Looking for a pocket scalpel.

The SG2 Blur Joe mentioned is a great slicer. I disagree about a full flat grind being a better slicer. I own both, and I've always found a properly ground hollow grind to be a better performer. To fit your criteria closer, take a look at the Kershaw ENER-G. A thin hollow grind, flipper (non-AO) and G10 over a nice hefty liner lock. Made in the USA, and the best warranty you will find.

Less than half your max price.
 
The Caly 3 ZDP fits your size requirements and is one great slicer and has a thinner edge than my Stretch FRN.

Combined with the best ergo's I have ever felt in a knife, long lasting razor sharp edge, and awesome low ride wire clip you can't go wrong for a EDC.

For a larger knife the Stretch is a great buy also.
 
The Spyderco Stretch has a very thin blade that slices like a laser. It is available in VG10 and ZDP189 steel. Both are highly recommended. The FRN versions are cheaper and more lightweight.

The Spyderco Bradley is heavier, but is built like a tank. The blade uses M4 steel that is ledgendary for edge retention. If you can find a better M4 blade at this price point, buy it.

The Spyderco Manix is more of a mid to heavy weight folder. It won't be as good a slicer as the Stretch as the blade is thicker, but for heavier jobs it will work better. The new blue Manix has a huge fan base and probably will be sold out in days.

The Spyderco Dragonfly is a smaller knife, but highly useful. I find I like the stainless version more than the FRN or G10. But, I must admit I haven't seen mine since my wife latched onto it.
 
wongKI said:
Hi all. I'm on the lookout for an EDC folder that's really good at slicing...My benchmark for slicing is the SAK-if it can outslice a SAK, then I'll like it. A dressy knife would be a plus too.
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If your benchmark for slicing is a SAK, why not just carry a SAK? The Alox-scaled models are very classy-looking, imo, and will slice anything you ask them to.

Barring that, I'd say an opinel or a FFG traditional slippy. Good luck!
 
Opinel #8 in carbon steel. :thumbup: I always have either a #8 or #6 in my left front pocket for food prep, as a loaner and for light use. A close second would be the Stretch II in VG-10 (I personally don't care for ZDP-189) or do what has been suggested and have Tom Krein put a little magic on the blade of your choice.
 
I'll suggest a few that have already been mentioned: get a Douk-Douk and an Opinel and a Sodbuster, and look at the Laguiole style.

One-hand folders are all around us. Try these older styles. They were meant precisely for what you need, slicing economically. By the way, the Texas Toothpick is an American Laguiole.
 
SPXTrader said:
The SG2 Blur Joe mentioned is a great slicer. I disagree about a full flat grind being a better slicer. I own both, and I've always found a properly ground hollow grind to be a better performer. To fit your criteria closer, take a look at the Kershaw ENER-G. A thin hollow grind, flipper (non-AO) and G10 over a nice hefty liner lock. Made in the USA, and the best warranty you will find.

Less than half your max price.
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I EDC a small Ener-g. It is my dedicated pocket scalper--whittles hair after brushing the edge with paper wheels, and it cuts like a demon through any material I put it through.
 
Either the Spyderco Gayle Bradley or the Caly III ZDP-189 are a slam/dunk for your needs. The Bradley with it's subtle hollow grind would be my choice, as there are some materials that a full flat grind doesn't do as well on. Cheese would be a good example.

In a Kershaw, a 1660TSW Random Leek is an unbelievably good slicer, as is the 1840CBZDP Composite ZDP-189 Shallot.

In a Benchmade, there is nothing that an RSK Mk.1 Ritter Grip fears, or any other Grip for that matter.

I could go on all day, but the bottom line is that if possible, handle the knife prospect first, because if it doesn't feel right in hand, the odds are good that it will be living in a drawer.
 
Wow, lots of replies! Thanks guys!

I'll be heading down to a dealer sometime to see if there's anything I like. Right now I'm leaning towards either a traditional or a Gayle Bradley.

Meanwhile, keep 'em coming!
 
for me a hollow grind is better than a full flat grind for shallow slices and a ffg will out slice a hg in slicing through things ie. deep slicing... but I find blade/edge geometry to be more important that blade thinkness in slicing ability anyways:)
 
dont forget if theres s knife you really like, but the blade is just too thick, you can send it to tom krein and get it reprofiled
 
The SAK may be the way to go. My Wenger Patriot and Vic Pocket Pal are both similar two blade pen knife SAKs. The main blades had the edge bevels made more acute for improved performance. The small blades were reprofiled such that they now have full slightly convex grinds with a zero edge. Remarkably sharp. Truly scalpel-like.
 
Of the ones mentioned I would recommend the Caly 3 ZDP, Gayle Bradley and the Stretch 2 in that order as a pocket scalpel. I think the edge goes to the Caly 3 because it is thin, relatively light and easy to handle.

If you can find a Spyderco Caly Jr with the ZDP blade that might just be the very definition of pocket scalpel. It cuts like laser and is lighter than the other three.
 
What about a Spyderco Centofante 4? That's on the cheaper side, of course.
 
The only current Spydies I know of that qualify as pocket scalpels are the Centofante 3 & 4. Though I'm sure there are other thin bladed spydies in production, I'm just not familiar with them.

Have the 4 and love it. It made me immediately wish all my Spydies were as thin. Let's just say this: people pay $45 for a Krein reground spydie, in hopes that it slices as well as a stock Centofante :D And you can find a Centofante for under $40. So it's a win/win.

That said, my Opinel puts it to shame, and is SOOO easy to get lazer sharp.
 
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