please advise me on a knife for my non-knife wife

I kinda like the Micra idea. Sure it doesn't lock, but it's got a lot of nice tools in a small package. I bought one for myself just for fun once and I've used it more than I ever expected to (probably more than my old PST). The blade really isn't big enough or positioned right to be much of a cutter, but the scissors are handy and the small screwdriver is perfect for fixing my glasses when the screw falls out.

I think the Micra, combined with one of the small keychain Spydercos would make a great package for just about anything she'd need.

I bought a friend a pink Vic Classic a few years ago and she loves it, so that's an idea too, but non-locking. I taught her to respect the absence of a lock by showing her the nice scar on my left index finger where I closed a stockman on it years ago.

How much knife does she need? Something too small or too big won't get used.
 
Cognitivefun, you said, "no slip-joints", and that is wise. A non-knife person will cut themselves on a knife that doesn't lock....for sure. So that rules out Swiss Army Knives and non-locking mini-tools like the Leatherman Micra. (I carry the Micra on my keyring, but I don't like the knife blade. It's on the wrong side of the handles. I carry a "normal" knife in my pocket or in a belt sheath for a blade.)

I would buy her a lock-back (safer than a liner-lock for a non-knife person to disengage), with a blade of about 2 or 2 1/2 inches, in plain edge, not serrated (just personal preference....I much prefer a plain edge for everyday use, as well as for ease of sharpening). I would also make sure there is a hole in the end of the handle, should she wish to try attaching the knife to her key ring, or to a small flashlight.

And, don't get her a pink-handled knife! That is SO condescendingly sexist and passe! :yawn:
 
Pocketknife said:
And, don't get her a pink-handled knife! That is SO condescendingly sexist and passe! :yawn:
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hehe... true. The friend I got the pink SAK for actually picked it out herself. Interestingly, she's not a pink kind of girl. Had I been left alone in the decision, I'd have gotten her black or purple becuase those seem to fit her personality better. But it had to be pink. She's an odd one.
 
Spyderco FRN Dragonfly (PE).

cognitivefun said:
1. it has to be no-maintenance and not mind being jammed in a purse
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AUS-8 with the usual Spyderco finish is very low maintenance.

cognitivefun said:
2. cute would be good but not necessary
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Due to its rather unusual looks, I figure she might consider it cute.

cognitivefun said:
3. very easy to open and close
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Fairly easy to open with one hand as far as small folders go. Nice big hole, but it's not in the sweet spot. Reasonably easy to close one handed.

cognitivefun said:
4. locking -- no slipjoints
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Lock back (with Boye dent).

cognitivefun said:
5. budget - whatever is needed, I am hoping for under $100 in any event.
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A bit over 30 bucks.
 
My girlfriend clips a SS Cricket to her RF pocket everyday. I'm pretty surprised. I dunno if your wifey would do the same, so I am with the ones that say get a keychain type knife so she can find it easy. Best keychain knife out there is the Jester IMO, it comes in a few colors other than black which is always a plus.
 
I've bought knives for my former "non-knife wife" before. She hated 'em. They made sense, nice knives, well made, etc. But...what can ya' say. Women are fickle critters. I would sincerely suggest dragging her into a knife store and asking her opinion. My wife found one she liked the heck outta once when I dragged her into a knifeshop. (Blue Osborne 940) She's since picked up a metal handled Delica, BM 635 Mini Skirmish, Spyderco Shabaria, Microtech Kestrel, BM 31 Balisong, Kershaw Rainbow Leek, and a BM Big Spender. (I'll leave fixed blades out for obvious reasons)


As already mentioned, I would highly encourage you to take her knife shopping with you. That failing.....I've never seen a woman who didn't like a Kershaw Chive, Rainbow Leek, Mini-Boa, or Splinter.

Good luck to ya'!
 
I would get her the Sante Fe Stone Works modified stainless Spyderco Dragonfly. I just got my own stainless Dragonfly today, I have smallish hands for a guy, and it fits my hands surprisingly well. Feels like a bigger knife than it is. Completely sheeple friendly, the lock pops open with a loud snap, it's a strong lock, and the ATS-55 steel is better than the AUS8(?) on the FRN version. The SFSW versions are really pretty, you could have it customized with Jet, Mother of Pearl, Azurite, Malachite, Turquoise, Silver, etc. for I think $120.
 
A little 2" knife (closed) made by Aristocrat makes a great little knife for a woman. These are very well made lock back knives from Seki City Japan-You can put them on a keychain, pendant, or just drop it in a purse. I've given them to several women and they all love the "cute" size of the knife. Comes in genuine stag, (very nice looking stag) black pearl, quince wood & imitation pearl. (You can find them by doing a search for Aristocrat folding knife.)
aristocrat.jpg
 
There are many wonderful suggestions here. Thank you!

I ended up buying a Griptillian plain edge in blue with the thumbstuds. I hope this works out for her.

Not the greatest blade steel in the world, but I love my RSK and I think it is a good suggestion.

The light blue looks very innocuous.

Even if she doesn't open it one-handed with the thumbstuds she can open it like a slipjoint.

She may never use it, and it will likely sit in her purse. But you never know -- she uses her flashlight on occasion
 
To be honest, I wonder about the safety of carrying a knife in a purse that can be easily opened. Jostling, bouncing, and the constant rummaging around in of a purse could feasably open the blade up, at least partially. The Mini-Grip would probably be OK, since the AXIS lock pulls the blade back in rather than relying on a detent.

On that note, I'd second the suggestion of a Benchmite, since this locks closed. It's also very small, light, and extremely thin (although I suppose this might make it hard to find).

I also second the suggestion of a LM Micra or Squirt S4. The scissors and tweazers are far, far more likely to be needed and used than a full knife blade. I gave a battered old S4 to a girl I work with, and she says she can't believe how much she uses it and wonders how she got along with out it. Mostly the scissors and the nail cleaner.
 
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