Recommendation on folder for little old lady

ursusrubrum said:
...I want to buy her something to use with a maximum cost of 100 dollars. I think my blade was a bit long for her to feel really comfortable with, so it has to be in the 2 to 3 inch category with a thinner blade, easy to open, with a good lock that keeps her fingers out of the way, so no liners. I have am thinking the Benchmade Griptilian the smaller version, but would like some more suggestions
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I am inclined to agree that Mini-Griptilian is your best solution. The Axis lock keeps her fingers out of the way when closing, the blade is the right length, the handle is nicely shaped for smaller hands and the knife is light weight.

All things considered, I doubt you can do better than a Mini-Grip, IMHO.
 
Lol, I had a big spiel ready about how the delica would be perfect, but then I saw you chose the kopa. Come to think of it, the kopa is probably even with it, maybe slightly better. Let us know what she thinks of it.
 
My mom is going to be 84, and I'm dealing with the same thing. She lost the last knife I gave her (more than an annoyance for her as she's always carried a knife), so it's time for a replacement.

I bring this up as she has arthritis in here fingers, so any stiffness in backsprings, rocker-locks, or liner-locks would be a problem.

After sifting through my collection with that in mind, I'd have to say a Kershaw Ram: action is very smooth, and the slide-lock is not hard on the fingers.
 
I would eliminate anything with a nail nick. That's going to be nearly impossible to open. Liner lock, frame lock? Maybe too tough to close. Small axis lock? Maybe.
 
Here is the skinny...I ordered the Kopa (easy to open, lock back so her fingers weren't in the way). It was easy for her to open, but not close. It required too much pressure for her to muster. She has been practicing, I think out of embarasment seeing how easy it was for me, and can do it but it is hard.

The bottom line: hole in blade, good, locks that require lots of pressure to close, bad. When I save up some more cash for the purpose, I will try something with an Axis type lock or a small fixed blade.
 
ursusrubrum said:
The bottom line: hole in blade, good, locks that require lots of pressure to close, bad. When I save up some more cash for the purpose, I will try something with an Axis type lock or a small fixed blade.
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If the knife is to be riding in a purse, I don't know if I would suggest a fixed blade. For use, it would certainly be the safer, easier to opperate choice... but I'd hate to think of a little ol' lady rummaging through her purse, only to grab the knife blade that had found it's way out of the sheath.

As others have suggested, I think you are going to be hard pressed to find a better knife than the Mini-Grip. You have the hole opening, rock solid lockup, easy to operate closure and a the option for less... intimidating... colors. :D
 
Why don't you give her yours? She would appreciate it far more than just any knife you buy. A perfect gift is something practical - people can use all the time AND it has a history or a personal touch people care

When you give to her, tell you how much you love your knife and how much you care about her. Then tell her that carrying your knife, it's like she's with you.

I cannot think of anything better than that.
 
jackknife said:
keep in mind one thing; as we age, most of us loose dexterity in our fingers, as well as strength. A folding knife for a senior should be very easy to open, very little spring pressure, large enough for fumbling old hands to grip and manipulate well, and lock open in case of some fumbling durring cutting. At 80 years of age, we just can't handle what we could at even 60.

The senior is almost a handicapped person.

Something like a spyderco dragonfly or similar is easy for an elderly person to handle. Just think of it this way; senior citizens can't get into child proof caps on thier medications.
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I'd say a Buck 300 series. The reason is that their springs are quite a bit softer than a Case. My room-mate has a Spider(?) knife, after I sharpened it for him, I left it open since I are a idiot & couldn't figure out how to close the thing.:o
The other reason is that you can't kill a Buck knife. If you DO kill it they got a great warranty.
 
kershaw Baby Boa, small size for the purse, aesthetically appealing, easy to open,has a safety lock, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
 
if you still have yet to replace the Kopa, you might try will leavitt and his Sheeple Friendly Cutlerly.

he has a thread in custom and handmade knives for it.
 
The more I think about this, the more I favor the griptilian with its axis lock. The omega spring is the weakest compared to others' (liner lock, frame lock, or God forbid the notoriously stiff back lock), making it the easiest to manipulate by arthritic fingers. Even Spyderco's slipjoints take 20 lbs to break IIRC.
 
ursusrubrum said:
This weekend was my grandmother’s 79th birthday and I went to visit her and take her to dinner. She likes Chinese and so do I, but that is beside the point.

She was opening a package and said “just a moment while I get my knife out of my purse”. Being the diligent and attentive grandson that I am, I pulled out my Benchmade 921 Switchback opened it and handed to her in the blink of an eye. When she was finished using it, I told her how to get it closed and she handed it back. I asked her what her knife was and she told me she kept a box-cutter, the push-up razor blade kind, in her purse to open things.

Needless to say, she was very impressed by the steel and commented several times over the evening about how sharp it was and so forth.

She said that she had never owned a good knife in her life, and that she would like something like the one I carry.

I want to buy her something to use with a maximum cost of 100 dollars. I think my blade was a bit long for her to feel really comfortable with, so it has to be in the 2 to 3 inch category with a thinner blade, easy to open, with a good lock that keeps her fingers out of the way, so no liners. I have am thinking the Benchmade Griptilian the smaller version, but would like some more suggestions
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I am an old lady. Case knives are very good quality, BUT until the spring is used somewhat it's a real genuine pain to work. I would suggest a Buck Cadet, or an Alox Vic. Thes 2 are excellent knives, and I never had a problen with the springs.
 
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