Lightweight folder

M

MajorLonghorn

Joined
Jul 6, 2012
Messages
367
Currently, the only lightweight "gentleman's" folder I have is a Benchmade 530, and I would like to get a different one for variety's sake. So far, the frontrunner is the Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air, but I'd like some alternatives before I make a purchase. Which other small, light, thin, and well-built folder that works well with slacks should I consider?
 
MajorLonghorn said:
Currently, the only lightweight "gentleman's" folder I have is a Benchmade 530, and I would like to get a different one for variety's sake. So far, the frontrunner is the Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air, but I'd like some alternatives before I make a purchase. Which other small, light, thin, and well-built folder that works well with slacks should I consider?
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Have you considered a Caly 3.5 or even the 3.0. Both knives are built very well, slim lightweight, and pack good bang for your buck. Check out the reviews on you tube. My 3.5 is n it's way.
 
CRKT Eros 3" weighs just 1.4 ounces, has a great flipper action and the blade stays sharp long. The titanium frame and stainless steel blade have been impervious to rust. Go to knife when exercising.
 
My go-to "slacks" knives are a small Sebenza and a Protech Half-Breed, uncoated aluminum handle with CF inlay. The Sebenza's obviously pricy and the Protech's an auto, and thus won't be suitable for everyone. I go with the half-breed due to CA carry laws - the Protech Newport would be suitable if longer autos are legal where you are, or the Runt is another option if you want to keep the knife extra-small.

As for more proper "gentleman's" folders, take a look at William Henry knives or a CRK Mnandi. They're quite expensive though and probably more than you were looking to spend given the price of the knvies you mentioned.

Alternatively, pretty much any small titanium framelock tends to pair well with slacks, and Spyderco makes several very nice ones.
 
When wearing slacks I always carry a sage 1. Classy looking and the wire pocket clip is discreet and it doesn't eat up thin dress pants.
 
How about the spyderco sage 2 thin light and a very descrete pocket clip. I don't currently own one but I hope to soon.
 
Caly 3 cf is a good option. Classy and not too heavy. I don't know the weight of it
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Sage 2 is another good option from spyderco
BM 940 for a longer blade and thinner carry profile
BM 707 for something about the size your carrying now. (with deep carry clip)
 
Brian_R170 said:
Did you mean to post this in the auto forum?
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Yep. I figured it was only a matter of time before it got moved over here. :)

RamZar said:
CRKT Eros 3" weighs just 1.4 ounces, has a great flipper action and the blade stays sharp long. The titanium frame and stainless steel blade have been impervious to rust. Go to knife when exercising.
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I keep a CRKT Eros 3" in the coin compartment of my wallet. It's so light I don't even know I have it on me except, of course, when I need it. Regardless of whatever I decide to carry in pocket on any given day, I never leave home without it.

To paraphrase Harry Nilsson, it's me and my Eros. :thumbup: :)
 
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Great choice IMO and I haven't found anything better than the 530; it is one I carry every time I'm in dress pants as it is super light (1.8 ounces) and has a longer cutting edge than a strider SNG for what that's worth...

Add on a deep carry clip and you're good to go. :thumbup:

Mcusta makes some nice looking smaller knives but I'm not sure about the weight on them. There's always William Henry! ;):D
 
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It's hard to argue with the 530. The additional handle length would make it more comfortable to manipulate than the Sequel, but it would also consume a bit more pocket room for people like me who don't use clips. It also looks a little more "tactical" than the Sequel which may make a difference to some folks. It will probably be my next Benchmade purchase.
 
I have a Boker Gemini Badger that is extremely lightweight and was reasonably priced for a German-made blade, even if "only" 440C. I actually prefer something a little beefier, even for dress slacks; the discontinued Kershaw OD-1 currently fills that role for me.
 
Well that could open up a whole other discussion. How tough, strong and wear resistant do lightweight EDC blades really need to be? Sure, it's nice to have a knife you doen't have to sharpen very often to keep a good edge on it. But does it really make sense to pay an extra $100, for example, to buy a Sequel with an M390 blade or is the basic 154CM blade good enough for the kinds of tasks a Sequel would be called on to perform? PS: For what it's worth, I'd have no reluctance to buy a lightweight folder with "only" a 440C blade. Heck, one of my favorite Klotzli lightweight folders has a 440C blade and it holds up just fine.
 
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Thanks for the great suggestions. Aside from the Gayle Bradley Air, I like the CRKT Eros and the Benchmade Sequel, as I really want to stay under 3oz. The William Henry E6 and CRK Mnandi are intriguing, but for that price, I'd probably go ahead and step up to a Sebenza. I'm still leaning towards the Air, but at least now I have some options.
 
If you move from a William Henry to a Sebenza, you won't be stepping up . . . you'll be stepping sideways. ;)
 
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