EDC Gentlemans carry knife needed... Any suggestions?

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WatchTimes

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Jul 30, 2005
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I like to carry a knife but I get frustrated as Spydercos and most of the knives I have had in the past tend to be too wide to allow me access into my pocket when clipped on my jeans and are big (wide) and annoying inside the pocket. I bought the Surefire knife and its NICE but HUGE! When clipped inside my pocket I cant even get my hand into the rest of the pocket, I tried a Strider and the same thing

Anyway...
I want to get a nice thin lockback. I do not need a blade bigger than 3 in for sure, I could even go a bit smaller for the right knife.
I was thinking of even getting something custom, I do not mind spending a few hundred bucks.

I want something thats not going to be ruined by doing simple tasks like cutting boxes, wire ties and things like that.

I want something that looks NICE but isnt going to look like hell after carrying it for a year or so! I want something I can pass on to a son (if I ever grow up and settle down haha)

I want it to be easy to open with one hand (little thumb stud or something?)

IF the rear 1/3 of the blade was serrated that would be AMAZING but I doubt I will find that. Another bonus would be if it had a removable pocket clip so I could decide which way it was easiest to carry for that time. I could go with or without the pocket clip though so thats not going to make or break my choice.

As I am new to the higher end/nicer knives I really dont know what to even look at... So far I have been looking at Boker and William Henry but would love to go custom. Right now I think I would most likely going to end up with a Chris Reeve Mnandi as I have heard from a few people the WH blades require more care since the blades are so thin and hard BUT the Mnandi does not have a thumb stud or look that easy for one hand opening.

What do you guys suggest I look for or who would be the one to contact to make something like this.
 
The Mnandi is pretty easy to open one-handed, not the easiest, but pretty easy.

If you want a blade with serrations, a Small Sebenza with serrations can be had. Take of the clip and fill the hole with a clip insert. It makes a very nice package and is quite sturdy, although a bit thick.

WH knives are thinly ground, but I regularly carry a B15 model (clip point) and have had no problems. Nice thin package and very flat - stays flat in your pocket without rolling around a lot.

There are tons of lockback choices if that is what you really meant. I carry a CAS Iberia Ron Lake design taillock interframe every so often, a good knife, exceptional fit and finish. Another great mid-lock is an Al Mar Hawk. Great fit and finish with a sturdy blade.

On the custom side, you might want to look at Scott Sawby. His standard model Combat Utility has a very stout 3 inch blade, but the longish handle might turn you off. The self-lock is robust and amazing. Can be had without a clip. Very flat yet comfortable design. I don't think Scott cuts serrations.
 
I did not know the Sebenza could be had with blade serrations but thats not a must have... I am glad you told me they were on the thicker side as thin is very important to me.... I want a knife I do not even know is in my pocket...

I may have not used the right term when saying lockback...
I just want the blade to lock open so there is no fear of it coming back on me. I do not care if its a frame lock or what as long as it locks when opened all the way.

Al Mar makes GREAT knives, I have a few of their small hand made ones with the White/Yellow Micarta handles but I am just looking for something a little nicer with this knife... Something I can carry and someday pass on down to someone.

I wish someone local carried the Mnandi so I could see how easy they were to open but I like something I can just easily open with one hand while laying on my back, head inside a machine and not even looking at the knife.

I really think if the Mnandi had a thumb stud that would be it for sure.
I think I could be quite happy with the Willam Henry B10; Signature, Rio or Nautilus. I wish I could afford/justify a DaVinci! Thats beautiful! If anyone sees them 50% off MSRP PLEASE let me know!

I think I am partial to wooden and ivory/bone handles but do not know how durable those are?

I really think THIN is the most important thing for me!
Is William Henry the best bet for thin?

Id also like the hole through the handle so I can put a lanyard through it. Im a big fan of the lanyards since I used my first one with a spyderco I had (ok well wasnt crazy about how the spyderco worked for in pocket carry as it was too wide and the clip always snagged if I had the knife loose in my pocket when trying to pull it out with the lanyard) but it shower me the potential of a lanyard haha

Thanks again, this is a big purchase for me and its something I play on using not just looking at and displaying so its important I take the time to find whats going to be best for my needs and wants.
 
William Henry just posted their quarterly offering of "special edition knives" to their website last night.
Really some great stuff.
 
JYogi said:
I want a knife I do not even know is in my pocket...

....

I really think if the Mnandi had a thumb stud that would be it for sure.
Click to expand...

If you want a knife that you don't even know is in your pocket, skip the thumb stud.

Thumb studs do work wonderfully, but they tend to poke me in the thigh when I'm carrying one clipped to my pocket. Slightly less so when loose in my pocket.

I find the Mnandi very easy to open one handed, very light in my pocket, and without the dreaded thumb stud to make the knife uncomfortable to carry.
 
The Mnandi IS a great knife!! It CAN be opened one handed, I do it all the time, as do many others.
 
Since the question was asked in the Custom Forum ,instead of a factory knife I would consider a custom multi-blade.
(But I am highly prejudiced) :D.

I own a Mnandi love it and feel it is one of the best designed folders that has come out in the last 10 years. I also own some William Henry's and all are well made.
To me the ultimate "gentleman's carry" is a small multiblade. Very few of the "knife is a weapon" crowd would raise an eyebrow of it's use in any circumstance or setting.
 
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