Looking for quality small folders

K

KnifeyMcStab

Joined
Jan 15, 2014
Messages
123
I live in LA and long story short I have to have a sub 3" blade and no fixed blades. I'm looking for quality small folders I may not have heard of. I'll give a list of what I got but tell me what I'm missing. I'm not looking to go above $500.

Various Small Sebenzas
Mnandi
Small Custom Dozier
Les George ESV
Spyderco Air, UKPK and other various Spydies
DPX Heat
Gaylean Pro Series JYD
Kershaw NRG
Strider SJ75
Mini Griptilian
Various Traditional Slipjoints

I plan on getting the Spyderco Dice,Kershaw/Emerson Collab and possibly a few others.
Thanks in advance. BTW really interested in more Kershaws I don't know about.
 
I really love the look of the Spyderco Techno but I don't know if I could spend that kind of money on such a small knife. Definitely in your price range though. For ~$15 the CRKT drifter is definitely worth a look though it seem like you're looking more for high end.
 
Any names of particularly good ones? I know about the U2. Can it be opened one handed? I owned a techno before. Great knife I actually lost. I'm looking into getting another.
 
The small Sebenza is going to be at the top of the food chain in terms of quality, and workmanship. There is simply no other production knife out there that can outmatch Chris Reeve's fit and finish. Chris Reeve does NOT cut ANY corners and puts a lot of attention to detail in producing his knives. And he also personally hand inspects every knife before being sent out. Even if he sees one tiny and insignificant flaw he still won't send the knife out. His knives have to be 100% perfect, in order for them to make it out of his shop.
 
Thanks guys. Yes CRKs are great. If I could find a umfaan at a reasonable price it would be great. As I posted I have several Small Sebs and a Mnandi so I'm looking for other suggestions.
 
You might take a look at some of Boker's offerings.

I have a Nano, and the fit and finish are better than most $40 knives out there.

The Boker Albatross is another possibility.

Some of their designs are very curvy (ie, not "traditional" blade shapes), but since you mentioned the JYD, you might be interested in something out of the ordinary.

If you're looking to go very inexpensive, the Columbia River Ripple, in it's various iterations, is a surprising knife for the price. I have two, and they flip effortlessly.
 
Spyderco Techno is a great knife, I see you've had one, you can consider getting another.
Spyderco Chaparral - You can get one of the ti versions, or stick with the CF as it now comes in CTS-XHP steel as well.
Strider PT
Kershaw Camber when it comes out
Spyderco Firefly when it comes out
Kershaw Leek, Scallion, or Chive in damascus. Or you could maybe find the Leek in G-10 and s30v.
Benchmade 755 MPR
Benchmade 707 Sequel
Benchmade Shori
Benchmade Shoki

And I'm sure there are a ton more, but this is just a quick list.
 
I always come back to the COAST FX350. Nice compact frame lock, very nice steel as is my experience, and uses g10 and a liner under it for a nice robust package. Under 30 bucks shipped too. Very nice drop point design and locks up solidly and is a bit heavy in the hand but in a good way. I am not comparing to high end knives but for way way under 100 bucks you could do a lot worse. thanks and keepem sharp
 
The Enzo Birk 75 is on my short list of knives to acquire. (Well, that list is never actually "short".) 2 7/8" blade in a number of handle options and blade steels and grinds.
 
For under $500 shipped you can get a custom order from Sacha Thiel.
My Thiel Citizen: carbon fiber/titainum, RWL-34 steel stone washed, G10 back spacer.
Size compared to a small Sebenza. The turnaround was about 6 months.

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Lots of great suggestions so far! :thumbup: In addition, I'd say that the Buck 55 and 50X series are nice little lockbacks (you can get fancier 50X folders from the Buck Custom Shop, if you're so inclined.) Moki also makes superb folders...

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Buck 55 and Moki Serapis

I'd also recommend the LionSteel Mini and taking a peek at the Mcusta line-up. Good luck, OP! :)

-Brett
 
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SOG Bluto... They are discontinued but they are badass. I highly recommend picking one up if you can find one.

VG-10, Full steel liners, Aluminum handle scales... Made in seki city, Japan. Check it out.
 
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