Recommendation? Anyone want to help me spend my money?

Spats McGee

Spats McGee

Joined
Jun 6, 2019
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I’ve got the itch for a new knife. (I’m sure you are all familiar with this feeling.). Accordingly, I’ve been trying to decide what to buy. I think it’s time to add another “dress knife” to the mix.

I have a few old pocket knives that “would work,” but most of them really need a little TLC more than anything. My main dress knife is a BM Sequel.

Here are my parameters:
  1. I’m an attorney, so I’m constantly in offices and courthouses. I can’t afford to startle the nice, genteel people who work there, so unobtrusive is the name of the game.
  2. I want decent blade steel. Realistically, my knife will be a glorified letter opener most days. I don’t need SuperNinjaSteel300X. Just something that will take a nice edge that I can sharpen on my own from time to time. And I want the sharpest letter opener in the whole damn office.
  3. I much prefer a locking blade to a slip joint. As a kid, I closed several knives on my fingers, so I’m leery of anything that puts my fingers in the path of a swinging blade.
  4. Blade = 3” or less. That’s a soft limit. I could stretch it to 3.25 or maybe 3.5, but at that point, a knife is too big to comfortably carry in a suit for me.
  5. Budget — As much as I’d like some of these $400+ knives that I see around here, that just ain’t happening for me. Especially not if I’m to buy a Hapstone sharpener.
With all of that said, here are some of my contenders:
  1. BM Mini Bugout — this is the most expensive of the options, especially as I want to buy the base model and trick it out with new scales, backspacer and thumb studs. The blue or orange just aren’t unobtrusive. Besides, “made in America” matters to me. This would also be my first real tinkering project. I really like the Axis lock system on my Sequel.
  2. BM Mini Griptilian - along the same lines as the MB. Lots of tinkering potential.
  3. Civivi - I was completely unaware of this brand 3 months ago. The NOx in satin is very close to the look I want, or At least will be once I remove the pocket clip. From what I can see, Nitro-V should fit the bill as far as steel goes.
  4. Buck - my first knife (now lost) was a Buck, so I might be a little sentimental. That said, the 112 Ranger Pro in S30V would certainly be unobtrusive. Two-handed opening, though, and that’s a ‘minus.’
  5. CRKT Drifter — made in Taiwan, unknown stainless, but passably incognito and the price is right.
Thoughts on these makers & models? Given my parameters, are there any other manufacturers whose knives I REALLY need to look at?

Thanks in advance,
Spats
 
If Made in America matters to you, then you should read the Country of Origin information carefully for anything from Civivi, CRKT, and some of Buck's offerings.

I'll post seperate if I have any actual suggestions.
 
Pro-Tech Godfather. Not the newest super steel, and probably more expensive than you were looking for, but makes up for it by being a proper letter opener.

Edit: Eh. A little big, too, come to think of it. This is the kind of thing I thought of when I read the OP's list. Either some kind of Kershaw Launch, or a Pro-Tech.

Does your municipality allow button-lock knives? Because if not, then nothing I have in mind is going to work.....
 
All Lockbacks

Buck Prince or squire - vanilla steel - $60
Boker gentlemans lockback - avail in white scales - $50
Case - many to choose - Tribal or Copperlock - $60 - $120 - many color handles

Tons of AG Russell to choose from (all China) but I like these . https://agrussell.com/knife/A-G-Russell-Wharncliffe-Lockback-Jigged-Bone--AGLB-CW13BB

Al Mar Honey (not sure where it's made now)

Here's a new one on me. Tim Britton Pronghorn lockback $395

Most knives today are made for the chairborn commando types.
 
I don't get it...none of the knives on your list are anywhere near as nice as a Sequel!

Gents knife on a budget, hard to go wrong with a Kershaw Leek in whatever flavor floats your boat.
 
Reswob said:
I don't get it...none of the knives on your list are anywhere near as nice as a Sequel!

Gents knife on a budget, hard to go wrong with a Kershaw Leek in whatever flavor floats your boat.
Click to expand...
I think the OP just wants another knife to mix up the carry options. Sounds like he wants a less expensive one since he might be buying a Hapstone sharpener.

There is a S35VN blade steel option but for what you want to do, I see no need. A few different handle colors too.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--CIVIVI-Elementum-Liner-Lock-Knife--114184
 
Shorttime said:
If Made in America matters to you, then you should read the Country of Origin information carefully for anything from Civivi, CRKT, and some of Buck's offerings.

I'll post seperate if I have any actual suggestions.
Click to expand...
Made in America matters, but may not be a deal breaker. I should probably check out some knives from other countries, if only for my own education.
Shorttime said:
Pro-Tech Godfather. Not the newest super steel, and probably more expensive than you were looking for, but makes up for it by being a proper letter opener.

Edit: Eh. A little big, too, come to think of it. This is the kind of thing I thought of when I read the OP's list. Either some kind of Kershaw Launch, or a Pro-Tech.

Does your municipality allow button-lock knives? Because if not, then nothing I have in mind is going to work.....
Click to expand...
In AR, municipalities almost never have knife-specific legislation, so I’ll need to look at state law. I know of no restrictions, except for a 3” blade maximum under the Carrying a Weapon statute.
CHNeal said:
Mnandi /tread. Checks every box you tossed out.
EDIT: Oops, missed the budget….
View attachment 1759915
Click to expand...

The Aflac Duck said:
Ditch the Hapstone and learn how to sharpen by hand, then buy a Mnandi.
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Mnandis are beautiful, but I can’t see going $450 for a knife right now. I am re-learning how to hand-sharpen, but I still think I want a Hapstone.
 
Reswob said:
I don't get it...none of the knives on your list are anywhere near as nice as a Sequel!

Gents knife on a budget, hard to go wrong with a Kershaw Leek in whatever flavor floats your boat.
Click to expand...
Gazz98 called it: another knife to mix up the carry options. Besides, I really like the Sequel blade, but I don’t love the handle.
gazz98 said:
I think the OP just wants another knife to mix up the carry options. Sounds like he wants a less expensive one since he might be buying a Hapstone sharpener.

There is a S35VN blade steel option but for what you want to do, I see no need. A few different handle colors too.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--CIVIVI-Elementum-Liner-Lock-Knife--114184
Click to expand...
 
the spyderco stainless handle delica is slim and easy to carry
sp_C11P__61423.1506565382.JPG
 
William Henry sprang to mind, but any more, you'd need a good size knife allowance to even look at one.

This one from KnifeCenter may fit the bill, they are pretty well made too and razor sharp


Or this nice Moki


this one is in stock, the one above you'll have to be patient and wait on it to get into stock, it's pretty though!


Good luck with your hunt!
G2
 
How about the equal to a Buck 110 that can fit in a watch pocket? Nothing has more class than wood and brass. And Buck's 420HC is nothing to sneeze at.

55 (2).jpg
 
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