High-quality robust 3-inch folder

Spyderco ParaMilitary. Once you get the "spydie drop" down, you'll never want to carry anything else when quick deployment is of concern!
 
You may want to also try Buck Mayo TNT (model 172) 4 inch closed three inch blade and when a new batch of Mission MPF 3 come out you may want to look at those as well as they are 4 inches closed and 3 inch blade. EDCing the Mayo now but used to carry the Mission MPF-3 for three years. Will be going back to Mission one day when the quality control gets better. That is supposed to be happening now as it is under new ownership and management.

Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
You don't think the Leek is useful for defense? My 1660G10's point looks downright scary and push cuts like a champ. I doubt it will fail you in your time of need.
 
Burger EXK1 gets my vote with the Sebenza.

P7190013.jpg
 
The Mastiff said:
Kershaw JYD 3", AO Frame lock
Click to expand...
Not "AO," but a good suggestion! Kershaw's Mini Mojo is a very stout little knife as well.

sticf said:
Spyderco's Delica or Caly 3 would each fit the bill.
Click to expand...
I certainly wouldn't call the Spyderco Caly 3 a "robust" knife! It's a great knife, but "robust" it is not! It was never intended to be. The Spyderco Delica 4 and Native III would be much more "robust" in my opinion, though not overly so.
 
Small Sebenza
Strider PT

If you don't want to spend that much...
Spyderco SageII (I now EDC mine over my sebbie, great knife)
 
KRB said:
My jurisdiction limits blade length to 3 inches. As a result, I carry a ZDP-Titanium Leek, which I like a lot, but it is not very robust for any kind of defensive use. When I'm going places where they are permitted, I carry either a Kershaw Spec Bump or a ZT 0300. Does anyone know of a similar kind of knife with a 3-inch blade, preferably an assisted-opener or at least one that is easy to open one-handed. The Kershaw Blur looks like it would fit the bill, but the blade is 3/8" too long. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Benchmade 525 mini-presidio
Spyderco Caly 3 G-10
SOG Mini-Vulcan or Visionary 1.
SOG Bluto, SOG Popeye, SOG Olive Oil (last two are fictitious)
Spyderco Poliwog
Al-Mar Mini SERE

am sure there are many others.
 
Last edited:
Another vote for the the Spyderco Delica with wave. I have one and it is fast.

Although it is off topic in BladeForums.com having a gun is over rated in close. Of
course once out and firing it beats a knife but if some one is dumb enough to show his gun a Spyderco Delica with wave could be faster on the draw. A gun often leds to a sense of over confidence I have found in my 66 years.
 
Not "AO," but a good suggestion! Kershaw's Mini Mojo is a very stout little knife as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the correction 3 guardsmen. Just a case of "old timers" I guess. I have the regular, and the Ti/SG2 JYD 2 so I should know about the flipper. The JYD 2 is one of my top 5 of all time in fact, any brand, any price.

Oh well.
 
KRB said:
My jurisdiction limits blade length to 3 inches. As a result, I carry a ZDP-Titanium Leek, which I like a lot, but it is not very robust for any kind of defensive use. When I'm going places where they are permitted, I carry either a Kershaw Spec Bump or a ZT 0300. Does anyone know of a similar kind of knife with a 3-inch blade, preferably an assisted-opener or at least one that is easy to open one-handed. The Kershaw Blur looks like it would fit the bill, but the blade is 3/8" too long. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Spyderco Delica, Caly 3 (G-10), Poliwog
Benchmade 525 Mini-Presidio
Chris Reeve Small Sebenza
SOG Mini-Vulcan, Bluto
Boker Trance

Hope that helps.
 
I would suggest the SBMF 889 - strider buck military folder, it is the very inexpensive version of the Strider SnG, identical in size and shape (I've owned both) and although discontinued by buck, they are still floating around at places, I find mine at the local Academy sports & outdoors for about $60 in the clam pack.
 
archieblue said:
Spyderco ParaMilitary. Once you get the "spydie drop" down, you'll never want to carry anything else when quick deployment is of concern!
Click to expand...

What he said. The Paramilitary is the king of 3" SD folders, IMO. A small Sebenza is a great knife (it's what I carry) but I wouldn't consider it a great SD knife. It's too slow and requires too much fine motor skill to open.
 
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. After much mulling over, I ended up with a Strider PT CC (black, stonewashed). Unfortunately, in the process I've developed a fairly long "to buy" list for other knives that were suggested.

I am liking the Strider (just got it yesterday), but I find it quite hard to close one-handed. Will this loosen up over time?
 
PT requires a lot of breaking in to get rid of the "sticky" lock bar. Rubbing contact area with 2H pencil sometimes helps. Don't do any grinding or bending, most Striders need a lot of open/close cycles to break in. Enjoy.
 
Move to another jurisdiction.

Just kidding.

Does anyone know anything about the Boker Hyper? It looks pretty nice on paper for the money. Not AO though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top