Good (inexpensive) mini-Tanto for kid w/ anime interest?

[MatthewVanitas]

Am shopping for Christmas gifts, and thinking to get knives for my little cousins. My uncle gave us machetes and bolos for every gift, to the horror of my mother, so now it's time for revenge/reward.

He has three little girls. Youngest was raised in South Africa, so I'm thinking to get her an Okapi. Middle one is kind of girly, so thinking to get her an Opinel, which is a) French b) voted one of the "100 Most Beautiful Products" and resides in the NYC Museum of Modern Art.

But for the 13yr-old, I'm thinking something cooler. She's tomboyish and likes Japanimation (or "anime" they call it now). I'm thinking some cheap but decent little tanto-style knife would go well.

How about the CRKT Neck Knife in its tanto incarnation? Any other suggestions? Has to be small for cuteness and to avoid upsetting my aunt.

Oh, and we will, of course, take the little cousins shooting over the holidays as well.

-MV

 

[kid_couteau]

Hi

If the kid likes Japanamation look up the word Kunai

It is a Japanese dagger used all the time in anime

Later
Kid

 

[hso]

Define "inexpensive".

These are $20 -

 

[real_name]

If you like the CRKT knives and want to go somewhat Japanese then this is the knife for you.
And it's only $30.
I wish I had one when I was 13.

LINK

EDIT: I guess it might not e small enough, my wife just called me out on that one.
"Why are you telling him to buy a sword for a little girl?"

 

[MatthewVanitas]

@ hso: that was the model I was thinking of.

-MV

 

[ugaarguy]

MV, how a bout one of these. A buddy back home had one. They're simple, rugged, and funtional. http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=CS171T

 

[hso]

Ya'll might want to remember this part -

Has to be small for cuteness and to avoid upsetting my aunt.

Neither the Hisatsu nor the Kobun (or any of the CS tantos) qualify as small and cute.

MV,

If you want, I've got one I can send to you for her.

 

[JShirley]

Actually, a kunai is more of a small lawn hand shovel/trowel. If you find a "kunai" that is a throwing dagger, that is incorrect. (The version here looks like a cross between a rope dart and a kunai, but is inexpensive and would probably be thought cool...)

I have, however, trained in arts where the defensive use of the kunai is taught. When I had a dog, I have been known to carry a small hand shovel, to go along with my good-citizen plastic bag...wouldn't want to get hit with 6" of even dull, poo-smeared metal!



John

 

[Boom-stick]

I'd opt for the CRKT, I've got one (somewhere ) and it's a friendly little knife

 

[ugaarguy]

MV, I was looking for a knife type gift idea for my BIL, and I ran into these on the knifecenter home page. It's VERY girly. I was thinking of getting one for my sister as gag, but it's also useful. Might be something that works for your gifting too.
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=M1MA01ROSE2.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Ive got the CRKT tanto neck blade rip off. Its stainless steel with a cord wrapped handle with a hard plastic case. Its cool but not too usefull

but very cool. I got mine for $6 and its as sharp as a bowling ball

 

[LanEvo`]

What about the Corkum designed CRKT "First Strike" Tanto?

The 3" version goes for around $35 (LINK). Not too dear.

 

[hso]

I was going to rant about giving a Corkum to a 13 year old and had to remind myself that my 8 year old has a collection of production and custom knives that started when she was 5. Depending upon the kid it could be just the thing (and perhaps the annoying parent would stroke out).