My 13 yo daughter wants a pocket knife

She wants to be the one on Christmas who helps everyone with the difficult to open packages. I am excited to get to show her the proper use and safety, but would like a few recommendations.

we are not campers/boaters
$60 or less
something she can use for a long time.
fit easily in pocket or purse

I would suggest the venerable Swiss army knife. You can get one from a basic pen knife with just a couple of blades to the officer variety with quite a wide variety of blades and implements. Even the latter will cost only half your budget.

It is also not so fancy that you would not want to use it on those bullet-proof bubble packs.

I prefer single blade lockbacks, with a blade greater than 3", shorter than 4". These seem the most useful size to me, and easier to hold and use than multi-blade knives. I don't like liner lock, but some sort of locking mechanism seems preferable.

Bully for her!! Choices are almost limitless, but here are two that I recommend to my Boy Scouts -

Ken Onion Vapor #1640: http://workingperson.com/kershaw-knives-onion-stainless-steel-folding-knife-1640.html

Gerber: http://www.gerbergear.com/Essentials/Knives/Ultralight-LST-Knife_46050

Swiss Army knife. As many tools as the budget allows for.

I got an Opinel for my wife. And it's light enough to carry in a purse or a handbag (depending on the size and model). They're inexpensive and interesting blade locking system.

Spyderco Ladybug
Small but practical
It is beautiful and once she starts driving it will fit her keychain.

Good for her! Small Swiss Army knife to begin with until she learns to use a knife properly, then possibly a small Spyderco that she can open one handed for ease of use.

Case knife. Small, effective, classic. Very nice knives.

I like good old american made Buck knives. Here is a nice slim model that I think looks good. It's a solid build and somewhat feminine. With the slim build it should fit well in a pocket or purse, and I think it comes with a sheath no matter where you buy it from.

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/BU501/Buck-Squire-Length-Closed-3-34-inch-with-Sheath

BSAGuy said:

Bully for her!! Choices are almost limitless, but here are two that I recommend to my Boy Scouts -

Ken Onion Vapor #1640: http://workingperson.com/kershaw-knives-onion-stainless-steel-folding-knife-1640.html

Gerber: http://www.gerbergear.com/Essentials/Knives/Ultralight-LST-Knife_46050

Click to expand...

+1.

You know your knives.

Even though that Gerber has a plastic washer, it is flat, light and likely to be kept in the purse. That was the first choice as a starter knife for my children. The Vapor is a great next knife. After that might come the Ken Onion Leek. A serrated version of the Leek is my daily carry knife. Opens faster than a switchblade. In emergency situations (seat belt stuck, rope tangle) serration might be better for her. In a panic the tip safety lock that comes with some Ken Onions is nothing but a danger, IMHO. I remove mine.

BSAGuy said:

Bully for her!! Choices are almost limitless, but here are two that I recommend to my Boy Scouts -

Ken Onion Vapor #1640: http://workingperson.com/kershaw-knives-onion-stainless-steel-folding-knife-1640.html

Gerber: http://www.gerbergear.com/Essentials/Knives/Ultralight-LST-Knife_46050

Click to expand...

the Gerber is nice! Definitely on the keep list, thanks

Case. I would choose a one blade with the tiny fold out scissor. Small and utilitarian, especially for a young girl.

Leatherman Micra. She will find (like I did) that the scissors come in more handy than the actual knife does.

BSAGuy said:

Bully for her!! Choices are almost limitless, but here are two that I recommend to my Boy Scouts -

Ken Onion Vapor #1640: http://workingperson.com/kershaw-knives-onion-stainless-steel-folding-knife-1640.html

Gerber: http://www.gerbergear.com/Essentials/Knives/Ultralight-LST-Knife_46050

Click to expand...

+1

Keep it simple, 3 inches max. A single blade that locks is a great way to start. A smooth blade, no serrations, is also good. Much easier to sharpen when fully smooth.

My first knife was a 3 blade knife. One thin smooth, one thicker but smooth and one saw, serrated. It was useful being outdoors a lot. But I doubt it will have the same use of you aren't camping and outdoors a lot.

Never been a fan of the swiss army knives. I always like to keep it simple and my single blade, kept extremely sharp, can handle all my needs

Take a look at Great Eastern Cutlery they sometimes have clearance sales that will bring the knives into your price range.
I have a Tidiote Cutlery which is very high quality and with proper care will last a lifetime.

http://www.collectorknives.net/gec-tidioute-2010-red-abalone-lg-mink-serpentine/

Ontario Rat 2. You can get two of them for $60 ish. They come in different colors as well.

Case mini stockman?

Sheepfoot blade for rough stuff like opening envelopes, boxes, etc. Clip point for general cutting, and the pen blade razor sharp for surgery and such.

Light weight, compact, and very useful. My daily carry.

And with the Mother of Peal handles it could be considered somewhat feminine, but that one is out of your price range.

http://www.casexx.com/DisplayPatternPageFH.asp?PatternAutoID=52

Thought I would throw in a picture this time and say:
3 of my 4 girls carry this.
The blade is less than 2"

Thank you for your time!
Less than $60

Since they're legal in both of our states (check your Indiana local ordinances though) if you get her a Boker Mini Magnum, or something similar, I'll convert it for you like I did mine.