Need help finding woman friendly knives.

[Motivated]

So my gf wants to start carrying a knife, not for self defense or anything like that like most people say their gf does. I want to get her something fairly nice in the 100$ range. If possible i feel like it would be cute if i get me and her something matching, kind of like the benchmade grip and mini grip or delica and endura.
The only thing is those knives don't really do it for me is there anything else like that out there? If not whats just a good knife for her?

She wants like 6-7 inches over all with around a 3 inch blade. There will be only light cutting like opening mail and things like that.

Also i like the recon 1 and she likes the mini recon but im worried that the tri ad lock might be too hard for her since she is very small and has little hands.

 

[CJZ]

Kershaw Cryo!
Kershaw Skyline!
A traditional slipjoint! (Case, GEC, etc)

 

[TheModernNeanderthal]

No joke, my wife loves her Cryo. She has never carried a knife before, even the couple times I tried to make her, but she carries the Cryo almost every day.

I would recommend that and maybe the Dragonfly, mini grip is good, Kershaw makes a lot of knives that fit.

 

[Motivated]

Kershaw Cryo!
Kershaw Skyline!
A traditional slipjoint! (Case, GEC, etc)

She actually used to have a dlc skyline i gave her a couple years ago and something happened to it she lost it or someone stole it. The second one i think. She borrows some of my knives sometimes but as of late i got rid of a lot of my knives and i think itll be nice to get her something for her own.
Just a little back story.

Maybe she would like another one in one of the pretty color handles.
The cryo is nice but im not so sure about the made in china tag. Only had one made in china kershaw but it came with some pre-stripped screws. (not discounting the knife for that just curious about its build quality.)

 

[YoYojunkie]

Chive or leek for her and a shallot for you.

 

[CJZ]

She actually used to have a dlc skyline i gave her a couple years ago and something happened to it she lost it or someone stole it. The second one i think. She borrows some of my knives sometimes but as of late i got rid of a lot of my knives and i think itll be nice to get her something for her own.
Just a little back story.

Maybe she would like another one in one of the pretty color handles.
The cryo is nice but im not so sure about the made in china tag. Only had one made in china kershaw but it came with some pre-stripped screws. (not discounting the knife for that just curious about its build quality.)

It doesn't bother me as long as te knife is of nice quality, which the Cryo is.

It came sharp, tight lockup, decent F&F for what I paid.

 

[livewake]

My wife likes her pink 555 Griptilian. Started with a 556 (DP thumb stud) and she liked the hole system better. More control opening, and the Axis lock doesn't tear up her delicate lady fingers.
I know you said they didn't do it for you but there are customizers on here that could do some awesome scales for you down the road (gift idea for future).

 

[Mr. Bright5ide]

Pink frn-handled Spyderco Squeak makes a good "cute" choice

 

[Codger_64]

It doesn't fit your size and design criteria, but most ladies I have known like small traditional Waldemars. Depending on the maker and time period, they actually look like jewelry, many are gold filled or gold plated having been actually constructed by jewelers aroung cutlery skeletons. Most have multiple blades. Some have built in pencils or ink pens, some scissors. Most have one or more manicure features in addition to a pen blade. Of course if you are considering the self defense aspect of a knife, they definately don't fit the bill. But then realisticly, a knife is a poor means of self defense anyway.

 

[addylo]

Spyderco Dragonfly is another good option, although it is smaller than your size specifications. But it's the perfect size for a lady to carry IMO. She won't freak out her friends.

 

[22-rimfire]

A Spydie Native is the first one I'd look at. It is immensely practical but very pointy. Seems as though the budget $ might be a bit of an issue as I got mine at Walmart a number of years ago. They are much more expensive now.

 

[Motivated]

My wife likes her pink 555 Griptilian. Started with a 556 (DP thumb stud) and she liked the hole system better. More control opening, and the Axis lock doesn't tear up her delicate lady fingers.
I know you said they didn't do it for you but there are customizers on here that could do some awesome scales for you down the road (gift idea for future).

It doesn't do it for me because of the environment i use it in. Totally different situation for her so it'll probably be okay, so it is a consideration.

A Spydie Native is the first one I'd look at. It is immensely practical but very pointy. Seems as though the budget $ might be a bit of an issue as I got mine at Walmart a number of years ago. They are much more expensive now.

80 bucks is do-able. I wouldn't have a problem spending more if its going to be a good quality nice sharp and safe blade.

 

[Midwest Chick]

So my gf wants to start carrying a knife, not for self defense or anything like that like most people say their gf does. I want to get her something fairly nice in the 100$ range. If possible i feel like it would be cute if i get me and her something matching, kind of like the benchmade grip and mini grip or delica and endura.
The only thing is those knives don't really do it for me is there anything else like that out there? If not whats just a good knife for her?

She wants like 6-7 inches over all with around a 3 inch blade. There will be only light cutting like opening mail and things like that.

Also i like the recon 1 and she likes the mini recon but im worried that the tri ad lock might be too hard for her since she is very small and has little hands.

Benchmade Emissary. Nice and slim, good ergonomics for small hands, speed assist, axis lock for one-handed close.

 

[mrszeontestpilot]

As a woman, I recommend the Case mini copperlock knives. I currently have two (ocean blue and amber), and love them. Perfect size, and there are many great colors. Different vendors have different colors, so look around. Most are around $50-60, so not quite your target area, but they're great. There is a mother of pearl version around $200. I'd also recommend Buck custom 501 or 503. I have a standard 503 right now, and a custom 501 with indigo royalwood on order. They have some cool wood options and things worth looking into.

 

[Motivated]

As a woman, I recommend the Case mini copperlock knives. I currently have two (ocean blue and amber), and love them. Perfect size, and there are many great colors. Different vendors have different colors, so look around. Most are around $50-60, so not quite your target area, but they're great. There is a mother of pearl version around $200. I'd also recommend Buck custom 501 or 503. I have a standard 503 right now, and a custom 501 with indigo royalwood on order. They have some cool wood options and things worth looking into.

Okay thanks. Ill show her some of that stuff and see if she has any interest in it.

 

[Nal0n]

Way under your planned bedget but as for matching pairs of small and big I want to Throw in the Ontario RAT 1 (big) and RAT 2 (small).
Fits your size requirements and you get a lot of knife for your money.

I have both they regularly kick my more expensive folders out of my pocket for EDC

 

[Cereal_killer]

My wife absolutely loves her CRKT Ripple (frame lock/Acuto+). I have it customized for her- polished the blade, filled the holes in the handle with glow powder, sand blasted the clip. Did I mention she loves it.

When I first got it for her it was a purse knife and she used it some but mostly used the Rainbow Chive on her keys, now that I've got it all customized she carries it in her pocket and uses it about as much as I use my knives. You could get her a small and you a large or you could get her a liner lock (much cheaper and with 8Cr13MoV) and you a frame lock or you could even get an eros.

Or you could abondond the large and small idea and just concentrate on getting the best knife for her needs. That's what I'd recommend.

Other suggestions are-
Pink spyderco Native or Dragonfly, pink delica if you can find it (I found my wife doesn't like back locks). Pink mini-grip, if you don't like the pink idea maybe a Sage 1 or even a BM 707 ( my wide doesn't like axis locks cause of her nails getting in the way). Instead of thinking about what you want her to have why not take her to the knife store and see what she likes, you don't have to purchase one right then- just find out what she likes and surprise her later, don't even tell her you're shopping for her, just ask her is she wants to hold any and what she likes.

 

[HwangJino]

Of all my knives, my GF claimed the spyderco southard.

She does not want a pink handled knife.

 

[Motivated]

Of all my knives, my GF claimed the spyderco southard.

She does not want a pink handled knife.

Your gf has expensive tastes lol.

 

[pinnah]

Okay thanks. Ill show her some of that stuff and see if she has any interest in it.

IMO, this is the only right answer.

After 25 years of a great marriage, I've found that works for me, may not work for her and vice versa. Odd, you know. You want to give her the best and you know what is the best (for you) and give her that and it's not the best (for her).

It really, really, really depends on the taste of the person. Pink camo maybe? You never know.

My wife like SAKs. I hate em. Just hate em. But for her, it falls inside of the realm of acceptance and if it works for her, that's what she gets.

I know several people who've gifted Opinels to their wives. You can find the N8 Garden knife in pink.

And can find the N7 standard Inox in a range of colors.

Nice thing about the Opinels is that they have the familiar feel of a kitchen paring knife, which is good if there is any fear about "scary" knives.



EDITED to Add: what kind of carry? Purse or key ring? I'm assuming not pocket. You might consider a pair. I dislike the Victorinox Classic but my wife and daughter love theirs. The super small Leatherman key ring tool is a nice option too. Another option for purse carry would be one of the smaller, more discrete SAKs. The functionality for day to day life is hard to beat.

Regardless, you're on the right track to put a bunch of style in front of her and let her own taste be the guide.