Need help finding a high quality "sleeper" knife

The Enzo Birk 75 in curly birch meets most of your requirements:

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Photo album: http://imgur.com/a/SBZIK#8HXimtI

It's incredibly well-made and practical for everyday use. The blade is just under 3", but I think you'll find that it is big enough for your purposes. D2 blade in a Scandi grind, chamfered curly birch scales, steel liners, deep carry pocket clip, countersunk screws, and dual thumbstuds.

On mine, the lockup is perfect: there's absolutely zero blade play, and when open it honestly feels as solid as a fixed blade. The action is very smooth, and while the detent is strong, it's quite easy to flick open with the thumb.
The clip is great--not overly stiff--and the knife is just the right size for an EDC blade. As expected, with the Scandi grind it is a mean slicing machine, and the blade is ground expertly.

Knife Center link: https://www.knifecenter.com/item/EN...olding-2-78-plain-d2-blade-curly-birch-handle
 
Böker exskelibur 2 with the nail nick in vg10 or s35vn. Ups, not available in natural handles. If you can live with 440c then there are versions in cocobolo, ebony or bog oak available.

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Thanks for the many beautiful suggestions. Under slightly different circumstances I'd be drooling over many of them. But I notice that many of the knives suggested are just "tactical" folders with wooden handle scales. Pocket clips, thumb studs and wide blades just don't work for my circumstances. To give a better idea of what I'm looking for, here's the Al Mar Falcon Classic:

Hawk-Classic-10002HJB.png


And here's the lovely GEC #65 with red bone handles:

gec-65-cat-1440.jpg


This is the aesthetic that is more appropriate to my circumstances. If anybody else knows of companies that make "classic" knives of extremely high functional quality, please let me know. Thanks!
 
ddcronk said:
Thanks for the many beautiful suggestions. Under slightly different circumstances I'd be drooling over many of them. But I notice that many of the knives suggested are just "tactical" folders with wooden handle scales. Pocket clips, thumb studs and wide blades just don't work for my circumstances. To give a better idea of what I'm looking for, here's the Al Mar Falcon Classic:

Hawk-Classic-10002HJB.png


And here's the lovely GEC #65 with red bone handles:

gec-65-cat-1440.jpg


This is the aesthetic that is more appropriate to my circumstances. If anybody else knows of companies that make "classic" knives of extremely high functional quality, please let me know. Thanks!
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The Al Mar Eagle is really your best bet for something still fairly lightweight. They are a little expensive considering the materials, but the finish isn't good, it's great.

Compared to say Elmax, the AUS8 won't perform that great, but Elmax isn't on the table for you. You want a semi-traditional knife like the Al Mar or GEC and in that world, tool steels don't reign. 1095 does. Al Mar's AUS 8 will outperform GECs 1095 all day.
 
Fox knives may also be worth a look. I've always liked the looks of this one.

fox-271-ol-cm-large.jpg
 
Heespharm said:
Anything by northwoods or gec


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This would be my choice as well.

A really good slipjoint in a leather slip. About as "Sheeple friendly" as you can get while still having a exceptional EDC knife.
 
RichardBay said:
Wrong. Just can't be concealed. CA has great knife laws. Except no autos over 2inches. [emoji106]
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So he would wear a fixed blade on his belt? I'm sure that'll get him in trouble on campus


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I was going to recommend, with reservation even then, the Urban Trapper. That is what first came to mind. I just bought a G10 handled one (I'm going to rehandle it; look for that mod thread in weeks to come). I am super happy with it.

In the same instant the Cold Steel Hold Out, even the largest one, came to mind.

But then I read
Sturdy sturdy sturdy.
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and . . .
er . . . nah dude, nah. I have serious reservations about the integrity of the blade to pivot area of the Urban Trapoper of the blade its self and it is, by no means, . . . by no flight of fancy of the most imaginative imagination, . . . by no hope and prayer . . . what I would call sturdy . . . let alone : Sturdy sturdy sturdy.

Do take time to look at a disassembled view of the blade near the pivot; there is a huge slot milled half way around the pivot and the blade is hanging on by little bits.

Nowwwwww for gentlemanly use it is VERY adequate and could, no doubt, in the right hands, be lethal or at least ruin someone's week or month . . . but sturdy ? ? ?

HARDLY that, hardly that.

Leaving the Hold Out. That's what you want ! ! ! ! Super light, flat in the pocket (I can carry the largest one, even with no clip, all day at work and hardly know it is there) and with no clip it is invisible to most any untrained eye. Talk about STURDY !

Then I read :

Natural handle material. Handle scales must be bone, wood, stag, etc.[/QUOTE

Shame that eliminated the Hold Out.
I think it is worth reconsidering. The One or the Two (the three is pretty small but I love that one too ! ! !).

Good for making lunch

Here it is in my pocket with no clip. The end is near the top of the pocket/easy to get at/in the same position it would be if it had a clip on it. Hard to see but that is looking straight down into my pocket and at the bump in the fabric can just be seen the end of the handle.


The Case Trapper in stag is really great as a knife but impossibly slow to open and AWFUL in the pocket; must be in a pouch or other carry / not normal trouser pocket.

:)Yet another strong argument for bringing back the gentilman's walking stick.:)

Hey . . . it's made out of wood . . .

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Grandpa's letter opener
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. . . it is :



That's the Case Trapper in Stag. Love that kife ! It says SS steel but really is quite good at keeping an edge due to the blade geometry; they really hit the sweet spot in my experience.

'course you will need a pouch :

These I like (but you can see the knife); could carry inside the pocket clipped to the side; it is a thick knife handle though so don't say I didn't warn you. I love the way it looks "displayed" in the top of the pouch.

 
ddcronk

Thanks for the many beautiful suggestions.
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No thank you ! Because of your thread I am seeing some knives I didn't know about. :thumbup:
I need to get out more.:rolleyes::)
 
I would suggest taking a look at the GEC #63 Fishtail Jack series. Beautiful knife, and I enjoy having the length but still in a slim, traditional package. While narrow, the blade and liners have surprising beefiness and the solid spring and half stop will make sure you don't have to worry about your fingers in heavier tasks, or self defence if ever needed. It can also be pinched open which makes it surprisingly quick to open and get into action. I kind of think of it as the traditional counterpart to the Benchmade 940. Good luck searching!
 
BK14 said:
I would suggest taking a look at the GEC #63 Fishtail Jack series. Beautiful knife, and I enjoy having the length but still in a slim, traditional package. While narrow, the blade and liners have surprising beefiness and the solid spring and half stop will make sure you don't have to worry about your fingers in heavier tasks, or self defence if ever needed. It can also be pinched open which makes it surprisingly quick to open and get into action. I kind of think of it as the traditional counterpart to the Benchmade 940. Good luck searching!
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Love the look of the GEC #63 Fishtail, but it looks like it's only available in 440C? Not a fan of that steel, I must admit. I'd be happier with 1095.

Edit: it seems like there's a real blade-length jump in GEC stuff in between 2.5-2.75" blades, and 3.5" blades. Not much in between.
 
ddcronk said:
Love the look of the GEC #63 Fishtail, but it looks like it's only available in 440C? Not a fan of that steel, I must admit. I'd be happier with 1095.
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I have one, a Northfield in 1095. May not be in stock now... but perhaps some searching could turn one up.


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