Looking for a small German legal folder.

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pjmaxm

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Nov 29, 2005
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So my father is moving to Germany for work for a while so I want to get him a German legal knife for Christmas. From what I can gather from the German laws it needs to be not a one handed opening knife and smaller, but it looks like locking is ok. Something small and easy to carry and should not get people to shocked. He works in avionics (aviation electronics) as a technician so he has a toolbox and such, so the knife will mostly be for slicing and light cutting. Somewhere under a 3" blade sounds good.

I am thinking of a more traditional styled lockback folder. Looking at the under $100 price range and would like a pretty good steel for the blade as he would use it a good bit. A few I was looking at were the AG Russell 4" lockback in VG-10, the Kershaw Gentlemans folder in VG-10, or the Fallkniven U-2 or tk4.

http://www.agrussell.com/pop_article.asp?ai=171&file=/images/Biggest/A345-CO.jpg
http://www.fallkniven.com/bilder/stora/U2-blue.jpg
http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=386&brand=kershaw
http://www.fallkniven.com/bilder/stora/tk4-sky.jpg

Did not know if anyone had any other suggestions or better understanding of the new German laws.
 
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i've heard good things about the U2, that steel is 62 RC so it will have incredible edge retention and wont chip under his light cutting tasks.
 
Great choices so far. I'd go for the 1993-2. Excellent fit and finish, great knife..:thumbup:
About the new German law: One hand openers are not illegal. Carrying them without an adequate purpose is prohibited. If your father works as a technician, this will be a purpose that every policeman will have to accept. Just if you want to be totally on the safe side, get one of those two-hand openers.
 
The AG Russell Mini Lockback (3") would be a great choice or if you want lighter, the AG Russell 3.0 Titanium Lockback. VG10 is a great steel, easy to sharpen and holds an edge well. There is also an interesting ceramic framlock being made, I bought one and have been very impressed with it. It is not a one hand knife, blade is 2.88" and with a titanium frame it is very light. With a diamond sharpening card it will still run under 60 buck.

ceramic1b.jpg


http://www.ceramicknife.org/
 
LX_Emergency said:
Please note that (afaik) german Laws prohibit one hand openers.
Click to expand...

No, they don´t, they prohibit carrying except for legal reasons. Within legal reasons, they are allowed to be carried.

As stupid that is, it is a difference.

Free of reglementations are slip joints or Buck 110 style knives (locking without one hande opening). Fixed blades are free if the blade is shorter than4.72".

Generally prohibited are automatic knifes with blades longer than 3.34", OTFs, Balisong / Butterfly knives.
 
Thanks for the clarification on the German laws Blop and Morales. Even though my father's job could justify a one-handed knife I think that I might still go for a non-one handed opener for him to just be on the safe side. I also would wonder about carrying the knife when he is not a work, as he was the one who taught to always have a knife, so figured it would be safer and easier to avoid with a two handed opening.
 
You can never go wrong with a Case knife. I have a Mini Copperlock that a friend gave me a few years ago. It is slim with a single locking blade. It almost disappears in the pocket.
 
If your father is into knives, you might asking him before you make your decision.

Let your father choose if he prefers a one hand opening knife for comfort or a two handed, more traditional one, in respect to laws.

BTW: This is a new law. It was not made to grab in anyones pockets. It was made for police as an option to take knives away, just before something happens.

So, if your father likes to hang around in a crowd of hooligans.... Well, in case you better offer him a nice T-shirt anyway.;)
 
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