3" Folder to Knock a Mini-Grip Out of My Pocket

C

cm_bushman

Joined
Oct 22, 2012
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314
I've been carrying the LE M4 Mini-Grip since I got it about a month ago, and it's fantastic. I couldn't ask for more!

But...

I've been looking towards the horizon for my next purchase. I find a 3" or less blade suits me best for EDC, and I'm a sucker for nice steel.

I've considered the Mini Barrage 586, Native5, Sage, and ZT 0566. I like the looks of an Alias 2, but I haven't seen them in stock anywhere in the few months I've looked. These were just what came to mind lately. I don't know where to start with customs.

So, any comments on any of these or anything I've missed? I love to see new knives, customs especially. I'm no collector, I try to just have one or two knives for indoor and one for outdoor use, but make them my absolute favorites. As long as it's around 3" blade and slightly smaller overall, I would honestly consider it. My budget is non-existent right now, so the field is wide open since I'd be saving for anything I decide on.

I'll leave things vauge to garner more options, this is a recon mission, after all! Blow my mind, guys.
 
Any variation of the small Sebenza will have you never searching for another 3" blade again.
 
Small Sebenza. Mnandi. Strider PT CC.

Or, now this will really blow your mind, what about a traditional slipjoint. Most of them are right up your alley. Most of the patterns are about that size closed. I've been carrying a SNG and Great Eastern #15 barlow. Interesting combination, but I like it.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Or, now this will really blow your mind, what about a traditional slipjoint. Most of them are right up your alley. Most of the patterns are about that size closed. I've been carrying a SNG and Great Eastern #15 barlow. Interesting combination, but I like it.
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Could not agree more.
 
+1 to this. I was buying knives, trying em out, trading or selling em. Ever since I got a small sebenza, I havent bought AS MANY knives, lol.

gwebb said:
Any variation of the small Sebenza will have you never searching for another 3" blade again.
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If you already have a CPM-M4 Mini Grip in your pocket why would you want anything else? That is just about the End all Be all knife. Sebenza Schebenza......whatever. The mini grip already has a better lock and better steel. Don't change it.
 
David Lowry said:
If you already have a CPM-M4 Mini Grip in your pocket why would you want anything else? That is just about the End all Be all knife. Sebenza Schebenza......whatever. The mini grip already has a better lock and better steel. Don't change it.
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If this were true he wouldn't be wanting to find something better.
 
Yup better lock better steel than everything els maybe a gold class 940 is the only thing that is an upgrade.
 
I agree with the small sebenza recommendations, it's a fantastic knife, and among the best edc knives in that size range. With that said, I'd recommend you get some custom scales for that m4 mini of yours. Custom scales on that knife turn a good knife with great steel into a great knife with great steel. In fact, I find myself reaching for my m4 ritter mini with custom cf micarta scales quite a bit more often than I reach for my small sebenza. The grip is just more fun to carry and use, and custom scales make it an absolutely world class edc knife.
 
Also cant say enough about Mcusta knives. Good steel, great LOOKING knives, at a decent price point. I love mine. Although I dont carry it, it has no pocket clip, it is a desk knife for me. And talk about SHARP......right out of the box, watch out.

 
gwebb said:
If this were true he wouldn't be wanting to find something better.
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That's just the thing, I've not found anything that compares, for a long time a M4 Mini-Grip was my grail, and it still is, really. It is everything I could ask a knife to be, plus it was a gift from my wife, so that helps! I just really couldn't think of a knife I would prefer, so I turned here. I likely won't be buying anything for a while, I was just looking for some ideas and recommendations. The 3" blade range seems somewhat neglected these days with larger 3.5-4" knives becoming the trend.

As far as a Sebenza goes, and note I haven't handled one, I don't really care for the design or the materials for the price paid. I know it's supposed to be a great knife, and it's the gold standard for many, but I don't think I could lay down $400+ for a Titanium slab framelock with an S35vn blade, at least not when there are others out for a quarter or half of that price. The Alias 2 is close enough in design and materials to be comparable in my eyes, and that's why I looked at it over the Sebenza. I'm a proponent of high quality knives, but I am also a consummate skinflint. I don't want to offend anyone's sensibilities however, and I sincerely hope I at least get to handle a Sebenza in person some day, just to see what all the fuss is about.

That aside, the only knives out of those I mentioned that I have handled are the Native (FRN specifically, I just didn't like the swedge, thus a hankering to try the Native5) and Barrage (actually a 581, which was a great knife, but large). The Native is the only knife I have ever handled to come close to the 556 for me, though it still wasn't as nice, since it was missing the Axis. Thus, the Sage, specifically the Sage3, joined the list. Lastly, I have admired the lines on the ZT0561 since it was released, but after seeing a picture of it next to a Native,(almost the same length as a 556), it definitely showed me just how huge the knife was in comparison. Ever since then, I've been waiting on a mini version, and lo and behold, if the 0566 is not just the ticket.

But as I said, I'm open to anything, I just can't think of anything else right now. I would be interested in customs, since the materials would be an open field and design is, if not already exquisite, at least negotiable. Ray Laconico is my favorite maker as far as design goes, though D2 is not really what I'm looking for at that level. What I do appreciate is his supreme reverence for utility and clean design. Other than him, however, I'm at a loss on 90% of the custom scene, so I hope you guys can help me out with a few recommendations.
 
Small Sebenza 21

NUFF said.

I love my small Sebie and highly recommend everyone owning at least one.

If you don't wanna spend as much on a Sebenza then I agree with Viper89, take a look at the Brous Silent Soldier Flipper.

I have Jason's Blackout Edition SSF and it makes for a great EDC.
 
Mini Presidio is pretty nice
just fits the hand better than the Mini grip
 
If tip-down only carry is not an issue, how about the Al Mar Nomad ?
VG-10 might not the best or hottest but the heat treat is great so is the Fit and Finish.
 
One approach would be to look at the larger benchmades such as the 710, 581, etc., pick the one that you like, and look for the smaller version of it. Most of their bigger knives have a smaller version that is around 3".

I have always liked the looks of the Spyderco Sage 2 but those might be hard to find these days with Spyderco's limited production.

I like the looks of the upcoming ZT 0566. It will be a little over 3" which is alright with me but it is significantly more expensive than the mini-grip. The Kershaw Cryo is similar in styling and a little less than 3". The upcoming Cryo II is a bit larger but I don't recall off the top of my head if it is 3" or slightly over 3".

If you like slimmer knives you can look at the Kershaw Leek or the Benchmade 470. Actually Kershaw has a number of knives around 3" such as the Skyline.
 
here are some nice alternatives :)

dsc09960wc.jpg


The Alias 2 and Fantoni Hide are also nice alternatives.
However the best for me has always been the small sebenza Insingo :)

dsc00123qd.jpg
 
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