Recommendation? 2.5" or less EDC knife

I carried a Kershaw Scallion every day for a couple years and rarely felt like it wasn't enough knife. There are several variations now, some with better steel. I think mine is 420HC. The Buck small Vantage is another available with better steel and diamondwood scales. i like mine. Might be a tenth or so over 2.5", though.

There's the new 756 from Benchmade..... three and half ounces of under two inch 20CV and titanium......
 
Two knives that may be of interest to you are the Benchmade 482 Megumi and the Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air. The Megumi comes in just under 2.5" while the Air is just over at 2.55". Both are discontinued models, but there's still some floating around if you take a look. Additionally there's the Spyderco Roadie in N690 and the Al Mar Hawk at 2.5" and Osprey at 1.85" in AUS-8. Not a super impressive blade steel by any means, but they're available in several different handle configurations and are pretty lightweight.
 
PeterS84 said:
Good to hear from someone with firsthand experience! I do wear a belt, generally with dress slacks/suit pants which are fairly light material. I may have to look at this one some more, as I like quite a bit about it. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Glad I could help!
 
I would look at the Ka-Bar Mini Dozier. I know you are willing to spend a lot more money for your knife, but the mini Dozier is really nice and useful. It's also super light - maybe lighter than the DF2.

Here is a pic of the mini Dozier plus one comparing it with my Dragonfly 2. The full size Dozier is widely regarded as one of the best value folding EDC's out there, and the mini Dozier is also stellar.



 
Last edited:
Pilsner said:
Fällkniven U2 is slim, light and has no clip or thumb stud. Not that I’m trying to talk you into it or anything. ;)

Oh, and everyday you can feel like a rebel for that extra 0.05”... :D
Click to expand...

I forgot how much I liked carrying the U2. I highly recommend it. It’s back in my edc starting today.
 
22-rimfire said:
I tried a CS Tuff Lite. I was dissatisfied with the construction and I guess materials. I ended up buying a Spyderco Kiwi 4 and like it a lot better for the same kind of usage.
Click to expand...

I think they feel 100% better if you make the small (takes a couple of minutes) modifications I mentioned. The knife is stout, stronger than anyone could possibly need it to be, but it feels cheaper and crappier if you don't round all the sharp edges off of it.

I whittle with them all the time and absolutely love them for hard use. I can carve wood for hours on end with my Tuff Lites and they never let me down.

3tbo2Ds.jpg


Admittedly though, while I keep a handful as folders I have the two I use most for whittling bulked up for even greater comfort:

yiDLpdf.jpg


As far as the materials go, AUS-8 and plastic are both fine by me, but I could see some being turned off by the plastic.

My favorite Spyderco that meets OP's <2.5" requirement (Chicago? Boston?) is actually the Cat. This is mine, wearing ivory paper micarta scales:

60AMt1x.jpg


. . . that said, while I love me some Spyderco I still think the Cold Steel Tuff Lite is wildly superior to any small Spyderco, and I have a dozen or more of the little ones (Dragonfly, Kopa, Cat, etc.).
 
stormyone said:
I forgot how much I liked carrying the U2. I highly recommend it. It’s back in my edc starting today.
Click to expand...
:)

That happens to me here too. Someone mentions a knife I haven’t used in a while, and next day it’s in my pocket.

I’m also a big fan of its big brother, the PXL-WH, in Lam. CoS. A shade too big for the OP, though!
 
Spyderco Pingo. Standard versions is N690Co; for a premium you can get one with Ti handle and elmax blade.
 
lambertiana said:
Spyderco Pingo. Standard versions is N690Co; for a premium you can get one with Ti handle and elmax blade.
Click to expand...
Looks like a nice design! I might spring for the Elmax, since I don't have any in my current collection. Thanks!
 
PeterS84 said:
Looks like a nice design! I might spring for the Elmax, since I don't have any in my current collection. Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you look around you can find one in the $150-160 range, even lower if you get lucky. It's a great little knife, and elmax does not get the attention that it deserves. It's a great all-around steel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top