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I need a gentleman's folder
- Thread starter 46Alpha
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Messages
- 4
I don't expect you to go my route, but I think the two knives that are the best for dress clothes are some sort of swiss army knife, and the Douk Douk.
The SAK's speak for themselves, there are many sizes to pick from. As for the Douk Douk, well its the coolest knife I own, not my favorite, but the "coolest"
The Douk Douk is a nice carry size, and its thin, real thin, like metal gum (a few sticks). And the Douk Douk is robust, surprisingly robust. The only down side to it is its not in my opinion a good 4 season outdoor knife. It has a heavy back spring, and cold, wet, numb hands don't mix with the Douk Douk...but inside or for the summer? Classy and awesome.
And I have to also add the Opinel. I think my favorite folding knife period. Once you sand the handle down it becomes very pocket friendly, and again many sizes to pick from. for dress clothes, maybe a #7?
The SAK's speak for themselves, there are many sizes to pick from. As for the Douk Douk, well its the coolest knife I own, not my favorite, but the "coolest"
The Douk Douk is a nice carry size, and its thin, real thin, like metal gum (a few sticks). And the Douk Douk is robust, surprisingly robust. The only down side to it is its not in my opinion a good 4 season outdoor knife. It has a heavy back spring, and cold, wet, numb hands don't mix with the Douk Douk...but inside or for the summer? Classy and awesome.
And I have to also add the Opinel. I think my favorite folding knife period. Once you sand the handle down it becomes very pocket friendly, and again many sizes to pick from. for dress clothes, maybe a #7?
william henry has an edc line in D2 (aluminum with inserts of wood cf, etc.) They are about 250 so a bit above target. Nice looking, button lock, etc. May be a tad longer than what you want too.
Bokor has a lockback or two damascus ( pearl or wood, etc.) A bit more traditional, but not bone, etc.
I use an al mar for the office. black micarta, nickel bolsters and a nice leather sleeve. Aus 6 or 8 isn't boutique, but with a stopping, it is like a laser. Nice gents knife overall. I use this for formal wear too.
Bokor has a lockback or two damascus ( pearl or wood, etc.) A bit more traditional, but not bone, etc.
I use an al mar for the office. black micarta, nickel bolsters and a nice leather sleeve. Aus 6 or 8 isn't boutique, but with a stopping, it is like a laser. Nice gents knife overall. I use this for formal wear too.
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2006
- Messages
- 10,795
you future here looks dim...real dim.
As for the OP's question, if you won't consider a traditional like a copperhead or trapper, browse thru A.G's catalog. There is some nice stuff there. Or just go ahead and grab a Mnandi.
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2007
- Messages
- 55
Well...I would look at AG Russell's site. He has a 3" Lockback and a 2.5" Lockback both with great F&F, modern and/or traditional scales and razor sharp out of the box. Both well under your price limit, great knives with a warranty that can't be beat.
I would also look at the Buck 505 Knight (1 7/8" blade) and 503 Prince (2.5" blade). Both well built lockback knives that will last you through your life time. Bos excellent heat treat on the 420hc steel they use and their edge geomontry make them contenders against any of the current high end steels on the market. Again, an amazing warranty/customer service. The Buck 309 Companion is an excellent pen knife (small yet built like a tank) that would fit your requirements with four different scale materials.
The Benchmade Benchmite (don't know if it is still made) is a modern version of the small lockback. Very sturdy all steel frame and AUS 8 blade steel at 58rc.
Spyderco Cricket, Ladybug, Manbug, Dragonfly and others of their Big Little Knife line with VG-10 blade steel should be considered. Also take a look at the Victorinox Alox Cadet and Alox Secretary.
Have fun with the search,
Rudd
I would also look at the Buck 505 Knight (1 7/8" blade) and 503 Prince (2.5" blade). Both well built lockback knives that will last you through your life time. Bos excellent heat treat on the 420hc steel they use and their edge geomontry make them contenders against any of the current high end steels on the market. Again, an amazing warranty/customer service. The Buck 309 Companion is an excellent pen knife (small yet built like a tank) that would fit your requirements with four different scale materials.
The Benchmade Benchmite (don't know if it is still made) is a modern version of the small lockback. Very sturdy all steel frame and AUS 8 blade steel at 58rc.
Spyderco Cricket, Ladybug, Manbug, Dragonfly and others of their Big Little Knife line with VG-10 blade steel should be considered. Also take a look at the Victorinox Alox Cadet and Alox Secretary.
Have fun with the search,
Rudd
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2012
- Messages
- 8,032
470-1 Emissary the Also make a gray Anodized version called the 470 Both for $175
Benchmade Specifications:
Overall Length: 6.9"
Blade Length: 3"
Blade Thickness: 0.09"
Blade Material: S30V Stainless Steel
Blade Hardness: 58-60 HRC
Blade Style: Clip-Point; Ambidextrous Thumb-Studs
Closed Length: 3.9"
Handle Thickness: 0.45" Weight: 2.20 oz.
Clip: Reversible
Lock Mechanism: AXIS-ASSIST Lock
Made in USA
Not my pics
Benchmade Specifications:
Overall Length: 6.9"
Blade Length: 3"
Blade Thickness: 0.09"
Blade Material: S30V Stainless Steel
Blade Hardness: 58-60 HRC
Blade Style: Clip-Point; Ambidextrous Thumb-Studs
Closed Length: 3.9"
Handle Thickness: 0.45" Weight: 2.20 oz.
Clip: Reversible
Lock Mechanism: AXIS-ASSIST Lock
Made in USA
Not my pics
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
- Messages
- 7,165
Smatchet!!!!!!
But in all seriousness I agree with the ripple. I haven't seen anyone else say anything about the spyderco centofante memory. VG10 steel blue Ti with silver fiber insert. But it's above your blade length limit at 3" $175 at cutleryshoppe and free shipping with the "nutnfancy" code.
But in all seriousness I agree with the ripple. I haven't seen anyone else say anything about the spyderco centofante memory. VG10 steel blue Ti with silver fiber insert. But it's above your blade length limit at 3" $175 at cutleryshoppe and free shipping with the "nutnfancy" code.
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2012
- Messages
- 310
Spyderco dragonfly 2
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2011
- Messages
- 225
Some really good suggestions, thanks to all who've chimed in.
Spyderco: Air, Memory, Dragonfly, etc are all great knives. And all made in China/Japan/Taichung. There's nothing wrong with that, but I'd like US steel on this one.
Benchmade, Bradley, AG, Small Seb and the Mnandi all have blades well over the 1.5-2" limit I'd like to keep.
The William Henry EDC 06 is nice, if a bit overstated. His stuff is a bit too much (not cost, just a little too.....pimpin?)I don't need jewels or gold inlay. That Ohta is super nice, but his stuff is hard to come by.
What I need is an xtra small plain Sebenza. That would be perfect. I really want something simple without all the bells and whistles. Quality workmanship and materials, but not all "bling".
Again, my thanks for all the great suggestions. I'll keep up the hunt.
Spyderco: Air, Memory, Dragonfly, etc are all great knives. And all made in China/Japan/Taichung. There's nothing wrong with that, but I'd like US steel on this one.
Benchmade, Bradley, AG, Small Seb and the Mnandi all have blades well over the 1.5-2" limit I'd like to keep.
The William Henry EDC 06 is nice, if a bit overstated. His stuff is a bit too much (not cost, just a little too.....pimpin?)I don't need jewels or gold inlay. That Ohta is super nice, but his stuff is hard to come by.
What I need is an xtra small plain Sebenza. That would be perfect. I really want something simple without all the bells and whistles. Quality workmanship and materials, but not all "bling".
Again, my thanks for all the great suggestions. I'll keep up the hunt.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2011
- Messages
- 7,528
I'll second the Air.
It has the quality of a much more expensive knife and is better quality than a lot of the made in USA blades.
The blade is just a little longer than you're looking for but would be perfect for suit carry.
I love the look of a wharncliffe blade, especially on a gentleman's knife.
Another one - It's not made in the USA but a Spyderco Squeak seems to fit the criteria well. It has a 2" blade, slip joint, low ride clip, good steel, and really nice quality. I got mine for around $40 and at that price you could send it off to Seals, or someone else on the forum for some new scales and maybe some filework. It's an awesome little lightweight knife that feels good in the hand and cuts/slices like a champ.
It has the quality of a much more expensive knife and is better quality than a lot of the made in USA blades.
The blade is just a little longer than you're looking for but would be perfect for suit carry.
I love the look of a wharncliffe blade, especially on a gentleman's knife.
Another one - It's not made in the USA but a Spyderco Squeak seems to fit the criteria well. It has a 2" blade, slip joint, low ride clip, good steel, and really nice quality. I got mine for around $40 and at that price you could send it off to Seals, or someone else on the forum for some new scales and maybe some filework. It's an awesome little lightweight knife that feels good in the hand and cuts/slices like a champ.
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2012
- Messages
- 688
Honestly, if this was your only expensive knife then I'd say get something cheaper... but you have nice knives and you're going to want to get a nice gentleman's folder. I went through this debate a while ago and considered options like the benchmade shoki, william henry e6/e10 edc, spyderco air, but I finally settled on a mnandi. I actually got a mammoth ivory mnandi for about $600, which was way out of my price range at the time, and I love it.
Get yourself a mnandi and never look back. There are so many beautiful inlays available, and it has replaced 80% of my other knives that I carry for edc, including 2 emersons, a couple paramilitary 2's, a hinderer, and southard flipper. It's small, its elegant, and its much stronger than you'd think. I use it cutting steak at a nice dinner one day and I use it to open boxes the other. It's quite a lot of knife in such a small package and it just makes you proud to carry it. I liked it so much I've decided I'd like to get another ebony one. And if that wasn't enough, the pocket clip looks like the clip of a fancy pen so it looks great tucked into a suit pocket or shirt pocket.
Heres mine:
Get yourself a mnandi and never look back. There are so many beautiful inlays available, and it has replaced 80% of my other knives that I carry for edc, including 2 emersons, a couple paramilitary 2's, a hinderer, and southard flipper. It's small, its elegant, and its much stronger than you'd think. I use it cutting steak at a nice dinner one day and I use it to open boxes the other. It's quite a lot of knife in such a small package and it just makes you proud to carry it. I liked it so much I've decided I'd like to get another ebony one. And if that wasn't enough, the pocket clip looks like the clip of a fancy pen so it looks great tucked into a suit pocket or shirt pocket.
Heres mine:
