Recommendation? Anyone want to help me spend my money?

A Swiss army tinker, in the warthog trim from DLT trading brings a touch of whimsy to any outfit.

Edited: I realize you said you prefer not to have a slip joint, victorinox does offer one hand single blade knives...

Edited again, the alox Hunter pro was the model I had in mind, just had to go look it up.
 
Last edited:
I love my Spyderco Para 3. Lots of blade steel options, many different after-market scales out there too. It looks relatively unobtrusive, made in Golden, CO, and the lock is a lot of fun too. It’s my main carry when I’m wearing dress pants.
 
The Enzo Birk 75 in a full flat grind is one of those under-the-radar folders that offer a lot for the money.

In my opinion it is as classy as it is utilitarian. Polished and contoured G10, open construction, and tight tolerances.

It has a deep carry clip as well, and offered in S30V so it is quite resistant to corrosion.

77CD02A5-2887-4B76-B44B-FC35E21D4152.jpeg
 
don't think i saw this mentioned - what about the crkt ceo? ticks all the boxes other than where it's manufactured, and i've never seen a knife more ready to be the sharpest letter opener in the office. i don't own any, but have played around with a friend's and they're more interesting in person than i'd given them credit for.
 
Thank you, one and all, for the suggestions. I've still got some pondering to do, but I feel like I have an excellent Long List. Now I just have to narrow it to The Short List.
 
Get a CRK Mnandi or small sebenza with inlays. Or Rick Hinderer xm-18 3". Forget about Buck or CRKT they are not even remotely in the same league. Benchmade 535-3 or 556-1 or ZT 0450 can be you second choice.
 
SAK Compact (the model is named Compact):
Slim (2 layers), Victorinox Plus scale, specially designed to be pocket friendly gentleman knife, minimal but useful package of tools, come with mini screw driver and ballpen!
A little more expensive than other similar SAK due to some of its uncommon tools. No lock though, but who really use SAK with lock?

Boker Plus kwaiken air mini:
Look simple, slender and elegant knife within your spec. Made in China, but it Boker Plus line is quite solid. Liner look.

Opinel no 6:
Well known, a little big due to the round handle however.

Otter Mercator Small:
Simple, slim, elegant "traditional" German made folder with back lock. I recommend the Copper or Brass handle. The small version blade is 7cm (less than 3inches) vs the big which is 8.5cm (3.3 inches).
 
Last edited:
I like how light and stylish the bugout is but don't like the crappy plastic handles. If you can find a full size or mini in carbon fiber that would my recommendation. Also if you are handy you can swap some aftermarket scales on one or do a custom show. Good luck with your choice!
 
Civivi is definitely an A+ choice for the budget end of things.

For a Bugout or Mini Bugout, I own a regular size myself and I really like it. A few issues though; for the money, materials and quality can be iffy. You pay for the name a lot. For example, basic FRN Bugout scales have a fair bit of flex in them, and just basically feel plasticky, at a price range where other companies would be offering titanium. Another issue is the action versus centering debate. With most Bugouts, it’s extremely difficult to get to that balance of tuning where the knife will drop shut with the axis lock, and still have no bladeplay or centering issues. I just accept that mine will be uncentered always.

All that being said, there is a really nice looking Bugout with Titanium ano’d scales up on the exchange right now for a very reasonable price. The regular one.

What’s your budget limit? That really changes things for other brands and models I might suggest.

For example, if it’s under $150 you’re after, Kizer is going to have lots of options for you. The model that stands out to me is the Shoal; 2.75” of S35VN, Ti framelock, $145. Less if you can find one on the secondary. I once saw one sell for around $100.

Other than that, depending on what price point you want to spend in, I would also consider picking a steel you like and then researching knives that come in that steel. That way you’re narrowing your answers down to steel choices that already meet your requirements.

14C28N is an extremely underrated steel. It’s very, very similar to LC200N, but you can easily find it for well under half the price. For example, Ruike makes knives in it for barely over $30. Not saying these knives meet your requirements, but just exemplifying the steel’s budget genius—where LC200N is flaunted and given high prices, 14C28N has been in the budget barrel forever, despite most people being practically unable to tell the difference, even in corrosion resistance tests.

Looks like you have a decent lineup of choices to me… Let us know what you pick!
 
You mentioned the mini bugout and mini griptilian, great choices. Have you considered the regular sized bugout? Also the mini freek (really spending your money now ;)) and mini presidio are small options.

Others to consider. Spyderco native, lil native. Hogue deka. Hogue x1 micro, manual version.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top