Best Folding 3" Pocket Knife

expwmbat said:
Get a SAK. You'll use the tools more than the blade and its totally kosher to carry in any circumstances.
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Another +1 :thumbup:

My favourite is the Victorinox Alox Pioneer. Excellent quality, good-lookin' and extremely functional/capable. It can do more than my Sebenzas. True story.
 
I'm surprised the Spyderco Delica is'nt getting a lot of recommendations. It's not too expensive, lightweight, and does all the things an EDC should.
 
In my opinion the delica is a nice knife and a good edc knife but for the money and how much he wants to spend the mini grip is a better choice especially since he doesn't like spyderco the delica is a hard sale . The Sage is great choice for a first timer who's willing to give spyderco a chance .
 
Very surprised no one has recommended the Ontario Rat 1 or Rat 2. These are great knives and you could get one of each for less than the price of a mini grip.
 
I'm another that didn't like the look of the Spydercos. Then a deal too good to pass up came up on a Tenacious. I thought, "what the heck, I'll give it a try, see what all the fuss is about."

Now I've got about a dozen Spyderco knives, and they are far and away (along with ZT) my favourite maker. In your shoes I'd buy a Delica (but only saying that as I have never handled a Sage) and a SAK as others have mentioned. Personally I really like the Victorinox Super Tinker. It goes with me everywhere, everyday and I use it most days several times.
 
I would love to recommend a Swiss army but you want dual thumb studs so you're looking for a one hand operated knife. First one that comes to mind is the Mini Ritter Griptilian. It is a mini grip with a different blade shape and slightly better steel. I don't know exactly what they go for though. I traded for the one I have.

Yea that's all I can recommend, everything else I own has an opening hole or a flipper or is assisted or has a nail nick.
 
Although I believe a SAK would be a fine choice for EDC (especially on a college campus) others have made some good suggestions that match the OP's criteria. I'd also toss in the CRKT Drifter for consideration--a bargain for less than $25. I've had both variants (the full stainless steel frame-lock and the G-10 liner-lock models) and preferred the frame-lock model. Might be worth checking out...

Good luck, OP! :)

-Timber
 
Mini-Griptilian (model 556) or Ontario RAT-2 are the first that come to mind that fit all your specs. The Drifter also fits all your specs. You can also try to track down one of the grooved Kershaw Zings (discontinued, but still not especially difficult to track down). If you're open to flippers, I'd also recommend the Skyline as well. It is just a bit over 3" blade length though.

If you're open to some of the Chinese brands, the Sanranmu 763 is also worth a look. It has a bottle opener cutout in the blade tang, which can be handy for those... ummm... late-night/weekend study sessions. ;)
 
I personally Love the Buck vantage line. I like The mini Grips but the handles are pretty clunky for my tastes. Sage 1's are pretty darn good.

For price I would say my top recommendations would be.

CRKT Drifter....great knife
Ontario Rat 2....great knife
Buck Vantage Pro....my favorite
Crkt M16 stainless handle...great knife

I carried the M16 all through college when I was in (graduated in 2006) I was in the sculpture Dept and I can tell you, I put that thing through some torture and it still to this day is in great shape. I personally Prefer the tanto blade but it is hard to find a tanto without serrations these days. The spear point is good too.
 
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