Recommend a sub-3.5" fierce folder

Shmackey

Shmackey

Joined
May 5, 2000
Messages
1,478
Now that I've come to grips with the 3.5" limit, my BM 710 is going to have to see less daylight.

I'm looking for a folder that's below 3.5" but still a mean little bugger. I'd rather not have a backup-less linerlock, or a small CRKT KFF.

I'm thinking REKAT Carnivore Cub, Spydie Harpy, CRKT Seahawk (assuming the latter two fit the length category and I can get over the linerlock on the CRKT). Or I could get a BM Ares (I love the Axis lock) and sharpen off 0.1"...

What else is out there that's Colorado friendly but still narsty?



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Man, I hate smileys.
 
I don't have the other knives, but I did have a Carnie Cub. I said did, because the Wife decided she liked it and that was that! This of course gives me an excuse to buy a new Cub.
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I'm holding out for D-2E steel.
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The Cub is comfortable, wicked recurve blade that cuts like a much larger knife, and the Rolling lock is plenty strong. Tough to go wrong with.
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(Of course, as always, your mileage may vary.)

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A Pat on the Back is only a few inches from a Kick in the Butt.
 
MOD. The Trident or Tempest are both under, by a tiny bit, 3.5" but still a very functional knife. The CQB II is also a good choice.

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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 
Yeah, I just saw the MOD Trident (I think). Very interesting. Another option indeed. I also saw:

Benchmade G10 721 (Pardue Tanto Axis)
Microtech Mini Socom
Emerson CQC w/ Wave

Those three are high up there on the options list; I love the Axis lock and don't have a tanto; Microtech is a winner; the Wave is intriguing.

Keep 'em coming! The state of CO needs your suggestions.

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Man, I hate smileys.
 
Go get the Cold Steel El Lobo. It's a 3" blade with total attitude. It carries perfectly. I can't even tell it's on me.
 
Consider the MOD Hornet (James Keating design). Small but very well made and slick.

Dick

[This message has been edited by knifenerd (edited 04-23-2001).]
 
The MOD Hornet is good. But the markings/name on the blade could cause you a legal problem if you have use it, of course you'll have a problem anyway.

BM's mini-AFCK is a good design. But I prefer the earlier models with a round hole and stainless liners. There used to be guy that offered a 'speed version'. He got the knife, scalloped the handle by the thumb hole, polished the pivot, reassembled to spec, adjusted the lock bar, and sold them for BM's retail price. Sorry, but my bookmark for him is out of date. Maybe someone else knows.

Also, consider a Delica. Considered to be a utility knife in court as opposed to a knife designed for fighting/killing. But effective.

When you come right down to it, any sharp pointy thing will do.
 
personally, i think i would check out the MOD ladyhawk , and the BM mini stryker is less than 3.5" too i think - the mini AFCK is good too ,,,,,,

vet
 
Roger, at Bayou LaFourche, is closing out a few discontinued Benchmades, and Kershaws. He has the mini-AFCK for $68, with black M1 plain blade. Here is URL: http://moss.bayou.com/shopzone4/cgi-bin/webc/shopzone4/accounts/rogerc/st_prod.html?p_prodid=288&p_catid=30&sid=61iJHB0GI7S-4K5-32101597262.92

I personally have quite a bit of faith in CRKT's liner locks. I really like the way the large LUS is put together. There are many other models with 3.5 or smaller blades, one of which you mentioned. In fact, you might ask Roger about closeout prices on Apaches.

Shootist16 is trying to get his hands on Carnivor Cubs, but stated in post today or yesteray that his supplier doesn't have them in stock.

I'm not sure of exact blade length, but I really like the Timberline Vallotten Discovery Lock knife. It has excellent fit and finish, assisted opening, and what appears to be a solid, safe lock. Again, Shootist 16 will probably beat anyone else's price on that.

Personally, I'd look for a good knife more than for "scary appearance." Some folks might not get scared. You'd be up the proverbial stream if you had a knife that only looked "bad."


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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Hmm...Leaning toward the Carnie Cub or the BM 721 G10 Tanto. I've always liked the Stryker (more than the AFCK), but not enough to overlook the liner lock. I wonder if the Carnie Cubs are available in tool steel yet.

Those MODs are cool, but somehow they just scream "I want to get in trouble" just from the name.

Are there any folders this size that happen to have a longer handle? That way the blade's still legal but the reach is better.

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Man, I hate smileys.
 
The carnie cub is a good choice and a very functional knife. Only thing I dislike is the pocket clip allows about an inch or more of the knife to stick out of your pocket. I am very into deep pocket carry. My edc in the 3.5 inch variety is a Crawford Covert that I just received last week. Of course I go to the extreme and also carry a 5.5" MADD MAXX as an edc also! Although not both at once.

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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 
If you want a husky under 3.5" knife, I can think of four great choices: BM 720/721; REKAT Carnivore Cub; Emerson CQC7 A/B; Spyderco Gunting. All of these are agressive looking under 3.5". If you are willing to pay custom money, you could order a Darrel Ralph EDC, or check out the Greg Lightfoot Suppressor and other models. Allen Elishewitz makes plenty of great 3.25" models as well as Brian Tighe also.
 
I would (and did) go with the Spyderco Gunting. Not sure how close Denver is to Golden, but you might want to drive up to the Factory Outlet and see if it is a design that works for you. 3" blade is legal, long handle gives you impact options as well as cutting options, and enhances the leverage you can exert upon the blade. The lock is the compression lock, which should be plenty strong.
 
As an owner of a Spyderco Gunting, a REKAT Cub, and a BM 720, I would put them in exactly that order for defense knives. If you go for the Gunting, do buy the tape, "Spyderco Introduces the Gunting by Bram Frank". It is worth every cent, not to teach you all of the moves to make with the knife, but to teach you all of the dumb moves to avoid. This knife, for some reason, seems to cause people to lose their common sense and they do dumb things with it. Get the tape, watch it, and pay attention to what Bram says, because he has heard all kinds of complaints from people who haven't paid attention. If you want to practice with the Gunting as a martial arts system, do, by all means, get a "red knife" rebated practice knife, or you and/or your partner will be spending time in the Emergency Room. Bram has a number of tapes out on how to use the knife as a martial arts system, it is rather more than a knife. That said, I carry it as a 3" utility knife into Washington, DC, where the blade limit 3". I like the hilt size for my arthritic hands and the general handiness for me is very good. But it does scare hell out of non-knife people when they see it. The blade, like most current top of the line Spydies, is CPM440V, my favorite steel.

I just got a Carnivore Cub from Shootist. I really like it. The blade is 3.25" and it is built like it could carve Mount Rushmore. I have no idea of the lock strength, but it is way beyond anything that I need. The blade is ATS34.

I have had a BM 720 Pardue since they first came out. I like it, it is very smooth, but it just doesn't feel as sturdy as the REKAT, although, God knows, the materials should make it solid enough. It is only a feeling. It has scales of aircraft aluminum, an axis lock, and a 154CM steel blade.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
I like my Lightfoot Suppressor a bunch at 3-1/4". Great handle design, very interesting double hollow ground sort-of-tanto point (only other tanto grind I like is the Spydier Lum).

In production, the BM705 is a bit short at 3" but the lock is still stout. 812 works for me also, good grip. Mine all lock up well (3 of them, one's a gift).

A small Kit Carson model 4 or 16 would be great also.

The large Sebenza comes in right at 3.5" and no better lock on a folder, debateably.

 
Gunting, Harpy (might cause trouble though), MOD Ladyhawk (same as Harpy), MT Kestral or Vector, KFF and that Emerson mini CQC looks very interesting, I might have to pick one of those up...
Good Luck,
Matt
 
Maybe I'll just get a Vaquero Grande and bend the rules in style...

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Man, I hate smileys.
 
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