Gentleman's folder

[gull wing]

I want a fine gent's folder. Not very small (2 1/2" to 3" blade) is ok. What do you reco.

 

[Hair]

What pricerange?

William Henry makes a huge variety of high-end gent's folders. They range from a few hundred to around a thousand dollars. I had a WH Titan and it was very nice. Chris Reeve makes the Mnandi, which is considered by many to be *the* gent folder. It starts around $350 but can be more expensive for more fancy models. It is very stout for a gent folder.

For less money, the Kershaw Nakamura and several Mcusta models are great. I used to have an Mcusta Kasumi and it was drop-dead gorgeous. I had a Nakamura as well, but prefered the Mcusta.

If you want a custom and have a large budget, I recommend John W. Smith.

 

[KCkc]

Personally I prefer CRK since I can take it apart to lube and clean.
But WHK has really refined design, smooth action, and lighter weight IMHO. I only use WHK for paper cuts.

Whereas, I use my CRK for paper, food (after a good wipe/clean before and after). I feel I can use my CRK more freely due to its ease of cleaning.

All of these are 2-3" long and nice sharp & light (no more than 3 oz max):
WHK = William Henry Knives, CRK = Chris Reeve Knives

Top to bottom (Brand/Model (Scales, locking mechanism)/Blade Steel):
1. CRK Small Sebenza (micarta in lay, frame lock) S30V
2. CRK Mnandi (mammoth ivory inlay, frame lock) S30v
3. WHK Monarch (Desert Ironwood w/Citrine, button lock) ZDP 189
4. Best Value for a light sharp knife: Falkniven U2 (Zytel, lockback) SGPS laminate
5. WHK T-10 CF (Carbon Fibre liner lock) ATS 34

only the bottom 2 are small enough to be qualify since the top one is a tad more tha 3" in blade and 3.5 oz.

Top to Bottom:
1. WHK T12 SS LE (Sterling w/Tiger Eye, liner lock) DLC-coated 154 CM
2. WHK T09-Flow LE (Palm wood/sterling bolster, topaz studs, button lock)
3. WHK T10-CF (Carbon Fibre, liner lock) ATS 34 for a brighter view

My newest fancy -- slipjoints, cool multi-blades and much refine that modern tacticle one-blade knive.
I prefer the vintage Case. Only drawback is I cannot take it apart and clean it thoroughly:

 

[stevekt]

What is your price range? What handle materials do you like? What blade steels do you like? Locking blade or slipjoint? Pocket clip? Thumb stud/hole, nail nick, assisted opening, automatic? Multiblade or single blade? What sort of things will you be doing with the knife?

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Ditto on the William Henry lineup, I'd highly recommend their larger size
B15 for the choice;

Here is a thread that shows the two I currently have,
I'm thinking strongly of getting one with damascus bladed snake wood scaled model from a place called Only Fine Knives

A link to my thread Attache model

G2

 

[Artfully Martial]

Man, I just bought a 960 in red and I am impressed every time I open it. It's the PERFECT size for me. It's beautiful...it's the smoothest folder I've ever used, and yes, I'm including sebenzas....only about 135 online.

 

[Vivi]

Alox Bantam. Stout, razor-sharp blade, combo tool that functions as a bottle opener and screwdriver and an overall package that is one of the thinnest knives you'll find. Sells for 10-15$. If you order one and don't like it, they're one of the quickest moving SAKs when it comes to trading.

 

[tim8557]

I'd recommend the Spyderco KOPA.

 

[T.K.C.]

I am a big CR fan, so I would recommend a Mnandi or a small Sebenza. It depends on how much you want to spend. The Fallkniven U2 makes an excellent small knife. Hmmmm, there are these too: (I have the burlwood version, it was a gift.) http://lonewolfknives.com/store/pages/products-poehlmann-pocket1.shtml There is the Spyderco Kopa. Hmmmm, what else can I think of? Some of my favorite small knives are customs.

 

[Prince of Peace]

I want a fine gent's folder. Not very small (2 1/2" to 3" blade) is ok. What do you reco.

http://www.malknives.com/

I would recommend you look at this site. Having a "Gentleman's Blade" made just for YOU and with exactly what YOU want is the ultimate G-Mans blade in my honest opinion.

Mark Laramie is fast,honest, a pure artisan who works with the finest materials available.I had my dream G-Mans blade made by him,and I will forever be grateful. Treat yourself to a one of a kind blade made to exacting specs by a consummate professional. It will be your heirloom to pass down.

You deserve it.

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j157/daddy_juggalo/7-10-06 My collection/ My G-mans blade.

Peace.

 

[Artfully Martial]

I forgot to include Mcusta.

I've used a few and was VERY impressed. People talk a ton about Sebenza, but honestly, I was more pleased to the Mcusta, which seems to run about 130ish online.

 

[davidm]

It depends on what you mean by 'gentleman's folder'. If you include tacs, then any here will do. If you're talking more about a classic pocketknife, try to find an old beaut like Wade & Butcher or Henckels. Camillus makes excellent gent's locks for the price; light, well-crafted and smooth.

 

[Lot's knife]

I forgot to include Mcusta.

I've used a few and was VERY impressed. People talk a ton about Sebenza, but honestly, I was more pleased to the Mcusta, which seems to run about 130ish online.

A gentleman doesn't sport a logo.

 

[Artfully Martial]

Should we take William Henry out of the running then also?

 

[cerulean]

I owned a MCusta Take for awhile. It was a fantastic knife, but I sold it because I wasn't carrying it much. It makes a great gentleman's knife.

The MCusta basic line may be a bit too large and "tactical" for some people's definition of a gent's knife, but it's certainly an excellent EDC. I have one in green Micarta with a damascus blade and it's one of my favorite knives.

BTW, the "MCUSTA" logo that's etched on the blade comes off very easily with a little bit of Flitz polish. It's stainless damascus, so rubbing it down with Flitz doesn't ruin the contrast between the layers, it just makes the whole blade shinier.

 

[bladeprince]

It would seem to me that the "gentleman" would not need a locking blade and would perfer a knife that had the items necessary to take care of his "gentlemanly" needs. Cleaning finger nails, clipping off the loose thread, pullout out the errant nose hair, picking ones teeth after lunch, etc. But a "gentlemen" would not want a huge bulge in his pocket either. Therefore I highly recommend the Swiss Army Knife, Executive model, in black. A "fine" knife doesn't have to cost a lot of money either. Even when I carry a larger locking folder or small fixed blade, my SAK Executive is always with me. And having one in black adds to that "gentlemanly look" that is not present in the well known SAK red.

Regards

 

[Doc Onion]

I'd reccomend a Victorinox Spartan if your looking for a SAK to satisfy most of your daily needs. If, however, your just looking for a single blade folder I'd go with the new Kershaw Ti zdp-189 leek. With a 4'' titanium handle, a zdp blade that comes in just under 3'',a stock thickness of .09'' and reliable AO system with a framelock all for around $130. It's a modest knife made with fine materials. But then again you may perfer wood scales and damascus, it's all about what you feel comfortable with.

 

[GMT+7]

A gentleman doesn't sport a logo.

To the contrary, from his yacht, fine Swiss watches, to his favorite cigar and custom penny loafers, the gentleman (I assume we're not talking about 'manners' here) certainly does sport logos.

IMHO, treat yourself to a real custom knife instead of one of those fine and expensive factory models mentioned above. There are many good makers, just one example being this simple, yet elegant knife from Stan Fujisaka, "only" $550 as listed on Nordic Knives:

You may easily spend as much on an embellished WH or CRK model. Consider the hand made knife before you commit, and by all means enjoy and use your new pride and joy!

Cheers,

 

[huugh]

Benchmade Opportunist ($95)

 

[edamhcneb]

I agree with most of the previous suggestions, but I've carried a Mnandi now for several months and can't seem to put it away.