2.5" or smaller traditional knife

Lord_Balkan

Lord_Balkan

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Aug 25, 2016
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Hey I am looking for a quality 2.5" or smaller traditional knife. I go to Chicago often and need a knife that is legal. Unfortunately there aren't many good quality modern folders at or under 2.5" so I decided to check out some traditional folders instead.

The only two stipulations I have is that there isn't a nail nick (or a very slight / shallow one) and it is around $200 (or under) give or take 50 bucks or so.

EDIT: I should say I don't mind a nail nick, but I want to be able to open it without using my nails, something akin to this-

IMG_4455_zpskouxujoi.jpg
 
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Lord_Balkan said:
Hey I am looking for a quality 2.5" or smaller traditional knife. I go to Chicago often and need a knife that is legal. Unfortunately there aren't many good quality modern folders at or under 2.5" so I decided to check out some traditional folders instead.

The only two stipulations I have is that there isn't a nail nick (or a very slight / shallow one) and it is around $200 (or under) give or take 50 bucks or so.
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Why no nail nick ? And why not just get a case peanut ( in the 30$ range ) you don't have to spend high dollars to get a great traditional folder . GEC also has some great options and you should look into their various models.
 
The no nail nick stipulation really narrows down your choices. If it were not for that your choices would be abundant.

Look for knives with Easy Open notches. Many of those don't have nail nicks for obvious reasons and there are plenty of them with blades 2.5 inches or less.
 
The Case Sway Back knives are a nice option. About 3 1/8" closed with a main blade under 2 1/2". Even the damascus offerings, which are really nice, come in under your budget number. The Gent is single blade, the Jack two blade. A Google search will bring up many listings.
svFI42s.jpg
 
Lord_Balkan said:
Hey I am looking for a quality 2.5" or smaller traditional knife. The only two stipulations I have is that there isn't a nail nick (or a very slight / shallow one) and it is around $200 (or under) give or take 50 bucks or so.
Click to expand...

Try to find a Canal Street Cutlery Ring Opener. 3" Closed, 2" blade and a nail file, NO NAIL Nick

LOTS of other nice quality knives in that size but most will have a nail nick.
 
Chris Reeves Mnandi. It's an amazing small knife. You will not end parting with it. The wood slabs with titanium inlay frame with sharp blade and smooth action will amaze you. I bought one in 2015 and I still carry it. The clip is classic and in a front or side pocket appears you are carrying a high end pen.
 
Are we talking under 2.5" closed length or blade length? Under 2.5" closed is pretty small and would limit your options quite a bit, under 2.5" blade length gives you more options. Here are a few I like that have blades that come in under the 2.5" (all are around 3" closed, however).

Case Swayback Gent (or Jack, if you like two blades):

84F06005-3DFB-4A4E-898E-2B7EE30062D7.jpg


GEC #14 Boy's Knife:

7BA9FA7E-8D40-4EF3-9F7F-B1F5109F9D57.jpg


GEC #25 Little Jack:

BC50572C-67DA-425B-B193-D6E40320A166.jpg


The #25 also came in a sheepsfoot with an easy open notch (so you wouldn't have to use the nail nick). There have also been guys on here who've added EO notches to the spearpoint, as well. Ends up looking great, and again, make it easy to open without using the nail nick. I bought this one off the exchange a while back.

14D07CA4-D01E-47F8-988A-41E9FF49595A.jpg
 
I meant 2.5" blade length. That is the maximum legal limit in Chicago.

Davor said:
Chris Reeves Mnandi. It's an amazing small knife. You will not end parting with it. The wood slabs with titanium inlay frame with sharp blade and smooth action will amaze you. I bought one in 2015 and I still carry it. The clip is classic and in a front or side pocket appears you are carrying a high end pen.
Click to expand...

It would be perfect but its over 2.5" blade length.
 
Folks, this is the Traditional Forum. All suggestions made in this forum need to be traditional patterns.
 
Lord_Balkan said:
I meant 2.5" blade length. That is the maximum legal limit in Chicago.



It would be perfect but its over 2.5" blade length.
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I just measured the blade it's at 3 inches. My Mnandi is from 2010. I didn't realize it was that long. It's just a small knife. I still think the police wouldn't harass you over half an inch unless you run into one that is out to prove a point. Even then his collegues would frown on busting you with such a small knife that is also overall 3 inches closed. Maybe the case knives provide a smaller blade but 2.5 is quite a short blade.
 
Keep in mind while searching that traditional knives are usually listed in closed length, not blade length. Generally speaking, anything with a closed length of 3 1/4 inches or less will usually have a master (or largest) blade of 2.5 inches or less but not always. Take that down to 3 1/8 inches closed and you should be safe with just about any knife that size.
 
I wanted to get all the groomsmen in my wedding party a knife as a present, and the best man in my wedding is actually living in Chicago, so I went with GEC #14s for everyone (including myself). Perfect small knife (I keep mine in the small change pocket in my jeans) that is completely legal in Chicago. However, it has a long nail nick on the blade (I went single blade version), though I typically don't use the nail nick to open the blade. Several color options, and under $70 for a great, high quality traditional knife.
 
I measured the cutting edge of my GEC 15... I'm coming up with 2.5 inches ( I'm using the eye that winks, not the one that stinks). May be a sixteenth off. Don't know if that would help with a Chicago police officer or not
 
LB, some good suggestions so far especially the GEC 14 and Cases's Texas Jack but if you are interested in an easy to open sub 2.5" traditional you might consider one of the many lock-back designs. Such as the ...
Moki fishowl

Al Mar hawk

Falkniven's excellent U2 or Bark River's city knife (fixed blade)


or Buck's 55 or 503 (sorry no photos). All are 2.5" blade tip to handle and can be opened without using the nail nic. Just one additional suggestion; any Victorinox Swiss Army Knife with less than 2.5" blade. Enjoy Chicago.
 
I strongly endorse the Moki Fishowl. I got the small one 3 3/8" closed last week. It has no liners so it's featherweight in the pocket but it's totally convincing in the hand, the build quality is astounding! Lock up, opening, centre blade, zero play anywhere and once open, it looks like a fixed blade. Almost impossible to see the line between tang and spring. The handles are superbly turned and finished too. The Japanese make massive efforts in QC and presentation, their kitchen knives are the best in the world in my view. The word is fabulous.
 
Maserin Zuava might appeal. Blade is around 2" :thumbup:





This is no longer mine, it currently resides in Carl's Good Lady Wife's handbag :)
 
Hickory n steel said:
Why no nail nick ? And why not just get a case peanut ( in the 30$ range ) you don't have to spend high dollars to get a great traditional folder . GEC also has some great options and you should look into their various models.
Click to expand...
Case Peanut is more than 2 1/2". It's 2 7/8" closed with a 2 3/4" blade length.
 
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