Recommendation? Great Light Duty Folding Slicers (~3.3" to 4" Blades)?

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Karl H

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Apr 24, 2020
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Update:
Thanks to one of the recommendations on this thread, I ended up buying a Spyderco Ikuchi.

For me, the main selling point of the Ikuchi is that it is very comfortable to hold in a "steak knife grip" for precise draw cuts on a flat surface (i.e., cutting board).

My general findings from this research are:
- The thinnest blade stock thickness that seems to be common is 0.09".
- Thickness behind the edge and grind angles are almost impossible to find.
- Not many folding knives seem to be designed for the steak knife grip (index finger on spine). It seems most are designed primarily for either a saber or hammer grip.

****************

ORIGINAL POST:

What are the best currently available light duty folding slicers in the 3.3 to 4.0 inch(ish) range that you have found? I am talking about knives intended to be used for effortless straight cuts through soft(ish) materials.

I have some heavier duty blades, which will also do light duty work. However, I am interested in getting a more specialized knife for fine slicing with minimal effort.

Some knives that have caught my attention, thus far:

TRM Atom:

TRM-Atom-700.jpg


- Blade Length: 3.5"
- Edge Length: 3.375"
- Blade Height: 1.125"
- Stock Thickness: .090"
- Thickness Behind Edge: ?
- Grind Type: High Flat
- Grind Angle: ?

Spyderco Native Chief:

spc244gp$01-spyderco.jpg


- Blade Length: 4.08"
- Edge Length: 3.58" (91mm)
- Blade Height: ?
- Stock Thickness: 0.125" (3.2mm) w/ distal taper
- Thickness Behind Edge: ?
- Grind Type: Full Flat
- Grind Angle: ?

Spyderco Spydiechef:

spc211tip$01-spyderco-v202002.jpg


- Blade Length: 3.32" (84mm)
- Edge Length: 3.31" (84mm)
- Blade Height: ?
- Stock Thickness: 0.118" (3.0mm)
- Thickness Behind Edge: ?
- Grind Type: Full Flat
- Grind Angle: 4 deg

P.S. I generally prefer to hold my knives with my index finger on the spine for fine slicing tasks. So, I like generally gravitate towards designs with a flat(ish) spine. I also like designs that are relatively easy to use on a cutting board.
 
Last edited:
This might be the only time I can recommend a Gerber product, without being ironic.

The Flatiron.

S92vo46.jpg


It meets your general requirements, including the length (3.8"). We're still talking about Gerber, so we're still talking about Chrome/Moly alphabet soup steel. I doubt that you're going to go with this, I mostly stuffed it in here as something different from the torrent of Spyderco offerings you're about to get suggested.

How about the A G Russell Folding Cook's Knife?

YpBElGz.jpg


Hmm. Still Cro-MoXYZ steel....

A G Russell has some other offerings, like this Sunfish.

LVhS5Gk.jpg


The problem with a lot of their lineup is that it's all 7- and 8CrMov, whatever, steel. Their quality control is probably better than most, but steel choice is a bigger deal for some people than others. I wanted to see if there were some alternatives to the usual laundry list of Spydermade/Benchco knives that come with questions like this.
 
The quiet carry waypoint(hollow grind) and drift(flat grind) both meet your criteria except for the waypoint grind. Vanax steel, nice thin blade stock with very slicy grinds. they also have the added bonus of being highly corrosion resistant and low maintenance.
 
Check out the Spyderco Ikuchi, it's on the smaller side of your range, but its thin stock and small profile bakes it great for what you're looking for. It has a (very) slight up-swept Persian blade, a very fine tip, and a nice curving edge. I actually prefer using it with my finger on the spine, and because it's a slightly up-swept blade, it's really good on a cutting board.

The Benchmade Vector is also a great slicer, because of its thin stock, but it doesn't perform as well on a cutting board because it's a flipper. I feel like it's often overlooked because it's assisted, but I think it's one of the best designed assists out there, it barely feels like an assist.
 
Thanks for all of the recommendations thus far! Keep them coming!

RE: Materials
Despite being a metallurgist, I am not too picky about blade materials. Design geometry matters more to me. My general priorities for the blade steel in this type of knife would be (from most to least important).

- Hardness
- Corrosion Resistance*
- Ease of sharpening
- Wear resistance
- Toughness

S30V, VG10, BD1N, 14c28n, LC200N, and M390 are examples of steels that I like for this application. But I am definitely open to other steels, if the knife has a great design / value.

*I live in Colorado, so I don't really need salt water corrosion resistance.

RE: Gerber Flatiron
Interesting suggestion. I do like the design concept. In fact, I already own the OGK Hoglet Cleaver, which is a similar fixed blade. I have had bad experiences with Gerber in the past and am looking for something with thinner blade stock for easier push cuts. If I was to go this route, I would probably opt for something like the Kizer Sheepdog (and grind down the flipper tab).

RE: A G Russell Folding Cook's Knife
I like the design concept. Unfortunately I cannot find any information on the blade thickness on the product website.

RE: Quiet Carry waypoint (hollow grind) and drift (flat grind)
I agree that these meet my criteria and appear to be great options. Since I don't need the salt water corrosion resistance, I think I'll probably end up with something cheaper and a bit less corrosion resistant. However, for those that are willing to pay for extra corrosion resistance, these knives and the Spyderco Spydiechef would be great options.

RE: Paramilitary 2
Blade thickness and grind hit the mark, but I am not a fan of the thumb ramp. The Native Chief has similar blade grind, with a flat spine, which I prefer.
 
Manly Peak

Supposed to be pretty thin behind the edge... Which is the key for slicey in my opinion.
 
Opinel no9 has 3.5 inch blade with only 1.9mm thickness, almost half the thickness of most folders and I think is technically thinner than the spyderco centofante, another great slicer. The carbon version also holds a great edge.
 
Linked from BHQ for easy reference.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Siren-Lockback-Knife-Black--102051
Again, LC200N but the corrosion resistance is nice and it should be in the price range (if you are considering the TRE Atom). Not sure on grind angle but blade shape, thickness, and grind should check all the boxes. It should be out soon.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Ontario-RAT-Model-1-Liner-Lock--50521
It should check all the boxes except for blade grind angle (not sure what it is despite owning 2, I free hand sharpen .. I go by feel) or how you feel about D2. I love my Rat 1s in D2 and they are still a great price/bargain.
 
Spyderco Military. Mine is S110V steel, takes a fantastic toothy edge. Also useful for slicing nodules off Covid-19 viruses floating by.
 
The 1.8 oz Bugout 535-2 with the CF scales is everything the OP asks for. I has become my favorite knife for all but things a heavier duty folder or fixed blade is required. It's an amazing knife. Action was good out of the box as was the edge but I tweaked both just a little. Terrific lock-up. It's replaced my Mini-Grip as my most carried EDC. My best slicer but the two Opinel No. 8's I have are about as good. However, for me, more limited to picnic food prep. At least that's why I bought them and keep them in my picnic pack.

535bk-2_01_square_1_.jpg
 
Endura 4 is my daily for these needs. Colors, steels - Lotta choices. I’ve been reading about Krein aftermkt grinds and there is a seller on the bay that has the Krein grind on a zdp189 Endura.

I await the new k390 one on preorder.

Light enough my gym shorts don’t sag, thin and sturdy, 4th iteration of model, constant quality.
 
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