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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
best under 3 inch folder under $150
- Thread starter Mi.Mike
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 6, 1999
- Messages
- 2,639
Do you mean tactical folder, or all around best sub 3 inch folder? For a variety of reasons, I am going to say the Benchmade Mel Pardue designed 850. It's retail price is a bit higher, but you can get it at several internet dealers for less than your limit of $150.
I like the Mel Pardue BM 850 because its blade shape is near perfect. It is a flat ground drop-clip point blade with a little, but not too much belly. It is 2.8 inches long, fitting most legal requirements most everywhere. It is made from ATS-34, a good 'stainless' steel for common use. Benchmade has paid particularly good attention to detail with this knife. It utilizes a seldom mentioned patent (BM's own) which describes a curved radius to the liner lock mechanism. The lock improvement is designed to remain stable during normal wear of the original parts. The bolsters have been rainbow anodized. It makes the knife pretty (maybe too pretty). The overall size and shape fit my big hands. The ivory white micarta scales are beautiful. Sheeple love it.
It came sharp, sharpens easily, and cuts open envelopes, packages, boxes, string, and lots of other stuff. And it is really nice to carry it around and use it.
For all of these reasons, I strongly recommend the Benchmade Mel Pardue design 850. Oh, I like the straight edge version Much More than the other.
Paracelsus
I like the Mel Pardue BM 850 because its blade shape is near perfect. It is a flat ground drop-clip point blade with a little, but not too much belly. It is 2.8 inches long, fitting most legal requirements most everywhere. It is made from ATS-34, a good 'stainless' steel for common use. Benchmade has paid particularly good attention to detail with this knife. It utilizes a seldom mentioned patent (BM's own) which describes a curved radius to the liner lock mechanism. The lock improvement is designed to remain stable during normal wear of the original parts. The bolsters have been rainbow anodized. It makes the knife pretty (maybe too pretty). The overall size and shape fit my big hands. The ivory white micarta scales are beautiful. Sheeple love it.
It came sharp, sharpens easily, and cuts open envelopes, packages, boxes, string, and lots of other stuff. And it is really nice to carry it around and use it.
For all of these reasons, I strongly recommend the Benchmade Mel Pardue design 850. Oh, I like the straight edge version Much More than the other.
Paracelsus
- Joined
- Nov 6, 1999
- Messages
- 2,639
All very Good questions, Mike. I do keep the knife in its leather slip sheath most of the time. I would rather not mess those pretty bolsters up. But then, for the price, I consider it a user. I bought it to carry and use. It has sustained No damage so far in spite of many rides in my pocket without protection from keys and coins (oops).
It does not have a clip, although some forum members have the skill to add them (eg Courdoroy). I don't normally use clips, even on knives that have them. I work in an office environment, and I carry knives in my right front pocket. I have used the clip on my Spyderco Centofante C25, but folks ask questions, so knives usually stay in my pocket out of sight. Scales Slippery? I dunno, most of the places I use my knives are dry. They are very smooth and comfortable.
If you want something for skinning, or general outdoor use, that's another story altogether. Then, I like fixed blades. Lots of options in your price range.
Paracelsus
It does not have a clip, although some forum members have the skill to add them (eg Courdoroy). I don't normally use clips, even on knives that have them. I work in an office environment, and I carry knives in my right front pocket. I have used the clip on my Spyderco Centofante C25, but folks ask questions, so knives usually stay in my pocket out of sight. Scales Slippery? I dunno, most of the places I use my knives are dry. They are very smooth and comfortable.
If you want something for skinning, or general outdoor use, that's another story altogether. Then, I like fixed blades. Lots of options in your price range.
Paracelsus
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 5,094
The small Centofante, the BM Mini Stryker, and the Calypso Lightweight are all under $150 and woth considering. I have also seen small (2") carbon fiber Will Henrys that are right at $150.
I have the most personal experience with three Benchmades. They all have a blade length of under 3 inches. The Benchmade models BM-625, BM-905 amd the BM-705. The first is the Leopard Cub, the second is the mini-Stryker and the last one is the mini-Axis Lock. All are well made, all are excellent choices. I feel the mini-Stryker is more robust relative to blade thickness/strength and a winner in handle-to-blade ratio. The Leopard Cub blade is too thin. The mini-Axis Lock is cute but the blade just feels (very subjective I know) too light. The BM-705 with the button on each scale appears to be an automatic to the un-informed. I would choose the full size version of the Axis Lock when ever possible. The design just doesn't seem to scale down well.
For what it is worth, the plain version of the mini-Stryker is my suggestion.
For what it is worth, the plain version of the mini-Stryker is my suggestion.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 1998
- Messages
- 675
if you're willing to push that limit a little(as high as 170ish) you can get a custom folder from Dick Atkinson. He works predominantly in 440c and Micarta, usually does great filework on his lock-backs and little abalone or MOP inlays. His work is great and at the price cannot be beat!
Aaron
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amacks@nist.gov
Don't forget to pay your taxes...they eventually become my knives
Aaron
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amacks@nist.gov
Don't forget to pay your taxes...they eventually become my knives
- Joined
- Dec 13, 1999
- Messages
- 1,729
The William Henry 2 7/8" drop point folder with carbon fiber handles..enough said.
Jake
Jake
- Joined
- Oct 11, 1998
- Messages
- 707
Spyderco Calypso Jr (Micarta)
Spyderco G-10 Rookie
Spyderco Wegner Jr
(no particular order but it would be influenced by function)
I have a BM705 but I would not include it, though I like BM710 if the question included 4" blades.
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Roger Blake
Spyderco G-10 Rookie
Spyderco Wegner Jr
(no particular order but it would be influenced by function)
I have a BM705 but I would not include it, though I like BM710 if the question included 4" blades.
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Roger Blake
- Joined
- Dec 25, 1998
- Messages
- 7,394
i will chime in a vote for the g-10 rookie. Excellent knife, usual Spyderco quality. Unfortunately these have been discontinued, so get one while you can.
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"Those who trade essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
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"Those who trade essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
- Joined
- Jul 9, 1999
- Messages
- 3,316
I will put in a good word for the Spyderco G-10 Rookie.
I really like the feel of this little rascal. The G-10 handle gives it just the right amount of thickness to make it comfortable in use and the blade shape is made for utility cutting type duty, IMO.
Spyderco has many knives in the 3" blade or under category.
You should give this Company a thorough look-see. They seem to have all shapes and such covered.
My main work cutters are a Spydie Pegasus and/or a Cricket and a lightweight Calypso Jr, with VG10 Blade. On my keychain is a Sheepsfoot Ladybug, which is one helluva mini-knife. This little knife cuts as well as many knives twice it's size.
Gotta love that SpyderHole!
Oh, BTW, at the top of this Spydie list, you should REALLY look closely at a Wegner Jr. Seriously look at this one, mate.
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My new bumper sticker:
Let me tell you about my SIFU!
[This message has been edited by misque (edited 02-20-2000).]
I really like the feel of this little rascal. The G-10 handle gives it just the right amount of thickness to make it comfortable in use and the blade shape is made for utility cutting type duty, IMO.
Spyderco has many knives in the 3" blade or under category.
You should give this Company a thorough look-see. They seem to have all shapes and such covered.
My main work cutters are a Spydie Pegasus and/or a Cricket and a lightweight Calypso Jr, with VG10 Blade. On my keychain is a Sheepsfoot Ladybug, which is one helluva mini-knife. This little knife cuts as well as many knives twice it's size.
Gotta love that SpyderHole!
Oh, BTW, at the top of this Spydie list, you should REALLY look closely at a Wegner Jr. Seriously look at this one, mate.
------------------
My new bumper sticker:
Let me tell you about my SIFU!
[This message has been edited by misque (edited 02-20-2000).]
William Henry Carbon Fibre Kestrel @ $160 looks VERY nice. Has 2" blade so might be too small for you ? I want one though
If you can stretch to $199 the Wiliam Henry Spearpoint Carbon Fibre is also VERY nice. This ones blade is 3 1/4" so might be too big for you. I want this one aswell
Check 'em out here: http://www.knifeart.com/williamhenry.html
I noticed all the talk recently about WH, so I decided to check them out. Needless to say, I was very impressed, they're gorgeous.
JD
If you can stretch to $199 the Wiliam Henry Spearpoint Carbon Fibre is also VERY nice. This ones blade is 3 1/4" so might be too big for you. I want this one aswell
Check 'em out here: http://www.knifeart.com/williamhenry.html
I noticed all the talk recently about WH, so I decided to check them out. Needless to say, I was very impressed, they're gorgeous.
JD
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 5,094
I can vouch for the large spearpoint carbon fiber William Henry. It is a feather but it is also a a capable pocket knife. I don't see it as heavy duty because of its beauty but it probably has surpsing toughness. The only catch is that it closer to $200 instead of$150.
