Best Slipjoint Knife for Knife Restricted Places

dreadpirate

dreadpirate

Joined
Jan 16, 2015
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Wanted to get my brother something that would work if he traveled in Western Europe. Was thinking of either the Urban, Squeak, Pingo, UKPK, or DK. Any experience with these? Good? Bad? Ugly? Kind of leaning towards the Pingo.
 
I bought an Orange Pingo for the same reason, it looks so non tactical that it would be tough to get popped for. Great little knife too
 
I would go for the new Urban. The Italian Spydies are nice. The Squeak is a bit small (my wife likes here a lot though). If you can legally have the legit opening hole, I'd skip the Pingo. It's not about speed, but there are times when your other hand is occupied, and one hand opening is nice.
 
I really liked my Squeak. The UKPKs have a bit more edge, but not enough to make them a true "everything you need" edc imo, plus the Squeak's length is legal most anywhere.
 
Many European countries restrict the one-handed feature on knives, so the Pingo, Roadie, or the DK would be your best bet. I agree the Urban and UKPK are better designs, and the PITS beats them all.
 
shipwright said:
Many European countries restrict the one-handed feature on knives, so the Pingo, Roadie, or the DK would be your best bet. I agree the Urban and UKPK are better designs, and the PITS beats them all.
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Yep, totally agree. I own them all with the exception of the DK.
 
I sure like my UKPKs. They're basically non-locking Caly 3s. The Cat is good, too. If you get one, make sure you get one with jimping on the spine. I've got both models and like the jimped version a lot more. The Urban in my mind is a non-locking Cat. Also nice. If I had to pick the best of these it would be the UKPK with green G10 scales, if you can find it.
 
I was just reading a thread on the other forum about the new friction folder. Thats a really nice looking knife and cool design.
 
Gave my sister a Squeak, and I honestly think I might like it more than my Dragonfly. The steel has held up really well, and the handle is a bit fat, so you can get a good grip on it. No concern about it closing on you. I had low expectations, but everyone that's used it really likes it. I'd like to get myself either an Urban or UKPK eventually. I think I wouldn't mind a slip joint in the least bit.

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I would pick Spyderco PITS - although advertised as mid sized it's under 3" blade, superb blade Steel and Titanium handle, locks up solid., unique locking design, and made in Italy with near perfect fit and finish. it's one of my favorite.
Similar quality and craftsmanship in a Italian belt would have run you $500 so the knife is definitely a steal at its current price.
 
I, like others here, am a big fan of the Squeak as well. I gifted one a couple of years ago to a friend who carries it a pleasing high percentage of the time. I maintain it for her and every time I handle it, I admire the design. Even with my XL hands, I find it superior, ergonomically, to the Dragonfly and it really shaped my opinion about the necessity of a locking mechanism (although for lock-restricted jurisdictions, that opinion is moot). Yes, it does have a paltry blade length but it's quite capable. I frequently recommend it to folks looking for a small EDC folder.

I do not own a UKPK, but have handled a couple. As delphidoc mentioned, its basically a non-locking Caly 3, one of the best folding knives ever created, IMO. Keep your eyes on the exchange for a G10 or Ti S30V version...that would be an awesome gift too.
 
Hope this doesn't hijack but what about the roadie. I've been eyeing one of those for a while.
 
Since he will be traveling in Europe, the safest choice needs two-handed opening, e.g. not the Urban or Squeak which are otherwise fine non-locking folders.

Your brother can't go wrong with a UKPK or the Pingo, or the SPY-DK. The Roadie fits criteria, too, but the blade is quite thick for this size knife; it may not have as much appeal for your bro. Likewise the less-traditional shape of the Pingo also doesn't appeal to everyone, but I like it.

That is a thoughtful gift, dreadpirate.
 
vanslem6 said:
Gave my sister a Squeak, and I honestly think I might like it more than my Dragonfly. The steel has held up really well, and the handle is a bit fat, so you can get a good grip on it. No concern about it closing on you. I had low expectations, but everyone that's used it really likes it. I'd like to get myself either an Urban or UKPK eventually. I think I wouldn't mind a slip joint in the least bit.

17175511492_b49f73c2bb_c.jpg
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You'll like the Urban. Very similar just a smidge bigger. And the extra size makes it even better. Quality is spot on and the steel is decent.
 
nickedone said:
Since he will be traveling in Europe, the safest choice needs two-handed opening, e.g. not the Urban or Squeak which are otherwise fine non-locking folders.

Your brother can't go wrong with a UKPK or the Pingo, or the SPY-DK. The Roadie fits criteria, too, but the blade is quite thick for this size knife; it may not have as much appeal for your bro. Likewise the less-traditional shape of the Pingo also doesn't appeal to everyone, but I like it.

That is a thoughtful gift, dreadpirate.
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UKPK is one hand opening.
 
Denmark has the toughest knife laws, so there it's definitely Pingo or SPY-DK. Generally I would opt for less threatening, less tactical choices as it's often the police officer's call whether he dislikes your knife or not. And they tend to go softer on nice small knives with wooden handles than on tactical tantos with black blades... ;)

My recommendation, however, would be a non-locking Swiss Army Knife., even though this is a Syderco thread. It's a great tool while on the road and it ist still considered a tool rather than a knife by most.
 
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burningcrow said:
Denmark has the toughest knife laws, so there it's definitely Pingo or SPY-DK. Generally I would opt for less threatening, less tactical choices as it's often the police officer's call whether he dislikes your knife or not. And they tend to go softer on nice small knives with wooden handles than on tactical tantos with black blades... ;)

My recommendation, however, would be a non-locking Swiss Army Knife., even though this is a Syderco thread. It's a great tool while on the road and it ist still considered a tool rather than a knife by most.
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This, just above.
 
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