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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Nonthreatening looking EDC
- Thread starter Baron Mind
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2008
- Messages
- 5,364
My first suggestion for a nonthreatening knife is always a SAK.
DLT also has a Buck 501 Squire in S35VN with Micarta handles. Not sure if 2.75" blade is too small? I like the green vs the black micarta myself.
https://www.dlttrading.com/buck-501-squire-s35vn
Case Tribal lock is another great choice.
I find that traditional knives are less intimidating then the "modern" looking folder. I personally like having a lock on my knife and thankfully many traditionals have locking blades now (like the Tribal lock and many Bucks).
DLT also has a Buck 501 Squire in S35VN with Micarta handles. Not sure if 2.75" blade is too small? I like the green vs the black micarta myself.
https://www.dlttrading.com/buck-501-squire-s35vn
Case Tribal lock is another great choice.
I find that traditional knives are less intimidating then the "modern" looking folder. I personally like having a lock on my knife and thankfully many traditionals have locking blades now (like the Tribal lock and many Bucks).
afishhunter
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2014
- Messages
- 14,400
Don't write off the traditionals. Having multiple blades for different tasks is not a "bad" thing.
No one blade profile/shape is ideal for every task.
No one blade profile/shape is ideal for every task.
I think the concept of emotionally trying to cater to snowflakes is pretty redundant.
An SAK or any slipjoint looks "non threatening" due to it's classic and old-fashioned appearance. The BugOut by Benchmade is definitely a politically correct piece. From it's plain/unimaginative or "non threatening" look. It's "I'm not violent and notice me friends" blue scales which kind of wears a little political indicator. To the tips of it's diamond checkering filed down to please soft hands it tells where this knife is going.
My point is no matter how politically correct your knife looks...it's still just as capable of being dangerous as a tactical looking knife. You're still going to get asked by others in that category why you carry a knife.
These are the kind of people that have "cry closets" in universities, find Dodge Ball to be "oppressive", and you're worried about them getting upset over your knife?
Carry what you like...not what the liberals think you should carry.
An SAK or any slipjoint looks "non threatening" due to it's classic and old-fashioned appearance. The BugOut by Benchmade is definitely a politically correct piece. From it's plain/unimaginative or "non threatening" look. It's "I'm not violent and notice me friends" blue scales which kind of wears a little political indicator. To the tips of it's diamond checkering filed down to please soft hands it tells where this knife is going.
My point is no matter how politically correct your knife looks...it's still just as capable of being dangerous as a tactical looking knife. You're still going to get asked by others in that category why you carry a knife.
These are the kind of people that have "cry closets" in universities, find Dodge Ball to be "oppressive", and you're worried about them getting upset over your knife?
Carry what you like...not what the liberals think you should carry.
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- Joined
- Mar 3, 2000
- Messages
- 4,798
Dude isn't after the sentiment, but rather the aesthetics. Let's focus on that.
The Benchmade Proper and the Mini Grip both have a great look in the sheepsfoot configuration. Mini 555-1 is nice. The Mini Freek is another Benchmade that would probably fit the bill.
The Brouwer is a great shape. In Spyderco I also like the Lil Native.
The Boker Plus Brad Zinker FR series is something you might like. There are many configurations to look at. BHQ has some:
https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Boker-Brad-Zinker-Designs--2268
The Urban Trapper really is cool too. Titanium framelock with a bearing pivot that weighs as much as smoke.
One I've eyeballed but haven't pulled the trigger on is the Kizer Degnan Guru. I think it looks neat too.
There is a lot to look at in this realm. Take your time.
I wanted a knife with pretty much the same requirements....ended up buying a Sage 1 (cf) and a Chap (cf) because I couldn't choose between them.
The Sage is pretty much perfect, the Chap is a little small and I never carry it for that reason. Also, the cf looks really nice in person even though it's overlaid over G10.
The Sage is pretty much perfect, the Chap is a little small and I never carry it for that reason. Also, the cf looks really nice in person even though it's overlaid over G10.
I had similar thoughts. If the OP is looking at the Brouwer, the Chaparral is a great alternative with about the same cutting edge length but overall a smaller package. Despite being compact, it fits my XL hand very well. The CF/G-10 version has a nice understated and "non-threatening" appearance. Fitting a watch pocket is a great bonus feature.
I have the Sage 5 but not the Sage 1. The Sage is in some ways a bigger Chaparral. The Sage 5 has a nice compression lock and comes with slightly less shiny but similar CF/G10 scales compared to the corresponding Chaparral model. I really like the Sage but carry the Chaparral a lot more due to the conveniently pocketable size. The Sage is clearly bigger with more cutting edge though still not a large knife. Both are great slicers. I think either is a great alternative to the more expensive Brouwer and some of the best knives Spyderco makes.
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2019
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- 340
I like knives that are "plain" in that they don't look like works of modern art. I prize ergonomics very highly. I also understand not wanting to carry a giant or weapon-like knife in an office environment. That has nothing to do with pandering, "cry closets", or stripping away our manhood. I feel the same way about open-carrying firearms at suburban supermarkets. There is literally no value in making uninformed or media-indoctrinated people scared or uncomfortable. Unless you have a really compelling need to open-carry your firearm or pack a visibly giant blade, why would you?
That said, there are lots of ways to go here. Do you prefer thumb studs, flipper tabs, front flippers, or another kind of opening mechanism? You could get something with modest class like the GiantMouse Vox/Anso ACE Biblio or something with mild flair like the WE Practic.
That said, there are lots of ways to go here. Do you prefer thumb studs, flipper tabs, front flippers, or another kind of opening mechanism? You could get something with modest class like the GiantMouse Vox/Anso ACE Biblio or something with mild flair like the WE Practic.
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2015
- Messages
- 481
Office carry....Lil Native. Cute, tiny, cuts like mad and slicey.
When I opened the small box it came in my daughter squealed
"it's a baby knife!"
When I opened the small box it came in my daughter squealed
"it's a baby knife!"
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
Going to have to take a look at the Lil Native as another edc option. It is about 3.5" closed which is just a tad larger than my SAK. I have moved to the Small Tinker now, but I'm always open to new ideas. That's the knife bug.... buy me, buy me!
I really don't need a larger knife for edc. That is the thing, but I like other knives. The Small Tinker nudges me to carry another larger knife or a fixed blade at times. That is especially true in the woods and I'm finding that I actually use the fixed blades now versus always reaching for a SAK. My old SAK was a 111mm one which I dearly loved.
I really don't need a larger knife for edc. That is the thing, but I like other knives. The Small Tinker nudges me to carry another larger knife or a fixed blade at times. That is especially true in the woods and I'm finding that I actually use the fixed blades now versus always reaching for a SAK. My old SAK was a 111mm one which I dearly loved.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 15, 1999
- Messages
- 2,098
use the knife you want, and don't give it a second thought.
You'll never make everyone happy. And guess what.....you don't have to.
You'll never make everyone happy. And guess what.....you don't have to.
IMO...
1. SAK or a MT
2. Box cutter or similar e.g. CS Tuff Lite
3. Buck 112 DP (drop points usually available as dealer exclusives) or smaller models
I can only assume, that the "fwap" on smooth opening knives and the pointier the tip the less unassuming in public. Maybe also more traditional looking handle materials might be unassuming. However, it's hard to predict prejudices against inanimate objects... As always, unsafe handling of the knife might be the most problematic in public settings.
1. SAK or a MT
2. Box cutter or similar e.g. CS Tuff Lite
3. Buck 112 DP (drop points usually available as dealer exclusives) or smaller models
I can only assume, that the "fwap" on smooth opening knives and the pointier the tip the less unassuming in public. Maybe also more traditional looking handle materials might be unassuming. However, it's hard to predict prejudices against inanimate objects... As always, unsafe handling of the knife might be the most problematic in public settings.
A lot of knives just are made to look intimidating...because it sells.
Colors are a great way to mitigate the intimidation factor.
For slip joints...non traditional...I like the Spyderco Urban lightweight and the Roadie.
For locking I like the Spyderco Dragonfly ( non knife people always comment how cute it is...and women go buy one) and the frn Delica. I have yellow, orange, purple, and gray. No dark intimidating colors and no tactical blades.
Colors are a great way to mitigate the intimidation factor.
For slip joints...non traditional...I like the Spyderco Urban lightweight and the Roadie.
For locking I like the Spyderco Dragonfly ( non knife people always comment how cute it is...and women go buy one) and the frn Delica. I have yellow, orange, purple, and gray. No dark intimidating colors and no tactical blades.
