Help me decide on a Gentleman's Folder, Please!

tr3nt00n said:
Is the Caly 3 unable to be disassembled? I'm not sure there's enough difference between the Sage 1 and Caly 3 for me to choose based on anything other than price.

EDIT: As for the CRKT Tribute it sounds like a Quality Control lottery.
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Correct, the Caly 3 is pinned so you can't take it apart. IMO, the steel and carbon fiber are better that those on the Sage 1. But like you said, the cheaper price and the torx construction on the Sage 1 might be deciding factors.
 
About a year ago, I had the same question. I was choosing between the Chaparral and a Mcusta.

First, I got an Mcusta MC-12. At that time, I had a bunch of other satin-blade-black-G10 knives, so the Ebony Mcusta (even though it functioned flawlessly) looked too familiar and plain and was promptly sold.
Then, I got the Chaparral. It was near perfect. Lightweight, good looks, discreet clip. I loved it...until I had to cut food with it. The blade ended up being too short for my liking because it wasn't able to make it through a cupcake in one go. I know...unrealistic standards.
Then, through a few trades, I managed to get an Mcusta MC-16D. Brightly colored quincewood handles, damascus san-mai blade, good look overall. This was "the one". I have been using it since the first week I had it. I'd cut my apple at work with it almost every day.
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The truth is... If I had to do it all over again? Stainless Opinel.
 
I had a little project that started in the spring. My goal was to buy or trade basically all of the budget under $100 EDC blades touted by you tubers like Cutlery Lover and Nutnfancy, lol. It was stupid, in the foreground you can see my list in one of the pics. I literally went through well over a dozen knives that have about a 3 inch blade which is my sweet spot I discovered. My favorites so far have been the CRKT Drifter, Kershaw Skyline, about the only Kershaw that I like, San Ren Mu 704 I don't have a picture of it on my drive, CRKT Tribute, Mini Grip, Spyderco Persistence. I kept the Ambitious which is just the smaller version of the persistence which is the smaller version of the tenacious, Ontario Rat 2, UKPK I EDC'ed a while as well. The SOG Flash and OD models were a bit too gimmicky for me but likable. I liked the OD better than the flash even though that funny NutnFancy guy that everyone hates on the forum touts the Flash as the best thing since sliced bread.

For most people the Mini Grip, Rat 1 and 2 and Skyline is the best of all the knives mentioned in terms of modern folders that can be EDC'd.

This was my UKPK by Spyderco and its kinda of a modern gent's knife. It's a slip joint small and cute.

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My leek not a huge fan

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CRKT Lake was very classy looking but I didn't like the LAWKS lock on it
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As you can tell I like 3 inch blades
Kershaw Chill, this little knife was slim easy to carry and stupendously sharp out of the box. I just didn't like it because it was a flipper
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Opinel # 9 which I love you have to get an Opinel if you don't have one, stupid sharp. The #9 is too big but I suspect the 6 that another member put up would be a great size for the office!
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I also have a CRKT Drifter in steel in my utlity drawer that I used to EDC before the UKPK or the traditional I carry now. I love the Drifter and will always keep it until it dies. I'm very attached to that one I don't know why. Comes in your choice of G10 liner lock or as a steel framelock (not my pic)
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In your original request this is a LeThiers Actiforge Laguiole for about $75 very good looking knife from a good maker.

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There are also the Al Mar Falcon UltraLight and Spyderco Des Horn at about a 3.1" blade length.
 
Okay, another great round of responses. This time I have a longer list of "still interested" knives at the end.

Mcusta - Still want one, still think I would never use it because of the liner lock inaccessability.

Spyderco Sage 1 vs Caly 3 - Sage 1 wins, slightly.

Opinel - I like the Opinel Garden Knife, and I plan to buy that one or some other Opinel at some point, but not for this purchase.

Spiderco Horn - That blade shape is so close... and yet so far.

CRKT Drifter - I bought one a couple years ago, and then sold it to a friend who wanted it. I recall thinking that it felt too small in my hand, so I couldn't get a confident grip. Also, I am really turned off by tiny knives that try to look like weapons, and the Drifter screams "tactical" to me.

Skyline - wanted one until I discovered I hated flippers, but not for office EDC.

Leek - I actually love the look of this knife, and the feel, but I hate flippers and I would remove the assisted opening.

Mini Grip - LOVE the feel, LOVE the axis lock, HATE the appearance.

Rat Model 1 - I have this, and I like it, but it's too big and too heavy for EDC. And the blade is a little too intimidating for the office. The RAT Model 2 doesn't fit my hand.

LeThiers Knives - Yeah I like them, except for the big gap between the base of the blade and the choil when closed.

AG Russel Gentleman's Framelock - Not my cup of tea on either appearance or function.

Al Mar Falcon UltraLight - Thank you for pointing this out to me! Perfect sized Al Mar, but I'm not such a fan of that blade shape. Also I'm starting to wonder if the Al Mar reputation is really worth the price.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Still Considering

1-hand opening and locking knives:

Sage 1
Chaparral - I still think I want a 3" blade, maybe even a little more than 3", but there is just something sexy about this 2" knife.
Al Mar Falcon UltraLight

Other Options Include:

LeThiers Knives
CRKT Tribute
 
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Out of that last list the sage 1 in carbon fiber would be what I would get. Sequel 707 by benchmade is nice. So is the mini barrage. Hard to find is a benchmade 450 bc1 terzuola park avenue I've been looking for quite some time for a user of that model. A grip with Wilkins Ti scales are nice but out of price range. The benchmade 10700 nagara is also nice without the hd logo which is harder to find. This is basically a running list of my favorite knives. Lol.
 
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I don't think there's anything wrong with the BM 707 (in general), except that it was right next to the mini-grip in the store and that was more comfortable in my hand. For the purpose of this thread, though, I don't think either of them meet my criteria. A customized mini-grip might work, but like you said it's way more than I'm willing to pay.

I try very hard not to give in to the knife sickness, but it looks like this purchase is going to come down to buying something with the expectation that I'll probably want to buy another knife after I've learned more about what works for me in office EDC.


So here's a question that might be out of left field...

Is there a Spyderco with the exact dimensions of the Tenacious but better steel and more interesting scales? It would probably be too big to EDC, but I love the Tenacious so much (in every way except for looks) that I might not care.
 
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I wanted a Chaparral for that very same thing. Quality felt great, and those smooth CF scales are kind of addictive. But it was just too small for my hand.
I went with a Sage1 and think it's just perfect for that application. Nicest linerlock I've used to date.
The only reason I stopped carrying it as my "dress EDC": I got a great deal on a small Ti framelock from a custom maker.

Caly 3.5 is DARN close in dimensions to tenacious. Still slightly smaller closed and OAL, with slightly longer blade. Like .1" difference for each, though.
You can get it in G10 with VG10, or CF with ZDP-189.
 
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CRKT and Boker Plus both make a few choices. I like the CRKT Swindle and Boker Plus Titanium Blues to mention a couple. There are so many good options from either, not to mention all the great traditional blades. There's something old school cool about carrying a nice Case or the like. Kinda like the cool blades your grandpa carried that you admired.
 
Between Sage 1 and Caly 3 both CF scales and 3" blades if you wanted the one with the narrowest profile that would be Caly 3. The scale on the Sage 1 has more texture.

Spyderco Caly 3 CF Specifications:
length overall 7" (178mm)
length closed 4.063" (103mm)
blade length 3" (76mm)
blade thickness .125" (3mm)
cutting edge 2.625" (67mm)
blade steel Laminated ZDP-189 / 420J2
handle material Carbon Fiber
weight 3oz (84g)

Spyderco Sage 1 Specifications:
length overall 7.125" (181 mm)
length closed 4.188" (106 mm)
blade length 3" (76 mm)
blade thickness .125" (3 mm)
cutting edge 2.625" (67 mm)
blade steel CPM S30V
handle material Carbon Fiber / G-10 Laminate
weight 3.2oz (91g)
 
Para Millitary 2 feels similar in hand. Not an office EDC whatsoever lmao.

Here's a photo of the BM Nagara btw, its lovely.
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tr3nt00n said:
I don't think there's anything wrong with the BM 707 (in general), except that it was right next to the mini-grip in the store and that was more comfortable in my hand. For the purpose of this thread, though, I don't think either of them meet my criteria. A customized mini-grip might work, but like you said it's way more than I'm willing to pay.

I try very hard not to give in to the knife sickness, but it looks like this purchase is going to come down to buying something with the expectation that I'll probably want to buy another knife after I've learned more about what works for me in office EDC.


So here's a question that might be out of left field...

Is there a Spyderco with the exact dimensions of the Tenacious but better steel and more interesting scales? It would probably be too big to EDC, but I love the Tenacious so much (in every way except for looks) that I might not care.
Click to expand...
 
Those Laguiole pocket knives and Le Thiers pocket knives are very interesting and beautiful. Great variety and you can even order customized versions. Like an upscale Opinel but inexpensive.
 
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I've seen a few used Benchmade 940/943s on here; great choice for a slim, EDC knife.

If you can't get em, Mcusta has some gent's knives with classy handles.
 
Al Mar knives, imo, are well worth their price. Very well made. Besides the uktra lights, take a look at the Mini Sere.

I'm also seconding the BM Nagara. A gorgeous gentleman's knife. BM only makes it now with the HD logo, but you can find an original around and about.
 
Most Mcusta knives have easy to access liner locks. Where did you hear differently?
 
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