Best quality 3" or under folding knife

M

MattSPL

Joined
Aug 8, 2015
Messages
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I'm looking for suggestions on the best quality, fit and finish knife available with a 3" or under blade, preferably a frame lock.
It can be a production or custom design.

Ideas so far are:
Spyderco Techno
Brad southard Downing
Kingdom armory BTB
Hinderer XM18

Cheers
Matt
 
Since I am in a similar boat, I think it would help if you could state the intended use. The knives you mentioned are quite different design-wise - do you have some particular preferences?
 
My favorite folders in 3" (or under) are both 3".
Spyderco Sage 2 (all wonderful titanium scales; leaf blade in S30V.)
Caly 3 in either VG-10 or ZDP-189. ZDP is my choice.
I have had multiples of each of the above, as well as the Techno. The Techno is for heavier duty...even though smaller, shorter.
 
MattSPL said:
I'm looking for suggestions on the best quality, fit and finish knife available with a 3" or under blade, preferably a frame lock.
It can be a production or custom design.

Ideas so far are:
Spyderco Techno
Brad southard Downing
Kingdom armory BTB
Hinderer XM18

Cheers
Matt
Click to expand...

How about a knife from the man who invented the frame lock . . . the Small Sebenza? :thumbup: :D
 
I'm looking for my Grail knife, 3" or less.
It will either be used daily in work(Electrician) if I can bring myself to use it in work, or just for light edc tasks in and around the home.
It's more that I am just looking to find the best craftsmanship available in this size knife.

I have a Medford Micro Praetorian T due any day now and will be using this as a reference to compare others to and will then keep my favourite.

Cheers
Matt
 
Sonnydaze said:
My favorite folders in 3" (or under) are both 3".
Spyderco Sage 2 (all wonderful titanium scales; leaf blade in S30V.)
Caly 3 in either VG-10 or ZDP-189. ZDP is my choice.
I have had multiples of each of the above, as well as the Techno. The Techno is for heavier duty...even though smaller, shorter.
Click to expand...

Nice choices.
The Techno appeals due to its heavy duty build and lower price(compared to customs) so I wouldn't feel afraid to use it in work.
 
I think it's safe to say it would hold up to anything a 3.0" XM-18 could handle. They're both relatively lightweight knives. And I agree with Sonnydaze that a Spyderco Sage 2 would be an excellent knife to consider.
 
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At around $200 new, I'm really liking my Emerson micro-Commander. It's probably my new "best for the masses" favorite 3" or under EDC.

If you want to spend more, a small Sebenza most definitely. Don't worry, it's probably tougher than any of the others mentioned.
 
EChoil said:
At around $200 new, I'm really liking my Emerson micro-Commander. It's probably my new "best for the masses" favorite 3" or under EDC.

If you want to spend more, a small Sebenza most definitely. Don't worry, it's probably tougher than any of the others mentioned.
Click to expand...

The Emerson looks nice
 
I have had a Sage 2 and a Techno. I now have a Techno. My Techno is a nicer knife than my Sage 2 was. I don't know why.
 
drnls said:
BM mini griptilian 556. Not sure how much you want to spend.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. Nice knife.
Not sure on budget as such, but I will see when the Micro praetorian arrives if I decide to sell that, I'll have a decent budget.
 
I love my Techno! It goes everywhere with me. I use it as a money clip in my left pocket if I am carrying another knife in my right. The quality of the build is top notch.
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