2-3 inch blade folders

[zmac]

Wow Spyderco has a dazzling array of small folders! One question - why is the Spyderco Mouse so expensive - it's almost twice the price of the Navigator for what seems a very similar knife?

 

[Starfish]

zmac -

Spyderco really is a great value for the money. Good QC, razor sharp out of the box, good steels, and a great customer service department. And they are really shining in the smaller knives area lately, IMHO.

why is the Spyderco Mouse so expensive?

As regards the Mouse, my understanding is the knife is produced for Tim Wegner's company, Blade-Tech (is that right? working from memory here, not such a good thing). So it is and it isn't a Spyderco product, if that makes sense.

How does the Phantom Lock work?

It looks to me like the phantom lock is essentially a lockback knife with the lock release built into the scale. To release the lock, you slide one of the scales forward - gravity takes care of the rest.

You really can't go wrong with a Spyderco. Another person suggested the Calypso Jr. I've not had experience with it, but it gets rave reviews - plus, it's just been discontinued, so if you want one, you better get it before it's gone!

Good luck deciding!

 

[zmac]

Thanks for your help Starfish. Decisions, decisions.

Right now I'm leaning towards a Spyderco Navigator or Meercat AND a BM 705. Now see what you've all gone and made me spent LOL!

However I may hold out on the BM until they make the one with the Axis and Spyderhole. I tried both hole and thumbstuds and I feel more comfortable with the hole.

Damn I want the Air Ranger too now.

 

[Rick1955]

I categorize folding knives into 2 categories:

Plain old ordinary, standard, traditional pocketknives (like dad, granddad and great granddad used to carry - and some of us traditionalists). These usually have 2 or more blades and will fit in and are usually carried in a pocket.

Folders that are usually larger, usually have one blade, may not fit comfortably in a front pocket and are usually carried in a belt pouch or by a belt clip.

My suggestion is, for everday ordinary carry and use, pick a pocketknife such as a 3 blade stockman. Schrade, Camillus, Case, Buck, probably all have them. Personally I carry a Schrade Old Timer Middleman Stockman everday and when in jeans I add either a 4 blade utility pocketknife or a SwissBuck TaskMate II carried in a belt pouch. For Scouting activities I carry either a 4 or 5 blade official Boy Scout utility pocketknife in a hand made leather pouch.

If I choose to carry a larger folder withing the range you want I take a Buck 112 Ranger carried in a belt pouch or a S&W lockback folder with belt clip. I have two traditional Buck Rangers, an older one with no nail nick and a newer one with a nail nick. I also have a BuckLite - which is the same as a Ranger but with a composition handle I carry when fishing or for carry when weight is an issue such as backpacking.

The way things are today, I would be careful carrying the larger single blade lockbacks - stick with a traditional pocketknife if you can.

Originally posted by zmac
Hi people, I'm new here, and it's a great forum.

I'd like some recomendations for a small utility folder.

Thank you.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Here is one more suggestion, worthy of consideration I'd think;
William Henry Kestrel, the one I have has amber bone scales, very nice, solid lockup and excellent fit and finish!

Here is a scan of mine;

G2