Knife to go with a suit

Chrono

Chrono

Joined
May 29, 2002
Messages
80
Hello

I have a BM 710 which I really love. I would like to find a knife similar to it for wear with a suit though. The 710 is too rough if I used a pocket clip. I don't want to go wrecking my pants. Also I don't think a sheath goes very well with a suit. Is there a knife out there like the 710 but dressier. I would also prefer it if I could switch the pocket clip for lefty carry and if it was ambidexterous opening. Suggestions under $300 would be great. Thanks.

Ryan
 
I would consider either the Benchmade Osborne 940 or the Elishiwetz 690. They're smaller than the 710 but dressier and very slick looking.

For size though I think you'd really like the Sentinel. Too bad it's discontinued. That was a nice looking knife...
 
Check out William Henry knives, they're very nice, dressy tactical folders, under $300 too, at least for all but the most fancy ones. 1sks sells them. A.G. Russell sells a lot of fancy knives as well www.agrussell.com. Hope this helps :) .
 
this is the second time in two days ive suggested klotzli to different people and I dont even own one! those carbon fibre handles look very smart...one is on my wish list. I dont know how much you pay for them in USA but theyre around the equivalent of $170 here
 
I don't know if a name brand should be your starting criteria, but rather "flat and light."

When I'm in a suit, which is rarer now days, it's a custom dark blue pin-stripe banker-type suit. I've found nothing that properly clips to a pocket, even the inside left suit coat pocket. Even my reaading glasses are a pain.

Since the suit is usally for a somber even, I toss an all stainless 3" clip point into my right front pocket, but don't clip it.

I do not shut off my cell phone, but rather leave it in the front seat of the SUV, with my 'beaner of keys (we have keyless entry) and an LCC. If I'm far away from home, a cased pistol makes the journey along with a pair of blue jeans and hiking shoes, just in case. My important stuff is nearby, I still do have a knife on my person and the suit hangs okay. Granted, it's a compromise, but some events call for that.
 
As a classy smaller folder for dress wear, you could consider a Chris Reeve "Mnandi".

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It has a neat "pen-style" titanium pocket clip that clips on and looks like a pen is in there.

Neil
 
I would recommend:

CRK Mnandi, the advantage here is that the pen clip can be exposed and it doesn't look like a knife. Also, it has an integral lock (frame lock) - $305 at most dealers.

William Henry Icon, carbon fiber or snakewood, nice big knife with an ambidextrous unlocking system. It should be a very reliable lock - it is big and flat (3/8" thick total!). - just over $300 for the cf and a bit more for the snakewood at www.knifeworks.com
 
This knife made with sandvik steel and CF slabs is the lightest knife I have ever carried. It looks awesome when dressed for business and gets people gawking but not in a tactical sense. The best part is that it's a production knife and can take a beating, keep an edge and did not break the bank............Ira
 
Yet another possibility is the BM 770 Osborne. It is a 3" knife with a very classy shape to it and nicely done carbon fiber scales. As a final, very nice, touch, all of the steel surfaces that are not sharp have been subject of some very nice file work. All in all, a very tastefully done "uptown" kind of knife.
 
I like the benchmade 800 knife of the month with the green handle. KOTM 3/00
 
From personal experience I'd either go with the BM Pardue 850 or a William Henry with the black leather clip pouch. You can pick up a MOP WH for about $200 and the Pardue BM for about $110.
 
If you really like the 710...and who doesn't?...you might consider asking Frank Recupero or Bandit to customize it for you.

Here's a picture of my 710:
710.jpg


It has ironwood scales, a horn backspacer, and filework on the back of the blade and all over the liners.

It carries well in a suit pocket or a horizontal leather belt pouch.

--Bob Q
 
I'm in suits most of the time and so i have an assortment of "gentlemen's" or "fancies". I prefer damscus, but they're up there. Some people like expensive watches... In the price range, the Benchmade Pardue is actually a very nice and dressy knife. I love mine. I carried it most of last week. The other suggestions are good too, but if you want something really innocuous, the Umfaan is good, if a bit small.
I love pocket clips, but they don't seem to work very well for me in suits. Some suits have a cigar vest pocket or a ticket pocket that can be useful with a clip, or you can use a change pocket in the jacket or the pants. Most knives are to big to clip inside pockets like that. Sometimes a clip can be pretty hard on dress pants and many are slant pockets anyway, which aren't great for clips.
Anyway, my short list in that price range would be BM Pardue, a William Henry or an Umfaan or smallish Chris Reeve. The CRK's are quite a bit of knife. Or just get a JSP shoulder harness and carry a big fixed blade like a real knife knut should :)
 
Thanks for the info. Now I've just got to decide which one. Or maybe a couple:D ?

Ryan
 
My Spyderco Dragonfly is very slick, unobtrusive and sheeple friendly. However, I've found a knive that disappears into my upper suitcoat pocket, lying nice and flat, invisible to the outside world. It is, and I'm not kidding you, my new Cuda Maxx! Just be careful where and when you use it.
 
Have you considered a fixed blade?? That is what I have when wearing suit :). My wedding photo:

entranceknife.jpg


David
 
It has to be one of the Dress Tacticals from Terry Primos. It costs $200.00 ($250.00 with a custom pocket sheath) and is designed for just that. It looks unthreating, very classy and more like an accessory than a fighting knife.

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The facts though are different. It has a 4" hand forged, differentially tempered dual edged blade. The top edge is an Eastern type chisel grid while the primary edge is a conventional double grind. The grip is designed to lock securely any way you hold it, normal or reversed, primary edge in or out. It is very, very light and unbelievably fast.

This has to be the very best value in a tactical knife out there right now.

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Here is a closeup of the blade.
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This knife is the one that was featured in the June 2002 issue of BLADE Magazine.
 
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