Low-riding folders

S

stieg

Joined
Sep 7, 2002
Messages
264
I am still on a quest for a tip up folder that rides low (the clip attaches at the end) and is less than 3.5" blade length (legal limit here in Seattle).

I am aware of these models (remember tip up being critical here):

  • Al Mar SERE 2k (got one, love it - too long for legal carry here)
  • SOG Twitch Series (got an XL, it's OK, worried about legalities of assisted opening)
  • SOG Flash Series (ditto of Twitch Series)

The price needs to be ~$125. Apparently a CRK Mnandi is perfect for me, but too expensive!

What other low riders am I not aware of?

I need a legal-sized knife (but near the legal limit, so around 3 inch blade) that I can IWB in dress clothes without it showing. My RitterGrip is awesome for that, but shows when I wear lighter dress shirts because it sticks up a little too much.


Seperate Story...

I ordered a SOG Twitch II based on a recommendation in a previous post (it was a slightly different quest, I've now given up on). I just got it and the blade moved considerably (about 1-2mm at then end of the blade). I live close to SOG headquaters, so I drove there and they told me it was used (and they looked at me funny, like I was the one who 'used' it).

They tightened it, but it then was too tight and barely opened fully. The lock has an extra 'click' in it, too. She said it had been taken apart, the spring was wiggy when they took it apart. It didn't look used from the outside that I could see.

I'm sending it back to the company I ordered it from. SOG wouldn't give me a replacement. It's not technically their problem, but whatever.
 
i know your upper limit on price, but how about a 35.00 gerber mini-covert with 154CM blade steel? should make a good edc. import though. the only way this knife could ride lower is to put it in your shoe! :D
 
woah, that SOG Twitch II story sucks. i was the one who recommended it, and while that seller obviously sent you a lemon (or a used knife), the TII is still a great knife, rides low and looks pretty classy. sorry to hear you got a bum one.

here in California i sport my assisted openers all over the place and have never had a problem. i don't know the law in Wash/Seattle, but i have been assured by Kershaw that assisted openers are 100% legal in all 50 states. good enough for me, but maybe not for some uppity LEOs (i must of course stress this does not apply to all of them). you should wear yours in confidence - unless you're doing something unlawful you won't really give anyone cause to question you.

as for another low-rider suggestion, i'm at a loss. within your limits, you might come up empty again. perhaps it's time to resign yourself to in-pocket carry, and just tie a lanyard to your knife of choice.

abe m.
 
Spyderco, Dodo. :cool: Low riding, it's blue, looks like a pen or something (when in pocket). Short blade, legal just about everywhere. Ergos are the S***
 
allyourblood said:
woah, that SOG Twitch II story sucks. i was the one who recommended it, and while that seller obviously sent you a lemon (or a used knife), the TII is still a great knife, rides low and looks pretty classy. sorry to hear you got a bum one.
Click to expand...

Like I said, that was a different quest (that's what I call my 'plans' for a new knife which happen all-too-often). I just carry my EDC in my pocket when I'm at work as I have been all along.

Thanks for your advice on the Twitch II. It's just one of those things that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

I have the Twitch XL which works pretty well IWB. It's fairly thin and rides low. The laws in Seattle are fairly vague, but I can't see a Seattle policeman NOT being really hard on me if he/she saw it. If I saw somebody else open it I would say it's a switchblade. So I like it, but if I ever get 'caught' with it (or god forbid, had to use it in an SD capacity) I'm 90% it would be a problem.

Seattle's (and Washington's) laws aren't very knife friendly, even if you have a CCW. Which is strange but a different topic altogether.
 
underaged! said:
Spyderco, Dodo. :cool: Low riding, it's blue, looks like a pen or something (when in pocket). Short blade, legal just about everywhere. Ergos are the S***
Click to expand...

I haven't handled a Dodo but man that thing is downright freakish! I'd like a longer blade then that for this application (It's my second, bigger knife rather than my EDC knife)
 
ya know, i was taking a long, hard look at a stainless steel Delica recently, and i noticed that the clip is attached pretty far out at the edge of the handle, much more so than my SS Endura. it's slim and an incredible slicer. the AUS-6 steel isn't going to outcut the higher class steels, but Spyderco gets it pretty hard and i carry and use my Endura all the time (EDC), which uses the same steel.

check out the pics and decide for yourself:

delica01.jpg

delica02.jpg


now granted, this is tip-down (which works very well on this knife), but it can be converted to tip-up. it may ride higher after you move the clip (judging from the pics), but i bet it'll still be nice. the SS looks good in the pocket and because it's flat, it's not too noticeable.

abe m.
 
CRKT Hawk D.O.G.
Overall length: 3.50” (8.9 cm) Cutting edge: 3.25” (8.3 cm) Thickness: 0.15” (0.40 cm) Steel: AUS 8, 57-58 HRC Handle: Closed length: 4.62” (11.7 cm) Weight: 4.9 oz. (139 g)
DOGGRP.jpg
 
Maybe Spyderco Yojimbo, tip up, under 3.5inches, low riding, MBC rated, G10 handles, S30V blade and a great slicer. Should cost about $100.
 
It's no longer made, but what your looking for is the EDI Genesis 1. Only made for a year or so, but the pocket clip made it the lowest riding knife EVER. For photo look at the knife in the Bladeforums logo-upper left hand of this page. Very sharp-quick opening-great knife. Check on eBAY on BF Exchange. ;)
 
I'd look at the Benchmade 960-SLV. It's just over your budget, but the silver handles will blend in better against a light colored shirt. It rides low, and due to the shape of the handles, should be next to invisible.
 
Take a look at the CRKT Lightfoot M1 as well. Beefy folder, though you may want a pointier tip on it... It's a little blunt.

AUS-8 steel. 3.12" blade. The handle's thick, but it locks into your hand very nicely.

It rides low in tip-up carry and the flipper, once you get used to it, is a lot of fun.

Solid lock-up, though I found on mine that the thumb studs, so to speak, that are actually also the lock bar, loosen over time.

LITEM1.jpg
 
Stieg: Next time you talk to SOG about that knife, if they don't want to help you, make a reference about switching to Cold Steel. Those two are like rivals and they each hate to hear about people switching to the other side.
-KC
 
The Benchmade 420. The website lists the blade length as 3.75, but mine is 3.4. Don't know yet if I have an oddball, or if the specs are off. Rides very low, and has one heck of a handle.

Steve
 
godot said:
It's no longer made, but what your looking for is the EDI Genesis 1. Only made for a year or so, but the pocket clip made it the lowest riding knife EVER. For photo look at the knife in the Bladeforums logo-upper left hand of this page. Very sharp-quick opening-great knife. Check on eBAY on BF Exchange. ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. When I googled the EDI Genesis I and II the reviews I read stated the blade was 4 inches long. Is that the case?
 
rtimmerm said:
I'd look at the Benchmade 960-SLV. It's just over your budget, but the silver handles will blend in better against a light colored shirt. It rides low, and due to the shape of the handles, should be next to invisible.
Click to expand...

I like the looks of that one. I now remember handling this knife in shop a few months ago. I didn't know the model number, though. It's very light and feels good. I'll give it another look.

The red one with D2 looks very cool, too. But also very RED!

Thanks
 
sj_lutz said:
The Benchmade 420. The website lists the blade length as 3.75, but mine is 3.4. Don't know yet if I have an oddball, or if the specs are off. Rides very low, and has one heck of a handle.
Click to expand...

That handle looks really weird. Is it comfortable?
 
allyourblood said:
ya know, i was taking a long, hard look at a stainless steel Delica recently, and i noticed that the clip is attached pretty far out at the edge of the handle, much more so than my SS Endura. it's slim and an incredible slicer. the AUS-6 steel isn't going to outcut the higher class steels, but Spyderco gets it pretty hard and i carry and use my Endura all the time (EDC), which uses the same steel.
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Thanks. I'm not sure about the AUS-6. I have a couple delicas already and I like them quite a bit. It does look like it will carry high after moving the clip. I did look at it before and never noticed that the clip was moveable! Good to know.
 
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