Kabar Fin vs. Boker Subcom vs. Spyderco Co-pilot

J

jlyrgr

Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
42
I have been looking for a smaller, more discrete knife. I don't want to go to a "keychain" style, but something smaller than my full size benchmades and kershaws. The Kabar fin, Boker Subcom, and Spyderco co-pilot have caught my attention. Does anyone have any experience with these knives? What is your recommendation between the three? Are there other knives that should be in the running? Key factors for me are:
Light
Discrete
Smaller Blades (3" or less- preferably around 2")
Locking Blade
Still able to be used as a last ditch tactical tool- (not interested in any SAK's or Case XXX knives)

Thanks for your help!
Jlyrgr
 
I wanted a smaller knife, so I got a Delica. The Mini Griptilian is also a great option.

If you want really small, go with a Dragonfly.
 
There are lots of 3" blades. I like 3" better than 2". I can only use 2" max length blade at work, so that is what I carry, but I find them a bit small and awkward to use.

Of the knives you are currently looking at, the Pilot VG10 blade will stay sharp longer than the Boker AUS8. A lot of folks really like that subcom shape though. There have been a couple of negative comments about the ergos of the FIN. Look in the Testing and Review Forum.
 
I'm not thrilled with the Fin. I would definitely take the subcom, (or wharcom) over the fin any day.

Plus, the fin is actually fairly big (for what I would carry as my EDC). I would take something like the spyderco native, or mini griptilian instead.
 
I have the Wharcom and the Co-Pilot, and I've spent about 15 minutes with the Fin. I, too, like to have a few of those light and discrete knives. For the money, I would be hard pressed to recommend a knife the equal of the Wharcom. It seems to have more "usable" blade than the Subcom. And, I am a big fan of the Co-Pilot; it's classy, light and a pleasure to carry and use. I've taken the clip off and put on a small lanyard/fob. Contrary to "Oh, a knife!" I get, "Oh, how cute".

In that same vein, you may want to look at the Kershaw Centofante/Onion. The co-Pilots are getting a bit scarce, and expensive. Even if I'm not carrying the Kershaw it is usually in my briefcase.

Finally, the Fin. A good knife for what it's aimed at, but I do not see it as discrete. Hope this helps.

Greg
 
It's hard to beat a Spyderco.

The ergonomics are what you'd expect from Mr. Glesser's company, excellent and oriented towards the cutting performance. The VG-10 steel is excellent, resists, corrosion, holds an edge...I've said it all before about dozens of Spyderco knives. To put in succinctly, you can't go wrong with any of their designs. In your blade-size range is also the Delica and the Caly3 (which is one of my favorite smaller EDCs). I highly recommend any of these.

God bless.

KATN,

Wade
 
Of the three listed, I'd take the Boker.
Look at the AG Russel Titanium Lockback- 2.5" blade, VG-10, about $25
 
The Subcoms are nice, but the Trance also meets your criteria. Handled the Ka-bar Fin at BLADE, it was bigger & heavier than I expected, plus the handle had some sharp edges. The Spyderco Co-Pilot is nice too.
 
I would second the Trance and also suggest a Byrd Robin in G10. I convexed the edge on my Robin and it is an amazing little knife.

I just got a Kabar Fin in the mail Monday, and have a CoPilot coming in the mail towards the end of the week, so I will put up a comparison of the two of them with a Trance, Delica and Robin for scale. The Fin is a stout and well made knife, but it doesn't fit my hand well and there is a very sharp corner on the handle scale that digs into my thumb when I try to open it in a hurry.
 
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