,Need a knife for my sister (Dozier, Leek, Dragonfly???)

[pkyink]

I'm looking for a knife for my sister to edc. I already got her a Kershaw Shuffle but she doesn't like it b/c it's too hard to open (I oiled it and tried to break it in, never messed with the pivot though now that I think about it) which sucks b/c otherwise it would be perfect.

I'm looking for something relatively small that comes in bright colors. I know the Leek and Dragonfly are obvious picks but I'd like to go cheaper if possible, at least until she actually gets in the habit of carrying and keeping track of it. I honestly don't know if she'd feel comfortable carrying a $50+ knife. I'm also aware of the Lady/Manbugs but I'd just as soon pay the $10 difference and get the Dragonfly.

So does anyone have experience w/ the Dozier? Specifically the one with the oval thumb hole? It comes in green. Can it be flicked open like a Spyderco? Can the Dragonfly or is it too small/awkward?

Are there any other "colorful" sub $50 folders I'm overlooking? I missed out on the bright colored Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lites. At least for what I'm willing to pay, I can find them for double what they were lol. Thanks in advance.

-No fixed blades. I already tried to sell her on an Izula.

 

[MattyLav]

In my experience the Doziers and Dragonflies cant be flicked open. But they're still great picks!.
Cold Steel Tuff Lites are pretty bright - ~$26
Svord Peasant Knives - ~$15
Buck SpitFires come in all kinds of colors - ~$30
The only knives out of the three I've actually had from these three are the peasant knives. Not bad cheap friction folders. Im sure as long as you are beating them up too bad any of these would be fine

 

[MIGUY]

Have you shown her pictures to see what she likes? My sister has a g10 Kershaw cryo, she doesn't care that its not colored, my girlfriend has a spyderco ambitious, also black g10, she also doesn't care that its not colored. Maybe you're limiting yourself to much?

 

[pkyink]

Oh man, that Buck Spitfire looks like it might fit the bill. I totally forgot about those.

You may be right about limiting my options. She has said she wants bright colors but that may change once she gets one in her hand. Regardless, I'd say once she actually gets in the habit of carrying and sees the usefulness in it she'll stop caring so much.

 

[DanH45]

Kershaw Ken onion assisted; shallot, scallion, leek, etc.

I personally edc a shallot.

 

[bflying]

Miguy mentioned a couple that popped into my head. The Cryo g10, or Spyder Ambitous. They are black g10, but I guess could be spray painted if color is needed. [emoji16]. Cryo is assisted, and ambitious with traditional spydie hole. But when tuned a bit, I can flick the little Spyder as fast as any assisted.

The dragonfly really is a great little blade, but don't throw out the Delica, it's only a bit bigger than the DF. Both really have very useable/versatile blade shapes.

You mentioned trying to sell her on an Izula. But did you think of the little Candiru? It's half the size of the Izula, and comes with a nylon fold-over sleeve that would fit in small pocket or small purse.

Back to the Kershaw's, my daughter has a rainbow Leek. They are a bit more than the standard stainless, but she really likes it. However it is quite the sharp slender blade. Handling it requires a little more attention paid to safety to avoid sharing blood. Personally I think the Scallion (between the leek and chive in size) has a little more edc useful blade shape. Mine is stainless, but I think they came in colors at one time.

Doh! One more that I happen to be playing with right now, the Boker Nano. It's a Curtiss design with little kidney bean shaped frame and deep blade. Mine is black, but they also do a bright lime green. I've given my mother in law dozens of knives over the last couple of years, and the green Nano is one that she almost always has with her. Her all time favorite is the zt0770cf, but that o e is a bit over the price range given.

Ok, one more thought outside the parameters again. Back to a tiny fixed blade. Because a small handle-less fixed can be carried in some of the super small and tight spaces of modern female clothing and/or purses. Here's a couple more bitties that still have some useful value. .... The Spyderco ARK, (first choice just behind the Candiru for thin, light, useful), and the Boker Gnome. The gnome is a little more cocktail olive slicer than full utility, but maybe still worth a look.

I'll try to shoot some pics and add later.

 

[Wowbagger]

Girls are weird.

U'oh now I've done it.

No really. Usually they hate sharp stuff. The ones I have talked into buying a pocket knife, so they don't ask me to cut stuff for them at work, then don't carry the knife THEY PICKED OUT.

OK . . . now that I got some of that out of my system . . .

I kind of doubt she will be flicking it open with one hand and stuff . . . I could be wrong but . . .

I did notice Swiss Army has some pink ones. I mention that because the young woman I mentioned above was all about pink accessories , pink windshield wiper blade holders no less, YMMV.

 

[Wowbagger]

OK, I'm better now . . .
Hey check out this vid . . . a knife designer designing a knife for serious use by women.

PS: I bought a Balance. Great little knife and when it's closed it looks like a little flying saucer. Can be a bit hard to find one for sale though.

 

[stkh22]

Leek is good choice, has a safety as well. I gave my friend a Kershaw thermite and she loves it.

 

[vanslem6]

The Dragonfly is mine, the Squeak is my Sister's. I like the Squeak much more to be completely honest.

Doing it over, I would not have bought the Dragonfly. I would have gotten a UKPK or Urban instead.

I can 'flick' open all three pictured, though I couldn't when they were new.

 

[bdmicarta]

My wife was carrying a black Dragonfly but had a hard time finding it in the bottom of her purse so I bought her a small orange Kabar Dozier.

 

[DocT]

My wife saw my Dragonfly and took it. Now she has two. She has larger knives but loves the DF. It fits in what are laughingly called pockets on women's clothes, and fits in her small purse. They weigh next to nothing.

The Spyderco Cat and Chicago would be good choices. They weigh more than the DF, though.

The Byrd Robin is only about $24. It is Spyderco's budget Dragonfly.

You might look at the Benchmade Lonewolf Mini-Landslide. It it nearly rust proof and pretty slim. There is a pink one but it is $64! This one is just $37 http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmadelonewolfminilandslidesatinbladecomboedge.aspx#.VmwNRt8rJo4

 

[Bradass80]

That pink mini landslide is what I got for my sister a couple of years ago, its a great, easy to use knife, she actually carries it. There's also the mini grips available in various colors. Brad

 

[GlockandBalls]

I can't believe no one has mentioned an Ontario Rat 2 in Pink. It's the smoothest budget knife out there IMO and will swing open fast with just a thumb flick. No dedicated wrist action necessary. You can find them under $30. A liner lock will always be smoother and easier to open than a lock-back. Its just physics. Look up videos on this knife and its big brother the Rat 1. You will see what I mean.

 

[strategy9]

$20 Buck Bantam BBW in pink camo.
Great "first" edc for a novice, 2.75" is a good size, won't break the bank, back lock is more reliable then liners or frames, esp. for a novice (who may be more prone to pry, stab, and "twist")

 

[ThePeacent]

Another vote for the Dragonfly here!

Cute, capable, beutiful, lightweight, an instant classic!

 

[Dantone05]

I bought my sister a RAT 2 for her birthday two years ago. First comment she said was…

" Do they have a larger model? It's a little small for cleaning fish and skinning game."

Needless to say we exchanged it for RAT 1 and she carries and uses it all the time.
My vote is for the RAT 2

 

[GlockandBalls]

I bought my sister a RAT 2 for her birthday two years ago. First comment she said was…

" Do they have a larger model? It's a little small for cleaning fish and skinning game."

Needless to say we exchanged it for RAT 1 and she carries and uses it all the time.
My vote is for the RAT 2

Sounds like your sis is a cool girl.

Yea there are other bright colors avail too.. (I like the KW exclusive in Orange $26) Just make sure OP that you buy from a reputable spot. Lots of fakes out there right now.

 

[sparky2016]

Kershaw Ken onion assisted; shallot, scallion, leek, etc.

Not so sure about the assisted knives for new users. And sure, they're easier to open, but the assist makes them harder to close.

Oh man, that Buck Spitfire looks like it might fit the bill. I totally forgot about those.

Check the reviews first.

My wife was carrying a black Dragonfly but had a hard time finding it in the bottom of her purse so I bought her a small orange Kabar Dozier.

Don't miss this comment. The mini Dozier comes in colors, even if she outgrows it, it's still handy as a lightweight small knife for times that's needed.

 

[cchu518]

I love my mini tuff lite they are available on the auction site for about $23 in colors.

The UK pen knife is a great edc in blue or grey as well but double what the mini tuff lite goes for.