Compact small tactical folders

O

ourgon

Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Messages
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I would like to make list. Rules:

- Blade ~3" without spyderhole or any another hole if it's possible.
- handle with full grip, so it must be ~4"
- Tip up clip but it's not such important
- Strong tip
- Manual action without assist
- preferable no tanto blade, only spear/drop point
- production knife with MSRP under $200

Examples:

Emerson Mini A-100, Mini CQC-7A and another mini EKI, Microtech UMS, Benchmade 903 Mini Stryker etc.

Show me your suggestions.
 
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Looks like the knife you need is right here.

[video=youtube;ZiHLRkCKoSw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiHLRkCKoSw[/video]
 
Thanks, generally I saw every Cold Steel and Emerson and I'm curious about interesting alternatives to them.
 
ourgon said:
Thanks, generally I saw every Cold Steel and Emerson and I'm curious about interesting alternatives to them.
Click to expand...

You could also try a Buck Bones. Never owned one, but I handled it and it seemed like a really solid, quality knife, a great value for the money.
 
ourgon said:
I would like to make list. Rules:

- Blade ~3" without spyderhole or any another hole if it's possible.
- handle with full grip, so it must be ~4"
- Tip up clip but it's not such important
- Strong tip
- Manual action without assist
- preferable no tanto blade, only spear/drop point
- production knife with MSRP under $200

Examples:

Emerson Mini A-100, Mini CQC-7A and another mini EKI, Microtech UMS, Benchmade 903 Mini Stryker etc.

Show me your suggestions.
Click to expand...
Basically any 'mini' Benchmade other than the 746 Lum meets your criteria.

If it were me, I'd check out the 586/7 Barrage, small Presidio, mini Griptilian or mini HK Axis.

If you want something very practically tactical look HARD at those HK Axis knives.
 
They have an opened profile that reminds me of a pukko or the popular generic bushcrafter fixed blades.
 
Most of the Benchmade "minis" are sorta too mini in the grip area--under 4". That includes the Mini Griptilian and the Mini Stryker. These knives are just too short to handle well for me personally. I can't get a decent grip on them due to shape and length of the handles. The one exception I'm familiar with is the Mini Presidio Ultra. There is no deluxe Mini Presidio with an aluminum handle available other than the automatic version. The Mini Presidio Ultra is a very good small knife, less than $100 IIRC. Great choice if you don't mind a steel-lined Grivory grip and 440C blade. I like mine a lot.
 
Lee48 said:
Most of the Benchmade "minis" are sorta too mini in the grip area--under 4". That includes the Mini Griptilian and the Mini Stryker. These knives are just too short to handle well for me personally. I can't get a decent grip on them due to shape and length of the handles. The one exception I'm familiar with is the Mini Presidio Ultra. There is no deluxe Mini Presidio with an aluminum handle available other than the automatic version. The Mini Presidio Ultra is a very good small knife, less than $100 IIRC. Great choice if you don't mind a steel-lined Grivory grip and 440C blade. I like mine a lot.
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Does it have strong tip?
 
NG VI said:
Basically any 'mini' Benchmade other than the 746 Lum meets your criteria.

If it were me, I'd check out the 586/7 Barrage, small Presidio, mini Griptilian or mini HK Axis.

If you want something very practically tactical look HARD at those HK Axis knives.
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It funny you mentioned those HK Axis knives.

I would have never looked at one. But a guy at work found one and bought it on a whim. He's not a knife guy but liked it.

I was very impressed. I think its a great knife. I'd trade one of my mini grips for one.
 
aquaman67 said:
It funny you mentioned those HK Axis knives.

I would have never looked at one. But a guy at work found one and bought it on a whim. He's not a knife guy but liked it.

I was very impressed. I think its a great knife. I'd trade one of my mini grips for one.
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I've been on a poorly considered buying spree lately, and I keep thinking about selling mine to validate a couple neat buys like a 587-1 Warn and a pair of Presidios, but I don't think I can.

It's basically a perfect generic mid-large Axis knife. Flat scales that play well enough with clothing and grip great, immaculate fit, finish, and build quality, nice fat D2 slab ofa blade, but with an attractive and useable grind, it's even pretty light considering the massive blade.

I knew I liked them when I spotted them, but the longer I carry mine the more attached to it I get.

Synergy between small details keep popping out at me, like the way the thumb scallops and pinky sloping on the G-10 direct your hand to a safe and solid position instantly.

I love that thing.
 
ourgon said:
I would like to make list. Rules:

- Blade ~3" without spyderhole or any another hole if it's possible.
- handle with full grip, so it must be ~4"
- Tip up clip but it's not such important
- Strong tip
- Manual action without assist
- preferable no tanto blade, only spear/drop point
- production knife with MSRP under $200

Examples:

Emerson Mini A-100, Mini CQC-7A and another mini EKI, Microtech UMS, Benchmade 903 Mini Stryker etc.

Show me your suggestions.
Click to expand...

FOX Terzuola design almost fits your requirements, except the tip, it's not spear or drop point.
Outstanding design, liner lock with carbidized lock face, good steel, fair price around $100.
They have it in black (with G-10 scales) also, a truly " tactical" model... :D

fSe6Y3.jpg
 
ZT 0900:

0900_profile_1020x400.png


Specs:

Made in the USA
Manual open, KVT ball-bearing system
Frame lock, hardened steel lockbar insert
Reversible clip (left/right)
Steel: S35VN, stonewashed finish
Handle: Titanium, stonewashed finish
Blade length: 2.7 in. (6.9 cm)
Closed length: 3.9 in. (9.9 cm)
Overall length: 6.6 in. (16.8 cm)
Weight: 4.3 oz. (121.9 g)

Street Price: < $200

If a folder with a sub-3" blade can be called "tactical", it don't get too much more tactical than that! ;)
 
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POCEH KOCEB said:
FOX Terzuola design almost fits your requirements, except the tip, it's not spear or drop point.
Outstanding design, liner lock with carbidized lock face, good steel, fair price around $100.
They have it in black (with G-10 scales) also, a truly " tactical" model... :D

fSe6Y3.jpg
Click to expand...

Maybe in future but it's different story. Blade is longer. I've few ~90 mm blade folders like that - Starmate, 913 Stryker etc. Now I'm searching something like Emerson mini a-100/ mini CQC-7A but cheaper maybe or better finished, simple build, without wave or assist. Something small, not scary for people but not weak - I can legally carry even XL auto folders or fixed blades but it's too scary for non-knife people. As you maybe know I carry now often CQC-7A waveless. I like that strong tip and it should be something around that thickness.

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That ZT is nice, but without flipper it would be better.
 
ourgon said:
Maybe in future but it's different story. Blade is longer. I've few ~90 mm blade folders like that - Starmate, 913 Stryker etc. Now I'm searching something like Emerson mini a-100/ mini CQC-7A but cheaper maybe or better finished, simple build, without wave or assist. Something small, not scary for people but not weak - I can legally carry even XL auto folders or fixed blades but it's too scary for non-knife people. As you maybe know I carry now often CQC-7A waveless. I like that strong tip and it should be something around that thickness.

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That ZT is nice, but without flipper it would be better.
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I understand, still the blade is only 1/4 of an inch longer than the required 3" and the knife looks really peaceful in person... :D
I didn't want to mention it, but totally agree on the flipper thing.
Yes, I've seen the knives you're posting and they are also models that I like and would carry. In this case you do have specific requirements...
Did you try some of the Mini Grips ? I didn't follow the whole thread, maybe someone already mention it... Good cutting and stabbing geometry,
blade is thick enough to handle serious pressure and in the same time thin enough behind the edge to cut well. They are strong, small but handy size, good variety of steels,
AXIS lock is probably the best lock to withstand stabbing and they look very normal and are not really expensive ?

IGJSFU.jpg


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