2.4-2.75" EDC Recommendations?

[TripleB67]

I carry a Spyderco Dragonfly 2 (VG-10 - 2.28") most of the time during the summer with shorts and my black Spyderco Para 3 (CTS BD1N / FRN handle - 2.93") the rest of the year.

I would like to find an EDC that's in between those two knifes (blade length wise) and I'd prefer not to spend over about $80.

Are there any EDC knives (don't have to be Spyderco) that you would highly recommend that would fit the above criteria?

edit: I'd prefer it have a clip so I can clip it on my shorts or jeans

Thank you for any and all help.

TripleB67

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[SharpBits]

These are on clearance at a certain dealer in the Smoky Mountains. $75.
2.36 in blade.

 

[SharpBits]

Buck Vantage Small, Buck Mini Spitfire, and a bunch of traditional knives fit the bill. Civivi makes several as does Vosteed.

 

[SharpBits]

Oh, and the Cold Steel Tuff Lite.

 

[Hatch Power]

You can get a knife smaller than the native 5 that has a 3” blade pretty easy, it’s a big knife for the amount of cutting edge it has. In my opinion. The Delica is hard to beat. Ontario rat ii is also a great knife. Buck 112 slim and mini Begleiter are also great knives. Have fun, searching for the next one is most of the fun to me.

 

[oldmanwilly]

The Gerber LST has a 2.88" blade, is thin, light, and sharp, made in the USA, and can be found for under $40.00. It virtually disappears in a pocket with a wire clip and has surprisingly solid lockup (at least mine does).



And if you lose it you won't feel too bad about it.

 

[TripleB67]

Buck Mini Spitfire

Oh, and the Cold Steel Tuff Lite.

Love the looks of both of these!

The orange (my favorite color) of the Mini Spitfire and the shape (and cost) of the CSTL!

Thanks for everyone's recommendations so far!

TripleB67

 

[Delgadonine]

Buck 055.

I know it doesn't have a clip. However, it could be held in a neck pouch.

It's as rugged as its legendary brother: the 110.

 

[Railsplitter]

I’ll second the Cold Steel Tuff Lite. For about $40 you get a full 4 finger grip using the finger choil. Excellent ergonomics and a very good blade with the well respected Triad lock. It’s a little big knife that can handle both light duty and more demanding tasks.

The AUS 8A steel is satisfactory but if there was ever a knife that “earned” a steel upgrade, it’s the Tuff Lite. Its name is well chosen.

 

[kobold]

the chaparral and the backlock lil native are my current favorites in that size

 

[1911bphil]

The Cold Steel Tuff Lite is my recommendation as well. I have one and it definitely cuts bigger than it's size.

 

[mitchnola]

Les George ESV Theirs one available for a great price on the exchange right now.

 

[Tsujigiri]

My favorites are the Hinderer Half Track and Spyderco Techno 2, but outside of your price range. Twosun makes a bunch if you get lucky with their bid system. But I'd strongly recommend the Bestech Riverstone given your criteria. It retails for much higher but one store is selling them for within your budget right now.

They have nice action and it fills the hand really well considering the compact size, but my favorite part is that it has one of the best clips I've ever tried. It's titanium and machined thin enough that it won't bind on your pockets; the tip is nicely rounded on the back to prevent snags and the base is ribbed for grip when removing the knife from the pocket.

 

[cbach8tw]

Fixed blade, Brisa Necker.

 

[BD_01]

I just dropped this pic over on the Spyderco side, but the UKPK is right between the Dragonfly & P3LW, American made, and starts at about $90.

 

[DavidABQ]

I am not sure about the price but if you are open to a more traditional knife pattern them take a look at the Buck 501.

 

[TripleB67]

Thanks for all the input so far...so many fantastic options!

Just a follow up question based on a knife a friend recommended: How does the Civivi Baby Banter or Baby Banter 2 or Baby Banter 2 3 in 1 knives compare to the Cold Steel Tuff Lite (or Mini Tuff Lite)?

I appreciate all the help so far!

TripleB67

 

[SharpBits]

I don't have the Baby Banter, but I something very similar. They will be thinner than the Tuff Lite and more fidget friendly. The Tuff Lites are chunky with a super strong lock and not fidget friendly. Tuff Lite for hard work, Banter for light general use is my opinion.

 

[TripleB67]

I don't have the Baby Banter, but I something very similar. They will be thinner than the Tuff Lite and more fidget friendly. The Tuff Lites are chunky with a super strong lock and not fidget friendly. Tuff Lite for hard work, Banter for light general use is my opinion.

Thank you for this comparison!

The more I look at the Baby Banter TG (the 3 in 1 model) the more I like it! Totally different from anything I own, the right size, a cool look/color combination, and has tweezers/toothpick like the Swiss Army knives I used to carry. It seems like the fidget/fun factor of this knife would be high!

Again, I appreciate your response.

TripleB67

 

[1911bphil]

One thing to consider is the handles. I wear XL-XXL gloves and the Cold Steel Tuff Lite is barely a 4 finger grip for me.