suggestions: folder for the girlfriend.?.?

[Gord]

Another vote for the Leek (or the Chive). I actually have the TiOx finish, aka rainbow - which may be girly, but I'll never admit to it. As mentioned, they also come in pink and a multitude of other colors, and they're fairly cheap - you can find Leeks on eBay for around $30 on up if you get lucky, and Chives are around $25 retail around the intertubes.

I already got her the rainbow leek she wanted, but she says that is too pretty to scratch up

Just FYI, mine gets used - a lot, and not just for cutting boxes open or peeling apples - and the finish is holding up just fine. Besides looking cool (IMO, anyway) the titanium oxide finish is supposed to be hard and slick, and I can confirm both.

 

[Avenger29]

Whatever feels good to her, take her to a store with a good selection. Knives and guns are extremely personal things to pick. My favorite brands include Kershaw, Benchmade, Boker, Buck, Case...and I prefer to buy US made not for patriotic reasons, but for quality reasons...

I also say you can't go wrong with the Benchmade Griptillian knives are excellent, and I think the AXIS lock is one of the safer ways to lock/close a knife...you use a button on the side of the knife to unlock it, not pressing a liner lock in.