Recommend a decent outdoor pocket knife?

aldiaur · Post by **aldiaur** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 1:53 am

Hi, I am trying to pick out a nice pocket knife as a birthday present for my girlfriend, but am not sure what brands I should look for. If someone could help me with this I would appreciate it.

I want a generally "all-purpose" single folding blade. It would be used in gardening, camping and hiking related activities and general uses, around the house or in the country working outside; would teeth be a good idea? Importantly, I would like a blade that can hold an edge well and doesn't need to be sharpened often, and of course stays quite sharp.

One thing, is she has small hands, even a little small for a woman, though they are strong and can handle something tough, just maybe not too big.

I'm looking for something in a range of $50-$80, but if this is unrealistic I'm open-minded.

I do appreciate any advice anyone can give me, whether specific or just a good forum or other place to look. Thanks,

Jesse

Rupe · Post by **Rupe** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 2:27 am

My wife carries a Spyderco Dragonfly. Excelent knife for smaller hands.

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... arq%3Dsp28

Great company, customer service, and reputation.

Not the prettiest but very functional.

If she's a little more on the girlie side, a Spyderco Delica in pink might be a better choice. Larger than the Dragonfly but would probably work a little better as a camp/outdoor chore knife.

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... ?s=SP11PPN

By the way,

Chris

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 3:04 am

That's a TALL order, As you say, a blade that can hold an edge well and doesn't need to be sharpened often, and of course stays quite sharp. You need to realize, in general (NOT ALWAYS) that if it has real good edge retention, it MAY be harder to sharpen.

I'd reccomend a Spyderco Native as it comes with S30V Stainless Steel which is the best you can get, Forget the Online stores and just go down to Walmart. The clip is ambidextorours and holds that edge quite well. It is a medium size Lockback that does large chores quite handily. The blade is made with powdered metal technology.

Description Frpm Spyderco
SP41PSBBK Black Blade With S30V Stainless Steel
The Native combines cutting power and uncommon features in a moderate size to tackle a variety of demanding chores. The handle is made of Zytel and will tolerate extreme use. It incorporates a unique bi-directional pattern on both sides that graduates out from center - this pattern is designed to help prevent forward or backward slipping during use and contributes to the novel appearance of the knife. The ergonomic handle design maximizes control along with three other features: the modified stainless steel clip (reversible and mounted as part of the lanyard hole); the substantial finger choil; and the texturing at the base of the blade spine. The spearpoint-style blade includes a pronounced swedge. The knife is easily opened with one hand using the Spyderco Trademark Round Hole, and the front lock facilitates one-hand closing. A handful of working tool, this lightweight U.S.A. made CLIPIT is great for ever day use.
Specs
Blade Steel CPM(T) S30V
Blade Thickness 1/8" 3mm
Clip Reversible ambidextrous
Diam. Blade Hole 15/32" 12mm
Edge Type 35/65
Handle Material Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon
Hardness 56-57
Length Blade 3 1/8" 80mm
Length Cutting Edge 2 5/8" 66mm
Length Overall 7" 179mm
Weight 2.4oz 69g

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=5244171

Both my son and I have one and we both absolutely love them. I think they come with both plain and serrated edges. They cost about $40.00 which I think is an absolute bargain. It's a bit small in my hands, but fits my young son quite well!
To avoid any issues that may arise from poor sharpening, I would spend the $50 for a Lansky diamond sharpening system.

The Spyderco Native with that Lansky sharpening system will make you look like a hero!

A&E · Post by **A&E** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 4:28 am

If I got my wife a pocket knife for her birthday she'd probably buy me a teacup for mine.

That must be some woman you've got there!

Oh yes, and WELCOME!

Ringmaster · Post by **Ringmaster** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 4:38 am

Hi Jesse, welcome and stick around ! We've got a terrific group, here....

I'd recommend a Sodbuster Jr. - most women don't care for lockback knives. There's a few guys here, that could even "pretty it up" for ya, unless her B'day is next week...

Be sure to let us know what you decide, and how she likes it !

Take Care,
JR

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:00 am

You might check out Kershaw knives.
If you get one made with AUS8A steel or better, she won't be sharpening it very often. Kershaw has a variety of patterns & sizes. Foe a small hand you might consider a Leek. Only 3" closed & it is assisted opening with Sandvic 13C26 steel. I have a couple and they really hold an edge. They run form $69 to $79 & you can even get a pink one.

Hope this helps,
Dale

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:55 am

aldiaur I am so glad you asked this and welcome to AAPK.

Here is one that I feel will work and look just fine for your sweet heart.

Check out the E-bay on this some times you get them for about $50.00.

She is a " KERSHAW LEEK 1660 PINK " I paid $40.00 for this one.

I am also at this time looking for a Kershaw 1660 rainbow.

I talked to a lady that uses a 1660 rainbow and I was amazed that it was not full of scratches. To clean it she said she just places it in here dish washer....

It has some kind of coating that stays on the blade and handle. For a 5 year old knife it looked very good. She said she even road over it with her car....

She was not a RED HEAD...

We all would like to know what you did get her so please come back to let us know.

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 1:32 pm

Cleaning knives in the dishwasher is not recommended!

When I was managing the cutlery store, the Henckels sales rep told me that they do not recommend putting their 4 star knives in a dishwasher, even though the handles are dishwasher safe, the blades are not. He went on to say that the water jets are strong enough that they will bang the knife & other silverware around and dull the edge of the knife. Then he said, even worse, many dishwashers get hot enough on the dry cycle, (especially where the silverware basket sets in most of them- right over the heating element) that it can take the temper out of the steel.

With a folding knife, I suppose the edge would be safe if you kept it closed, but the heat could still mess up the heat-treating of the steel.

Dale

PS- Ken, I realize you were not advocating cleaning knives in a dishwasher, merely relating what the lady told you.

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:20 pm

orvet no feeling hurt on this end. In fact Thank You very much for adding your last post.

You are right again...

... Perhapes a new reader may have tryed to do this and that could be bad...

aldiaur · Post by **aldiaur** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:44 pm

Thanks guys for all you're help, you've certainly given me a good bunch to look at.

She is some woman, so she does need a good knife, thanks

I'll be sure to let you know what I decide as well.

Oh, I did have another question, is there a good simple stone sharpener out there that will work on these hard steels? The Lansky system looks great, but I think she may not want to go through all of it, think it's not worth it, etc. A good hard stone (or two) with two different sides would probably work better for her. Any ideas?

Thanks again!

Jesse

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:06 pm

justold52 wrote:orvet no feeling hurt on this end. In fact Thank You very much for adding your last post.

You are right again... ... Perhapes a new reader may have tryed to do this and that could be bad...

We are on the same page Ken. I was thinking about someone new to quality knives & putting them in the dishwasher. Can you imagine a well-meaning wife cleaning her husband's collection of vintage knives by washing them in the dishwasher??

That reminds me of a little old lady who was shopping with her husband in one of the smoke shops I managed, many years ago.

She said, “I will have to tell you a story on me. In 1936, we were just married. My husband was at work & I was cleaning house and listening to the radio. A man on the radio said; ‘Ladies, make your husband very happy. Just wash his pipes in the dish water along with your dishes.’” She said, “I have no idea why he said that, perhaps he didn’t like pipes. But I was a new bride & wanted to make my husband happy, so I washed his pipes with the dishes.” She sort of grinned and out of the corner of my eye I could see her husband grimacing. She said, “I think the only thing that saved our marriage was the fact that I only washed half of his pipe collection.”

Their marriage survived, she told me they had been married for 50years.

I just wouldn't want that sort of thing to happen to someone's knife collection.

Dale

Savage1 · Post by **Savage1** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:26 pm

I like Ringmaster's idea of a CASE Sodbuster [be it a jr or full size] they are very good workers, light and inexpensive.
I like other CASE knives for what you are asking [there are many styles and they're American made] and strangely, I might even suggest an electrician's styled knife because 1. they are hard workers and will do pruning, etc in the garden, 2. Aren't pointed so your in-experienced wife won't be sticking herself nor does she need a point from what you say. 3. Most will have another blade for additional work purposes and 4. all of them are well in your price range.

You also might consider getting her a better quality 'multi tool' which will allow her to do multiple/different jobs well.

rayban · Post by **rayban** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:33 pm

My wife has washed a couple of my knives in the regular laundry wash....she didn't know they were still in my jeans' pockets...I guess she think it's my job now to check my pockets b4 they go in the hamper....I think I'll keep her anyway...

justin hosier · Post by **justin hosier** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:02 am

I have to side with Orvet and Ken on the Kershaw recommendation!! I just bought a Rainbow 1660 the other day, and believe me, I like it. My wife offered to armwrestle me for but I respectfully declined. (I was afraid she might win

) The Ken Onion series are all outstanding knives that will last a life time but the Rainbow (or VIB) series is particularly attractive and well made. Not to mention MADE IN THE USA.

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:23 am

justin hosier wrote:I have to side with Orvet and Ken on the Kershaw recommendation!! I just bought a Rainbow 1660 the other day, and believe me, I like it. My wife offered to armwrestle me for but I respectfully declined. (I was afraid she might win ) The Ken Onion series are all outstanding knives that will last a life time but the Rainbow (or VIB) series is particularly attractive and well made. Not to mention MADE IN THE USA.

Yes, I guess I did forget to mention that most, if not all, of Kershaw's assisted openers are made in the USA. It is just the opposite of what you would think given the current trends in the industry, but over 80 of their current models are made in the USA, most of their best & highest tech knives. Their 2007 price list gives the country of origin on each of their knives.

Dale

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:59 am

I just won a Kershaw Rainbow 1660...

Here is a photo of what it looks like.

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:24 am

Well, a lot of realy nice knivws have been mentioned, not a dog in the bunch.
Here's what I would do.

Take your gal for a day of knife shopping. Even though you may not buy it at that store, at least she gets to try a few out, see how they feel in her hand. Make sure you take notes, what is good about this knife and what attracts her to it. Likewise, also take notes on why this knife is not a good knife and why she should not but it. DON'T look at too many knives in a day, you'll both end up confused.

This is a good way to take her shopping AND get credit for it. i.e. You never take me anywhere.

justin hosier · Post by **justin hosier** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:11 am

Ken, if you think you like it now, wait till you have it in your hand!! I couldn't put mine down for a couple of days

I had to take to church even

Definitely a dres up knife. I bought mine off a buddy for $45

Money well spent IMO.

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:22 am

Very Very good point Hukk but does he want her to see her B-Day present before he gives it to her ?

From what he said "Hi, I am trying to pick out a nice pocket knife as a birthday present for my girlfriend, but am not sure what brands I should look for. If someone could help me with this I would appreciate it. " ...

We have been married so long we have for gotten or learned from our ERRORS....

Now tell us all does your wife take you out knife shopping for your B-Day Knife ????

My wifey just the other day told me most wives that kill their husbands are killed by a KNIFE.

YUP PERS that made me THINK....

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:18 am

Definitely learned.
As my wife cleaned my colset for our recent move my wife found a decade worth of birthday and Christmas presents in the closet of my office. (Also there was a decade worth of gifts from my parents) None of this stuff ahd been opened and all the tags were intact.

So, we decided rather than to waste time and money, as well as effort, I will now buy my own present. (My wife SHOULD have had a clue I have ALWAYS given her a card with cash). I DON'T SHOP - PERIOD. Now it is agreed that we will buy something for ourselves to $100.00 she has no say on what I buy and vice versa. We will not have Christmas but for the kids and if we want something up to $100, buy it, if not, wait until birthday and combine and spend $200. Aniversay just go out to dinner.
Keep it simple and NO CREDIT CARDS it works. Finally convinced her after last year, gave he a limit and like always, she went over. I did not bail her out this year and she is still paying out. Christmas has become a celebration of excess by merchants and I do know a half dozen that only make money in November and December. I will not shop, I can order from Cabela's if I want.

Savage1 · Post by **Savage1** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:18 pm

I was thinking about this thread today and one simple and effective knife, that would fit all the requirements and I didn't see it mentioned is a 'Barlow'.
Be it a 'barlow' or the longer 'master barlow' they do it all for that lady's needs.

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:34 pm

another thought..... an easy opener to save a ladies manicure!

johnnierotten · Post by **johnnierotten** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:12 pm

How about a self assist....Like this Kershaw Centofante..Its the perfect size for small hands.

Jody744 · Post by **Jody744** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:32 pm

kershaw ken onion chives are great, carry one at work daily.
but don't forget victorinox. they have a few to choose from with one blade. lifetime warranty-no questions asked. i think all of the single blade models could be had for under $20. put what you save into your knife fund.............
i carry one of these daily, not much on it but it goes everywhere with me for the last 10 years or so...

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:39 pm

justin hosier wrote:Ken, if you think you like it now, wait till you have it in your hand!! I couldn't put mine down for a couple of days I had to take to church even Definitely a dres up knife. I bought mine off a buddy for $45 Money well spent IMO.

GEEE you are RIGHT justin hosier "IN THE HAND"

She felt so smooth and looks so good. I too just can't put her down.

I even took her to bed to with me and Ren-Waxed her....

Just loving all the colors she puts out...

All About Pocket Knives

Recommend a decent outdoor pocket knife?

Recommend a decent outdoor pocket knife?

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