Best 3'' and under folder.

Great choices, all. If I were going for a Caly 3, I'd probably want the G10/VG10 version. That version of the knife is a little thicker than the CF version and the G10 scales are much grippier. If this is going to be used for SD, those may be points to consider.

A couple of other choices would be an Al Mar Nomad or mini-SERE. Both come in right around 3" blade length with G10 scales, well made liner locks, VG10 blade steel, and light weight. The mini-SERE clip mounts on the butt of the knife, so it carries about as low as you can get. The Nomad is a fine slicer with it's flat ground blade. I suspect that either would work for SD if necessary, although neither is a dedicated SD knife. F&F is top notch on both of the ones I have.
 
I have carried a Benchmade 705 for about 4 years and love it; 154 CM 3" blade, G-10 scales and Axis lock. It's not manufactured anymore outside of a few special production runs but I believe someone above recommended the Sequel which is very similar.
 
My favourite < 3 inchers are (in no particular order)

Strider PT
Lone Wolf T1
Small Classic Sebbie
Blade-Tech Ganyana
Kershaw Leek
Buck mini-Strider
Spyderco Calypso jr.
Spyderco Delica IV
Fällkniven U2
Benchmade 707

edit: of which the T1 has no pockettime since it's tip down only. It's lying on my desk, cutting the things you cut while doing deskjobs.

edit2: For SD uses I'd also like to mention the Böker Trance. It's a hell of a slicer with great ergo's and a lot of tip strength. It's also a frame-lock, which I think is a good idea for SD uses. With some practice you can learn to use the oversized thumbstuds as a kind of wave while opening the blade.
It's also very affordable!
The Snubby seems far better in doing all that of course.
Aus-8 is a big compromise. Wish they made them in VG-10 or S30V

:thumbup:
 
I know it's $95 more than you want to spend, but, the Rick Hinderer XM18 is a knife made to last a lifetime. He even ran his truck over the knife to test it (there are pic's of that on his site). Think you should take a look-see. The $95 extra, is less than $8 a month more, over the next 12 months. As an added plus, you can even change the 1 sided G10 handle if you get tired of the look.

You also don't pay for it, until he's done making it.
 
My favorites are the BM440 and BM705 from Benchmade and my Spyderco Mouse.


The Mouse has been getting a lot of pocket time lately.


The funny thing is that I have a craving for a nice multiblade slipjoint for the last few weeks.

I keep looking at a 2-blade congress pattern from Queen.
 
dalefuller said:
A couple of other choices would be an Al Mar Nomad or mini-SERE. Both come in right around 3" blade length with G10 scales, well made liner locks, VG10 blade steel, and light weight. The mini-SERE clip mounts on the butt of the knife, so it carries about as low as you can get. The Nomad is a fine slicer with it's flat ground blade. I suspect that either would work for SD if necessary, although neither is a dedicated SD knife. F&F is top notch on both of the ones I have.
Click to expand...

As far as S.D. goes, there's one problem with Al Mar liner-locks.... they disengage far too easily. Every one I've examined is buttery smooth. And on a S.D. folder, that's not good!
 
cynik said:
I know it's $95 more than you want to spend, but, the Rick Hinderer XM18 is a knife made to last a lifetime. He even ran his truck over the knife to test it (there are pic's of that on his site). Think you should take a look-see. The $95 extra, is less than $8 a month more, over the next 12 months. As an added plus, you can even change the 1 sided G10 handle if you get tired of the look.

You also don't pay for it, until he's done making it.
Click to expand...
Rick isn't taking orders.
 
You need to make a list, and go to a show or a big dealer, because the only way to answer this question fully for any person involves "what fits YOUR hand best?"

That said, if you're including potential SD, you need something with really solid ergonomics, that doesn't just fit your hand, but also can't be driven back into it.

At or under three inches, here are my top picks.

BM/HK Snody 14210

Spyderco Yojimbo

BM 525 mini Presidio

I think a number of the knives suggested, while great utility knives, can't match up to these for SD.

I'd also think about the mini Manix, the Lil Temp, and the waved Delica. For SD, the mini Grip has significant ergo advantages over the 705 or 707. I think the REKAT small Carnivore is 3.25", I'm not sure if there's a 3" Worden design with a world class lock available as a production knife. Kershaw, the Ti framelock Mini-Cyclone has acceptable ergos, but the JYD has better.

I absolutely guarantee these opinions are worth every cent I charged you for them. :D
 
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