Help Me Find A Knife w/ Some Specific Characteristics

W

Wulfenite

Joined
Nov 13, 2001
Messages
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I'm looking for a defensive folder to carry inside the pants in an appendix position. Basically clipped to the waist band at an angle along the leg torso crease, knife in the pants with the belt covering the clip. Here's the characteristics I'd like it to have.

-Closed profile should be generally smooth and rounded. No hard edges, square corners, or protruberances to poke me. Basically a slim smooth closed profile.

-Decent hold closed force for obvious reasons.

- I'd prefer it if the pivot is on the same end of the knife as the clip;...tip down carry.

-Reversible clip so I can carry it on the left side appendix position.

- 2.5 to 4 inch (or so) blade length; big enough but not too big for the carry location.

-Decent quality but not obscenely expensive.

-Enough knife above the clip to grab onto, but not so much that it will jab you or compromise concealment too much.

Can anyone suggest a knife that will meet as many of these criteria as possible?

The only criteria that's a deal breaker is the reversible clip. I want the knife to be oriented for the left hand. If the hold closed force is good I can compromise on the tip down.
 
I'd suggest a look at the Al Mar SERE 2000. It does sit very low and may not meet your ease of draw criteria.
 
Spyderco Endura. It is tip up but it fits most of the other requirements and is about $40. There are also Endura "trainers" with dull blades to practice tactical moves. Or you could go with a Delica which is a bit smaller. Delica "trainers" are also available.

Before anyone mentions it, Sebenza.
 
I would suggest a Buck/Mayo TNT or a Strider PT.

I carry knives this way on a fairly regular basis; and noth of the knives are wicked comfy carried that way. (So is my SNG.)
 
Since you said you wanted "decent hold closed force for obvious reasons":

With the exception of the Endura, all of these suggestions rely on a detent ball to keep the knife closed. Once the blade moves a few degrees, it's open with no force pulling it back. Steve's idea of a lockback is a good one; I'd recommend one of the BM Axis folders.
 
Benchmade 710...The blade is tip-up, but it won't open by accident.
 
I like the Al Mar....that handle shape usually feels good to me, and I'm a sucker for thick blades. I think I could overcome the low rise by jbwelding a block of aluminum to the back of the clip. In a way that may be preferable since I could adjust it to suit me. Kinda pricy.

I'm not a big fan of the spyderco endura and police. The handles dont fit my hand real well, the SS models are slipery, the plastic one's are too flexy.

Asthetically I'm not much in love with the Buck TNT. I like more contour in the handle and it doesnt look like it has a very gripable surface to begin with.

Strong possability on the Benchmade. That's a nice looking knife. I'll have to track one down to fondle.

I also like the Stretch. It looks like it has a much better handle than the other Spyderco's, price is reasonable, and it has the clip options I like.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. You've given me some great prospects to start investigating.
 
I love my SERE 2K, but for the type of carry you describe I think it might be too heavy and too thick. It might be worth checking out the Al Mar Nomad, which is similar but smaller.

I’m sure someone could make you a custom clip for the SERE 2K that would make the knife ride higher.

I just got a large classic Sebenza with micarta inlay, and other than it being tip up I think it would fill your requirements admirably.
 
The Chinook II is a good option. I would recommend the BM 806D2 as well, but that knife gets a bit uncomfortable IWB after a while, because of the way the handle is shaped.
 
I've got an afck and the pointy end of the handle is.....well, pointy. ;)

I'll look at the Chinook but the folded width looks like it might be a problem.

Sebenza is out of my price range.
 
the CRKT M21s are pretty slim. the smaller one would be suitable for this carry position. unlike the M16s, they have clip screw threads at all 4 corners so they have a wide range of carry options. theyre also at a very reasonable price point.

only problem i see is that they are linerlocks, and only have the detent ball to hold them closed. its usually more than sufficient, however you can tighten the pivot screw a bit more to make opening more difficult. with the pivot screw at stock tightness, or loosened a hair, you can flip the blade open with just thumb action on the carson flipper. with the screw tightened, on some individual knives you can still flip them with just your thumb, others require a touch of a wrist flick.

either way, you will encounter the same issue with *ALL* linerlocks/framelocks. if you want positive pressure keeping it closed, then look into a lockback as others suggested. look into some spydercos. unfortunately my favorite spyderco - the native - is tip down carry :(

cheers,
-gabriel
 
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