LF; slip joint, sub-3.5in handle...

[Shorttime]

Who's rules?

I have a plausible explanation.

Non-permissive environment carry.

Based on NeedItCheaper's requirement for a slipjoint, I'm going to assume that this is a kit for carry in places where social or legal constraints make it not a good idea to start strapping tools to the outside of an Altoids tin, because you don't want attention from the local Bronzes.

 

[unwisefool]

I have a plausible explanation.

Non-permissive environment carry.

Based on NeedItCheaper's requirement for a slipjoint, I'm going to assume that this is a kit for carry in places where social or legal constraints make it not a good idea to start strapping tools to the outside of an Altoids tin, because you don't want attention from the local Bronzes.

Counterpoint: anywhere that someone will notice a slightly larger knife strapped to an altoids tin will have an issue with a knife inside said tin.

 

[Shorttime]

Counterpoint: anywhere that someone will notice a slightly larger knife strapped to an altoids tin will have an issue with a knife inside said tin.

True! This is why my opinions are free! I guess the logic is that people see an Altoids tin and assume it's just mints....? Course if somebody does get interested, then you're into questions about the legality of a concealed knife.

Could be a laws of physics restriction, too. Maybe there's a pocket that fits only an Altoids-tin-sized object?

Could also be because NeedItCheaper feels like making that a "rule". I mean, this is a place where we have debates about bevel angles.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Marble's G. I. Jack, maybe?

3.25" closed, 2.25" blade. Not the biggest thing you could fit in your kit, but a solid and very inexpensive choice.

Where can I buy one of these Marbles GI Jacks? Reason is I spent 21 years in the Army and that little knife is calling my name.

 

[NeedItCheaper]

I really want to like the Bantam but, I cannot lose the feeling that I am sacrificing tools.

Which Alox do you use and which tools do you use the most? Except the knife of course.

Who's rules?

Arbitrary self-imposed rules. Saw a post about this a while back. Some company was selling a survival tin claiming it was enough to survive on in the wilderness for at least a day or so. They seemed serious, whereas for me, this is a thinking exercise. It's designed to stretch your understanding of what's possible. This is something fun for me at the moment. In practice, even on day hikes I travel with no less than 15ibs. Multi-day trips I bring 32ibs worth of gear. Again, it's an interesting thing I'm doing at the moment.

Where can I buy one of these Marbles GI Jacks? Reason is I spent 21 years in the Army and that little knife is calling my name.

I just ordered one off Ebay. 14$

 

[gooeytek]

I have a Fallkniven U2 in mine. Backlock though.

 

[unwisefool]

Arbitrary self-imposed rules. Saw a post about this a while back. Some company was selling a survival tin claiming it was enough to survive on in the wilderness for at least a day or so. They seemed serious, whereas for me, this is a thinking exercise. It's designed to stretch your understanding of what's possible. This is something fun for me at the moment. In practice, even on day hikes I travel with no less than 15ibs. Multi-day trips I bring 32ibs worth of gear. Again, it's an interesting thing I'm doing at the moment.

Most people can survive in the wilderness for a day with a granola bar. I'm not sure that's a great claim for a survival kit.

 

[NeedItCheaper]

Could also be because NeedItCheaper feels like making that a "rule". I mean, this is a place where we have debates about bevel angles.

Arbitrary. I'm fine with a lock-back.

 

[Hashishiin]

N NeedItCheaper I actually don't have an Alox yet. Probably the flathead on the caplifter, the awl, the file are my most-used SAK tools, but I only have a Camper and SD, and have a Super Tinker and an Escort coming in. I did hear those Bantams are awfully thin, though. I mean... I can't really fault the Bantam when I have two Escorts coming in, with just knife and file/flathead and toothpick/tweezers.

 

[LimpCroissant]

Why a slipjoint? Law restrictions?

Moki Blakiston's Fish Owl would fit if a locking blade is acceptable.

Whenever I get my lazy ass around to making my own kit, I'm gonna put in a small folding "knife" that holds replaceable scalpel blades. And or a G.Sakai Preppy or A.G. Russell 3" carbon fiber lockback (only get an older Japanese made AGR, not the new Chinese made which are crap).

There's a number of 84mm Victorinox choices out there. Can't go wrong there.

I was also going to recommend the AG Russell Titanium or Carbon Fiber Midlock Folder. I wasn't aware that they are made overseas now days though. If you could find an old school one, that'd be perfect with a handle length of 3".

 

[afishhunter]

3.5" or smaller slipjoint?
91 or 85mm SAK, Barlow (not the daddy or grand daddy), peanut, the Marbles knife shown in post 15 above, (at $0.01 under $7.00 it is hard to beat) Case butterbean canoe, Buck 303/373 Old timer 34OT stockmans ... lots of practical multi-blade solutions.
A 85mm SAK Evo Grip 17 or 18 gives you a spear point blade, can & bottle opener, spring loaded scissors (unbreakable spring) multipurpose corkscrew (17) #2 philips screwdriver (18), tweezers, and toothpick. 91mm SAK Huntsman (corkscrew) or Fieldmaster (philips) gives you the same tools + a wood saw. (tho the 91mm spring loaded scissors use a "v" spring that is known to break. Replacement springs are inexpensive and could be stored in the Altoids tin until needed. FWIW, I carried a Huntsman every day for over 10 years. The scissors were my most used tool/blade. The original scissors spring on mine hadn't broke yet when the knife went AWOL.)
The "medium" stockmans give you a clip point, sheepsfoot, and a spey/budding/skinning blade. Butterbean canoe gives you a spear point and a pen blade.
No reason to limit yourself to a single blade knife in your tin.

 

[NeedItCheaper]

N NeedItCheaper I actually don't have an Alox yet. Probably the flathead on the caplifter, the awl, the file are my most-used SAK tools, but I only have a Camper and SD, and have a Super Tinker and an Escort coming in. I did hear those Bantams are awfully thin, though. I mean... I can't really fault the Bantam when I have two Escorts coming in, with just knife and file/flathead and toothpick/tweezers.

So I ordered the Alox 1, not the Bantam. But the thickness is gonna be .46-.58in thick. Couldn't track down the specific thickness. For reference, the Benchmade Bugout is .88in thick and the Delica 4 is .9. That's pretty thin. I'll see how it performs processing some wood. All it needs to be able to do are push cuts and feather sticking.

Edit; Ordered both the Victorinox Alox 1 and Marbles G.I. Jack.

 

[Planterz]

I was also going to recommend the AG Russell Titanium or Carbon Fiber Midlock Folder. I wasn't aware that they are made overseas now days though. If you could find an old school one, that'd be perfect with a handle length of 3".

Yeah, the older ones were made in Japan by G.Sakai. G.Sakai also made one that was extremely similar (but with very slight differences) which they called the Preppy, also in silver twill (but not titanium). Those were easily found on eBay but the supply seems to have dried up. I bought a few Preppys, and I have a few AGRs, and I can tell you that the AGR is the superior knife, although the Preppy is quite nice too. Either way, they're extremely thin and light - so much so that they absolutely disappear in the pocket or even a wallet.

I picked up a newer carbon fiber AGR that's made in China for cheap off eBay, and it was severely disappointing. Thinner steel, almost too thin, unequal texturing on the carbon fiber, flex where the Japanese ones are quite solid despite being also very thin, etc. Then when tightening one of the handle screws it sheared right off. I wasn't torquing very hard at all (it's a T5 or maybe even smaller - it's not like you can twist it that hard). I would have purchased one with damascus steel if the rest of the knife was quality, but it's far from it.

 

[Shorttime]

Where can I buy one of these Marbles GI Jacks? Reason is I spent 21 years in the Army and that little knife is calling my name.

If you're apprehensive about the online auction site, the large knife store in Sevierville, Tennessee, has 'em.

 

[LimpCroissant]

Yeah, the older ones were made in Japan by G.Sakai. G.Sakai also made one that was extremely similar (but with very slight differences) which they called the Preppy, also in silver twill (but not titanium). Those were easily found on eBay but the supply seems to have dried up. I bought a few Preppys, and I have a few AGRs, and I can tell you that the AGR is the superior knife, although the Preppy is quite nice too. Either way, they're extremely thin and light - so much so that they absolutely disappear in the pocket or even a wallet.

I picked up a newer carbon fiber AGR that's made in China for cheap off eBay, and it was severely disappointing. Thinner steel, almost too thin, unequal texturing on the carbon fiber, flex where the Japanese ones are quite solid despite being also very thin, etc. Then when tightening one of the handle screws it sheared right off. I wasn't torquing very hard at all (it's a T5 or maybe even smaller - it's not like you can twist it that hard). I would have purchased one with damascus steel if the rest of the knife was quality, but it's far from it.

Dang, that sucks to hear. I guess the Chinese manufacturer of that knife hasn't caught up with the times and doesn't seem to know that some of their Chinese peer companies are making knives with fit and finish on par or better than "the big three" American companies. Well I guess the whole Big Three thing is kind of dated now that there's so many American companies, but I think you know what I'm saying. I still have one of the old school AG Russell One-Handed Knives and that thing is pretty awesome.

 

[NeedItCheaper]

so... funny thing is the inner dimension is actually 3.6" -> 91.5mm https://uk.pi-supply.com/products/altoids-mints-sized-tin
which happens to hold the most common size for SAK... 91mm
get an electrician or whatever, bantam if you want it ultra thin

I used my measurement. My eyes could be off. Just ordered one and will see if that fits. Thank you.

There're a couple things off with your post;
- The Electrician SAK is 93mm (3.66in), not 91mm (3.58).
- The photo you used is of the Bantam which is 84mm, not 91mm. Though, this one should actually fit just fine. I think I'll pick up a Cadet (84mm) here soon.
- Every 91mm SAK has plastic scales. Don't know if you were trying to say SAK makes a 91mm aluminum scaled knife. The photo threw me a little.

With that said, I ordered the Solo, which is the same 93mm as the Electrician. It's a very nice minimalist knife. The Solo has a decent grip, feels durable, and makes feathers way better than I expected. It was well worth the buy. BUT, it does not fit. Not in the way I want it too. Technically 0.06 inches too long. For me, 0.16inches too long. The dimensions of the inside of the box is 3.6in and the knife is 3.66 according to SAKwiki. I say 0.16 too long because as I've realized, there's a lip on the inside of the tin which forces you to turn the blade sideways to get it in. And still, the blade sits somewhat diagonally. I tried forcing the knife horizontal, but it stretched the tin out so it wouldn't close.

Regardless, the knives are good choices. Thank you. And here's a photo...

 

[dirc]

yeah, unfortunately was thinking of old sku's .... it seems they grew recently from 91 to 93, I didn't even know lol....

but you're right, they are worthy regardless... the bantam woulda been perfect