Questions for you pros. Newbie searching for EDC, Specs listed

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K-Tex

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Oct 12, 2013
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Howdy y'all. I appreciate any help. Looking for an assisted folder with a 2.75" blade, > 4" closed, > 7" open. Like to have a deep pocket clip under 3oz. I am relatively new to understanding knives, although I have carried them for years. I lost my SOG Twitch ll. I liked that it was thin, compact, and real sharp. I was looking at Kershaw, but can't seem to find the specs I want. I picked up a Leek today, but it is a slightly longer blade, and it doesn't have a deep clip. Also, bought a Cyro, but it opens too slow and is too dang heavy. I like the size, blade, clip and price a lot. I'd like to stay away from China if possible. I know y'all will understand me. I talk about this stuff with other people and they think I'm a freak. I realize that the better steel, the more I pay, but maybe y'all can give me a couple options with good, better, and real good. Thanks.
 
Man y'all are fast. Aftermarket is fine. I just really don't want the knife showing. I am always getting the knife or other things scratched when it sticks out. I also wanted to add that I don't really care for thumb studs. I like that finger flip thing on the Leek. It is pretty smooth. I have been reading up on steel. I have a landscape business and I will use the knife hard, but I don't care for the tactical zombie killer looking blades...not my style.
 
Honestly your best bet is the Cryo. The deployment isn't slow (mine rockets open), and the weight can be cut down by getting an aftermarket scale, many of which can be somewhat cheap if you don't want anything fancy. Keep in mind that an aftermarket scale will make the knife most likely not have a lefty clip though.

I thought the Cryo was clunky when I first got it but soon fell in love. If the Cryo came in a better steel as a manual flipper I would buy it in a heartbeat.
 
The Benchmade Mini-Grip is a little big (2.95 blade), but has a large and satisfied following.

It's kind of tough to find knives in that blade length, although I don't know why. Boker is doing a couple of things that are down that small. Give them a look, and you may find something you like.

You could also try looking for a "Hawksbill" or "Karambit/Kerambit" style knife. They tend to be shorter in length, although not everybody likes them, and you may get some weird looks because of the unusual blade shape.
 
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Well, partner, you might try one of them there knives with holes in the blade. You put your thumb in the hole and flick it open. Spyderco makes a number of smaller knives, like the Dragonfly.
 
Let us know if you would be down for a small fixed blade. There are some options in the 2.75 and under category, and it might be a better match for what you're doing.....
 
LD'B has a real good suggestion. The best of the Spydercos in yor specs might be the Chaparral (2.8' blade), but there will be several others that are in your range as well. They will all be good steel and very functional. Boker will have some smaller folders that will work for you but many of them will have CHINA stamped on the blade. Buck also makes some nice smaller folders but I'm not sure about their C-o-O.
 
I'm not a fan of most kershaws but the Skyline is one of the best edc flippers out of any price range. Its thin and is a great size for edc, right in that groove of not too small not too big. Benchmade Sequels are very awesome not assisted but the axis lock opens up as quick as any other knife. I have a mini grip but I don't edc it. Super sharp, 154 is nice nut the blade is too thick for me. I also have a mini presidio and love the thin blade of it. For little tiny blade the kershaw of series is just like a flash with better quality control.
 
The Benchmade Emissary 470 almost fits your profile--it's under every aspect you are looking for except for blade length. It has a 3 inch blade which is 0.25 inches longer than what you require. If that isn't a deal breaker, it's what I would suggest.
 
I'd say a kershaw cryo, it does carry deep, especially tip up, but its heavy and I'm not sure your gonna want to get a $50 aftermarket G10 scale for a $30 knife jut to cut the weight down a little.

As far as small knives spyderco is really going to be your best option, the dragonfly is cheap and tho you can only get 3 finger grip on the handle the 50/50 choil means you can choke up on the blade for a full grip. The chaparral is also a good choice but it quite a bit more $$ than a dfly. Back on the dragonfly it has several blade steels, a couple blade grind choices and several handle choices.

The BM mini-grip is my absolute favorite sub 3" knife and it opens so smooth you won't at all miss A/O on it, it only has one handle material choice by many colors and there's tons of aftermarket scale options for it to make it a much much higher end knife (Wilkins mini-grip scales are expensive but well worth it). It also has 3 different blade profiles- sheepsfoot (what I prefer), tanto or modified drop point and you can have a sypder hole or thumb studs.

So to sum it up (if money is no option) I'd go for a spyderco chaparral, a BM mini-grip or a spyderco dragonfly.
 
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I'm thinking that the buck small vantage might work for you . if you can live with a flipper instead of a a\o. the size is close to what you are asking for and it has a deep carry pocket clip. also a flipper nub and a thumb hole. the basic model(420 hc steel , nylon handle) is very inexpensive and you have the option of upgrading to better steel if you wish. I've been using one of these at work since the early spring and I am impressed.
 
Again, I really appreciate all your help y'all. I've been stuck in the office all day and haven't gotten back to anyone. I bought 4 knives the other yesterday (all Kershaw)-not that I'm stuck on those, but where I live, I couldn't find much. I've laying back and reading posts for awhile and learning from everyone, then just had something come over me and said, right now I NEED a knife, probably because I came into a few bucks. But, lost one knife fit, (SOG Twitch ll), but I wouldn't know any different. Anyways all four knives I bought were 1. Leek (at McCoy Lumber Co.) They had it in a case and it was on clearance for $40, last one. I don't know if that was a deal or not, but it said clearance and I had a knife moment. Told the cashier, no need to box it up, clipped it on and felt, man, like whole again. I've been without a blade for about 5 months. Next went to Academy and bought 3 other Kershaw knives because I wanted to feel them out. Scallion, Cyro, Chive are their names. Like the feel of the Cyro, but just too heavy for me and like I said, I thought it was too slow. Chive was hard to hold...too small, but not bad for a church knife. The Scallion is pretty nice...but would it is also a tad small. It big enough to do the work I need, but too small that I would have to concentrate too much to not cut myself. So, I felt at least for me the Cyro felt the best in my hand. I'm a small dude. I don't know that 3'' Leek can work, but feel if it was a tad smaller I'd like it better and if it had a deep clip it would be mucho bueno. Long winded. Do y'all carry with clips? I never really thought about dropping a knife like this in my pocket. I could foresee slipping a Case in my pocket for some occasions, but for EDC Landscape work, I've just always used a clip and never really liked that they rode so high. When I saw that there was a deep pocket deal I said, "Yeah Buddy. That's what I'm talking about." Thanks for any response. Sho nuff.
 
I'll check out all of the knives y'all mention. I did go to a local hunting store also the other day and played with a some Benchmades. Those are some smooth knives. I wanted to buy one, but felt what they had were too large and I would just tear them up. But I'll try to research all the knives y'all suggest. I think my price range is about >$60. If it is Christmas time, after I have gifts for all my kids, I may bump that up to for myself. All these knives I bought were >$40, so that works. I've been reading a bit about steel and seems like the S30V is what would be the ideal knife, but the most important features are:

1. one handed opening, and I like the finger flicker thing on those Kershaw, but whatever...I've never held a Spyderco either
2. blade somewhere between 2.6-2.95"
3. I don't know much about steel...from what I've read S30V seems to be the choice, but I don't know if I've ever played with one, never looked
4. either rides low with a clip or maybe even just without
5. slim and not a special ops looking knife.
6. sharp and real sharp

I also never really have sharpened my blades, so I got a lot to learn. Maybe even considered a fixed blade. I just have never carried one and don't know how to make look non threatening. Y'all ever carry those? I saw an ESEE knife that looked like a good fit, but that is the only ones I looked at online. Lots of thoughts and questions, but looking for the answers...adios tostadaos
 
Gracias Senior Cereal_Killer, I'll check 'em all out. Aren't the BM over $100? Do you know where the best place is to buy one or the spyders you mentioned?
 
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