cool:
[Edited for link]
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Purses are better than pockets.
 
My Mom gave me my first knife at 7-8 years old. My first knife was, I believe a Buck 110.
 
Ed Schempp said:
I had my opinions and some knowledge of the market and made some reasonable suggestions on a similar thread at the Spyderco forum.

Simona and Kristi came forth with I think a better suggestion. Take her shopping at a good knife store. You get some quality sybling time enroute. Let her handle and choose from many different mechanisms and knives. What ever she chooses teach her the dangers and attributees of the knife. Preform some routine cutting tasks with her and let her become accustomed to the valuable tool she has chosen. You are not just giving her a knife; you are giving her a life enhancing tool...Take Care...Ed
Click to expand...

Thanks Ed, I think that would be a good idea. Maybe I'll get her a small SAK and take her to the shop and let her pick something up.
 
Ed Schempp said:
I had my opinions and some knowledge of the market and made some reasonable suggestions on a similar thread at the Spyderco forum.

Simona and Kristi came forth with I think a better suggestion. Take her shopping at a good knife store. You get some quality sybling time enroute. Let her handle and choose from many different mechanisms and knives. What ever she chooses teach her the dangers and attributees of the knife. Preform some routine cutting tasks with her and let her become accustomed to the valuable tool she has chosen. You are not just giving her a knife; you are giving her a life enhancing tool...Take Care...Ed
Click to expand...

I'm going to take back what I said before and agree with Ed 100%.

Good thinking!
 
How about a yellow mini-grip? I would also take her to a knife shop and see what tickles HER fancy. That is what my Mom did.
 
You all have good and valid choices and obviously everyone likes something different and so will she. So why don't you show her the good ones, steer her away from the junk and tell her why they are junk. Teach her the difference between marketing gimmicks and quality materials and workmanship. Then take her shopping (girls love to shop) and let her pick what feels good and works for her. You will both enjoy and remember the day she got her first knife as good time spent together, as well as a gift she can enjoy and WILL use.
I'm sure we all have knives that we received as gifts that sit in a drawer and we will never use, but have to keep because some family member gave it to you.
Probably not what you have in mind but I find myself reaching for my victorinox soldier or Remington Boy Scout knife more than any other knife I have. They are not the most expensive or pretty but what the heck, works for me. and thats the point.
 
You all have good and valid choices and obviously everyone likes something different and so will she. So why don't you show her the good ones, steer her away from the junk and tell her why they are junk. Teach her the difference between marketing gimmicks and quality materials and workmanship. Then take her shopping (girls love to shop) and let her pick what feels good and works for her. You will both enjoy and remember the day she got her first knife as good time spent together, as well as a gift she can enjoy and WILL use.
I'm sure we all have knives that we received as gifts that sit in a drawer and we will never use, but have to keep because some family member gave it to you.
Probably not what you have in mind but I find myself reaching for my victorinox soldier or Remington Boy Scout knife more than any other knife I have. They are not the most expensive or pretty but what the heck, works for me. and thats the point.
 
As with any male, her experience level with influence your decision.

If she is a budding knife nut, then get her a lockback such as a spyderco Calypso, Jr.

If not, get her a cheap folder such as a Rough Rider or a Sak.

I like the idea of showing her different models and letting her pick.
 
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