Best OH folders 2"-2.5" under $50 street

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gomipile

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Apr 17, 2010
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I posted a thread a while ago that was too specific. Now I just want to hear your reccomendations on the best folders with blades longer than 2" and less than or equal to 2.5" in length. I'd like to keep the price les than $50, and the length could be shorter than 2" if it cuts really well.

However, the length absolutely, positively cannot be more than 2.5". Also, it must be easy to open one handed, and it must have a locking blade, no slippies need apply. Also, preferably no assisted openers, though I can just gut an assisted if I have to.

To give you an idea of the "perfect knife" in this vein in my mind, I'm imagining a 2.5" blade Kershaw Skyline variant in 14c28n.

I'd really like it to have no less of a steel than 14c28n, but blade geometry and quality heat treat can get past that, as with Buck's rather nice 440HC.

I'm not just looking for one knife here, I really want to hear as many suggestions as possible within or near these parameters.
 
Light is good, but only if it's strong too. Generally any knife that short is fairly light anyway, so it's no big deal. The only super-light designs I like from personal experience are the Cold Steel all-G10 handles, and the SOG Flash series, where the all-composite handles are thick enough to substitute for metal. The Gerber Evo isn't bad either, but it's not my favorite knife for other reasons.

Even the heaviest knives in this size range, like the all-stainless Spydercos, don't bother me for weight, though.
 
how about a spyderco dragonfly2? it's has 2.25" blade and VG10 steel.

spyderco also has the ambitious, 2.25" blade with G10 handle. it looks like a pretty stout knife (but it's twice as heavy as the dragonfly2).
 
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I 2nd the new D'fly. It's got the weight, strength, quality, good steel & price that you are looking for.

sp_C28PBK2.jpg


Specs:
# Blade Steel: VG-10
# Handle Material: Black FRN
# Length Open: 5 7/16" (138 mm)
# Blade Length: 2 5/16" (58 mm)
# Length Closed: 3 7/32" (82 mm)
# Hole Diameter: 7/16" (11 mm)
# Blade Thickness: 3/32" (2.5 mm)
# Weight: 1.2 oz. (33 g)
# Made In: Japan
 
Any of the little kershaws are great for the money. The chive and scallion are the two that come to mind right away.

+1 to the D-fly in any rendition/version.
 
If the Ambitious cuts the same as a Tenacious, I'd probably rather go with the Dragonfly. I was thinking Dragonfly before I posted the OP here, anyway.

I still want to hear as many more suggestions as the forum has though.
 
Spyderco Dragonfly 2
Spyderco Ambitious

Cold Steel Mini Lawman

I think your best options are the Dragon 2 and Mini Lawman because they both allow 4 finger grips. The clip placement on the Mini Lawman was updated and it has the largest grip. The Dragonfly 2's blade is better for most EDC purposes.
 
There's quite a difference between the Mini Lawman and the Dragonfly.

What do you want this knife for?

The mini is larger, although hardly heavy, with a strong lock and a grip that has a more tactical feel. But the blade is just 2.5 inches long and made of Aus 8A steel. The clip is not deep pocket, exposing a fair amount of handle. The blade comes with a dreadful black coating in the Ninja Mall style.

The Dragonfly 2 is a neat little light saber with VG 10 steel and a nice wire clip. For EDCing, you'll hardly notice it's in your pocket.

There's also the late, lamented Spyderco Cat, with a 2.5 inch blade. (The also discontinued Chicago has a 2 inch blade.) Both are hard to find and over-priced in the secondary market.

For a real cheapie that may take three or four weeks to arrive, there is the Sanrenmu 763. Barely heavier than the Dragonfly, it has a 2.5 inch, wide Chinese steel blade, an Axis-type lock and a ridiculously low price. The clip is silver and not deep pocket.
 
I'm really surprised at how few knives there are in this category, given how many cites have explicit 2.5" blade limits. I know most people carry slipjoints in cities like that, but still...
 
flash900 said:
There's quite a difference between the Mini Lawman and the Dragonfly.

What do you want this knife for?

The mini is larger, although hardly heavy, with a strong lock and a grip that has a more tactical feel. But the blade is just 2.5 inches long and made of Aus 8A steel. The clip is not deep pocket, exposing a fair amount of handle. The blade comes with a dreadful black coating in the Ninja Mall style.

The Dragonfly 2 is a neat little light saber with VG 10 steel and a nice wire clip. For EDCing, you'll hardly notice it's in your pocket.

There's also the late, lamented Spyderco Cat, with a 2.5 inch blade. (The also discontinued Chicago has a 2 inch blade.) Both are hard to find and over-priced in the secondary market.

For a real cheapie that may take three or four weeks to arrive, there is the Sanrenmu 763. Barely heavier than the Dragonfly, it has a 2.5 inch, wide Chinese steel blade, an Axis-type lock and a ridiculously low price. The clip is silver and not deep pocket.
Click to expand...

The Sanrenmu 763 looks incredible for the price. I ordered one and will let you know what I think.
 
As Mr. Dagon points out in one of his terrific video reviews, the 763 comes complete with a built-in beer bottle opener.
 
Kershaw OD-2 is 2.25" blade, with the "overdrive" flipper that folds away into the handle when the blade is open. The lockup is very solid with zero play in any axis. It is very nicely made in China and cost me about $12 online. Clip is tip-up, left or right side.
 
Bill1170 said:
Kershaw OD-2 is 2.25" blade, with the "overdrive" flipper that folds away into the handle when the blade is open. The lockup is very solid with zero play in any axis. It is very nicely made in China and cost me about $12 online. Clip is tip-up, left or right side.
Click to expand...

It's not to my taste, but, like the Dragonfly, it is a perfect size for pocket EDCing.
 
So far, the only knife in this range that has "open boxes all day" steel is the Dragonfly. I'm really confused as to why for example Kershaw doesn't have a 2.5" folder in 14c28n. A 2.5" version of the Skyline or Needs Work or a 14c28n version of the OD-2 would be perfect for this category.
 
Any other suggestions out there? Also, some discussion on why the manufacturers aren't putting their medium steels in some tiny folders would be appreciated.
 
You said no AOs, but my SOG Blink is amazing. Strong lockback, fun to play with, good, deep pocket clip, decent steel and you'll get one for under 50 bucks. I've EDCd mine for since the end of last summer, swapping between that and the Boker Escape Knife.
 
My favorite budget folder that is sub-2.5 inches would be my William Henry Kestrel, it only cost $375, its great for opening cans of tuna, cutting zip ties, I even like it for gutting trout. And at that price you might as well buy a dozen, just for gifts and beaters.

photo1-1.jpg


Its San Mai, ZPD-189 at 67RW
You Can cut boxes forever with this one
 
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