Lightweight Folder Recommendations

Buck bantam fits most criteria and is like $20. Case sodbuster fits if you dig traditional folders. Very similar to opinel blade shape and is $25ish.
 
Comp to a opinel would be a delica or endura as far as blade performance. Also consider a knockout or launch. All great blades for slicing
 
First knife that came to my mind is the Spyderco Endura ffg:

Length Overall: 8 3/4" (222 mm)
Length Closed: 5" (127 mm)
Hole Diameter: 1/2" (13 mm)
Blade Length: 3 3/4" (96 mm)
Cutting Edge: 3 7/16" (88 mm)
Blade Thickness: 1/8" (3 mm)
Blade Steel: VG-10
Weight: 3.6 oz. (103 g)
Handle Material: FRN
Made in Seki-City, Japan
 
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pinnah said:
Was hoping you all could generate some possibilities. Seeking modern alternatives to the Opinel 9 or 10.

Weight - under 3 oz
Blade Length - 3" to 3.5" (ish)
Grind - flat (or convex)
Blade Shape - drop point preferred
Steel - Aus8/420HC/12C27 or its equivalent is fine; preferred even
Price - under $100 (under $50 preferred)
Click to expand...

All,

Thanks for the suggestions. It's really helping.

A couple of clarifications and re-assertions....

You can probably just hold off on any Spydercos, or knives like the Kershaw Leek. Perhaps "drop point" is too vague. But I definitely don't want a knife with a very pointy tip and, instead, want something with a decent amount of belly. Peanut butter!!

Also, the weight limit is absolute, as is my preference for grind. I don't want anything north of 3 oz nor anything with a hollow grind. (I know of enough options of that kind.)

I'll respond to a couple individual posts in a bit.

Thanks!!
 
roosterscrow said:
Byrd Cara Cara 2 FRN

length overall 8.563 " (217 mm) blade length 3.75 " (95 mm) blade steel 8Cr13MoV
length closed 4.844 " (123 mm) cutting edge 3.188 " (81 mm) weight 3.4 oz. (97 g)
blade thickness .125 " (3 mm) handle material FRN
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Too heavy.
 
salehonasi said:
Boker Urban Trapper. It'll run you $60-$80, depending on your choice of handle (G10 and Cocobolo are cheaper, Ti framelock and Carbon fiber versions are more expensive.) Less than 2 ounces, 3.5" blade (carries like a smaller blade because it's so slim), drop point, VG-10 steel. It is a slight hollow grind, however.
Click to expand...

I'm liking that one too!
 
NG VI said:
The Benchmade 531 is the consummation of your wishlist, but costs a bit over $100 unless you find a lucky used one.

It's beautiful and ultralight.
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What is the grind? It's not documented on the Benchmade sight?
 
Worth a look is the Boker Plus Damascus Gent I. Blade 3.25", Weight 2.1 Oz., Ebony wood over Damascus, street price $60ish. Or it's cousin, the Colt 591 in G10 slabs over D2 Steel, street price around $20.

The 2oz range is about as lightweight as it gets in a 3" blade.

2vk0tft.jpg
 
roosterscrow said:
The Kershaw Chill is another to consider, but it's a hollow ground and a flipper. I'm not a flipper (or flicker for that matter) guy.
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Hmm... yes this is very close and I'm glad to learn about this one. Hollow grind is deal breaker but it's a good one to keep in mind.
 
jfk1110 said:
How about a sog oso sweet. Nice little knife, carries well. On the opposite end of the spectrum, look at a Japanese Higonokami. Real slim & pocketable. Available with some real good steel too. Best made has a nice one or check on Japanese knife direct for the above average ones. Cheaper ones can be found at Blade HQ.
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You meant, Kershaw, yes?

Another hollow ground blade. Really want full flat grind (or convex).
 
Boker Urban Trapper, CRKT Ripple. Both light, light duty, drop point, bearing flippers for under $100.

To address FFG, Spyderco backlock or slipjoint models as suggested are typically very nice. Even the Persistence is nice for a China blade and is indeed FFG.
 
My suggestion: Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight, (CTS BD1 Steel). It can be found new for $75 (if you need to know where, let me know and I'd be happy to help).

Here are the specs:

Overall Length : 8.03"
Blade Length : 3.37"
Closed Length : 4.66"
Blade Thickness : 0.125"
Blade Steel : CTS BD1
Weight : 3 oz
Handle Material : FRCP
Country of Origin : USA

Here is mine (well, one of them...):



 
Dragonfly 1.3 oz
Boker Urban Trapper 1.78 oz
Benchmade 530 1.88 oz
Ka-Bar Dozier 2.20 oz, h. 4.25"
Native 2.45 oz
Delica 2.50 oz, h. 4.25"
Kershaw Skyline 2.50 oz
CS Hold Out 2.50 oz, h. 4"
H&K Nitrous Blitz
Benchmade 3550 Auto 2.8 oz
Benchmade 940 2.90/2.44 oz
Manix 2
Caly 3.5
Protech Magic
Almar Eagle
 
pinnah said:
What is the grind? It's not documented on the Benchmade sight?
Click to expand...

The Benchmade 531 is a flat grind. It covers most of your bases except a little high on the price. Before you buy one, I'd suggest that you try one out in-hand first. The ergos are a little different and people usually either like them or hate them.

The Benchmade 530 is a flat grind spear point (picture a dagger point but with a false edge on top), but can usually be found for less than $100. FRN handles vs. G10

Also check out the H&K 14410 and 14411 Soldat. They're getting a little hard to find but they are still generally out there for a little over $50. It comes in drop point or tanto, plain or part serrated.
Blade Length: 3.30"
Grind: Flat
Blade Style: Drop Point
Weight: 2.8 ounces
Steel: N680 (which I think is around a 420HC?)

If you have trouble finding one, shoot me a pm and I can point you in the right direction.
View attachment 590161

EDIT: after a quick check, it looks like only the tanto version is still readily available...not sure what happened to all the drop points...
 
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