EDC 2" or less Blade?

TripleB67

TripleB67

Joined
Jan 28, 2016
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183
After a week of carrying the Cryo at work, I'm thinking I might need something a bit smaller and lighter for my work environment.

Is there a knife with a 1.75-2.00 inch blade, under $35, that offers great quality, light weight, and has a deep carry clip?

Just on a quick look I saw the Cold Steel 20MT Mini Tuff Lite for $18...maybe something along those lines...I'm sure there are plenty of others.

edit: due to 40 years of a bad habit, the knife must be able to be opened without fingernails

btw: thanks for all your advice in my previous thread about a 3" blade knife...a lot of great options you've given me there - right now I'm leaning towards the Rat 2!!!

TripleB67
 
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I'm not a huge fan of little knives, but, in your price range the Cold Steel mini Tuff Lite or Micro Recon are solid bets.

You could go all in and drink the Spyderco koolaid too, as many around here swear up and down, and left and right, by all things spydie, and just get a ladybug. Problem is, what if you don't like Spyderco? (I'm one of the guys who didn't like the flavor of the koolaid, though they are well made knives).

Being a newb to carrying "modern locking" folders though, what i would do if I were in your shoes on a strictly tight budget, (and I have been before), and an option to really consider is;

Buck Colleague + Byrd Finch

Together they should still fit in your budget, (maybe a hair outside with shipping), but you get two totally different knives for the price if one, giving you 3 altogether! (Nice start to a budget friendly collection with options).

You get A Buck, (albeit a made in china Buck, but still a Buck, with a great warranty), that gives you thumstuds, a framelock, and a sleek and sexy looking all stainless satin finish in a package under 1.5 oz.
The Byrd gives you an entry level idea into the world of Spyderco, with the thumb hole, a Lockback design, with g10 handles, in a package slightly smaller, and slightly lighter...

Gives you a better "broad spectrum" feel for side by side differences, to help you determine your preferences.

I've heard mostly good things about BladeTech too, (Mouse/Ratel), cheap little aus8 folders made in Taiwan, from the mind of a solid designer...

Or: do you like good cigars?
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Xikar-Cigar-Cutter-Folding-Knife-2--20388
I know nothing about them, other then they appear to be a company that specializes more in cigar cutters then knives, but it is kind of intriguing? I might get one one day just to keep in the car for those rare cigar days, Taiwan made aus8, in theory it should be alright? ;)
 
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Two of my favorites in this class are the Boker Subcom and Wharcom. I actually prefer the Wharcom. It also makes a great money clip for the casual dash somewhere. Both are around $30ish.

You will surely get suggestions for a SAK (Swiss Army Knife). Most people don't freak out when you pull out a SAK. Depending on what you do, you can find one with a few tools that might come in handy now and then. The scissors are very useful to have. No pocket clip thou.
 
strategy9 said:
I'm not a huge fan of little knives, but, in your price range the Cold Steel mini Tuff Lite or Micro Recon are solid bets.

You could go all in and drink the Spyderco koolaid too, as many around here swear up and down, and left and right, by all things spydie, and just get a ladybug. Problem is, what if you don't like Spyderco? (I'm one of the guys who didn't like the flavor of the koolaid, though they are well made knives).

Being a newb to carrying "modern locking" folders though, what i would do if I were in your shoes on a strictly tight budget, (and I have been before), and an option to really consider is;

Buck Colleague + Byrd Finch

Together they should still fit in your budget, (maybe a hair outside with shipping), but you get two totally different knives for the price if one, giving you 3 altogether! (Nice start to a budget friendly collection with options).

You get A Buck, (albeit a made in china Buck, but still a Buck, with a great warranty), that gives you thumstuds, a framelock, and a sleek and sexy looking all stainless satin finish in a package under 1.5 oz.
The Byrd gives you an entry level idea into the world of Spyderco, with the thumb hole, a Lockback design, with g10 handles, in a package slightly smaller, and slightly lighter...

Gives you a better "broad spectrum" feel for side by side differences, to help you determine your preferences.

I've heard mostly good things about BladeTech too, (Mouse/Ratel), cheap little aus8 folders made in Taiwan, from the mind of a solid designer...

Or: do you like good cigars?
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Xikar-Cigar-Cutter-Folding-Knife-2--20388
I know nothing about them, other then they appear to be a company that specializes more in cigar cutters then knives, but it is kind of intriguing? I might get one one day just to keep in the car for those rare cigar days, Taiwan made aus8, in theory it should be alright? ;)
Click to expand...

I actually have one of these (big cigar guy!), and one note of warning. This would be a knife that you really wouldn't want to use for anything other than its intended purpose, cutting the caps off cigars. I carried one for awhile and when it got a little dull (mystery metal blade*), it stopped working well as a cutter. So I sharpened it back up, and it only does cigar work now. Just something to keep in mind.

*Either the claim of AUS-8's a lie, or it's the softest heat treated AUS8 in existence. LOL
 
There are only a few small knives I've used that I would consider carrying solo, daily. All are Spydercos--the Dragonfly, Cat, Ambitious, Squeak and Chicago. Of those, the Dragonfly in any of its incarnations is by far my favorite. Spyderco's quality and selection of "little big knives" is impressive.
 
Why not try a fixed blade? I paid $16 for my Cold Steel Super Edge. It's been serving me very well over the years, always a faithful companion, right there on my keychain when I need it. Still just as good as the day I got it, and I've put it through very frequent use! Food prep, boxes, tape, plastics, strings...anything I needed a knife for, it did the job.
 
Sometimes I'll carry a Candiru in pocket.
A heck of a stout knife for as small as it is.
 
arskrg said:
Sometimes I'll carry a Candiru in pocket.
A heck of a stout knife for as small as it is.
Click to expand...

I don't have a Candiru (hate that name), but I do have an Izula, and let me say that I totally love that knife. :thumbup: I've cut stuff with it, done some (light) batoning on sticks for the hell of it, owned it for years now...never even needed to sharpen it yet. Still takes hairs off my arm.
 
Muaddib1116 said:
Spring for a spyderco dragonfly 2, you won't be disappointed.
Click to expand...

Or, he might not!? :o
I hate the thing, feels awkward to hold and open, my girl on the other hand has a SS tattoo I bought for her, she wanted something a bit smaller then her leek, and she really likes it, i hate that thing too... Just saying, they really aren't for everyone, and as a self admitted newb to locking folders, he'd be better served IMO dipping his toes into the world of Spyderco webs water with a Byrd before jumping full on in head first. If he buys the two I mentioned, he's bound to like one of 'em. Maybe both, who knows... If he blows his entire budget on a Dragonfly, he may love it, and great, but there is just as much risk he doesn't, and then he is sol.

Just my thoughts on it.
 
Trying to keep on topic, but after seeing many of your pics and comments I must ask: What are your thoughts on the super edge? I put it in my cart on my last order after all I read from you, but I am still on the fence and haven't placed the definitive order yet.

How'd you compare it to the Minimalists from CRKT or other neck knives? Any pros and cons, comments, etc? I really like the looks of the Super Edge.

Thanks!
 
TripleB67 said:
Love the look of these...especially the Finch. But do either of these have a clip on them?

Thanks for all the input.

TripleB67
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Well how about that, I guess they don't!
Good catch, I did say I'm not a huge fan of little knives, I guess i really just never paid that close attention to them, I just assumed they did... Huh.

Well, never mind then... Sorry bout that. Here is a more expensive small blade (w/ a clip :D) I did consider buying. Still do sometimes. If I were to buy a 2" locking blade for myself, this would be it.
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Viper-Knives-Slim-Gentleman-s--9021
 
Go with Spyderco. They make very small knives such as the grasshopper, or you can go bigger with the manbug or ladybug or even the dragonfly. You don't need finger nails to open it and they carry pretty deep except the grasshopper which I can't find a model with a clip.
 
Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite. I take it to Vegas when we go.
They come razor sharp.:thumbup:

 
Another small knife that is pretty cool, 2" cutting edge, with a deep carry clip, that I can personally recommend, is the Kershaw Shuffle. Very handy little blade. My stepson (who's a few MOS. Shy of 17) uses it more then any other knife he owns., 2 years running now.

coupled with a Byrd Robin
Very similar to the Finch, (just a bit over 2" overall blade, under 2" cutting edge) provides same effect as my original suggestion.

That or a small CRKT Pazoda at just about 2" frame lock and a KaBar mini Dozier, which also is a good little lightweight lockback knife just a bit over 2" and 1 oz.

Either 2 knife combination of those 4 should land you just within budget. Maybe a hair over with shipping.
(And all have a clip :D )
 
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If you like the Cryo, you might consider an Ember (also a Hinderer design made by Kershaw). It's an assisted-opening flipper (no thumb studs on this model) with 2" blade and deep carry clip. If you're okay with a slightly longer blade, there's also the Scallion (~2.25" blade). It doesn't come with a deep carry clip, but you can put one on there (hole spacing is the same as on the Cryo, Thermite, or others with that style of deep carry clip).

Scallion_deep_carry_800x480.jpg
 
strategy9 said:
Another small knife that is pretty cool, 2" cutting edge, with a deep carry clip, that I can personally recommend, is the Kershaw Shuffle. That or a small CRKT Pazoda at just about 2" frame lock and a KaBar mini Dozier, which also is a good little lightweight knife just a bit over 2" and 1 oz.
Click to expand...

The Shuffle is a good looking little knife. I didn't realize they made a smaller Pazoda 2...pretty sweet looking little knife for $14.

Thanks for all the input so far...didn't realize there were so many incredible looking small knives out there...looking forward to hearing more suggestions so I can be confused even more :D

TripleB67
 
Both have deep clips, and since Neither has a flipper, or an assisted opening spring, you can see if you prefer thumstuds or thumb holes.
CRKT doesn't get much love around here, but the pazoda really is a handsome looking, slim, easy carrying knife, stock photos do it no justice:

Here's some pics if my 3"

 
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