Newbie needs a recommendation for a 3" folder

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drac

Joined
Sep 11, 2002
Messages
54
Hello, everyone!


I've been a knife enthusiast (though not really a collector) for years. I currently carry leatherman tools most of the time (a Wave in my satchel/ briefcase/ whatever, and a micra on my keyring); but I miss having a 3-4 inch folder in my pocket. I used to carry a butterfly knife, then an Okapi "ratchet" folder in the days before they were both made illegal. I had a little Puma Rambler, but that was stolen years ago.


My immediate impulse was to just buy another Puma Rambler (2 1/4"), or, even better, the Cadet (2 3/4"); but I thought I'd ask here if there are any recommendations for other one-blade locking pocket folders that might be even better.


Thanks in advance! I'm not sure if I should have leapt in as I did, or if I should have said more about myself first- but I'm open for questions as well as eager for answers!
 
Hello drac, and welcome to BladeForums. Don't worry about 'how you came in' to the forum or whatever! We only need to know one thing about you-"Do you enjoy using and learning about knives?" If the answer is YES, then you are in 'the club'.

There is nothing wrong with the question you have asked except one thing:

There are literally HUNDREDS of knives that fit that category. :D

So, I'll start with a basic recommendation of where to begin your quest and in no time others will contribute their input as to where to begin your quest.

Guess what-all of the advice will be good solid advice by sincere knowledgable (sp?) individuals who know what they are talking about and most likely have used their recommended knife in the field fairly extensively.

It will then be up to you to peruse the makers of the blades suggested and pick a favorite, knowing that whatever path you take you will have a high quality solid folder in your hand in no time.

First up: SPYDERCO

I would start looking at Spyderco's. They have many models in many sizes, shapes, and yes, even colors. I think it is fair to say that anyone looking for a serious well made folder for any number of tasks
should be able to find a Spyderco to meet their needs.

Spyderco corporation can be found here: www.spyderco.com

Just a few places to shop can be found here:

www.1sks.com

www.newgraham.com

www.cumberlandknives.com

Good Luck, and keep us posted-

Mongrel
 
Hello drac, and welcome to BladeForums. Don't worry about 'how you came in' to the forum or whatever! We only need to know one thing about you-"Do you enjoy using and learning about knives?" If the answer is YES, then you are in 'the club'.
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Thanks for the friendly welcome! The answer to that question is more than "yes"- it's more along the lines of "abso-freakin-lutely!"


There is nothing wrong with the question you have asked except one thing:

There are literally HUNDREDS of knives that fit that category.

So, I'll start with a basic recommendation of where to begin your quest and in no time others will contribute their input as to where to begin your quest.
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Thanks, and much appreciated.


I guess what I would really like, seeing as Puma is my starting point and default choice, is to have reasons why particular recommendations are superior to the Puma models. I don't mind spending the money, once I am buying a quality product that will last.


I would start looking at Spyderco's. They have many models in many sizes, shapes, and yes, even colors. I think it is fair to say that anyone looking for a serious well made folder for any number of tasks
should be able to find a Spyderco to meet their needs.
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I remember Spyderco. When I first looked at their models a few years ago, I was put off by the unusual shape of their blades, but all I see now when I look at them is "Boy, that looks easy to open!" :D


A couple of points:
-My hands sweat too much for me to use a knife with a stainless steel handle.
-I think I prefer handles that aren't too flat.
-I should note that this knife is intended to be a general personal utility knife. I did some knife-fighting training a few years ago, but that is not the purpose of this knife.
-I don't like serrated edges.



Thanks again!
 
That makes it a bit easier.

Spyderco makes many models with FRN (a type of fiberglass resin handle)scales as well as G10 both are very secure in sweaty hands. Spyderco's are available with non-serrated (Plain)edges as well as partially serrated (combo) and full serrated edges.

Models to look at that would fit your description(some however are in 4" blade lengths)include:

Military
Endura
Delica
Native

I can also highly recommend Benchmade Knives also. Benchmade offers many models with G10 scales (G10 is a woven laminated plastic)that offer very secure grip. Another good thing about Benchmades is the fact that they offer large and small models of many of their patterns.

Benchmade models you should check out include:

AFCK II
TSEK
Griptilian (rubber scales\handles)

go to www.benchmade.com for more info.
 
I also recommend Spyderco. They have a unique combination of design, function, and price that can't be beat. For a 3" folder, the Native is awesome. I carry mine every day.

Johnny
 
Spyderco is an excellent recomendation. Let me through a few more in:

Camillus EDC or Outdoor Edge Paragee. These offer a lot of bang for the buck.
 
Man, you can't possible go wrong with a plain-edged lightweight Spyderco Delica! Great design, great steel (be sure to get the latest version with VG10 steel), removable and replaceable pocket clip, tougher than nails, light as a feather, great customer service (<i>if</i> something goes wrong), fair price ...


... that's a wicked combination, my friend. :D
 
Wow! There's enough info here already to keep me busy for some time, looking up and comparing products.

One thing, though; can any of you compare these knives to what I am accustomed to- the Puma Rembler/ cadet?

And is VG10 better than D2?


Thanks for the replies...
 
VG10 will be better for stain/corrosion resistance, if that is a big factor.
Is price a factor here? What do you want to use it for?
 
VG10 will be better for stain/corrosion resistance, if that is a big factor.
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Well, I remember slaving to keep onion stains off my Okapi. But that was high-carbon steel that kept a wonderful toothy edge, but could lay absolutely no claim to stainlessness.

I see that VG-10 has a hardness rating of 50, which I presume means that it is not at all brittle, eh?

Is price a factor here? What do you want to use it for?
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Well, I'm not really prepared to pay $200 on a pocket folder. I was doing some minor grumbling over the price of the Spyderco Chinese Leaf knife (the smooth metal handle probably would be subpar for me, but it's just a breathtakingly gorgeous knife) when my girlfriend reminded me that I happily spent twice that on a fountain pen. So, I grumble no more.

As for use? General light cutting tasks. I have no intention of using it as a prybar or a hammer; I don't hunt; and I'm not buying this knife as a defense or survival-prep knife. String, cardboard, packing tape, cloth, food prep- that sort of thing. The leatherman will be there for occasional wire-stripping, sawing and serrated-edge tasks.


So I take it there're no Puma enthusiasts here?
 
Curse it all, I came in here contemplating one knife purchase, and find myself now contemplating about three.

Spyderco knives look sweet.

Thanks a LOT. ;)
 
Hi drac,

Kershaw makes some fine things in you line of requirements. I really like their stuff by Ken Onion. Three inch blade, G10 scales -- look at the avalanche. Welcome to BF from a new member also--
 
I'm not too familiar with Puma knives...

I'll throw my $.02 worth in - Benchmade 705 - ~3" blade of 154cm (fairly stainless), g10 scales, handles are not too thin, and uses the fabulous axis locking mechanism.
 
Well, my reading continues, as well as my perusal of the FAQ's on this website. One idea that struck me- that of combining microserrated and polished edges on the same plain blade. Cool!

Thus far, I am restricting myself to the Native from Spyderco. Had the Chinese leaf not had aluminum handles, I may well have bought one already- of the metal-handled knives recommended thus far, it calls to me most insistently.

The Kershaw Avalanche and the Benchmade 705 both appeal greatly- what are the differences between Benchmade's Axis locking system and Kershaw's Speed Safe system?

And does anyone have any comments on the fuller-handled Kershaw/Onion model, the Whirlwind?
 
You will find the Native seems 'thick' in your hand at first, but it seems more at home than the Delica-style handle.

For the Spyderco models that will fit in your hand and not seem thin, look for the:
c36 Military(g-10)
C41 Native
c52 Calypso jr lt
C66 Vesuvius
c69 Lil Temperance(g-10, and it ain't no 'Lil knife)

The military is a 4", but lightweight and really fits any size hand. The enlarged(14mm) opening hole also allows you to wear gloves and still operate the knife.
 
Curse it all, I came in here contemplating one knife purchase, and find myself now contemplating about three.
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Seems to be the name of the game over here
:D

My first really nice knife was a Puma White Hunter! (just search for "puma knives" and you'll find lots of dealers with pictures). Was stolen from me, though I have to admit I foolishly left it out of my sight over nite while living in very mixed company.

Their folders look nice, and for the prices I see you would be looking into the lower ends of many of the companies that are recommended to you here. Hey, no one has recommended a SEBENZA yet! A standard in the high-end production knife world. Those will set you back $300+, and they're not even particularly pretty!

Look how your questions have changed already! So you're into pens are you? You'll find knife evolution and differentiation even more elaborate than pens, and I dare you to ask about flashlights or watches! :rolleyes:
 
My first really nice knife was a Puma White Hunter! (just search for "puma knives" and you'll find lots of dealers with pictures).
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Oh, I know the White Hunter well... classic knife.

Was stolen from me, though I have to admit I foolishly left it out of my sight over nite while living in very mixed company.
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My puma, my EDC at the time, was unusually not in my pocket, but was rather in the pocket of a satchel that was stolen.

Their folders look nice, and for the prices I see you would be looking into the lower ends of many of the companies that are recommended to you here.
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I am told elsewhere that the current Puma prices are more an accident of current DM-US$ exchange rates than anything else, and that they have higher build quality than Benchmades/ Spydies (though Puma can't match either for design innovation)

Hey, no one has recommended a SEBENZA yet!
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They were obviously feeling some crumb of mercy to my pocket- mercy that you clearly don't have... ;)

A standard in the high-end production knife world. Those will set you back $300+, and they're not even particularly pretty!
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Yeah, I came across them in my browsing. I'm not likely to be demanding enough in my use to need the strength, and I am not particularly moved by the looks. Clearly a classic, though. I remember reading reviews about the CR survival knife when it came out- when the market at the time was flooded by cheap, crummy, glued-together "survival knives". Boy, did his create a stir.

Look how your questions have changed already! So you're into pens are you? You'll find knife evolution and differentiation even more elaborate than pens,
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Ha. Clearly you aren't a hardcore penfreak. It's more like the knife world than you'd think.

and I dare you to ask about flashlights or watches!
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Maglight Solitaire (which I am replacing soon, with a Photon), and I don't wear a watch. Between the beeper and the PDA, who needs it?



One thing that has changed things a bit: apparently I was completely wrong about the basis of local carry laws.
The good: it's not about a 4" limit.
The bad: it's entirely at the discretion of the cop who sees your knife.
If you are carrying, to quote a lawyer, a sharpened five-cent piece, it can be a legal issue. Weapons are divided into "licensed weapons" (guns), "illegal weapons" (automatic knives), and "offensive weapons" (anything else). Being charged with possession of an offensive weapon is a lesser charge than being charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm or an illegal weapon.



This means that I am easing away from more obviously martial designs like the Benchmade/EDI genesis/Spyco native, and more towards the less threatening shape of the Lil' Temperance and (still around) the Chinese Leaf. It also means that among the more threatening blade designs, I would lean more towards the "deep carry" clip design of the EDI Genesis (which gets a surprising design nod from the girlfriend), and away from the high-sitting Benchmade.


It's looking like I will be getting the Chinese Leaf. It goes against my usual handle requirements, but great in every other respect, and I've just durned well fallen for the looks. Call me shallow. Second-runners- Lil'Temperance, EDI Genesis.

Yes, I will probably be getting this in addition to a Puma. :D
 
" no ones recommended a sebenza yet " Well I was just about to.
You're right, they aren't very pretty in the classical sense. However they are wonderfully crafted cutting intruments, the beauty in them lies in the "form following function" idea. :D :D
They are wonderful.:D And any one who buys one would not be dissapointed, Yes they are pricey, but they will last more than a lifetime of hard use. ;)
 
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