Need help finding a high quality "sleeper" knife

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ddcronk

Joined
Apr 7, 2005
Messages
21
I recently went back to school after a ten year first career. The grad school I'm attending is in the bay area of California (alas), and it would be considered very notable and odd if I attended classes with a "weapon" style knife clipped to my pocket. By weapon style I simply mean the design trend that has dominated pocket knives in recent years - big wide thick blades, dramatic heavy handle scales, thumb studs, etc etc. So what I find myself in need of is a very sturdy, useful pocket knife, that won't attract any attention if seen. I haven't bought a new knife in some years (I know, I know), so I'm a little out of touch as to what's out there right now. Hopefully some collectors and enthusiasts here can point me in the right direction.

Requirements:
  • Build quality first of all. Blade steel and overall construction must be excellent. Sturdy sturdy sturdy.
  • Natural handle material. Handle scales must be bone, wood, stag, etc.
  • Blade should be between 3-4" long. Long enough to be used as a weapon in a last-ditch, SHTF scenario.
  • Price: hopefully in the $150 range. I'm willing to pay more if I find the right knife, of course.
  • Light weight and slim enough to be comfortably pocketed.
  • Slender blade profile. More Texas toothpick than chopper.

That's what comes to mind at the moment. The only knife I can think of that meets the requirements is the Al Mar Falcon Classic, which I can get in the $159 range. I do have a problem with only getting AUS-8 blade steel for that price, but I hear that the fit and finish is good.

Thank in advance for your help!
 
Boker urban trapper? Comes in cocobolo as well as other materials. Definitely slender yet useful. The only criteria it doesn't meet... it is a bit too cheap:D
 
foofie said:
Boker urban trapper? Comes in cocobolo as well as other materials. Definitely slender yet useful. The only criteria it doesn't meet... it is a bit too cheap:D
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I'm not against saving money! I just assumed I'd have to spend $150 to get what I want. If I can get it for cheaper, I'm all for it.

I actually looked at the Boker Urban Trapper before making my original post. It has a lot going for it; it certainly looks like a good knife. My only problem is that it looks a little too much like a modern weapon:

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I really would like to find something that, visually, falls on the "Grandpa's letter opener" side of the spectrum, rather than "Yes your honor, exhibit A is the murder weapon."
 
For what it is worth the Al Mar aus 8 performs well. Sharpens up nice and easy and takes a fine edge. It's not going to be the best at holding an edge but it's not the worst either.

I usually carry a falcon ul. Top knife.

Also can't go wrong with case, queen or gec imo. If you can find one a canal st half moon might fit the bill.
 
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ddcronk said:
The GEC stuff looks great. Is the quality as good as the appearance? Solid knives, for years of continuous use?

Also, any opinion on Queen Cutlery? http://www.queencutlery.com
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I have recently purchased both Queen and GEC, GEC gets the better of the two in my hook although they are similar. The Queen I received needed a thorough cleaning to get the action smooth and not feel gritty. Even after the deep clean it still wasn't as smooth as the GEC. I also have Boker Urban Trapper its a nice knife not to threatening in my opinion. Also take a look at the Benchmade Big and Small Summit Lake models, kind of a classic look with modern materials.


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Way out of price range that you have here but a Winkler knife has rustic looks, but all performance!
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I trust my life with mine everyday as its performance in the field has never let me down worth every penny!

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It's illegal to carry fixed blade in California I believe


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Heespharm said:
It's illegal to carry fixed blade in California I believe


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Damn that is blasphemy, poor guy perhaps a Emerson with a wave? Sounds like this knife is it going to be primarily used as a defense tool and those are very quick opening once u Master it

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RichardBay said:
Just can't be concealed. CA has great knife laws. Except no autos over 2inches. 👍
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While this is generally true, when it comes to the law and potential interaction with law enforcement the details sometimes matter. IIRC, California does not have statewide preemption, so the stricter laws of some municipalities can come into play, depending on where you are. Additionally, California penal code includes some exceptions and restrictions, for example CA penal code 626.10 provides a number of limits on what type of knives can be carried at schools (IIRC, school is defined only as grades 1-12 in the statute, so higher education institutions wouldn't be included) including a 2.5" blade limit.

For OP, the best option that jumps to mind is the already suggest Boker urban trapper. It's a great little knife and IMO, it does not look even remotely threatening. That said, any place that people are likely to be disturbed by a silly tacticool modern folder (think goofy Strider type knife) they're probably going to be just as disturbed by any knife if it's in your pocket and has a 4" blade.

I have found that, if you're willing to spend some money on the project, going extra-pretty does make people feel less threatened. Something like a LionSteel TiSPine with a damascus blade looks more like jewelry than "oh no, that psycho has deadly cutlery":

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^^this is a great recommendation. I also really like my wooden 484 if your looking for something one handed.

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Case Trapper-Lock: Pocket clip, CV blade, bone handle. Very Traditional, and the patina you'll get on the CV makes it look like something a worker carries.
 
I like evil Greg's really recommendation of the Lionsteel. Others that come to mind are the spyderco sage 4 (wood handle/back lock) or how about a delica? Very common knife, not too stabby and easily replaced if lost/confiscated/stolen.
 
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