Looking for a basic small pocket folder

keljian said:
By Cheap - I mean up to $80USD. Cheap but not "trash".

I would prefer a locking mechanism. Sometimes I need to pivot the blade laterally to "pry" and it would be helpful to have the lock for that reason - but this isn't something I do very often. I suppose this means a steel which flexes a bit or has a bit of width to the spine.

Pocket clip, nice to have, not essential.

Small Blade sizes are fine, I don't need a machete in my pocket. I carry my Leatherman PS4 everywhere and it is very close to being able to do what I want to do, but the blade is a little small (and thin).
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Maybe the small Fällkniven U4 Lockback would meet the criterias.

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It's within Your budget and a lot more blade than a LM Ps4 Squirt, but still in a small & very light package.
Stainless laminated powdersteel for edgeholding and strenght.
Nothing fancy, but very useful when You just need a little more knife than the Ps4.


Regards
Mikael
 

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Juicin said:
Well when you're talking about cheap knives they're almost all Asian steel and manufactured anyway, assuming you mean sub 30 dollars cheap

So you might as well get a Chinese brand and not pay for a brand on your blade.

The Sanrenmu 7010 has a look that appeals to everyone and costs basically nothing, frame lock and pretty small

If you want a flipper there are Enlans and some cheaper kershaws (kershaw is an american brand but they have some high value stuff)

There are also the ganzo knives. You can get a lot of really popular looks with an axis lock. The only downsides are mediocre steel and you run the risk of getting a lemon (as with all cheap knives). If you like spyderco they have both the G729 and G731.

If you don't know what an axis lock is this link pretty much sums up why it's advantageous

http://www.dougritter.com/pop_up_axis_lock.htm

I would not put a cheap frame lock ahead of a cheap axis lock. A cheap axis lock doesn't matter as long as the springs are durable
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So, what you are saying is that, instead of paying for a "brand", a knockoff Sebenza like the Sanrenmu 7010 is a good choice, as is a Ganzo with a knockoff "Axis" lock, correct?
 
keljian said:
Hey all,
I regularly find myself in need of a small knife for cutting cloth/twine, the occasional plant(branch) and the occasional (rare) cardboard box.

This is a working knife, not a display, so it doesn't need to look like a million dollars.

I've had my eye on spyderco and others, but I'm a bit lost in all of the options.

I don't want to spend big dollars (wouldn't think I would need to, for what I need) but I want something that will hold up to a bit of use and abuse. Clip point or spear point are my preferred types. Don't want serrations.

Could I have some advice please?
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Is this your first knife?

If so, point your browser to one of the sites many retail sponsors and hunt around. Find 3 or 4 knives that you like the looks of and post them here to see input for finding a good value knife of the style that you like.

Number one thing the knife should do for you is to make YOU happy. Your pocket. Your hand. Your smile.

There's just too many styles of knives out there an lacking any information about what style you like, all you're going to get in this thread is a bunch of posts about why you should get what other posters like.

If you have a bit of coin to spend, you might consider getting 3 $25 knives of dramatically different styles and giving them a carry for a while. You can get a very functional knife for that price. This approach will allow you to form your own opinions based on use.
 
If locking is not required: SAK
If one hand opening is not required: Opinel
If both are needed: Delica or mini-griptilian

I have narrowed my small EDC blades to Delica , mini griptilian and small sebenza, but price-wise it is difficult to beat the Delica
Maybe the HK mini axis can be taken in place of the mini grip also....
 
pinnah said:
There are a bunch of wildly different styles of knives that will satisfy what he described in that post.

Primary clarification should probably be traditional vs modern.

I'm also unclear on what size he's looking for given than a PS4 does nearly everything he's looking for.
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It sounds that he would prefer a locking knife, and that the blade on the PS4 is too small and thin for his needs.

A Delica satisfies his needs and many have said so. Can you make a suggestion which meets his needs?

Clearly one would not ask for suggestions if they know exactly what model knife they want.

Any of the Kabar Dozier Folding Hunters would also be a great choice.
 
For what you are describing, keljian, I would recommend a Benchmade Mini Griptilian in 154CM steel. I personally prefer the modified sheepsfoot blade with the thumbhole (the 555HG model). Very close second choice would be the Spyderco Delica4 FFG. Both are good knives, so it boils down to your preferences. The Mini Grip has a longer cutting edge, with a shorter but fatter handle. The Delica allows for a more full four-finger grip and is slimmer.

I like the Axis lock on the BM better than the back-lock on the Delica, primarily because of the ease of one-hand closing.
 
If you can live without a locking blade, how about the Victorinox Cadet? Nothing more than a Recruit in Alox dress. Everyone should own at least one Alox knife.

If a locking blade is a must, may I suggest (like others) an Axis lock of some sort? The recently dropped Benchmade HK 14716 is a fantastic knife that is just slightly above your price point but still worth looking at. Really. Take a look at it. Top notch knife for the money.

Also, as others have noted, the Mini Griptilian is a very good knife. I would get the Sheepsfoot blade or the Ritter (more money for the Ritter) if possible. Many people feel they are the two best blades offered in the Griptilian series.
 
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keljian said:
Thanks for the offer! I'm currently learning the ins and outs of my sharpmaker and have just managed to get a paper shredding edge on my leatherman xTi charge (old model). This is my EDC at the moment and it's just a little big (thick) for me.

To answer a few questions: I have an old Victorinox Troubleshooter (per this one: https://www.smartknives.com/Victorinox-Knives/Victorinox-Troubleshooter.htm ) which I've slowly been bringing back up. which isn't out of the question. It's been barely used and with a bit more TLC it'll come good - which I intend to give it anyhow for sentimental reasons.

By Cheap - I mean up to $80USD. Cheap but not "trash".

I would prefer a locking mechanism. Sometimes I need to pivot the blade laterally to "pry" and it would be helpful to have the lock for that reason - but this isn't something I do very often. I suppose this means a steel which flexes a bit or has a bit of width to the spine.

Pocket clip, nice to have, not essential.

Small Blade sizes are fine, I don't need a machete in my pocket. I carry my Leatherman PS4 everywhere and it is very close to being able to do what I want to do, but the blade is a little small (and thin).
Click to expand...

As you already seem to be EDC'ing some sort of multi tool, it might be worth looking into a Leatherman Seletool, Freestyle, or a Gerber Crucial.

I occasionally carry a Crucial in place of a knife, and find it quite handy to have, without going to a full blown MT. The Skeletool is a better tool overal, but I find the ergo's on the Gerber more comfortable. Both can be had well within budget, and might be worth considering.
 
I'd recommend a Delica or a Dragonfly. I have both and routinely carry them. They are both very "office friendly" if that matters to you.
 
Ok so the majority of votes seem to be for a Delica, and I am leaning in that direction at the moment, as there are a fair few variants, is there one particular variant which is better than the others?
 
marcinek said:
So, what you are saying is that, instead of paying for a "brand", a knockoff Sebenza like the Sanrenmu 7010 is a good choice, as is a Ganzo with a knockoff "Axis" lock, correct?
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I work in the tech field

Watching you guys argue over IP is sort of amusing

A) It's chinese steel, our IP laws don't matter over there, and even if they did they're archaic and nonsensical. Demonstrated all the time in tech where everyone copies everyone. It's just everything is so complex relative to knives it's easy for the laymen to not make the conneciton.

B)You use "stolen" IP every fucking day of your life buddy, the only difference is if it's an American product the thieves had good lawyers, or the victims had bad ones.

There is probably "stolen" code some one has a claim on in this site. Certainly something that was moral theft by your peoples standards.

C) A 7010 is 8 dollars and is not the same size. Not to mention it's numerous other very obvious differences.

No one has this conversation in kitchen knives or clothing for a reason. It's ridiculous. Why would I forgo using an axis lock because some asshole is sitting on a patent/ Why the fuck would I care?

The 7010 is an obvious homage, it's nowhere near a an exact copy of the profile like the ganzos. And again they have so many differences no one in their right mind could claim them as counterfeits.

edit - the fact a bunch of knife users are acting like bean counters talking about how slips of paper entitle IP holders to profits on knives they've never seen is beyond me. The fact I'm even discussing IP law here is insane. Techies have long gotten past this, you'd think most of you would wisen up as well.

It's just some lawyers pissing around for profit, that's it
 
What size gloves do you wear?
- I wear an XL width glove and the Delica fits me nicely, as does the minigrip. I find a dragonfly to be a bit too short and endura to be a bit too long.

What environment do you find yourself in most?
- A lockback can develop some lock peculiarities (not fully seating) if there is junk in the well, where as an Axis (found on the Benchmades) often don't have this issue as much. Please keep in mind it is rare in both instances, but slightly more likely with any (normal) lockback.

For something slightly larger, I would offer of a manix 2. That being said, the Delica will carry "thinner" than a manix 2 or a minigrip, but the minigrip will fill your hand a but better and likely feel a bit more comfortable due to the more barreled shape.
 
NJBillK said:
What size gloves do you wear?
- I wear an XL width glove and the Delica fits me nicely, as does the minigrip. I find a dragonfly to be a bit too short and endura to be a bit too long.

What environment do you find yourself in most?
- A lockback can develop some lock peculiarities (not fully seating) if there is junk in the well, where as an Axis (found on the Benchmades) often don't have this issue as much. Please keep in mind it is rare in both instances, but slightly more likely with any (normal) lockback.
Click to expand...

I find myself mostly in urban environments

I wear Large size gloves.
 
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