Office knife, <2.5", pocket clip, "traditional", classy

MatthewVanitas

MatthewVanitas

Go Army, Beat Navy!
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
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467
Just landed a contract job in the DC area, and it will have me in and out of various buildings in VA, MD, and DC for a few months. It appears a bunch of the worksites are in buildings with a "no knives over 2.5"" rule.

It's a good job, so this seems a good time to celebrate with a nice knife that will also work on the jobsite. Nothing too fancy so far as cutting, just want something that can open packaging and the like, and the usual "remove seatbelt or fabric in an emergency" general utility.

Criteria:

- Under 2.5"
- Definitely with a pocket-clip (otherwise I'd just get a Spydie Kiwi)
- Preferably tip-up (otherwise a Spydie Kopa would be great)
- Classy looking, "traditional", "non-tactical"
- Slightly funky/eccentric/unusual would be neat
- Decorative materials like bone/stone/micarta, etc. a plus
- Preferably not just plain stainless steel scales (rules out many Spydies)
- Ideal would be Axis lock, but they don't come that small, but frame/liner lock would be better than lockback, so I can close it with one hand too.
- Postively openable with one hand, but preferably not AO (already have many Kershaw AOs)
- Preferably under $200


The odd thing is that balisongs are totally legal in MD, so if it was just there I'd get a Palacio mini, but that wouldn't be kosher in VA, definitely not DC:
mini_d.jpg


Any good suggestions? The Spydero Kiwi and Kopa are so close, but I would really prefer a pocket clip, tip-up, and a system other than lockback. If I simply can't find an alternative, the giraffe bone Kopa might be the way to go:

SC92GBP.jpg

(pic from http://www.knifeworks.com)
 
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I was going to say a Boker Hyper or a real neat SOG Access Card 2.0 but the blades are just a little longer than 2.5 inches so how about a Boker Subcom? I tell you what I would do is have JT CLARK do you one of his custom folders and he only charger around $200 and it is made the way you want it! He has several colors of G10 and will mix the colors if you want. He does frame and liner locks and has several steels to pick from. It is all HANDMADE! Let me find a link to one of the knives he sold and I will post it. GOOD LUCK! Kevin :thumbup: Here was my review and some pictures! http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=621822
 
I've been eyeing a folding razel by CKT. How is that for "kinda different"? Think the lenght works and it should handle most normal day to day stuff. Not the best steel but....Enjoy your time in the capital and check out all the sites.
 
I've been eyeing a folding razel by CKT. How is that for "kinda different"? Think the lenght works and it should handle most normal day to day stuff. Not the best steel but....Enjoy your time in the capital and check out all the sites. Whoops, not sure about "tip up" tho.
 
I'll second the Subcom suggestion. It's also easy to get a custom scale made to your liking. Anything from Armadillo to carbon fiber. :D
 
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My recommendation before even reading your whole post was the Spyderco Kopa. I too prefer tip-up carry, but I find with the small size of the Kopa, it doesn't make much of a difference. It's also simple enough to close one handed; place your index finger on the point where the handle turns into the finger choil, depress the lock with your thumb, and let the blade drop down (the cutting edge won't hit your finger), then reposition the knife in your hand and close the blade. Easy to do with minimal practice.

Both the Subcom and the Mayo Waimea are greater than 2.5" blade length.
 
Planterz said:
My recommendation before even reading your whole post was the Spyderco Kopa. I too prefer tip-up carry, but I find with the small size of the Kopa, it doesn't make much of a difference. It's also simple enough to close one handed; place your index finger on the point where the handle turns into the finger choil, depress the lock with your thumb, and let the blade drop down (the cutting edge won't hit your finger), then reposition the knife in your hand and close the blade. Easy to do with minimal practice.

Both the Subcom and the Mayo Waimea are greater than 2.5" blade length.
Click to expand...

The Subcom is less than 2 inches. Thanks! Kevin :D
 
Oops, I was reading overall length, not blade length.:foot:
 
No Problem! You guys really need to check out one of JT Clarks fine folders! Kevin :D
 
My wife carries a Boker Subclaw, but the grip doesn't fit me well at all (not that I expect much out of a knife that size anyway).

I love my Spyderco Lava, so much that I bought a second one knowing that they've been discontinued. They're on clearance right now at Spyderco, get one while you can:

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=237

The blade is small, but the handle is large enough to get most of your hand on it. Also, the finger choil and design of the grip allows a very secure grip. It's the only small bladed knife that I've ever felt was comfortable enough to use for anything, any other knife this size feels unstable and insecure in the hand.

The Spyderco Lava also fits your specifications, and is well under your maximum cost (you could, and maybe should, by two of them!).

SpyLavaGripOpen.jpg
 
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this knife is the shizz-nit:
SP127GPOR.jpg


non-locking and UK-legal.

just got one and it's an instant favorite! :)
 
Not designed as a one-hand opener, but you could probably thumb it open just the same. Classy, has a pocket clip, and it's tip up carry. :thumbup:

Img113.jpg
 
Ooo lava , good idea! How about a Spyderco Poliwog... Two both funky knives and they both have SS handles so they dont look as scary to non-knifies
 
ExMachina said:
this knife is the shizz-nit:
SP127GPOR.jpg


non-locking and UK-legal.

just got one and it's an instant favorite! :)
Click to expand...

But blade length is (a hair) over 2.5".

There are other Spyderco options, like the Dragonfly, Lava, or Cricket. The Dragonfly and Cricket and Spin all fit the size requirements, and are available with the acid etching on the handles for some added flair.

But I'd still go with a Kopa. Anything with wood, bone, or nacre (mother of pearl, abalone, etc) seems to have an inherent class and traditional style to it that is far less prone to raise eyebrows than "modern" materials. You really can't go wrong with any Kopa, and even the most expensive ones are under your price limit.
 
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