Knife 3 inches or under

EdwardMatt

EdwardMatt

Joined
Sep 26, 2001
Messages
24
I'm going to Japan for two years on a mission for my church and I've heard that the knife laws are that blades must be 3 inches or less. I would like to bring a good folder over there. Any ideas on what I should get? Thanks for the help.
 
I'm currently overseas and I recommend at taking at least two folders. One should be a mutlit-tool or Swiss Army Knife. The other should be any well made one hander. Spend some money and get a plain small Sebenza. It's rock solid.
 
If you can't break the wallet, with a Sebbie. Get yourself a PE FRN VG10 Delica, I know a few places where they can be had for $40 US, if your interested shoot me an e-mail. Also be sure to pick up a Mulitool or SAK like Anthony said.
 
Based on handling it at the Blade Show, I can say that the Buck Mayo feels like a very nice, solid knife. I'll have a better idea in few days (see link in my sig). My EDC for the last two years has been a Camillus EDC, which has a 3" blade. It's a great knife at any price but especially at the $50 I payed. Bringing along a SAK is a great suggestion as well, no one raises an eyebrow at them unless you're at an airport or a school. They're incredibly useful too. Sebenzas also have an unimpeachable reputation; if you have that kind of dough it's hard to go wrong. On a budget though, the EDC rocks and I doubt you'll be dissapointed with it either.
 
I've been pondering this issue myself for a little while...and have been debating knives like the small Sebbie, Spyderco Delica, BM Mini-Griptilian, various William Henry knives, a Mini Obenauf, and so forth. I wish I had a good static answer, but I can't even really decide for myself. I'm starting to lean more towards the Delica, but that could easily change if I can think of a better argument than "This will take more of a pounding and you will be able to trust it."

I find that I am not as hard a knife user as many folks on these forums are. Sharpness and edge retention, then fit/finish are most important to me, not so much toughness or how overbuilt the knife is. My current EDC, a Microtech LCC, is actually a rather heavily built knife, but it also has a really nice keen edge geometry for slicing. It's a shame I'm gonna need something smaller for my time abroad, because it serves me rather well.

It's an annoying search ;)
 
EdwardMatt -- keep your eye on the "for sale" section. Every once in a while you'll find a small one for a good price. Good luck.
 
I recommended the Sebenza because it is a readily available, very high quality knife. If you can get a custom, I can personally recommend Obenauf, Devilliers, and Brad Duncan plus Larry Chew and SCott Sawby as makers of great, sturdy, under three inch customs.
 
I definitely recommend one of the knives being some type of SAK or multi-tool such as a Leatherman. As for a good, not-too-expensive one-hander around 3 inches or under, I'd recommend a VG-10 Delica, a Benchmade 556 Griptilian, or perhaps a Camillus EDC in 154CM. The Griptilian in particular is extremely easy to operate but if you clip the smaller Griptilians in pocket, the handle checkering might chew up your pocket material, although it holds quite snugly.
Jim
 
If you are looking for something more affordable, a couple of other suggestions:

Klotzli Sailor (marketed through Boker) - you can pick one of these up for about $170.

William Henry Spearpoint - carbon fiber or "gents" versions. The gent's knives in particular will go over well in Japan. You can pick these up for right around $200.

Also consider an A.G. Russell One-Hand Knife. Takes some getting used to, but a very functional overall design and extremely thin. In fact, this has to be the thinnest design going.
 
If you're going to be in an office a Spyderco Kiwi and a SAK would probably be plenty. If you're going to be helping to build a new room on the church you may want to look at a SOG (or Leatherman) and a mini-Griptilian (or Lil Temperance). Just food for thought.

Frank
 
I just want a nice all purpose knife to carry around. I would like to be able to be use it for self defense as well as just opening things such as boxes, etc...Just a basic everyday use knife. I have a paragon ATKO8 auto...but that will be confiscated at customs. That Camillus EDC looks nice and it's a good price. I won't be in an office or building a church. I'll be spending most of my time on a bike or on the streets in Tokyo just talking to people.
 
My recomendation would be a BM 555 mini-griptilian. Opening hole, AXIS lock, 2.85" blade in BM 440C not a pain to sharpen, hold a good edge, and stainless! If locking blades aren't legal (probably not a real concern) a Leatherman Juice would be my choice. The mini-grip grows on you, believe me, it's a great little knife (did I mention AXIS lock... :D)

Regards,

Shaun.
 
If you like framelocks and the Sebenza is too expensive, check out a Spyderco Salsa titanium. It's a great framelock with a nice flatground blade. BTW, the Native and Buck/Mayo (two great knives) are both actually over 3". Be sure you get something under three inches like a Salsa, Griptillian, or some other knife.
 
Spyderco Delica and a multi tool or SAK. You can have them both for $100 or less.

Paul
 
Originally posted by anthony cheeseboro
I'm currently overseas and I recommend at taking at least two folders. One should be a mutlit-tool or Swiss Army Knife. The other should be any well made one hander. Spend some money and get a plain small Sebenza. It's rock solid.
Click to expand...


EdwardMatt: What Anthony Cheeseboro said.
I have lived overseas since '97, all of it in the 3rd world. Take two blades and always keep'em on. I would even suggest a 3" neck knife as an addition to the above. Don't forget something to keep them sharp!
I don't have any knife suggestions that would improve upon the advice you've already received from the knowledgeable folks here.

Good luck, Japan is fairly civilized.
 
Depiste the total gun control, they have a very low violent crime rate in Japan. They also sell Self-Defense Products (Tasers, ASPs, One handers) so a Spydie or a $50 - $100 folder could probably be found there. I'd check out the Asia & Australia forum in the Community section for some good stores.
 
EDC, EDC, EDC ... oops sorry. I'll shut up now. :rolleyes: :D :D

On a serious note, I no longer reccomend the Delica since the FRN handle on mine deformed rendering the clip useless. It happened after about a year of carrying it in my back pocket; I haven't sent it in to Spyderco yet but it just added to my aversion to plastic. The stuff just isn't tough enough for me. To be fair, one downside to the EDC is the thick edge it comes with from the factory, but that's a relatively easy fix. Frustrating for a newbie sharpener though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top