Deep carry smallish EDC?

S

soloz2

Joined
Jul 27, 2012
Messages
84
I've been EDCing my Kershaw Skyline for the last month or two and I love the knife, and but I really wish it had a deep carry clip.

Here are the requirements I'm looking for:
- deep carry pocket clip
- under 3" blade
- lock - liner or frame preferred for one handed closing
- slim non threatening look if I do have to take it out.

I'm looking to spend under $50. I might actually go for a new clip for my skyline and continue carrying it, but I still want something smaller that will be more at home in dress pants.
 
For the purposes you described, I've been very happy with my colored Meerkats. The Burgundy Spyderco Meerkat Sprint Run is still available. The phantom lock can be operated one-handed. The colored Meerkat (combined with the 'baffling' phantom lock) has proven a welcome sight among NKP.

meerkats.jpg


meerkats_clip.jpg
 
The meercat does look nice. I would prefer a slimmer blade, but otherwise looks great. I would like to keep the budget below $50 though. I'll keep it in mind incase I don't find something else.
 
Kershaw Cryo.

40adf3fe.jpg


Is this deep enough?

The Cryo actually has 4 position options. One is deep carry and the other is not as deep on both left and right side.

7713dcb3.jpg


They can be had for ~$35
 
If you google "low ride clip skyline" you'll find a DIY example of modding the stock clip

The Buck Vantage or Lux might fit the bill of an inexpensive, low profile and discrete knife under your price cap.
 
aquaman67 said:
Kershaw Cryo.

40adf3fe.jpg


Is this deep enough?

The Cryo actually has 4 position options. One is deep carry and the other is not as deep on both left and right side.

7713dcb3.jpg


They can be had for ~$35
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pic! I looked at the cryo and initially thought it was going to be too big, but I found a pic showing a cryo, leek and skyline side by side and now this pic makes the cryo my favorite suggestion so far.





k4df4l said:
If you google "low ride clip skyline" you'll find a DIY example of modding the stock clip

The Buck Vantage or Lux might fit the bill of an inexpensive, low profile and discrete knife under your price cap.
Click to expand...

I did see that how to. I don't think I want to mod my stock clip, but what about a different clip from a place like USA knife maker? Will any of those ones fit?
 
The Buck Vantage select small looks good, but are there still quality control issues with blade centering? Otherwise the knife looks like it will meet all my criteria.
The Kershaw Cryo for about $10 more seems to meet my criteria and have better build quality. Anything else to consider?
 
Spyderco Chicago, Cat, Dragonfly, and Meerkat are quite small with deep carry clips. For the best non-threatening knife, I would suggest the Spyderco Squeak in Pink :)
 
soloz2 said:
I've been EDCing my Kershaw Skyline for the last month or two and I love the knife, and but I really wish it had a deep carry clip.

Here are the requirements I'm looking for:
- deep carry pocket clip
- under 3" blade
- lock - liner or frame preferred for one handed closing
- slim non threatening look if I do have to take it out.

I'm looking to spend under $50. I might actually go for a new clip for my skyline and continue carrying it, but I still want something smaller that will be more at home in dress pants.
Click to expand...

buck vantage pro small.

some of the best heat treated S30V in the industry
very good blade design
G10 handle
deep pocket clip
USA made
all for around $50.

IMG_3626.JPG
 
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^ I really regret sleeping on a used one of those for $30. I had the large with the lower quality steel and it was really nice.
 
The Buck Vantage Avid (the mid priced version) has stabilized wood scales that are nice looking. a little smooth feeling, but in the small size, I never feel like it's too slippery. Wont tear up your pants, and has a good Sanvik steel.
 
I picked up a Buck Vantage Select large, model 345. The blade centering was perfect but I was somewhat disappointed that the knife was uncomfortable to use due to numerous sharp edges. The steel was cut but the corners were never rounded off. I spent some time doing file work on the thumb hole, liner lock and back of the steel liners where my flipper finger lands when opening the blade. The sharp corners are now gone & I enjoy it much more. I don't know if the sharp edges are found in other variations of the Vantage models.
 
Spyderco Dragonfly, or the Spyderco Cat or Chicago would be my suggestions if you want locking knives.
If a lock isn't needed I would pick up a Spyderco Squeak or Spyderco UKPK. Great little knives.
 
I think I'm going to give a Buck Vantage a try. I initially dismissed it due to quality control issues, but I've read some more and they appear to have them sorted out now. I love the Cryo and will likely pick one up eventually, but for more of a dress folder that I can wear while in business casual at work the buck I think will be a better fit.

I'm not really a hard user so steel isn't a huge deal for me. I would like a knife that isn't black. I wish the avid with cherry diamondwood was still available as it looks amazing. From what I can see that leaves me with two options:
Buck Papersone Vantage
440HC steel
the scales appear to be a dark/navy blue
$27 shipped

Buck Vantage Avid
13C26 steel
the scales appear to vary quite a bit but have a brown woodgrain look to them
$35 shipped

I like the blue a bit better and from what I've read the paperstone is lighter and offers more grip than the diamondwood, but the diamondwood is also very nice and the avid has a better steel. Any other pros/cons I'm missing?
I saw a reference that walmart used to carry these knives. I don't recall seeing them when I've been at walmart recently and there is no reference on their website. Does anyone know if they still sell the Buck Vantage?
 
soloz2 said:
I think I'm going to give a Buck Vantage a try. I initially dismissed it due to quality control issues, but I've read some more and they appear to have them sorted out now. I love the Cryo and will likely pick one up eventually, but for more of a dress folder that I can wear while in business casual at work the buck I think will be a better fit.

I'm not really a hard user so steel isn't a huge deal for me. I would like a knife that isn't black. I wish the avid with cherry diamondwood was still available as it looks amazing. From what I can see that leaves me with two options:
Buck Papersone Vantage
440HC steel
the scales appear to be a dark/navy blue
$27 shipped

Buck Vantage Avid
13C26 steel
the scales appear to vary quite a bit but have a brown woodgrain look to them
$35 shipped

I like the blue a bit better and from what I've read the paperstone is lighter and offers more grip than the diamondwood, but the diamondwood is also very nice and the avid has a better steel. Any other pros/cons I'm missing?
I saw a reference that walmart used to carry these knives. I don't recall seeing them when I've been at walmart recently and there is no reference on their website. Does anyone know if they still sell the Buck Vantage?
Click to expand...

as per bucks website, both the paperstone and avid model are the same weight.

given those two choices, i would personally get the avid.

question: how will you be sharpening this knife?
 
I have a Lansky Deluxe kit that I'll use if/when I need to sharpen the knife. I've spent some more time looking at pictures/videos and reading threads. I'm really liking the looks of the paperstone. I wish you could get the avid in papersone scales.
 
soloz2 said:
I have a Lansky Deluxe kit that I'll use if/when I need to sharpen the knife. I've spent some more time looking at pictures/videos and reading threads. I'm really liking the looks of the paperstone. I wish you could get the avid in papersone scales.
Click to expand...

you said that steel choice isn't that big of an issue, so if you really like the look of paperstone, go for it.

buck does a great job with 420HC steel, they squeeze every drop of performance out of it. plus, when it gets dull you have a sharpening system to bring it right back.
 
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