Looking for a small knife. (Views on Boker subcom?)

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Kousii2

Joined
Feb 14, 2012
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Im looking to purchase another small knife. I recently got the Spyderco Dragonfly frn VG10 version and I love it. I also recently went to bass pro shops and held a boker subcom. I like how it felt in my hand and was wondering how good the knife is. Any opinions on it? How is the blade steel? I want a blade that does not dent too easy. I had a Spyderco Persistence and the steel got dents from cutting some thin zipties. How is boker's AUS8 steel? Also I was wondering if anyone thinks there are better options for a really small folder. I have also been looking at the Cold Steel Recon1 micro. Seems to be a cool small knife. My price range right now is $35 dollars because I recently bought a Para Military2 Spring run and that put a nice whole in my wallet.

Thanks for the help,
George
 
Boker does a decent job on their AUS8 steel, and for the price you don't have to worry about dirtying it up.
 
I have a little Subcom, it's a very cool knife. I used it for a while as a money clip, but eventually got a Saddleback wallet. It fits well in the coin pocket on jeans too.
 
Take a look at the Subcom Titan. It's an upgraded version with better steel and a titanium framelock. I'm pretty happy with mine, especially for the price. You could also look at the Sanrenmu 763. I think it's slightly more practical than the Subcom series, especially with regards to the blade shape and ergonomics. And it's much cheaper, too.
 
Tsujigiri said:
Take a look at the Subcom Titan. It's an upgraded version with better steel and a titanium framelock. I'm pretty happy with mine, especially for the price. You could also look at the Sanrenmu 763. I think it's slightly more practical than the Subcom series, especially with regards to the blade shape and ergonomics. And it's much cheaper, too.
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Thanks for the option! I'm looking for a very small knife though. The sanrenmu is over 6 inches. I really like the subcom ti! Thanks for showing it to me. Do you have any input on the kershaw chive?
 
Kousii2 said:
Thanks for the option! I'm looking for a very small knife though. The sanrenmu is over 6 inches. I really like the subcom ti! Thanks for showing it to me. Do you have any input on the kershaw chive?
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I've handled it and it seems really tiny and toy-like... I have no doubt that the quality is there, but it seems more like something you would put on a keychain rather than a purpose built tool. I don't know if it's just me, but I didn't get that impression with the Subcom Ti. Have you considered traditional knives? The appeal with them is that they carry much smaller in the pocket than most modern knives. If you've found you don't need the extra blade length, you might also belong to the group of people who have found they don't need a lock.
 
I EDC a Subclaw and I love the knife. Its great because it doesnt scare people when I pull it out, it gets more of an oh thats cute reaction. Its also very useful for its size, most commonly I use it as a money clip. For $30 it cant be beat.
 
Howdy George,
At work I carry a Subcom daily. Good knife.
  • Very strong. No flex. No dings. I carry mine in my back pocket, so it gets sat on. No worries there.
  • Good build quality. Very secure lockup. Good overall fit and finish.
  • Fills the hand better than any other knife that size I have found. (And I have searched high and low.) Gives good control when cutting.
  • Reasonably comfortable for the size. Probably would have hot spots if you used it for a lot of hard cutting, but that's really not what it's for.
  • Good heat treat on the blade. I measured the hardness of mine. It is 58.7.
  • It's AUS8 - takes a fine edge and holds it pretty good. It won't hold an edge as well as VG10, but it does OK in my book.

Also I was wondering if anyone thinks there are better options for a really small folder.
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George, I have looked and tried a lot of small blades for carrying at work (regulation there says 2" blade and 4 1/2" opened is the max.) For blades which meet those particular limits the Subcom is the best I have found. And I have looked pretty hard.
 
I carry a Wharcom everyday and it is a handy, sturdy, solid little knife for the money that takes up very little room in the pocket. Its thin, compact, and strong.
 
I carried a Zytel version for about a year. I really liked the build quality, very well made little frame lock. Even though it was small, the chunkiness of the handle makes up for what's really a two finger grip. I usually don't carry anything I can't get 4 fingers on, I broke my rule for this one because the handle is so well designed. My only gripe is the plastic studs, i'd rather have a nail nick. They just looked cheap on an otherwise quality knife. Can't beat it for $30 though. Probably legal just about anywhere as well.
 
Just to be different, (and i dont know about subcoms. I dont own one. Or even a BOKER)
Have you checked out a Kershaw Chive? I just did a review on the review forum if you are interested.
Theyre usually around 40 bucks, but im sure a cheaper one could be found.
 
I have a subcom, and love it. It really is a great knife. However, another great one I just picked up is the Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite. Small, sharp, cheap, easy to carry, and EXTREMELY comfortable in hand, with almost a full hand grip thanks to the choil. Check it out, it's giving my Subcom a run for its money.
 
I love the Subcom. I carried one daily until recently, when I accidentally forgot taking it out of my pocket while going through the metal detectors before my flight home from the Acores and had to leave it behind :(. The only reason I didn't buy a new one was because it's a right handed knife. It rides great in pocket and the wide handle and curved edge makes up for the short length when it comes to grip and cutting ability. Great little knife.

If they release a Subcom 2 with a quad-clip for my left pocket, I will get at least two titanium ones. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
Two thumbs up for the Subcom (or Wharcom depending on your cutting tasks). Great knife and design.
 
Decent knife, great lockup, solid grip, holding edge jus fine.


Other to consider price range $25-$40 (from left to right):

1. CRKT Halligan H.U.G. II
- compared to Subcom (regular): inferior steel 420J2 but it's lighter (1,3 oz on my scale) and half width, it's chisel ground

2. BOKER Subcom (regular) AUS8 steel, 2,5 oz (on my scale)

3. BOKER Subcom (titanium)
- compared to Subcom (regular): better steel 440C and it's lighter (2,1 oz on my scale)

4. SOG Flash I
- compared to Subcom (regular): same steel, much lighter (1,3 oz on my scale) and 2/3 width, assisted opening, longer blade

5. CRKT Ichi
- compared to Subcom (regular): inferior steel 420J2 but it's lighter (2 oz on my scale) and 2/3 width, assisted opening, longer blade with fine tip for precise work

6. KERSHAW Scallion
- compared to Subcom (regular): inferior steel 420HC ana it's heavier (3 oz on my scale), and 3/4 width, assisted opening, longer blade

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I would recomend Subcom titanium (better steel and lighter) or SOG Flash I (same steel but lighter and longer blade)

P.S.
I bought my Subcom titanium online but got it with blade off center and after returning it I got new one with even worse centering. So if you decide to buy one try to buy it in knife shop where you can choose centered one.
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I dont really know much about the boker subcom but for small knives, Spyderco has a few good ones like the Squeak, Chicago, Cat and Dragonfly2 to name a few. Oh and their Byrd line has a few as well, like the raven and crow.
 
Just got the ti subcom, slip-joint, and I really like it. QC is off (un-centered blade and marks on ti), but don't care, mainly going to use it as a money-clip. Blade came sharp, like it's thin form-factor.

tisc.jpg


tisc2.jpg
 
Hi, George,

Although they are similar in length, the CS Micro is much smaller than the Boker Subcom.

If you want the Subcom, I strongly recommend buying in person and inspecting first.

I bought online and the dealer told me they are all off-center. He gave me what he said was the best of the bunch, which is about 60/40 and nowhere near touching the handle.

I love the looks, but the darn thing simply won't stay locked no matter how it is adjusted. Maybe it thinks it's a slipjoint.

Very disappointing -- and potentially dangerous.

A great design with unfortunate QC problems that dog some Bokers.
 
salgodor said:
P.S.
I bought my Subcom titanium online but got it with blade off center and after returning it I got new one with even worse centering. So if you decide to buy one try to buy it in knife shop where you can choose centered one.
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I just got one online and mine came like that too. Disappointing.
 
Kershaw chive is just like the scallion but really small if i was you i would get a spyderco ladybug
 
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