Need a Gentleman's Folder...

D

Drew66

Joined
Feb 7, 2003
Messages
101
Ok, I work in the automotive industry as an engineer and am surrounded by sheeple! What I am looking for is a cool little folder with some pizzaz and wow with a blade 3" or less. Currently the #1 pick is the BenchMade 771BC1-01. I really like the boron coated blade and the red splash grip. But I am will to look at anything. So throw me some ideas fellas!

(http://www.benchmade.com/detail.asp?model=771
 
Hmmm - I was going to say a BM773BC, have one clipless in my left pocket now. (of course my CK&T Brend is clipped right ;))

Here's another list to consider: (not sure what you want to spend...)
  • Small decorated or wood Sebenza
  • William Henry (any of them)
  • Reeve Mnandi (great WOW factor)
  • Reeve Umfaan
  • Microtech Mini UDT
  • GT Mini Auto
  • Take a look at Kansei Mitsuno customs

I carry a small folder in my left pocket daily since I work in an office environment and I'd say 75% of the people in my company are bleeding hearts so I know where you're coming from. But I also always carry a big folder clipped to my right pocket for my use and enjoyment.

Good luck!
 
Try out the Cold Steel Vaquero Grande!
I find it to be the most sheeple friendly knife next to my 16" Ang Kohla khukri from Hymalayan Imports. (Also my 12" Sirupati has a certain 'sheeple friendly' attitude.)
;) :p

Actually I would look for something from Spyderco, they have a bunch of small yet useful knives that look friendly buy posess large knife qualities, and in great steels.

And as for TRUE gentlemens knives you cannot go wrong with a Stockman design.
 
I nearly bought a 770 from an online dealer a while back.

Then I got to handle one in a knife store. I'm sure glad I didn't buy it, as it was so very small - really too small for my tastes. Many people like them, though. Just be sure you know what you're getting before you buy.

IMHO, you'd be better off avoiding the BC1 coating. Black coated knives seem to intimidate sheeple for some reason. :confused: And, really, stay away from autos.

Here's a few other suggestions:
Benchmade 705
Spyderco Titanium Salsa
Spyderco Carbon Fiber Delica
Emerson mini CQC7
Benchmade Levitator

If you're willing to spend more money, look at William Henry and Chris Reeves.

If you're really looking to go for "sheeple friendly" try a good slipjoint, or maybe an SAK.

Good luck!

-- Rob
 
Originally posted by baraqyal
IMHO, you'd be better off avoiding the BC1 coating. Black coated knives seem to intimidate sheeple for some reason. :confused: And, really, stay away from autos.
Click to expand...

I carry a small auto 2-3 days a week and have no problems. You just let your hand stop the blade and open them manually from there.

Never had a problem with BC coating either, if the knife is small enough people don't even look twice, black or not.


BTW, I forgot the Kiwi - nice little knife!
 
A small Sebenza works for me in an office environment....light weight and usable blade length for most tasks.
Jim
 
Moki Silver Feather is a sweet little lockback Gent's folder. Fit and finish that rival many customs, and priced under $50. Blade is 8A, I believe. Slim, pointy blade of under 3", with brushed stainless handle and inlayed logo.
 
A BM 350 or a A BM 855, or a BM 733 or 731

If your looking for an auto:

A BM 3500 or a BM 3200, or a MT Mini-UDT
 
Having never been a gentleman, my opinion may be tainted. I do carry a Strider SnG everyday for my own personal use.

I am aware that some situations require a lower profile. Now, don't brand me a sell-out to sheeple; it's just a fact that your favorite Sifu might not always be appropriate.

Further, while I dread it, sometimes a knife must be loaned to a CAREFUL friend.

I carry an Opinel OP-84 for that purpose. I have not had a complaint yet. I used to carry a Microtech mini-Socom with a purple handle.
 
Ok. so now it's between the BM771BC1-01 and the SpyderCo carbon fiber Delica.

I'm looking to spend no more than $130.00. The Reeve's and Henry's are real nice but out of my price range for this kind of knife.
 
My current "office wear" EDC is a small classic wood inlay Sebenza. However, I have a snakewood Mnandi on order, so that will probably take over for "sheeple zone" kinds of tasks.
 
In my thread on my newly acquired BenchMade 921 SwitchBack, Anthony Cheeseboro hit the nail on the head when he called it a "large gent's folder". This knife has a 3 1/4" main blade of S30V steel and ddep cobalt blue anodized aluminum scales with a 2 1/16" penknife blade of 440C steel on the back side. It is strikingly handsome and very light and comfortable to carry as well as to use. Here is a link to a pic of the regular one: http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?3=2902
and, if you happen not to like the Crucible Steels, there is a pic of the limited production model with pewter anodized aluminum scales and a D-2 blade that NGK-Webmaster posted at the bottom of my thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=251895

BTW, the main blades on both knives use BenchMade's Axis Lock.
 
Also:

I've always thought automatics had a distinct elegance about them.

I often carry my MT UT D/E to the office with my suit! :D
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Fallkniven mod p. This knife is mid priced, has a sweet opening action and is really smooth. The VG10 blade sharpens up like a razor and it is small and inconspicuous. Micarta scales give it a nice look and its got a great liner lock which in no way catches on your fingers and threatens to fail. Top notch for the money
 
This is a subject near and dear to my heart. I work for a state agency and don't feel comfortable carrying anything too large due my going into various governmental buildings. I try to keep within the parameters of 2.25" and 2.5" blades. I have settled on three knives that I rotate as EDC right now. They are:

1. Benchmade/Pardue 330 PE
2. Spydie Mouse
3. Spydie/Walker PE

All of these knives serve me well. I too have looked at the 771 series and may pick one up but the blade may be longer than I really need. I am planning on getting a Benchmade 450 Park Avenue in the not too distant future for sure. Another one that I am interested in is the Al Mar Classic Hawk, I really like the lines even though it's not a one hander. It is difficult to find a knife that won't make the sheeple uncomfortable and can still get the job done. Good luck in finding one or two knives that fit your needs.
 
A great gent's knife that is inexpensive is the Spyderco Dragonfly. It is a sweet little flatground bladed knife that you can pick up in either zytel or stainless steel handled. I would also recommend A.G. Russell's little carbon fiber or G-10 lockbacks with ATS-34 blades. You can get both of these from A.G. for under $90 before shipping. They don't have thumbstuds or clips, but they are very easy to open and are super light. I also second FullerH's suggestion of the BM 921. If a loner knife is acceptable, this is about as light and thin as it gets. The little slipjoint blade is great for when you don't want to whip out the big wharncliffe blade.
 
The 771BC1-01 isn't a bad choice, given the concerns you indicate.

But for that kind of blade length, I'm much more inclined to the 705 myself. It is overbuilt, unlike the 770, and can stand up to much more in the way of hard use, if called upon. Most will find it superior in terms of opening/closing and grip to the 770, also. In my view, it is the ultimate 'pocket knife', that one.

Arguably, the biggest point in favour of the 770 over the 705 apparent from the standard BM models would be 'elegance' - consistent with the 'gentleman's folder' concept, no doubt. But that goes out the window a bit if you look at special editions. The BM 705 Forum Knife - M2 steel, BC1 coating, polished carbon fibre grip etc - is drop dead gorgeous, for example. You'd be very hard pressed to obtain one of those, BUT there was a 705 special release unveiled at the SHOT show which sounded pretty hot - D2 steel, aluminium with CF inserts grip, as I recall. They don't appear to have been released on the market to this point, but it can't be too long now. Might be worth a thought.
 
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