Gentlemans Office EDC Deep Carry 3in or Smaller

[bld522]

Yeah my main concern was the bulkiness, I work in Houston so a knife is common place but the larger ones will still raise a few eyebrows. I haven't handled a ZT yet, but as soon as I find a local shop with one in stock I may have to give it a once over. I hear the fit and finish are first rate though. I thought that would be the case with my Al Mar, but I am hugely disappointed.

At the risk of piling on, I'll cast another vote for the 0770CF. Due to its remarkable thinness, it carries MUCH smaller than it's size might suggest. FYI, I carry all my EDCs unclipped and the 0770CF all but disappears at the bottom of my pocket. Highly recommended, warts (i.e., assisted opening) and all. Only problem is that it has a 3.25" blade. I'm not sure if that's a deal-breaker or not.

As far as the Valet is concerned, it's a nice knife. But the handle length is just wee bit too short for comfort in my medium-sized hands. I prefer a closed length of 4.0" or more. And, of course, I'd be remiss in not mentioning the William Henry E6 or the Small Sebenza if your budget permits. The E6 is a little small for my personal taste (I carry an E10 which may be too large for you) and the Sebenza is just about perfect at a tiny bit less than 4" closed. But from the perspective of fit, finish and prestige value, a William Henry or a Sebenza would be hard to beat in the way of a production folder.

 

[muphasta]

you didn't mention any size restraints, but I love my Spyderco Dragonfly ZDP-189 w/the Nishijin scales. It has the three screw clip so you should be able to add a deep carry clip to it, and it is a small blade which shouldn't cause alarm if someone should see you using it. Besides, the nishijin scales are at least as beautiful looking as CF.

 

[BladeCommander]

Out of my collection these are the knives I would recommend.

Benchmade 707
Benchmade 586 mini barrage
Spyderco Caly 3 cf/zdp-189
Spyderco Sage 2 Ti

CRKT Ripple 1 in Blue (wish I still had it)

Small Sebenza (any type)

 

[John_0917]

Made in Taiwan the best joke printed on a knife.
Benchmade has great choices, Barrage or Griptilian.

Obviously you have never handled any of the Taichung Spyderco models, many agree that they are the best of the entire Spyderco line as far as fit and finish is concerned. Also, the Barrage and Griptilian don't fit the requirements, they are both well over 3" and are quite bulky in shape.

 

[Bigbluefish]

Sage 1. Oops, Taiwan a no-go? Hmm. How about one of the smaller MCustas, the Gentleman's Knive or Tsuchi? (OK, I probably misspelled that, and my apologies if it says something really inappropriate, phonetically, in Japanese.)

 

[Sunyata]

You have any pros and cons on that valet, it's really hard to find good reviews before dropping 200 on one.

I really like it. Small slim and discreet. It packs a lot of blade into a small knife.

The only cons I can think of is does take a little getting used to. The thumbstuds are small and tight to the scales. It is actually flickable though I found out.


If you don't mind waiting I can post pics of it next to a ZT 0770 for scale. While I agree the 0770 carries well for a knife it's size it's a stretch for the gentleman's carry I got the vibe you were looking at.

I have 3 Taichung Spydies and their fit and finish is as good or better than the US Spydies.

 

[Skeletor1024]

Out of my collection these are the knives I would recommend.

Benchmade 707
Benchmade 586 mini barrage
Spyderco Caly 3 cf/zdp-189
Spyderco Sage 2 Ti

CRKT Ripple 1 in Blue (wish I still had it)

Small Sebenza (any type)

How would you compare the feel of the mini barrage against a mini grip?

 

[Skeletor1024]

you didn't mention any size restraints, but I love my Spyderco Dragonfly ZDP-189 w/the Nishijin scales. It has the three screw clip so you should be able to add a deep carry clip to it, and it is a small blade which shouldn't cause alarm if someone should see you using it. Besides, the nishijin scales are at least as beautiful looking as CF.

Awesome didn't realize some dragonflys came with the 3 screw set up, I don't like the wire on those but the one you described looks close to my next knife other than a mcusta and BM valet

 

[Mgj48]

Spyderco Centofante 3. Light weight , classy looking , sharp as all get out.

 

[Rappy]

How would you compare the feel of the mini barrage against a mini grip?

I held a mini barrage and compared to the mini grip
The mini-grip was more filling in hand than the slightly slimmer barrage.
also I really liked the assist on the barrage, deploying the blade is very fast and handy.

 

[line6scott]

I usually work in the field, so I can get away with a more overbuilt knife, but sometimes I have to go to the main office in downtown Houston. If I know I'm heading there for a meeting, or some kind of presentation or whatever, I have a few Boker Plus knives in VG10 steel. The Epicenter, the Stingray, and the Kwaiken. All have titanium handles, and have been sent out for some kind of anodizing. (except the Kwaiken, it's waiting on some Timascus scales... it will be sick) These are all a bit dressier. If I know I'm going there, and will have to wear slacks, or dress nicer, these are the ones I like. My good friend works in IT at a bank, and he swears by his Delica. The Stingray I have is a bit big, but it is so dressy looking, it can be pulled off. I'd just imagine what a non knife person would think, and go from there.

 

[Charlie Mike]

Palm Viper by Burn. Fits your requirements exactly. Looks classy too.

 

[Seneca18]

I held a mini barrage and compared to the mini grip
The mini-grip was more filling in hand than the slightly slimmer barrage.
also I really liked the assist on the barrage, deploying the blade is very fast and handy.

That's strange, I believe the Mini Barrage is thicker than the Mini Grip.

OP, depending on where you work and the people, the Barrage or Mini Barrage are not office friendly knives, lol. I own both and that blade flies out very quick with recoil. My office EDCs are usually Sage 1,2,3, Domino, Small Sebenza, Chaparral, Boker Solo II or Hinderer XM-18 3" and maybe a traditional slip joint.
Untitled by Danny Nystrom, on Flickr
Untitled by Danny Nystrom, on Flickr

 

[bdmicarta]

I can't find where it is written that a gentleman can only carry a tiny little knife. I have bought various knives with the intent of carrying them in suit pants but I have sold them all and I have been just carrying my normal folders. I finally realized that my Benchmade 890 Torrent is my best gentleman's knife. I like the contoured and polished G10, the deep carry clip, and the blade is a bit thinner than some of my other knives. According to Benchmade the knife weighs 3.5 oz and the blade is 3.6" long.

 

[NeilB]

For a small, classy knife, I like my Mnandi in mammoth ivory with a damascus blade.

For the Benchmade fans, I'm also fond of my 531-131 Gold Class. The regular production (though now discontinued) 530 is highly sweet.

The CRKT Ripple is an excellent small, thin gentlemanly knife for a very nice price.

The Zero Tolerance 0450 is also quite nice. The 0808 is even nicer, IMO.

I've no idea of the Spyderco Chaparrals are made in Taiwan, but I have the original stepped titanium and the blue stepped titanium. Besides, I like supporting a plucky little country like Taiwan.

 

[scoutchris]

ZT0450. S35VN 3.25" blade. Titanium Scales. Made in the USA. 2.9 OZ!!!!

This thing hasn't left my pocket since I got it. It's damn near a Sebenza killer.

 

[Sunyata]

ZT0450. S35VN 3.25" blade. Titanium Scales. Made in the USA. 2.9 OZ!!!!

This thing hasn't left my pocket since I got it. It's damn near a Sebenza killer.

Sebenza killer?
My 0450 and Sebenza love each other. They are two different knives

i

 

[bflying]

You know, I really like Boker Tree Brand, I am just a little unsure of the Boker plus brand, really like a few of the designs though, ie Boker Gent damascus.

I am kinda the same way with the HK off shoot of Benchmade.

I have the Boker Gent Damascus also. It is a great knife, and I think looks good also. But I would call it a very light duty knife. For letter opening it's great. But I wouldn't put it to use the same way I might the ZT0770CF. It just wouldn't handle much.

Doh! I gotta throw a thumbs up for the ZT0450 also. I just got mine in today, to compare with the 808. First few hours and all, but I really like it. It seems a bit lighter than the 808, but much thinner. I think it would be a great one to look at for the list.

 

[Sunyata]

valet vs 0770 vs sebenza size comparison.

 

[Skeletor1024]

I can't find where it is written that a gentleman can only carry a tiny little knife. I have bought various knives with the intent of carrying them in suit pants but I have sold them all and I have been just carrying my normal folders. I finally realized that my Benchmade 890 Torrent is my best gentleman's knife. I like the contoured and polished G10, the deep carry clip, and the blade is a bit thinner than some of my other knives. According to Benchmade the knife weighs 3.5 oz and the blade is 3.6" long.

For me, I find myself doing a lot of fine tasks where I choke up on the blade and most of the knife is covered by my hand, full size tends to be a little large for most of my tasks. I love a good peanut or Texas tooth pick but I don't like to give up a nice pocket clip and the convenience of one handed opening. Just personal preference, when I am out and about I enjoy my full size griptilian or Ontario XM2 slim.