A little help finding my perfect folder?

O

Oakseer

Joined
Nov 9, 2007
Messages
8
Hello everyone! This is my first time posting, so I apologize if I leave something out, or this is one too many 'help me choose' posts for the days quota. :) I've been lurking, studying, the various forums here for about a month, and find it extremely interesting.

I came here due to my interest in throwing knives, but after a few days I ended up buying my first folder (a Kershaw Leek) with my throwing knife order. I do love the Leek, but I've decided to go with something that couldn't be confused for a switchblade--at least when I'm not home, due to some interesting..luck I guess you could call it.

What I'm looking for (in rough order of importance):
Can't be confused for a switchblade, gravity knife, etc.
Under 3", but ideally more than 1.5".
Locking
Ambidextrous, one-hand open
Plain edge, or partially serrated
Under $70

Everyday uses I can think of off-hand would be the normal package/box opening, and feed bags (a bit of string a long the top).

I have been thinking about a mini-griptilian that everyone seems to like so much, but I read somewhere that axis lock could potentially be confused for a gravity knife, and 2.9 inches may be cutting it a little close.

A little more information about me, for those interested:
I live in California, so under 3" seems to be the safest bet for EDC, and I'm not the type to try to bend the rules or take chances. I'm 20 years old, normal attire are jeans and a t-shirt (neither baggy), clean cut really. I've always had a leatherman knock-off, but only rarely carried it with me. The only blade I've carried with me on a normal basis prior to my Leek, is a swisstech ultikey, which as you can imagine, just doesn't cut it anymore.

The interesting luck that I referred to up top can best be explained by two examples: One day while walking to the mailbox in front of my neighbors house, I was stopped by police and questioned, briefly. A tense moment for me, I had nothing but my keys on me (not even my ID)--apparently someone was evading arrest and jumping fences through town, and happened to be wearing the same color (blue) cloths as me. Second example, I was walking around town, and some total stranger, probably only 15 years old, rides up on a bike and asks if I have any drugs for sale. In front of the police department. Nothing bad happened either time, but if bizarre stuff like this continues to happen, I don't want to have to explain the difference between AO and a switchblade, and hope for the best.

Sorry for the puns :D and TIA,
Tristan
 
Thought I read somewhere that California law allowed up to a 4.0" blade on folders. As far as the Axis knives, just tighten the pivot so that the blade does not come out at the merest flick.
 
cutter17 said:
Thought I read somewhere that California law allowed up to a 4.0" blade on folders. As far as the Axis knives, just tighten the pivot so that the blade does not come out at the merest flick.
Click to expand...

I'm in the Bay Area and I'm not too concerned about staying under 3" or the Axis Locks. With the exception of a few cities (SF, Oakland, Richmond I believe and LA), there's no blade length limit on folding knives so long as they don't constitute as gravity knives. If I want to walk around with a 6" CS Vaquero Grande concealed, I can, but if I want to carry a 2.1" Auto, I'm a dangerous criminal.

I'm not concerned with Axis locks, so here are my suggestions:
-BM Mini Griptilian
-Spyderco Delica/Delica Wave or ZDP189 Delica or Native (I prefer the 3D version)
 
go with the minigrip (but tighten the pivot as cutter17 says) or the delica. I like my minigrip better, but just by a hair
 
As already mentioned, BM or Spyderco... Both make very high quality knives
 
I think a Mini-Grip, Spyderco Calypso Jr. , or Kershaw 1415 Starkey Ridge, would all be good for EDC.
 
I think the Kershaw Chive has the ability to turn off the assisted open feature. Its well within your budget, and blade length requirements.
 
There are a number of high quality knives that meet your needs and are in your price range. Benchmade Mini-Grip and Spydercos native or Delica are quality and will probably be the most recommended in this range. If you can go to a store and handle these and maybe some kershaws and crkt too. See what fits your hand the best and which lock you like. I personally dont think you could go wrong with either the benchmade or spydercos.
 
To second Kaizen1, you can carry folders of any length, concealed or not, anywhere in California where it's not prohibited by city or county laws (LA is the most cited example). I wouldn't fault your prudence in avoiding AOs, though -- I used to carry a Leek and a Chive quite often, but these days I don't think the small speed advantage warrants the attention you might get as a result.

I've always been very happy with my Spydercos; a Delica or a Caly should suit you nicely.

(If you're concerned about a low profile and a non-aggressive knife, the Caly 3 (in my pocket right now!) would be great: it has a very low-hanging wire pocket clip, so it's almost invisible; no scary blade shape; and the carbon fiber looks very elegant. It's a great knife with a great steel, but it does run about $150.)
 
Thanks for all the replies! Looks like I just need to pick between a slightly tightened BM Mini-Grip, or a Spyderco Delica (The Caly 3, while very nice, is a tad out of my price range, for the moment)...a tough choice for sure. I'm leaning towards the mini-grip, but I'll see if I can get my hands on them at some point, see how they feel.

I tend to travel around CA a lot, and it seems like if a city/county is going to have a limit, it's going to be 3", which is why I'm looking for something a little under. Low profile is a perk, for sure. I love using a pocket clip at home, but when I'm out I make sure it's totally concealed--either slipping it all the way into a pocket, or making sure the clip is covered entirely.
 
IMO the Delica looks less like a "weapon" than the Mini-Grip. Don't get me wrong, I love both, but the Delica appears to have a much friendlier blade. Also, the strong lockback spring makes it difficult to inertia open by holding the handle. The Axis provides very little resistance to this and a tight pivot pin is the only thing keeping the blade from opening in a "gravity knife"-like manner due to the smoothness of the locking mechanism.
 
If you go to SF, there's a shop in Pier 39 (on the Pier) called We Be Knives. They have a ton of great knives there for people to play with. I think there's also a gun shop in Downtown Napa that has a few knives as well.
 
Aside from L.A. (Although I've never had a problem there), you can pretty much have a folder of any size. Axis & A/Os are fine.

If you're concerned about the knife's appearance, get a waved Delica/Endura 4. Quick to deploy & is a common knife.
 
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