3" knife recommendations

T

TMorita

Joined
Aug 24, 2008
Messages
35
I like carrying around a 3" knife because it fits into the "condom pocket" of a pair of Levi's jeans.
Currently keeping a Old Timer 3OT there, but looking for something better.

Requirements:
o 3 inches or less when folded
o Single blade
o Fairly thin

Prefer (but not required):
o Locking mechanism
o Wider blade
o Drop-point style
o Better blade steel

Only candidate I've found is a Case 2758 - any other ideas?

Toshi
 
Last edited:
Skywalker31 said:
Any interest in modern folders? Benchmade 707 seems to fit the bill pretty well.
Click to expand...

I have a bunch of Benchmades:

Grip and mini Grip
Adamas
Rukus and mini Rukus
mini Skirmish
etc.

Benchmade 707 is 3.8" folded. Too big to fit in the condom pocket.
The 3 inch requirement is not for the blade, it's for the entire folded knife.

Toshi
 
How you looked into the Kershaw line? Kershawguy.com has some good stuff :D


EDIT>
Oh, I saw 3" and thought blade length. 3" closed is pretty small. Spydero makes some pretty small blades, and they tend to be wide. Maybe the Caly Jr, dragon fly, or ladybug?
 
Ah, gotcha. Misread to mean a 3" blade. Guess my reading comprehension's not too hot.

Spyderco Ladybug, Manbug, and Jester all come to mind, though a bit smaller than I prefer. I think I've wedged a Spyderco Air in that pocket before, though the handle's 3.4" long and the blade shape doesn't really seem to be what you're looking for.
 
The Spyderco Dragonfly is 3.188" closed, would be perfect for the watch pocket.
VG-10 or ZDP-189 steel, FRN, SS, G-10, or Nishijin Glass Fiber.

Spyderco Ladybug/Manbug, comes in VG-10 or ZDP-189, Both FRN, however, I think you can still get the G-10 version of the Manbug.

Spyderco Chicago - 440c blade, G-10, liner lock, under $40.

Boker Subcom Titan, 440c isn't a super steel but is a great steel for EDC. Full titanium handles.

Boker Plus Elegance Titanium Blues, beautiful knife. 3.5" closed but should still fit the bill.
 
Better yet, get the ZDP Manbug, and the G-10 Manbug and make a Franken Manbug.
Keep the Grey G-10/ZDP Manbug and sell/trade the British Racing Green/VG-10 Manbug.
Or keep both.
 
BladeChick777 said:
The Spyderco Dragonfly is 3.188" closed, would be perfect for the watch pocket.
VG-10 or ZDP-189 steel, FRN, SS, G-10, or Nishijin Glass Fiber.

Spyderco Ladybug/Manbug, comes in VG-10 or ZDP-189, Both FRN, however, I think you can still get the G-10 version of the Manbug.

Spyderco Chicago - 440c blade, G-10, liner lock, under $40.

Boker Subcom Titan, 440c isn't a super steel but is a great steel for EDC. Full titanium handles.

Boker Plus Elegance Titanium Blues, beautiful knife. 3.5" closed but should still fit the bill.
Click to expand...

Thanks! it was a bit of a guess - I've been meaning to buy myself one but haven't yet...yet :)
 
TMorita I have to say I like threads like this. Giving it stringent requirements makes it a bit of a challenge.
If you don't mind the aesthetic of the Spydercos they should serve you well. Let us know which one you choose :)
 
Spyderco Leafstorm was actually designed to fit in the "condom pocket" (us normal people call it a coin pocket :D ). Otherwise, the Dragonfly will also fit perfectly. You could also check out the SOG Bluto which was recently discontinued. Mine is pretty much perfect aside from the useless flipper (studs work just fine), and was a great deal at $60. Different handle colors make the price vary, I just got the cheapest one at the time.

If none of those work my last suggestion is the Böker Subcom. I would suggest the Titan variant for the titanium, but the others are fine. It fits your criteria almost to the T. The blade steel just isn't amazing, but it isn't like 440C wasn't a super steel at one point
 
If you get the Subcom, I would get the Titan because then you get the Titanium and the 440c.
If you get the other versions, you get FRN, SS, and AUS-8 steel.
For the same price or just a couple bucks more, you upgrade is a couple of ways.

I had forgotten the Spyderco Leafstorm.. that would be a great option.
The Dragonfly should definitely still be a contender as well.
 
Maybe a Fallkniven U4 or the slightly larger U2? Something from the Buck 500 series might fit the bill as well...

Good luck, OP! :)

-Brett
 
If you want to go upscale,

1. Mini-Grip (mine is a Ritter S30V bllade with Custom scales). Ritter Mini's can be bought at Knifeworks.
2. Hinderer XM-18 3" (same size as the mini-Grip)
3. Chris Reeve Mnandi (many choices of blade and inlays)
 
Kershaw Chive.

I actually am able to fit the BM 585 into that pocket on most of my jeans. The clip rides flush with the top of the small pocket. No more sticks out than in your regular pocket.

482 Megumi, 480 Shoki, and 483 Shori are close(ish), but not quite 3" closed.
 
TMorita said:
I like carrying around a 3" knife because it fits into the "condom pocket" of a pair of Levi's jeans.
Currently keeping a Old Timer 3OT there, but looking for something better.

Requirements:
o 3 inches or less when folded
o Single blade
o Fairly thin

Prefer (but not required):
o Locking mechanism
o Wider blade
o Drop-point style
o Better blade steel

Only candidate I've found is a Case 2758 - any other ideas?

Toshi
Click to expand...

First thing to say is that if your 3OT is a current Taylor/Schrade, you're not alone in being underwhelmed by the generic 440 steel. You learned somethings. Time to move on.

If your 3OT is an older, vintage Schrade USA (check the tang stamp), then your bad experience with the steel is uncommon. The original 3OT was made with Schrade's "Schrade +", which was 440A hardened to a high 58Rc and very well respected. At the very end, Schrade moved to 420HC and again is quite good.

Your desire to keep the length of the handle at 3" and to get more width to the blade poses a real challenge. If you stick with the traditional lockback like the 3OT or Case 2758, I think you'll be challenged to find more width. The Buck 505 Knight will come in under 3".
505w.jpg


If you can give a bit on the length, you might look at the Opinel #6. Has a nice durable lock ring and available in both good carbon and really nice 12C27 steel. I find the Opinels have noticeably more belly than the Bucks and one reason I prefer them for EDC use.
111080.jpg



If you want more width in the front of the blade (useful for spreading things and, imo, scoring cuts) and if you are willing to give up a locking blade, you might look at the "Baby Butterbean" pattern. It has 2 blades but meets your length requirements.
CA89084.jpg


Lastly, if you want more width back by the choil, then you may consider more modern designs like the Kershaw Chive.
KS1600a.jpg
 
Hmmm - doesn't a mini-Grip tempt you? You can customize it in the future if you get the urge, and they are small packages of dynamite.

IMG_0099_zps4fe23370.jpg
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
If you want to go upscale,

1. Mini-Grip (mine is a Ritter S30V bllade with Custom scales). Ritter Mini's can be bought at Knifeworks.
2. Hinderer XM-18 3" (same size as the mini-Grip)
3. Chris Reeve Mnandi (many choices of blade and inlays)
Click to expand...

Really? I know for a fact that you carry William Henrys in your coin pocket and yet you don't suggest one?
 
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