Keychain Knives, Where to Start?

Sulaco

Sulaco

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I pretty much have all of my bases covered with knives except for a keychain knife. I keep one of those small Photon LED lights on it as well as my keyless entry and about 5 or 6 keys. I don't like a bunch of crap so whatever I go with has to be small.

I am not a big fan of multi-tools because I think they are just a compromise for the most part. When I need a screwdriver, I use a screwdriver, etc.

So that narrows the choices down to actual knives. Whatever I get has to be a locking blade and not a liner lock. I prefer a plain edge and as small as is practical.

Any ideas?
 
Look at a Benchmite or a Kershaw Chive. They may not have the lock that you favor, but the designs are good. If you could go without a lock the AG Russell Ultimate Pen Knife is perfect for small with great materials and workmanship. Personally I like the small multitools. I use a Seber M4 which has all of the blades lock. It is handy to have pliers as well as a screwdriver and knife. It has a way of folding out sort of double that gives the philips head screwdriver extra reach. I seldom go looking for a screwdriver since I can fix things with my mini-multitool before I can fetch a screwdriver.
http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/seber/seber4.html
 
The Jester can handle a surprising variety of cutting tasks and is so lightweight as to be unoticed.
 
Here's what I have on my keys, a Nemesis Hellion.


I normally have a folder in my pocket so it doesn't get used much but it's good to know it's there should I need it. I wrapped the handle myself because I wanted a little thicker handle and the leftover cord lengthens it a bit as well. All the specs for the knife can be found through the link.

http://www.tadgear.com/edged%20tools/mid-tech_hellion.htm

Hope that helps. :)
 
Sulaco said:
whatever I go with has to be small.
I am not a big fan of multi-tools because I think they are just a compromise for the most part.
So that narrows the choices down to actual knives. Whatever I get has to be a locking blade and not a liner lock. I prefer a plain edge and as small as is practical.
Click to expand...

OK the classic keychain knife is the Victorinox Classic :D -

it is a choice that many have made because of its handy size and tools - eg: the scissors work remarkably well - and it is not a compromise other than size. But I do realize it might not make it on several counts for you.

So - try these small jewel-like knives -
sPECKsnapL.jpg
sPECKsnapLcls.jpg



CRKT Spectra PECK

CRKT Van Hoy Snap Lock 2

The Kershaw Ken Onion Chive is a nice small assisted opening knife - get the Frame-Lock version - I particularly like the polished Black Boron carbide finished one -

NewGraham.com sell a version with gold plated screws and clip.

--
Vincent
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Or the sog sculptura or Blade tech mouse. Wow small are we talking
 
AG Russell Ultimate Pen Knife

$20, titanium and VG-10. Doesn't get much better.
 
I like the looks of that AG Russell Ultimate Pen Knife. The construction and price are very nice.

That size is about what I am looking for. I think the Spyderco's would be too big, much like the multi-tools.

I just can't stand to have tons of junk attached to my keychain.
 
For an odd solution you might look at a Christy Knife. This has an out the front sliding blade that locks (well "lock" is an overstatement) in three different positions. The blade is thin like a scalpel and it is easy to overpower the lock if you stab into something tough like wood, but this only pushes the blade into the handle (you won't cut yourself). If you already have a strong blade in your pocket this gives you an adjustable Xacto knife on your keychain. I used mine in my high school biology class to disect frogs.
http://www.heimerdingercutlery.com/catalog/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=332
 
Sulaco said:
I like the looks of that AG Russell Ultimate Pen Knife. The construction and price are very nice.

That size is about what I am looking for. I think the Spyderco's would be too big, much like the multi-tools.

I just can't stand to have tons of junk attached to my keychain.
Click to expand...

The only thing is that the AG Russell Ultimate seemed very fragile to me, [very thin] and of course, it is a slip joint and not a locking blade. I returned it and purchased a Buck Gent which is about the same size, but more substantial and has a lockback. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a keychain bail or a lanyard hole, but I have it with me all the time in my watch pocket in my jeans.
 
The AG Russell Ultimate Pen Knife is indeed very tiny, but what exactly do you plan on doing with a key chain knife? It works fine for cutting thread or opening envelopes. I have used it to sharpen pencils and open boxes. Its small but its solid.

It is probably smaller than most people would expect even. Here is a pick with a Paramil, a G10/S30V Leek, a prybaby and an Atwood tactical whistle.

EDC.jpg
 
I'd second the Spyderco Ladybug. Great little knife. I have a Ladybug and a Leatherman Squirt S4 on my keychain.
 
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