Questions about very small folders

B

Bandersnatch

Joined
Sep 24, 2006
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36
Hello, I've been mostly lurking and searching through old threads and such, and feel confident now to ask a few questions about the various small folding knives on the market.

Looking around, I see the Boker Subcom and variants, the Spyderco Cricket and Salsa, the Blade-Tech Mouse (in various grades of material), the Benchmade Benchmite, and the Pro-Tech Cali legal switchblades. I want a smaller folder, partly for the novelty and partly because in some cases a smaller knife is preferable to the big honking folders I usually prefer for various reasons. I would like to know others' opinions on these folders, and which y'all recommend.

I thank you for your time.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

I like tinyknives, shirt pocket knives, handy, unobtrusive, non-threatening, and often more utilitarian than a larger, clumsier knife might be.

I have the Subcom and Cricket, and the Spyderco Spin. All excellent choices, with the Subcom more for the workfloor, beater jobs.

The others you listed are also good, reliable choices. You aren't going to go wrong with any of them. Of them all, the Benchmite is probably the lightest-duty, not much to hold onto, but great toy value, like the Pro-Tech.

If these are going to get real use, I'd suggest the Subcom or the Mouse, as general purpose knives with superior grip.
 
I like small knives, mainly because when I go to Boston, there is a 2 1/2 blade length law. Most of my small knives are custom knives. Welcome to BF!!!
 
I'm kinda liking my Kershaw Chive lately. Measures about 3" closed, blade is just under 2". Made in USA, assisted opening framelock, very reasonably priced. Kinda wish they made one with textured/FRN handle. But for the price, I can't complain. Regarding the price, they seem to have dropped almost a buck from midsouthshooterssupply.com. since their last catalog.
 
i've been thinking of getting the mouse as well, is the carbon fiber model worth the extra cash?
 
eisenhower said:
... is the carbon fiber model worth the extra cash?
Click to expand...

Hard to say. It doesn't add anything to function, and not much to looks -- it's a small knife, after all. But if you like the look, it's worth it.

I have several fairly expensive or irreplaceable knives that I use regularly when cheaper knives would do fine. There is something to be said for an added touch of quality materials.
 
I love small folders. They make up the majority of my collection. My latest gem is a Byrd G-10 Robin that I've been using at work.
 
I think that I am going to have to give a Subcom a try due to all the good things I have been reading about them. I have big hands/fingers, and the Subcom looks like it will fit my hand fairly well. I do have two Benchmites, one regular and one auto, and I love them and would recommend them.
 
I'll always tout the Buck Strider 881 as the "toughest" little folder out there. As for the "coolest" little folder it has to be the Benchmade Pardue 530. IMHO of course. :)

Matador-
 
shecky said:
I'm kinda liking my Kershaw Chive lately. Measures about 3" closed, blade is just under 2". Made in USA, assisted opening framelock, very reasonably priced. Kinda wish they made one with textured/FRN handle. But for the price, I can't complain. Regarding the price, they seem to have dropped almost a buck from midsouthshooterssupply.com. since their last catalog.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna have to agree with Shecky here. I have been EDCing my Chive and only my Chive for quite some time now and I just can't say enough about it. Some days I carry the framelock version and others I carry my 1600BR which has the red smoke aluminum scales and liner lock. Both are absolutely excellent.
 
I'm a big fan of the SOG Twitch series. The I or the II, doesn't really matter. Fast opening, great edge holding, and I've always liked backlocks. Compared to other knives of similar size, I feel like this offers a bit more handle and is easier to control. But these knifes are pretty narrow also, so if you prefer wider knives, maybe their Blink would be more up your alley.
 
Another for the Kershaw Chive. It's a novel system (Assisted Opening), fun to play with, pretty non-intimidating, fits in a watch-pocket, etc.

The price is great, eBay has several models for under $20 shipped. Comes in a neat variety of finishes (black Boron, rainbow, etc). Custom makers can add custom scales to them, etc. The Pro-Tech Runt is adorable, but you can buy a boxful of Chives for that price!

The Chive is a hip and modern version of the "gentleman's folder", and I'm thrilled with mine.

chive.jpg


(pic of custom Chive from www.santafestoneworks.com)

-MV
 
Another lover of small knives here... Have the Cricket, Meerkat, Mouse (original), Navigator, Chive, plus an assortment of SAKs -- all excellent knives for their intended uses and price range. Honestly, my most oft-used knife is prolly my Wenger Esquire -- the serrated blade cuts like a light saber, and it's always on my keychain wherever a knife can go.

Lately, I've been EDC'ing a "big/small" knife -- the Spydie Lava. The first time I held it, I thought, "Eh..." But the grip quickly grew on me. I would still classify it within the unthreatening range, and can be carried anywhere a knife is allowable.
 
MatthewVanitas said:
Another for the Kershaw Chive. It's a novel system (Assisted Opening), fun to play with, pretty non-intimidating, fits in a watch-pocket, etc.
Click to expand...


I will say you are absolutely right about the non-intimidating thing. I have showed off my Chive a lot, to many different people and I've never gotten anything other than, "Wow, that's neat" or something of that sort in response. People just seem to love that little folder and they think that its opening is novel and interesting. I've never gotten raised eyebrows or comments about carrying a "dangerous weapon" about my little Chive even though it has the assist.
 
I like my Chive. It's small but easy to open.

Recently I've been trying to locate decent small folders (< 3" blades) and it isn't easy. Frankly, I carry a CRK Mnandi as my small folder more than anything else.
 
Great thread! I'm a huge little knife fan! (oxymoron intended) :)
Not trying to hijack this thread, but could anyone tell me which Chives have the framelock, or do all of them have these?
 
I would highly recommend a Spyderco Jester JBK. They are 2.5" closed, yet they are comfortable to use for people with big hands. The blade steel is AUS-6, are available with a plain or serrated edge, and either a Bidirectional Textured FRN or Stainless Steel handle. After handling one of these, it is clear that a good deal of thought went into the design.
3645.jpg


The new Spyderco Ladybug 3's use the same handles as the Jesters but with a different blade shape and upgraded blade steel (VG-10). I personally like the jester shape better, but both are great little knives.
LBK3S.jpg


The Kershaw Chives are neat little knives. They certainly possess the 'Gadget' factor by way of the assisted opening. They are fun to play with, and come with a sharp plain edge.

But, I would have to say that from a practical standpoint, the Spyderco's are better knives.
 
The best small locking folder I have is the Fallkniven U2. It's small, has a great laminated steel blade that almost never needs sharpening and it fits in the coin pocket of my jean just perfect. It will also last you a lifetime with a little PM once in awhile.

ciao
Ron:) :thumbup:
 
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