How do you convince your girlfriend to carry a Spydie?!?

[redyps04]

It took my girlfriend a while to get used to my "Spydie addiction". She's not the type of girl that's into "things that can kill people," as she so lovingly phrases it. But now she is at least at that point where she understands why I "need" more than one knife.

So, I figured I'd start small and friendly and get her the Ladybug Salt for emergency situations, EDC tasks, and, yes, some degree of self-defense (please no lecturing on knife SD). Welp, it sat in her purse for about 2 weeks until she "lost" it for another couple of weeks. I tried to explain to her the necessity of having a good knife around in case certain occasions arose, and so I asked her what it would take for her to actually carry a knife. I ended up letting her pick anything she wanted out of the whole entire catalog, and she went with the SS PE Cricket, saying it was "cute," thin, and not very "knife-like", and I even threw in a Bug for her keychain. So, you think she carried the Cricket?... Heck no!!! It's currently sitting under some old grocery store reciepts and bubblegum wrappers on the dresser.

SO THE BIG QUESTION IS... is it possible to convert someone to Spyderco if they just simply don't care at all about knives? Is there any hope at all, or should I just cut my losses and move on? I really want her to keep one around for emergencies, and while I don't doubt the Bug is a great lil LBK, I was kinda hoping she'd go for something that could get the job done. Maybe getting her into SD classes?... Duct-taping one on her?... Please help!!!

Edited: Side note- I am in no way attempting to force, coerce, or make her carry one or become interested in my hobbies, but I am curious as to the various things you guys might have done to get your girlfriends/significant others to, I suppose, see the "way of the Spydie"

[RamDreamer]

A defensive knife course. My wife has been carrying a knife every day ever since. And that was back in the mid 90's.

[dirtpig67]

Get her a pink Native. My wife had zero interest in knives before I save her that for a present and now she carried it every day.

I think the "cute" factor got her to initially carry it, and then the utility she soon discovered in always having a knife soon followed.

[cougar337]

Get her a pink Native. My wife had zero interest in knives before I save her that for a present and now she carried it every day.

I think the "cute" factor got her to initially carry it, and then the utility she soon discovered in always having a knife soon followed.

+1

My wife was supportive of my knife "habit" but never really carried one. I started her off with a Red Ladybug, but she never really did much with it. Then I tried apink Lady bug.......getting better, she began using it, keeping it on her key chain and I would remind her to use it to open her mail and packages.

We took a drive up to the SFO for me one day and she picked out a Purple Delica all on her own and carries it nearly on a daily basis now

I think you should find a color she would really like, there are ALOT out there. I don't know what color she likes but there are purple Ladybugs still out there too. Then remind her from time to time to use it for those tasks that require cutting. Be patient and don't force it on her, she will come around to it. I think having one she can really connect with will help a long way.

Here's a picture of my wife's Delica that SHE took! I am so proud:

[hoshyoto]

I'll second the purple Ladybug. That is what I bought for my wife. Replace the Bug on the keychain with it and she won't even have to think about remembering it.

[burntrice]

I doubt a colour or style will change her mind, lets be honest most of us use a variety excuses to warrent buying lots of knives.
Outside of work i can only think of one time in the last 10 years i've actually needed a knife if i'm honest. I would'nt waste your time, spend the money on yourself. :)

Ps did she loose it or disliked carrying it so much she 'lost' it?

[ChrisR]

The little Spyderco Bug worked for me ... showed her it and immediately she wanted one ... hasn't put it down since :D Now just need to work her up to EDCing a Manix2 :rolleyes:

[SolidState]

My girlfriend was in the same boat until she took a defensive knife course. Now she carries a dragonfly in her bag. She never did much use the delica I got her, but the d-fly is in the perfect size range for her. She also found that she used it at work a lot.

Now we even do some knife work and lock-flow drills. She's getting to be okay with a knife.

[v8r]

Don't really know what to tell ya. I bought my wife a pink Delica and she has used it a few times , but she leaves it laying around everywhere instead of in her purse. She wasn't really all that thrilled about it from the start anyway, so I don't force the issue, yet she still asks me to cut things for her all the time or she grabs one of my knives? (then says how do you close this thing.......you always keep me guessing with so many knives.) :confused:

[freeman7]

Consider a small SAK, most people find these to be non-weaponlike.
However, your knife money might be well spent on kitchen knives. They are the most used knives in most households. They allow one to get a feel for quality tools. They also provide a platform for teaching knife maintenance. If you are worried about self defense, get her a good whistle and a small "tactical" flashlight.

[ChapmanPreferred]

To answer your question, I do not believe it is appropriate to force someone into carrying a knife. It sounds like you already have a Bug on her keychain. I would let it go at that for now. You might need to help her keep the knife clean and sharp.

My wife was using her keys at work to open lots of boxes a day. She was concerned that there was a rule against weapons. So I picked up a Ladybug2 (Sheepsfoot/rescue blade) which she loved. Then started to want a little more tip to use. I had been using my Lazer engraved SS Cricket (SE) which I promptly offered to her. She accepted without hesitation and has been carrying it for about 4 years.

My mother carries a SE FRN Cricket with her everyday, but she rarely uses it because "she doesn't want to loose it". She did misplace one, but I was able to replace it pretty easily from the eBay.

[jackknifeh]

It took my girlfriend a while to get used to my "Spydie addiction". She's not the type of girl that's into "things that can kill people," as she so lovingly phrases it. But now she is at least at that point where she understands why I "need" more than one knife.

So, I figured I'd start small and friendly and get her the Ladybug Salt for emergency situations, EDC tasks, and, yes, some degree of self-defense (please no lecturing on knife SD). Welp, it sat in her purse for about 2 weeks until she "lost" it for another couple of weeks. I tried to explain to her the necessity of having a good knife around in case certain occasions arose, and so I asked her what it would take for her to actually carry a knife. I ended up letting her pick anything she wanted out of the whole entire catalog, and she went with the SS PE Cricket, saying it was "cute," thin, and not very "knife-like", and I even threw in a Bug for her keychain. So, you think she carried the Cricket?... Heck no!!! It's currently sitting under some old grocery store reciepts and bubblegum wrappers on the dresser.

SO THE BIG QUESTION IS... is it possible to convert someone to Spyderco if they just simply don't care at all about knives? Is there any hope at all, or should I just cut my losses and move on? I really want her to keep one around for emergencies, and while I don't doubt the Bug is a great lil LBK, I was kinda hoping she'd go for something that could get the job done. Maybe getting her into SD classes?... Duct-taping one on her?... Please help!!!

Carrying a knife for some people is just a pain. My wife is one. She has a little 1" folder on her key chain which kept her from getting into the local courthouse one day. She had to go back to the car and leave the knife in the car. I think that is the only time she even has thought about the knife. No lectures on SD but if you haven't seen it check out this web site. http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/knifefighting.html I liked it.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. I didn't like it when someone (girls) would try to change my interests. That's why I dumped them right after they told me I was a jerk and they hated me. Six months of that crap and I cut them loose.

Jack

[Blerv]

I agree a nice looking purple might go a long ways. Pink turns my wife's stomach as she isn't the Barbie type.

Then again, you can win every point in a fact war but its hard to change someones mind. My wife borrows mine but won't add one to her carry gear.

I've spent a long time trying to get people to buy non-crappy cars with no luck. For a topic less are interested in it's a hard conversion.

[Mitko]

Try this..." Look, baby! They have colours! ;-)"

[gbelleh]

My wife has zero interest in knives and I don't try to change that. She would rather use her keys to open a box, or scissors, and that's fine.

I doubt pretty colors will change anything. I wouldn't want someone to try to force me to like shoes or purses.

[Creepo]

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. I didn't like it when someone (girls) would try to change my interests. That's why I dumped them right after they told me I was a jerk and they hated me. Six months of that crap and I cut them loose.

Jack

First of all, that is so right! No use being with a girl who wants you to be someone else. You don't need to ask for them to be into knives, all we want is a little toleration and understanding.

On to the topic:
You can't force someone to carry a knife, it's the same as trying to force someone to stop smoking. You can ask them to try it for a while and then decide for themselves.
Best way to introduce a person to knives is a keychain knife, non-knife people won't start carrying a clipped knife just like that, they leave it at home and never use it.
The Bug-line and colored Ladybugs are very good, for your wife I'd recommend a SAK Classic or Signature perhaps (lotsa colors), they have other useful features which you wife actually might find useful. A keychain knife will travel with them much easier.

As far as the SD issue goes, suggest she'd go on a course, plenty of courses designed especially for women. Or go on a course with her.
And again, the motivation has to come from her, not you.

[redyps04]

I doubt pretty colors will change anything. I wouldn't want someone to try to force me to like shoes or purses.

That may be true, but then again a pair of shoes can't cut a jammed seatbelt unless your Batman, of course . While I'm not so much trying to force a hobby or an interest of mine on her, I am trying to get her to carry a very useful tool that could save her life in a variety of situations. Now that being said, it would be great if it just so happened to be a Spydie :D .

However, you are right on the money with the color issue. I let her look through the whole catalog, and while she liked the Pink Native and Purple Delica, she says she just simply won't carry such a "big" knife as an EDC. But then I find the LBK's that I buy her laying around in strange places instead of in her purse or on her person.

[Evil D]

My girlfriend hijacked my keychain Victorinox and a thought, ok she's getting it at least a little bit...then she says "i love the tweezers for plucking my eyebrows" and i realized, some people just don't get it and likely never will.

[Slick]

No one has suggested a Delica trainer to safely play with along with a "real" pink Delica.

You could then offer to take up one of her interests as an even exchange of good will. I hope you like marathon sessions of shopping for clothes, knitting, needle point, gossiping about friends and neighbors, watching soap operas, etc... Jokingly said of course.

You can't change a person but playing with Spyderco knives is fun and useful.

[v8r]

That may be true, but then again a pair of shoes can't cut a jammed seatbelt unless your Batman, of course . While I'm not so much trying to force a hobby or an interest of mine on her, I am trying to get her to carry a very useful tool that could save her life in a variety of situations. Now that being said, it would be great if it just so happened to be a Spydie :D .

However, you are right on the money with the color issue. I let her look through the whole catalog, and while she liked the Pink Native and Purple Delica, she says she just simply won't carry such a "big" knife as an EDC. But then I find the LBK's that I buy her laying around in strange places instead of in her purse or on her person.

While it is a good idea to be concerned about the well being of loved ones they still have to have presence of mind in a emergency situation. You can have all the specialized tools in the world, but if you aren't in the right frame of mind it really won't make a difference. If she were to have a good knife in her purse for instance in a wreck there is no telling where it will end up. It could very well be out of reach, if she even remembered she had it.