Help me find a durable, ultra-light-weight knife with about a 3" blade

B

Brian6244

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Aug 25, 2004
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I am looking for a knife with about a 3" blade that weighs less than 2oz and is as durable as possible (I do realize that there is a trade-off involved). Right now, strictly temporarily, I am carrying a modified Opinel #7. It's modified in the sense that I have removed a ton of wood from the handle to make it thinner and slightly lighter. The only knife, so far, that I have found that seems to fit the bill is the A.G. Russel FeatherLite (although I'm not completely convinced of it's level of toughness/durability). I would be very interested in hearing your opinions about this knife and hearing about any other similar knife or knives that you may think fit my criteria. Money is not an object. I am willing to pay for quality. I normally EDC a small Chris Reeve Sebenza, but am looking for a knife to carry when jogging and engaging in other similar activities where weight is more of an issue than when I'm just trotting around town in a pair of jeans or slacks (which is when I carry my Sebenza). I want to reduce as much weight as possible and give up as little as possible with regards to durability and overall quality. I love my small Classic Sebenza and basically compare all other folders to it.

Thanks in advance!
 
Benchmade Opportunist 440 makes the weight but its a Gents Folder so I doubt its super strong. 1.7 oz.

Personally I would be inclined to go with a Spyderco Delica 4 if strength is an isssue and live with being overweight at 2.5 oz.
 
Does anyone know how much a Spyderco Native weighs? I think it's under 2oz, but I'm not sure....Fits all other criterias.
 
BM530. They don't call it the Lightweight for nothing.

3.25" blade, 1.88oz. weight.

http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3922

bm530.jpg
 
THG said:
BM530.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking too. A Delica 3 (the older model, before the nested steel liners were added) is very light too (2.0oz). Same for the Salt 1. Actually, since you want it for jogging, the Salt 1 (or any of the Salts, depending on size/blade style) would be great because not only are they light, but the H1 steel (and the rest of the knife) is absolutely 100% impervious to rust.
 
Planterz said:
That's what I was thinking too. A Delica 3 (the older model, before the nested steel liners were added) is very light too (2.0oz). Same for the Salt 1. Actually, since you want it for jogging, the Salt 1 (or any of the Salts, depending on size/blade style) would be great because not only are they light, but the H1 steel (and the rest of the knife) is absolutely 100% impervious to rust.
Click to expand...

Sounds like win to me.
 
I would not be able to tell the difference between the 3 oz Seb and a 2 oz knife when carried but I'd go with the BM 530 for the strength of the axis lock if looking for a lighter knife.
 
Another vote for the Al Mar Falcon Ultralite; 1.2 oz with a 3 inch blade. I forget it's in my pocket.

Greg
 
spyderco native for my vote, feels like nothing, solid lockup, s30v, 40bucks from walmart so is easily replacable yet having superb quality which will last a long time.
 
My vote is for the FeatherLite. I don't know of another knife at any price that has he FeatherLite's combination of size weight and strength. It's only 1.5 ounces, the blade is 3 1/8 inches, and it is less than 4 inches closed. One feature I like that is not mentioned much, is that it is easy to quickly lock it open completely silently with one hand which makes it much more discreet. If you do want it pop when it opens, it will do that too.

Here is a review that shows the toughness, he even uses it to baton.
http://outdoors-magazine.com/spip.php?article150
 
530 is a good choice. At 1.2oz it is the lightest 3" folder I can think of, and it is damn sexy.
 
Brian, I run and my running knife is a William Henry ti-carbon model (no longer made)--liner lock 3.25" blade, weight is 1.45oz. The current WH's are all button locks. There are plenty of models in the 1.6 oz range. Look for one with a pocket clip instead of clip-case (the clip case adds about 1 oz. to the weight).

They are great--very strong, well made and functional. I wish they still offered liner locks but apparently most people are happy w/ the button lock. The ZDP blade steel outperforms almost anything out there.

Knifeart.com has a nice selection, and there are plenty of other sources.
http://www.knifeart.com/williamhenry.html
 
For jogging I'll second the spyderco salt1 recommendation. Not only is it lightweight, but you don't need to worry about taking special care of it to make sure that it doesn't rust from sweat or being put away wet.
 
I would also vote for the Spyderco Salt 1. It IS a great knife, and like people have said, you will never have to worry about rust issues with it.
 
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