Need to balance my collection out with a smaller blade..suggestions?

Cold Steel Tuff light?

2.5" wharny with a 3.5" deep choiled handle, should fit the bill for under $40
 
Like many others here, when someone asks for very thin and light, the Leek (and other baby onions) come to mind. As well as some of the lightweight Spyders (Delica, Dragonfly, etc). Pretty sure the street prices of all of these are under the $100 mark.

But would be remised if I didn't mention a couple better options (IMHO), even if slightly above the target price limit. In my experience, price is always an issue. Unless I'm convinced that it's worth going over.....then somehow I find the bills to make it work. [emoji12]

Anyway, for a couple of amazing thin and lights, the ZT 0450, 0450CF, and 0770CF would be my first choices.....and here's why. First the 450's. Thin, light (450 CF even lighter), look amazing for office/event "gentleman's " carry. Not only are they well built, but a full 3.25" blade is packed into that diminutive little package. Often (but not always) when you jump that price gap, higher quality materials usually follow also. Elmax, S35VN, Titanium, Carbon Fiber, etc.

Going by memory, the 770cf is also spec'd at a 3.25" blade. But wider, full flat grind, spring assist, and a somewhat modified wharncliff. Yet still in that magic 3oz weight range.

The utility, fit, finish, and functionality of both are well worth the price jump in my opinion.

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How about a CRKT Swindle? :D
[video=youtube;M0x0wvuGkB8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0x0wvuGkB8[/video]

JDX said:
I'm looking for something that is very lightweight and disappears in my hand. 2-3 inch blade. Will be used as a backup to my primary edc, or if I need to cut something in public and don't want to raise eyebrows. I was looking at the crkt minimalist (wharncliffe or "Bowie") but I'm really not too excited about the 5cr13mov steel. I was also looking at the Spyderco kiwi. Probably not the kiwi 4, as I can't justify spending over $100 on such a small blade. That's just me though.

I'm pretty firm about the handle, on both of the knives I mentioned, the handle just vanishes in the hand, thanks to the finger choils and thinness of the handle.

As for steel, it doesn't have to be exotic. A pocket clip would be nice but isn't necessary. A wharncliffe would be ideal, again not a deal breaker.

I've looked around and couldn't find anything else that really fit my specifications.


Recap: looking for a knife that disappears in the hand, something small to use as a secondary edc, or to use in very public places. Looking for thin, narrow and small. Not interested in the Spyderco grasshopper or the other ones in that category.

Thank you
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Sanrenmu 7XXX series
Enlan M-series.

All use 8Cr13MoV steel, cost less than $15 and have blade lengths no longer than 7cm.
 
The price of the Kiwi 4 is a bit steep as far as I'm concerned. But I own one and love this little knife. I just like to forget that I paid $110 for it at Blade last year (including sales tax). The G-10 works really well with this knife. I would just get the Kiwi 4 and bite the bullet on the cost side of things. I think you'll like it.

The Dragonfly is a cute little knife. But the Kiwi 4 is more refined. Added: I think I said this before, but I purchased the Kiwi 4 because I was dissatisfied with the overall quality of the Cold Steel Tuff Lite. I like the Tuff Lite, but it just needs to be made better.
 
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I vote for Dragonfly Salt Se! My favorite overall knife.
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But for another small bade option the Izula rocks.
 
Kershaw Leek as many have mentioned, CRKT Daedalus, Marlin Spike, Spyderco Pingo and Salt fit your requirements.

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I recently bought a Fallkniven U2 and it is quickly becoming my favorite "little folder"
 
This thread is timely. So I work in a very corporate environment. Not like engineering corporate but corporate corporate as in most instances I don't need a knife throughout the day. But I still carry one anyway most of the time it's a traditional.

Today I saw my mini tuff lite on the table and I threw it in my pocket. That and the UKPK are about the only moderns I would feel comfortable whipping out in public anytime. Or something like these. I've had the zip DF2 before it was a great knife as well for tiny modern edc. As a regular light duty edc I still like traditionals. My most recent fun additions for slim weekend carry is the urban trapper and mini kwaiken. I got em at the same time to go with my full size Kwaiken and I honestly don't know which I like better. The urban trapper is really satisfying in that it's a hybrid modern designed from a traditional. I just used the mini kwaiken with its thicker blade for some digging and cutting after a reprofile to thin out the bevel its an adequate slicer relative to how beefy thick this tiny knifes blade is at the spine.


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Another vote for the CS Mini Tuff Lite - it's the back-up to whatever large folder I'm carrying. It's not necessarily the thinness, but the two excellent finger choils and overall size, that make it vanish into the hand:

 
Here's a shot I just took of the mini tuff lite in hand you dont even notice it in your pocket. It feels like a couple of quarters sitting around...

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Step it up and get a BM707. Most blade for the handle and awesome knife. I carry one almost everyday.

 
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Alternative....

HK14716, 2.91" D2 blade, G-10 scales, full SS liners, smooth axis lock.....under $100. BAM!!!!



(Note: This one I modified. Comes with black coating. Great knife as well)
 
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Kershaw skyline, just ordered a damascus version myself, very light and beautiful.

Buck Vantage Pro, small or large, both are great lookers and great steel.

Benchmade Mini Griptilian, this one is very light as well.
 
All great suggestions so far. One that I love is the blade tech wegner mouse. It's a spitting image of the discontinued spyderco wegner mouse but made in Taiwan with aus8 and not g10 (grippy nonetheless). I am not a huge fan of the newer blade techs but this one is a winner and can be had for less than $20 in certain places. Don't let the price fool you. the aus8 is well done and the knife is surprising chunky. You will not be disappointed for the price. 100% ambi with a solid lock back design I got an orange one for $16 on the bay and it came with free mini led flashlight. Oh and if you're not a fan of the blade shape they make the Ratel which is the same knife with more of a traditional blade shape.
 
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Knave said:
Nice scales. Mind if I ask where you got them? Or is that a limited edition?
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Thanks! I made the scales; Blue/Silver twill. The knife was a limited edition BM707-1401 I believe (blue aluminum scales with CF insert).
 
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