Best 3" and under folders

If you like M390, there is a limited edition Benchmade 707 available presently and it is within your budget.
A Mini-Ritter would also fit the bill, aside from the M390 though, still waiting for that one to come out.
The Mini can be had in M4 or S30V.
Here's mine.

 
SirGeod said:
3"> my locality prohibits anything bigger than 3"

I've got a real M390 addiction right now. Gotten the 581, 586, 0350M390.
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Both the ZT 0350M390 and Benchmade 581 have blade lengths over 3 inches: 3.25" and 3.6" respectively.

So, since 20CV & CTS-204P are very similar to M390 you may as well try the excellent Spyderco Southard with a 3.46" blade of CTS-204P steel, narrow profile, titanium frame-lock and great flipper action.
 
RamZar said:
Both the ZT 0350M390 and Benchmade 581 have blade lengths over 3 inches: 3.25" and 3.6" respectively.

So, since 20CV & CTS-204P are very similar to M390 you may as well try the excellent Spyderco Southard with a 3.46" blade of CTS-204P steel, narrow profile, titanium frame-lock and great flipper action.
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Just curious but with all the great options listed, why should the OP try a knife that has a longer blade than he is looking for?
 
chaparral 1 or 2, dragonfly zdp, gayle bradley air, caly3 zdp, caly3 sb, i dont remember if the N5 is under 3 inches, but if it is theres an s110v version
 
SPXTrader said:
Just curious but with all the great options listed, why should the OP try a knife that has a longer blade than he is looking for?
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I had given some options for blade lengths of no more than 3 inches in an earlier post and then saw that he had mentioned two other folders with M390 but blade lengths longer than 3 inches so I gave him another choice for that.
 
spyderco dragon fly and suprisingly my coast knife. dont know the actual name of it but its 2.5" and holds a nice edge for quite a while. picked it up for about $20
 
There have been a ton of good suggestions on your thread, for 3" and shorter blades.
I had some time...and interest...and some folders, so did some light comparison shopping..er...measuring with my dial mikes...
---------------------------------------------
Handle length comparisons of 3" folders: (closed lengths)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(I wear size Large gloves. I EDC a CRK Umnumzaan or large Sebenza.)

1) A. G. Russell™ Acies2 Framelock: from web-site... Measures 3-3/4" closed and weighs 3.0 oz. I've never held one, but I'm certain it's too short for my hand, as the handle is 1/4" shorter than the small Sebbie. There is no useable finger-choil.

2) Small Sebenza: 3.980" . I love it, but I cannot hold onto it. Too short in the handle.

3) Native V (2013 Spyderco Forum knife): 4.00" inch handle. S110v wonderful blade-steel. Has a finger-choil which makes this knife very useable.

4) Strider SJ75: 4.25" nice, easy length to hold onto, although the G10 Lego scales seem a bit slippery compared to the other three.

5) Spyderco Sage 2: No contest! My favorite of the last four of this group. 4.21", plenty long. It also has very nice jimping and choil, allowing me to move up and lock onto the knife and blade choil, although the handle is long enough that I don't have to.
 
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RamZar said:
Both the ZT 0350M390 and Benchmade 581 have blade lengths over 3 inches: 3.25" and 3.6" respectively.

So, since 20CV & CTS-204P are very similar to M390 you may as well try the excellent Spyderco Southard with a 3.46" blade of CTS-204P steel, narrow profile, titanium frame-lock and great flipper action.
Click to expand...

I have them but don't and can't carry them.
 
Thank you everyone, after some research I found my new EDC, Spyderco Native 5 in S110V!

But out of curiosity how does S110V compare to M390? I read on the spyderco forums that Sal's native 5 tested at 63hrc so it would be maybe 61-63hrc average?
 
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RamZar said:
Both the ZT 0350M390 and Benchmade 581 have blade lengths over 3 inches: 3.25" and 3.6" respectively.

So, since 20CV & CTS-204P are very similar to M390 you may as well try the excellent Spyderco Southard with a 3.46" blade of CTS-204P steel, narrow profile, titanium frame-lock and great flipper action.
Click to expand...

Seeing as I might be moving soon to a state with friendlier knife laws I'll consider the Southard :) thanks!
 
fetzer85 said:
I have a Spyderco Sage 1 on its way. I normally don't like 3" and under blades due to the short handle however I'm hoping the finger choil on the blade helps out. We'll see!
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Just wanted to follow up on my earlier post. My Sage 1 arrived today - it's awesome. Great fit in the hand, love the CF scales, smooth action, great centering & lockup...can't say enough! Here's some eye candy. ;)

IMG_20131030_100947056.jpg


IMG_20131030_100827656.jpg


IMG_20131030_100746897.jpg
 
Have to agree on the Spyderco Native 5, great ergos and a really solid folder with an incredible lock.
 
Can any Native 5 s110v holders give me some feedback on the edge retention and toughness of the steel in your experiences?
 
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