2.5 in. blade recommendation

A

angrydad

Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
3
Hello all, Ive been lurking a bit and searched but havent found the right knife.
I need a 2.5 in. or less folder for EDC, primarily self-defense.
Ive bought a SOG flash I and a Camilus Sizzle, both 2.5 in. blades.
They seem fine but I have a hard timeholding them with a rock-solid grip(my hands are on the large side).
I need something with a larger handle and preferably wider, thicker blade.
Is there anything out that will fit the bill? :confused:
 
Hello there! Welcome to Bladeforums! I'm not sure it's exactly what you're looking for but check out the Emerson CQC-14. It's got a full size handle, and a 2 3/4" blade. Enjoy the hunt for a new knife!

-Phil
 
for SD it doesn't get much better than the spyderco yojimbo. the blade is a little over 2 7/8" blade, full sized handle, and made specifically for SD.
 
Welcome to the forums. You didn't say what you wanted to spend, which can make a world of difference. I recently bought a Boker Trance and think it is one of the best deals going. It has a 2.75" blade and great ergonomics (I have big hands as well) for around $25. I think that the CRKT S-2 in the small version is a great knife. I own the larger one, but the small one has a 2.5" blade with titanium handles and an ATS34 blade. I also carry my Benchmade 960 often. The blade on it is a little over 3", but it is a small, unobtrusive knife with a D2 blade. Make a list, and then buy them all, one by one...
 
Sounds like you're looking for something like the Spyderco Dodo. It has a full size handle with a recurve 2.17" blade. The blade is very stout and would make a wicked little slasher... They're out of production but you can still find them on ebay occasionally.

dodo.jpg
 
I personally love the Delica in ZDP189 steel. It's 4.25" handle is great for my hands. The cutting part of the blade is 2.5" exactly.

For the price, I don't think you can beat it.

Oh, and the FRN handle is VERY grippy.

11zdpgr.jpg
 
If you want something cool & cheap the Trance looks awesome. But if you really can't go over 2.5" from bolster to tip, as some jurisdictions require, then you might want to look at the following Spydercos - they have some odd but secure grip-shapes (the Boker Subcom is a good cheap alternative but the blade while wide is on the thin side).

Dragonfly
Lava
Navigator II
Poliwog

Also the Spyderco Byrd line has the Robin at exactly 2.5".

I suggest Spyderco b/c the Spydies are designed to permit a solid grip even on the smaller knives you are interested in.
see
http://spyderco.com/catalog/list.php?genre=knife

And the Dodo is a great alternative if you like recurves and can find one!
 
The Pitbull looks great and solid but I am truly limited to a blade 2.5 inches or less per city ordinance (Chicago....big surprise huh?).
The Spyderco offerings look great especially the Dodo and Dragonfly.
The Delica would be perfect but the manufacturer website says the blade length is 2 and 9/16", just 1/16 too long and Im not much of a gambler.
The subcom looks interesting and cheap, probably will pick one up just out of curiosity.
BTW, is there any good knife training in NW illlinois?
You guys are great and it seems Ive just got another addition!:eek:
 
angrydad said:
Hello all, Ive been lurking a bit and searched but havent found the right knife.
I need a 2.5 in. or less folder for EDC, primarily self-defense.
Ive bought a SOG flash I and a Camilus Sizzle, both 2.5 in. blades.
They seem fine but I have a hard timeholding them with a rock-solid grip(my hands are on the large side).
I need something with a larger handle and preferably wider, thicker blade.
Is there anything out that will fit the bill? :confused:
Click to expand...

I would consider a Byrd Robin in G-10. $22 or so. It has a G-10 handle with comfortable 4 finger grip. The blade length is 2.5 inches which conforms to your request. If you are worried about the legal requirements in your jurisdiction, the knife itself is not particularly threatening. I have no blade play in mine. And it's my edc. Self-defense? If you are constrained to 2.5 inches, it's not a bad choice and won't break the bank.

verb

byrd10gp.jpg
 
The Spyderco C71 Salsa is out of production, but New Graham seems to have a good supply on hand and in all edge variants. As a federal employee, I am limited to a 2.5" blade in my place of work, so I have become something of a connoisseur of such blades. I really like my Salsa and it has much to recommend it. It has a Cobra hood over the Spyderhole, making opening a much more certain thing, especially in stressed circumstances, and it has Spyderco's Compression Lock, one of the most secure locks out there.

Spyderco has other options. If you like the size of it for the blade length, the Spyderco Polywog C98 is certainly a very nice and very secure choice witha 2 5/16" blade and a Ball Bearing Lock. The blade is of VG-10 steel and the hilt is hand filling and adaptable to many grip styles.
 
Are you guys sure they are not referring to the "cutting" portion of the blade? Most Spyderco's are 2.5" cutting -- the actual blade might be a tad longer.
 
I don't know about elsewhere, but the federal regulations on knives in federal buildings are pretty clear that they mean a total blade length of less than 2.5" and the Washington, DC, length limit of 3" is also very clearly the total blade length from the end of the hilt to the tip. I have heard of police in some jurisdictions trying to blur this basic consideration by saying that it should be the pivot point to the tip which might add 0.5" or so to most folders and I have heard of some police trying to do the same with cutting edge length, but only when the knife has a lot of belly and the cutting edge is actually greater than the total tength of the blade by the above measurement. In DC, I have seen them use the rough estimate of laying the knife blade across their open palm. In most adult men, this measures something around 3.25" to 3.75", mine is 3.5". It makes for a good horseback measurement if the knife blade is noticeably under the width of the palm.
 
Thanks for all the help!
I went with the Spyderco Salsa.
Would have never known this knife existed if it weren't for this forum.
Xtra thanks to FullerH.
 
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