3.5" flat-ground folder?

DaleW

DaleW

Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
2,194
I'm looking for a folding knife along the lines of a RAT folder with a blade no longer than 3.5". My local carry laws limit folding knives only and 3.5" max. I can't tell you how many knives would fit the bill, but are just a little longer. My plan is to have a good flat-ground folder for hiking that I can still EDC when I want.
 
Spyderco Manix 101 is flat ground, comes in partial serrated or plain edge and is under the 3.50" blade.
 
Doesn't quite meet your requirements, but I liked the first one so much, I bought another. 1st one in 420HC, the second in 154CM. Small, but really sturdy. AND IT'S MADE IN THE USA!!

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Doesn't quite meet your requirements, but I liked the first one so much, I bought another. 1st one in 420HC, the second in 154CM. Small, but really sturdy. AND IT'S MADE IN THE USA!!

Doc
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{Dale nabs Doc by the shirt collar and slaps him a few times for creating knife lust in his thread}

Purdy knife :) I've looked over the Buck Alpha series a few times in considering good outdoor knife designs. They have impressed me with their good value.
 
not really along the same design lines, but for the same size you could find a simple one or two bladed SAK or an opinel, or both for the price of the RAT.
 
This one has a 3 3/4" blade but is built like a tank. Flat ground blade. Kershaw folding field.
Scott
 
Gossman Knives said:
This one has a 3 3/4" blade but is built like a tank. Flat ground blade. Kershaw folding field.
Scott
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Yep, that's exactly the problem I've run into. There are all kinds of really nice knives that are just a hair larger than 3.5".

So far I've found:

Benchmade Griptilian
Benchmade Ritter
Benchmade Presidio 520
Boker 2000

The Bencmade Monochrome is an interesting knife, but it is more like 3" long. It appears to be a very good value and a good EDC and trail knife, but I can't recall them being mentioned here.

I EDC a Boker Trance and I wish they made a larger version. I've had it a couple months now and I have nothing negative to say. I really like the self guard provided by the flipper lever. It's another feature that is good in a survival folder.
 
MIKE MACINTOSH said:
Boker 2000 lock back. 3.5 on the button. flat ground blade,solid knife, Qulity German Solingen steel.
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That's a classic looking knife and not one I've seen before. It fits the bill and they aren't too expensive --- about $80.
 
Two from Spyderco - Paramilitary and Manix 83mm. Both have 3.25" blades and are great knives. I carry a Para regularly.
 
They are hard to get ahold of, but this Extrema Ratio (top in pic) has been with me constantly since I got it. Wide, flat ground blade is exactly 3.5". great steel, two locks. I've even chopped and batoned small branches with it. Built like a tank, but still light.
extrema1.jpg
 
tknife said:
They are hard to get ahold of, but this Extrema Ratio (top in pic) has been with me constantly since I got it. Wide, flat ground blade is exactly 3.5". great steel, two locks. I've even chopped and batoned small branches with it. Built like a tank, but still light.
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From what I could find, that is a BF2 model-- right? It sure hits the nail for the type of blade I'm looking for. I knew I needed a good excuse to go to Italy again :cool: Andiamo!
 
For an outdoor folder, I'd be hard to find a knife that is tougher than a Manix (3.25" blade). The full flat ground blade is really wide to add strength, the handles are beefy and don't hurt your hands after a day of work. The lockback might not be the coolest of locks, but man is that thing strong. I've carried a full sized Manix almost everyday at work, and it has not let me down in the least.
HammerGrip.jpg
 
DaleW said:
From what I could find, that is a BF2 model-- right? It sure hits the nail for the type of blade I'm looking for. I knew I needed a good excuse to go to Italy again :cool: Andiamo!
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yup, that's the model. I was fortunate enough to trade for a NIB one here on the trade forums. I had never handled an ER before, but I instantly loved this knife!
 
michaelmcgo said:
For an outdoor folder, I'd be hard to find a knife that is tougher than a Manix (3.25" blade). The full flat ground blade is really wide to add strength, the handles are beefy and don't hurt your hands after a day of work. The lockback might not be the coolest of locks, but man is that thing strong. I've carried a full sized Manix almost everyday at work, and it has not let me down in the least.
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I actually prefer a lockback. I'm left handed, and I usually swap hands to release a liner lock. I can release a right handed liner lock with my left hand, but it's clumsy. IMHO, liner locks are popular because they are condusive to couch potato play more than using them one-handed when really using the knife.

The Manix is a good candidate and easy to find. The Benchmade kind of simular and a bargain. I still react nagatively to the big hole in the blade and I know that's unfounded. For this class of knife, I think I would still lean to the BM Ritter or Griptilian, but that is purely personal taste.
 
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