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

[ExMachina]

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

the urban's cutting edge is 2.25"

the blade length from tip to where the G10 scale begins is 2.56" (according to Spyderco)

 

[Sep]

Have you looked at CRKT Van Hoy R.S.L Snap Lock? The blade is AUS 6, and many people have unflattering opinion about CRKT, but IMHO they're just fine for a light use / EDC short folder. It's award-winning locking mechanism is definitely not traditional, but the design is quite classy. Clip arrangement is tip up, and the blade is exactly 2.5". You want funky/eccentric/unusual? This knife has them in spades. All of this for a whopping $36.

 

[Dagon]

I have an interesting alternative: Kyocera ceramic gentlemen folders.
Stylish, framelock, tip-up, clip.
They exist with 5 cm (2") and (for my taste too small) 4cm blades
The ones with a "HIP" blade feature Kyoceras best ceramic blades, which look a bit like dark damascus. But the normal non-HIP blades are cheaper.

Update: here is a high res picture of the 5cm blade model.

 

[dwong]

this is what I using in the office:

 

[Nathan Ihrke]

spyderco cricket!
i've had my eye on one for awhile now, comes with ss handle but you can get scales or a textured ss handle from the factory

 

[lava_lamp]

How about this Lone Wolf Paul Presto:

http://www.knifeworks.com/lonewolfpaulprestofolderivorymicarta.aspx

Criteria:

- 2.4"
- Pocket-clip
- NOT tip-up
- Classy looking, "traditional", "non-tactical"
- Slightly funky (unique lock)
- Ivory micarta
- Openable with one hand
- Under $200

I have one and love it.

 

[bradpierson26]

mcusta, or an orange griptilian
colored handles, plain edge sain blades, or wood make knives less scary.

 

[Mick R.]

Buck Mayo Waimea. Pretty Classy to me!

+1 on the Waimea. Outstanding little (1.8oz.) framelock with the great Paul Bos heat treat on the 2 1/2" S30V blade.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

How about this Lone Wolf Paul Presto:

http://www.knifeworks.com/lonewolfpaulprestofolderivorymicarta.aspx

Criteria:

- 2.4"
- Pocket-clip
- NOT tip-up
- Classy looking, "traditional", "non-tactical"
- Slightly funky (unique lock)
- Ivory micarta
- Openable with one hand
- Under $200

I have one and love it.

That is really awesome! If only it were tip-up I'd say that'd be about 95% what I'm looking for.

Is the dearth of tip-up knives due to it being harder to attach a clip down there, or just knifemakers figuring more folks like tip down? Or is it harder to make a knife reliable enough to be safe tip-up?

In any case, I'm really tempted on this one. Is ivory micarta scrimshaw-able?

And the lock type is basically an axis lock, but since there's no thumb stud you open it by just inertia?

 

[blacksan]

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:

Thompson v. Commonwealth, 277 Va. 080445, February 27, 2009.
Rule: A butterfly knife (“balisong”) is NOT a weapon of “like kind” (substantially similar) to any of those listed in §18.2-308 (concealed weapons), and a person who carries a concealed butterfly knife does not violate this law.

 

[tirod3]

in and out of various buildings in VA, MD, and DC

Lots of nice knives suggested.


Have you considered a pocket clip knife may be too much advertisement for the overwrought security in that area? Especially in any gov't owned buildings you may need to enter?

Frankly, I'd use a small SAK and not make waves until I saw what did pass for OK. If you need bigger as part of a tool kit, then leaving that one there seems to help. Workman have more discretion offered their tools, as opposed to a rapidly deployed, clipped, and opened shiny office knife.

FWIW.

 

[lava_lamp]

...since there's no thumb stud you open it by just inertia?

There is a video here: http://www.lonewolfknives.com/store/pages/products.shtml

I just hold it facing up vertically with my thumb and forefinger on the button and knurled pivot and flip the handle downward.

 

[PV29]

There is a video here: http://www.lonewolfknives.com/store/pages/products.shtml

I just hold it facing up vertically with my thumb and forefinger on the button and knurled pivot and flip the handle downward.

This takes a little practice, especially when the knife is new because it is a tight pivot (at least mine was). Over time, and with some mineral oil applied, it has loosened up some, but it is still fairly tight.

Well made knife. Fit and finish are excellent. Fits the hand well for a small knife. Never had this steel before, but it takes a wicked edge from my Sharpmaker. Blade shape gives it good belly for slicing and general purpose stuff. Notice the location of the clip, however. It makes the knife ride a bit higher, but there's a reason. When clipped, the push-button lock is exposed above your pocket, so you can grab it and then execute the one-handed opening motion. Also, some folks may mistake this little guy for an auto due to the push-button. Yeah, I know, it's dumb, but it happens. Safest lock as far as it can really never open in your pocket, and there is very little chance you'll disengage it while using the knife.

 

[gdtrfb]

+1 on the Waimea. Outstanding little (1.8oz.) framelock with the great Paul Bos heat treat on the 2 1/2" S30V blade.

Any feedback review on this one? They look great in pics and on paper, but I would like to hear some user review/comments, etc. if possible. How does it fit/feel in the hand? I have this on a short list along with the kopa.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Dangit, this is about perfect but was only announced recently, so probably not out until at least next year:

Spyderco Chicago: 2" blade, liner lock, tip-up reversible

 

[marcangel]

How about the old Benchmade 770? Nice if you can find them, little pricey though.

 

[Nukemkb]

Dangit, this is about perfect but was only announced recently, so probably not out until at least next year:

Spyderco Chicago: 2" blade, liner lock, tip-up reversible

Yep - the Chicago is a "have to have"...

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Now that I've moved to DC and am on the job in and out of fed worksites, I thought an update is in order.

After much thought, I think I'm actually going to go back to the tried-and-true Case Peanut. I figure one-handed opening isn't vital for tasks no more tactical than opening a manila envelope labeled "Mango export forecasts for Karachi", and the lack of a pocket clip would keep it lower-profile to avoid even slight interest on the part of security staff.

I am still tempted by the Spydie Chicago, and might pick up one of those when it comes out. Very tempted by the Leaf Storm as well, but the 2" Chicago is quite similar without pushing the 2.5" limit.

Plus, even if I switch to another knife it never hurts to have a Case Peanut around, and makes a great hand-me-down to any of my teenage cousins who dig knives. I've given one teenage girl cousin a half-dozen hand-me-down knives thus far, including Opinels, some Old Timers, etc. If she's a good kid and does well in school I have a USN MkI Robeson WWII utility knife for her, picked it up for $20 in a pawnshop...

 

[Nukemkb]

The Peanut is a really really GREAT choice! :thumbup:

Now that I've moved to DC and am on the job in and out of fed worksites, I thought an update is in order.

After much thought, I think I'm actually going to go back to the tried-and-true Case Peanut. I figure one-handed opening isn't vital for tasks no more tactical than opening a manila envelope labeled "Mango export forecasts for Karachi", and the lack of a pocket clip would keep it lower-profile to avoid even slight interest on the part of security staff.

I am still tempted by the Spydie Chicago, and might pick up one of those when it comes out. Very tempted by the Leaf Storm as well, but the 2" Chicago is quite similar without pushing the 2.5" limit.

Plus, even if I switch to another knife it never hurts to have a Case Peanut around, and makes a great hand-me-down to any of my teenage cousins who dig knives. I've given one teenage girl cousin a half-dozen hand-me-down knives thus far, including Opinels, some Old Timers, etc. If she's a good kid and does well in school I have a USN MkI Robeson WWII utility knife for her, picked it up for $20 in a pawnshop...