EDC under 3in

J

j.man

Joined
May 1, 2012
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I Know there are many other posts out there like this but please bear with me for I like to get as many opinions as possible. I am looking for a new edc folding knife under $80 and a blade leangth under 3in. I would like a good quallity stanless steel blade (good edge retention) and a G-10 handel. I live in MI and after looking at knife carring laws I wound the blade must be under 3in but I was unsure if it would be legal for the blade to lock open for I have read this is a problem in some states. Please let me know if this is correct, do many of you abide by these rules? thanks
 
You can be charged with a felony only if it can be proved that you carried a knife with a blade over 3", for the express purpose of using it unlawfully against another human being. Locking knives should be fine, too.
Do your research. All the above information is readily available online, and much more, as well.
 
Kershaw Leek G10 and OD-1 are both right at 3" for the blade. Leek G10 uses S30V, and the OD-1 uses Sandvik 14C28N. Both are discontinued, but you can still find the Leek at some retailers. The OD-1, you'd be looking at blems or on the secondary market. There is also a discontinued version of the Zing with black coated tanto blade and green G10 handles (normal Zings use FRN, and the recently redesigned assisted-opening Zing has stainless steel handles). That also features Sandvik 14C28N steel. Again, check secondary markets or blems for that one.

Buck Small Vantage Pro has a 2.5" S30V blade and G10 handles. The Vantage handles, however, are smooth G10 (not textured/grippy like the Kershaws mentioned above).

If you're open to the Chinese brands, the Sanrenmu 763 is also not a bad little knife. 8Cr13MoV steel is pretty decent for EDC.

Top to bottom (smallest to largest): Buck Small Vantage Pro, Sanrenmu 763, Kershaw Zing*, Kershaw G10 Leek, Kershaw OD-1
(* the OD green G10 Zing normally comes with a black tanto blade - I swapped mine with a grooved blade)
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Like Flarp said the Leek is a good choice . I will include a few of my favorite under 3" folders.
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Boker Albatros.No G10 and 10 bucks over budget but Ti is sooo nice. Get one from the 2nd run if you do.They fixed the lock rock problem.
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Boker Nano. Again no G10 but you won't miss it. Great little knife
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SVORD Mini peasant, If you don't want to risk the lock thing.Before and after the handle mod.Even with the mod it would be well unde budget.
 
^^ Lol the Small Seb is WAY over his budget, though it is a great knife.
My favorites under 3 Inches are:
CRK Small Sebenza 21
Spyderco Techno
Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air
Boker Albatros - This is actually not far out of your range, it's a great little knife and well worth the extra.

However in your price range, I say pick up a ZT 0350 Blem from Kershaw Guy for $85.
The blade is just a smidge over 3 inches at 3.25 inches, which I doubt will actually be any trouble.
Beefy little knife, s30v steel, G-10 handles, decent slicer, Spring assist but you can remove this, it also makes a great manual flipper.

If you must have under three inches, maybe keep an eye out for a Sage 3 on the forums here. Blue G-10 and great lock mechanism. s30v steel, great all around EDC.

Good luck.
 
Under $80 with your specs? Hmmmm I guess Bladechick got it right ZT 0350 is your knife, albeit a heavy knife.

I'd go with the blue CRKT Ripple 2 (steel handles) Under $80 too!
 
If you're open to a little over 3", I'd add the Kershaw Skyline (3.25" Sandvik 14C28N blade, manual flipper, textured G10, linerlock) or Buck Large Vantage Pro (3.25" S30V blade, manual flipper, smooth G10, linerlock). The ZT0350 is a great knife too (3.25" S30V blade, assisted-opening flipper or thumb stud, textured G10, linerlock). CRKT M21-02G might also be a candidate (3.25" 8Cr13MoV, manual flipper, textured G10, linerlock).
 
Another Michigander here, and it is perfectly legal to carry dang near any knife you want as long as you don't have "unlawful intentions". Essentially the point of the law is to be able to slap an additional charge on someone who committed a crime with a medium sized or larger knife.
 
Check out the Benchmade 707 Sequel. Nice small EDC blade. Aluminum frame but has G10 inserts.
Has a great and proven lock in the axis lock. And Benchmade offers a great warranty and sharpening
service. And right at your price range.
Edit: also comes with a great user steel in 154cm. Good resistance to corrosion, holds a good edge,
and is easy to sharpen.

707_Winter.jpg
 
Some other 3 inch blades youd might be interested in at your price range:

Spyderco Sage 1
Benchamde mini griptilian (you can get the upgraded version
with the Ritter S30V blade for around $120)
Emerson mini A100 (around $110 I believe)
Or visit KershawGuys Blem sale. He has all kinds of Kershaws for great
prices.
 
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