Experience with these 2" blades?

TripleB67

TripleB67

Joined
Jan 28, 2016
Messages
183
I'm just now getting into the love of knife collecting and right now I'm just trying to find out what all is out there as well as what best fits my lifestyle (at work and at home)...without spending a great deal of money (yet) to find out what works best for me.

I currently have a Cryo, that's a bit heavy for work (loving it outside of work though), and am looking at trying several other types of knives on the cheap, realizing that once I find out what style works best for me I'll spend a bit more in the future to get a higher quality EDC knife.

As far as something the similar size as my Cryo I've decided to try the Ontario Rat II...many of you have told me what an incredible knife this is for the money ($25) so I know I definitely want to purchase one of those (although the Buck Vantage Small and Kershaw RJ Tactical still have an outside shot).

I would also like to try a smaller knife (2" blade) to see how well it might fit into my EDC.

I've narrowed it down to three choices based on size, recommendations, reviews, ability to deep carry, and cost:

- Cold Steel 20MT Mini Tuff Lite

- CKRT Pazoda 2

- Kershaw Ember

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could offer your experience or opinions on any of these small knives.

Thank you very much for all your help.

TripleB67
 
Last edited:
I have the Cold Steel Tuff Lite (vs the Mini). It is a good knife. The frame lock is a bit strong (hard to press), but otherwise for the money, it is a good inexpensive knife. The comments on the Mini tend to be very favorable. So, if that is something that appeals to you size-wise, go for it.
 
I have the Mini Tuff Lite and it's basically a utility knife on steroids. Good ergonomics, solid lock, AUS-8 steel can be easily made razor sharp. If you have big hands, opening it may be a bit uncomfortable. It doesn't have a deep-carry clip but you can easily remove the clip and replace it with a lanyard and then it just disappears in the pocket.
 
The Kershaw Ember is far too slick with the TiCN handle coating. That's the only finish they offer, and it makes polished stainless steel feel grippy in comparison. . If they'd make it with a G10 scale it might be worth looking at.

I have no experience with the CRKT Pazoda line, but they're current production, and you can get one for under $20 shipped from many vendors.

The Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite is amazing. I like it better than my 4X more expensive Spyderco Meerkat. I like it so much that I bought a 2nd one with the lime green handle when I saw that they were discontinued. Get one now while you still can for $20 or so. I hope Cold Steel brings it back with upgraded blade steel like they did on most of their other knives, but I've not seen them say they will.
 
I carried an Ember for a few days but it didn't work for me -- slick handles and a tendency to want to rotate in your hand while cutting. The combination of a super slim profile and a beefy, stubby blade just doesn't work. I much preferred the 2.5" Kershaw Amplitude 2.5 for a small assisted opener.
 
Cold Steel 20MT Mini Tuff Lite
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the other two but here's my three cents on the CS

  • Over all a truly great knife.
  • A bit tricky to open one handed, takes practice, when I haven't picked it up for a while I got to learn over again. As opposed to my Spyderco Dragonfly which I could leave alone for a year and pop it open in the dark.
  • Really nice and thin behind the edge so if you have been reading the rope cutting steel test thread you know how dang important that is. BUT it has a thickish back and is hollow ground so it isn't the best box cutter or apple slicer. Just depends on how you want to use it.
  • Has a ton of nice grip options; be sure to watch Lynn Thompson on YouTube explain this; good stuff.
  • I would buy it again for sure. For a tiny knife it is STOUT !
  • Has an oval lanyard hole if that is important to you. Is easy to get a line through it or clip onto something.
  • Very inexpensive but high quality

One minor caveat, very minor, it is a tweak hard to unlock. I could say that about other Cold Steels. I had to learn where to press the side of my finger against the release, needs to be a non fleshy area cause you got to really press it far and kind of hard.
 
Last edited:
Another vote for the Mini Tuff Lite (friends don't let friends carry CRKTs). I've never had problems opening mine one-handed, but lock disengagement, like on all the Tri-Ad locks, is not the easiest. The Mini is harder to unlock than the regular Tuff Lite given the size. I have no experience with the Kershaw posted, but they have good knives at many price points and some of the best customer service in the industry.
 
Thanks for all the input.

Seems like this CS Mini Tuff Lite is something else...but it looks so strange :D Really wish it was deep pocket carry but other than that it looks to be perfect for the money.

Again, thanks for the help so far!

TripleB67
 
The tuff lite has been copied by kershaw as the new kershaw decoy. Unfortunately, the kershaw version is made with 3cr13 a Chinese type steel. I think Aus 8 is better and I hope that Cold Steel will up the game and use something even more wear resistant for the tuff lites such as xhp or d2. A 2.9 inch version would be awesome as well.
 
Last edited:
Kershaw . . . they have good knives at many price points and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Click to expand...

This is where the Cold Steel customer . . . me . . . says :

Customer service . . . what's that ? :confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top