help choosing small knife: VERY picky...

Z

z537z

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Apr 14, 2004
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I want a small knife (~2.5" closed would be nice) for less attention-drawing carry than my large (4" blade) EDC.

I have very specific desires for this knife:
-Clip, with tip-up carry
-small, 2" blade is about perfect
-preferably metal handle for looks and durability (Kraton/G10/etc. seems to loosen up after a while)
-high-quality manufacture
-good steel. I mean really good, like S30V, VG-10, M2 even. I want a shaving sharp edge to hold for a while.
-Preferably lock-back or other sturdy stuff. Liner lock is no less than "wedging into place" on too many knives. Might be an exception with like a CRK model or something of that caliber.
-Hopefully not over 100$. I'll spend it if the knife will do the job and last a lifetime.

I've looked at the Fallkniven U2, but it has no clip. Same problem with the Spyderco Kiwi. Kershaw knives (e.g. Chive) use AUS8 IIRC, which won't hold long enough for my tastes with heavy use. Same with CRKT's PECK and others in money-clip style, SOG Blink, others.

All I can find at the moment is the Microtech Mini UMS, which is not bad. Any experience with that here? Not sure how well 154CM (~ATS34) will fit my needs.

THanks for any input!

_z
 
Have you looked at the spyderco cricket ss? It has vg-10 steel, is less than two inches by a fraction, is very people friendly (my girlfriend thinks it looks "cute") and razor sharp. The only two things it doesn't do is tip up carry and lock back (it is tip down carry and frame lock).

Since the knife goes for around $40 it might be worth a look.

Good luck,
Duffin
 
I did look at the Cricket, though honestly it's so awkardly shaped I'm not too sure about it. The blade is funny shaped, though I can see it being useful.

I've also found the Protech Runt, though I'm not sure 154CM is up to my needs. Can anybody weigh in? Also a little nervous about an auto...

_z
 
The new William Henry lockback sounds like it might just be what you're looking for. 2.38" wharncliffe blade in VG-10. It's a lockback, tip-up, and get this, has a reversible clip for left or right hand carry. It's apparently the first in their new Evolution series, which is meant to replace their now discontinued International series. It has a stainless frame, and is availabe with jigged bone and cocobolo scales for a street price of just over $100.

If you get it, post a review. I'm curious about this knife, but I'd like some input on it first. Actually I just want to see pictures of this knife in someone's hand. I'm used to bigger knives, and while this knife is gorgeous, I don't know if my hands will like such a dimunitive blade.
 
Are you talking about the William Henry Lockback Cocobolo? That knife looks very classy. I would also like to get a look at it in someone's hand.

Specs:
* Style: Lockback
* Blade Length: 2.38"
* Onverall Length: 5.5"
* Weight: 2.4 oz
* Blade material: VG-10 Stainless Wharncliff Blade
* Frame: Solid stainless frame, spring, pins, and screws.
* Handle Material: Cocobolo wood
* Thumbstud: Stainless
* Fittings: Stainless
* REVERSIBLE pocket clip that requires just one screw for secure mounting.
* REVERSIBLE thumbstud for easy one hand opening


-Duffin
 
Have you looked at the Benchmade S30V Mini Ritter Grip or the Mini Grip in D2 from Cabelas?

Both have FRN handles but you may like them.
 
The new Spyderco Kopa seems close, except for being tip-down.

Also look at the Scorpius, Dragonfly SS, and the Titanium Salsa.
 
just took a look at the toad and mouse only the mouse is tip up.the toad is tip down.
 
I would look at a strider PT. Pretty much fits all your requirements.
 
Spyderco Dragonfly. The ATS-55 steel performs very well. Ergonomics are excellent for a knife this size. It carries tip-up.

If you'd reconsider a G-10 handle, then look at the Spyderco Dodo. S30V blade, tip-up carry, and an MBC-rated ball lock. The ergos are fantastic -- you'd never lose your grip on this one. I also seriously doubt that the G-10 would ever "loosen up." G-10 is an extremely durable material -- light years beyond something like Kraton.

I use both of these as my "at the office" knives.
 
Spyderco navigator is my favorite knife in that size. It meets all your requirements: VG-10 steel, aluminum handle, lockback. I think it feels much better in the hand than other knives in its size range. Best of all its well under $100.

edit: Nevermind. I just checked and the navigator is tip down.
 
Check out a Benchmade 705, they made limited ones in D2 and even M2. They may be a bit difficult to find though, however it fits everything you said pretty well.

My next reccomendation would be a Strider PT or one of the WH's, though they are expensive.
 
Are you sure you mean 2.5" closed?? That's a really tall order since it would put the blade at under 2" and not leave much room for a clip.

If you're willing to go a little bigger I would say look no further than the Benchmade 773 with DLC coating.

154cm steel / black coating
Axis lock
Aluminum handle
Pocket clip
2.75" blade, 3.5" closed

I've carried one loose (clipless) in my pocket on and off for about 3 years and it's as nice today as it was when I bought it.
 
I have both the Spyderco Mouse and the Navigator and I can recommend either as a good quality EDC. I'm not sure about the Wegner Mouse II but I expect it is also a very well made knife. Have you considered a Spyderco Salsa or perhaps a Benchmade 310 Benchmite?
 
So, I've been looking around, and your suggestions helped a lot! I'm really trying not to get into knives TOO much, because money doesn't grow on trees. Then I came to THIS page:
http://www.newgraham.com/williamhenry.htm
There are other pages, full of Monarchs (too bad, tip down), Sprytes (too bad, no clip on these), Kestrels (beautiful, but pricey and linerlock), etc.


HOLY CRIPPETY CROP I want one of each.

I'll probably decide on the WH-22P (pearl handle lockback), as it's gorgeous and has NICE steel, and all the stuff I want.

However I'm still toying with the Microtech Mini UMS...
And the Mouse...(original, the round hole is sexy)...

Thanks again

_z

EDIT: The 310 Benchmite is PERFECT if it had a clip. I'd toy with putting my own on there if I found one cheap... Not hard to tap my own screwholes (on this knife, anyway), and can find a cheap clip pretty easy...
 
The 310 has rather thin scales. Adding a clip might be difficult.
 
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