Recommendations for an EDC folder with <2.5" blade?

S

ScottFW

Joined
Dec 16, 2007
Messages
8
My job entails entering "federal facilities." Let's assume for the sake of this thread that I am interested in complying with Title 18 U.S.C. Sec 930, which allows me to legally carry "a pocket knife with a blade of less than 2 1/2 inches in length."

I usually carry a Kershaw Blackout or Composite Leek, but those wouldn't technically be legal to carry at work so I'm looking for something new. I do like Kershaws for performance & value but I'm by no means going to restrict my choices to one brand. These are some of the folders I've found with blades shorter than 2.5".

Kershaw Scallion
Benchmade Aphid
Spyderco Dragonfly
SOG Flash 1

I'm looking for a folder that can be opened with one hand. Assisted opening is a plus but not strictly required. A pocket clip is fairly important and I'd prefer a plain edge with no serrations. I want a blade steel that will be durable and stand up to any reasonable (or unreasonable ;)) task you'd expect of a pocketknife. The steels I've seen so far in <2.5" blades are AUS8 (SOG), 440C (Benchmade), 420HC and Damascus (Kershaw), and VG10 (Spyderco).

Any thoughts on the above knives? Or any other models I've neglected to mention? Any recommendations are much appreciated.
 
Dragonfly's are real nice.. but hold off b/c they have the FRN 2's coming out soon as well as a G10 version with wire clip. I'll be getting one or the other or both.. I'm not a fan of the integrated clip on the current version. I think the new versions will have an adjustable pivot screw also.. there is a thread over in the Spyderco forum.
 
Spyderco Kopa is more dressed-up looking, and otherwise fits your requirements. Doesn't look tactical, which can be a plus.
Higher end is the Spyderco Leaf Storm with S30V blade. Quite tempting, actually...
 
This is just out of what I've used, I'm pretty happy with all of them.

SOG Twitch II (Assisted)
Buck 292 Impulse (Assisted)
Gerber AR 3.0 (Not assisted, a tiny hair bigger that 2.5. 2-9/16, it's pretty good, the others are better)
CRKT Kommer Fulcrum (Not assisted, little bigger than 2.5 same as above)
Kershaw Chive (smaller than the Scallion, same design)
Kershaw Scallion (very nice design, I'd recommend the one with the steel or plastic handles over the aluminum handles, though the aluminum handles aren't bad either)
SOG Blink Tiny assisten opener, looks like the Twitch but smaller.
Kershaw Leek (depends on how picky they're going to be, (2-3/4)

I don't like the SOG Flash 1, the slideing lock tears up my hands when closing it. I don't know if they've changed over to the arc lock yet, I have seen it on the Flash II though so they might. I'd say a Flash 1 with an arc lock would be okay too. I've never used either the spyderco or the benchmade you mentioned, I'd imagine they're pretty decent knives though.
 
A Boker Subcom may suit you. I've put mine through most knife tasks, including cutting up boxes, tape, hobby cutting, and even as a putty knife. So far, only the finish is scuffed up, but it's a workhorse more than a looker.

The grip is outstanding for a 4.5 OAL knife.
 
A Fallknives U2 is a great little knife. There are several Spyderco's that fit your size requirements; such as the Ladybug.
 
I have similar issues to consider - and usually carry a mini Ritter, UKPK, U2, or, of late, a Leafstorm. I also have a "custom" slippy that I carry on occasion.

Remember, blade length is measured from blade tip to scales, not merely the cutting edge.

Never had any issues with these, but I don't clip knives to my pockets, so no one can do the common tell-tale thing by spotting the clip and tell I'm carrying.

Of those, the only truely legal ones are the Leafstorm, U2, and custom slippy. The Leafstorm has the advantage as being visably shorter than the "max" length.
 
The Dragonfly is WAY overpriced IMO.

The Scallion is a good choice, or as somebody else mentioned, the Boker SubCom/SubClaw/Wharcom.
 
If you want SpeedSafe, look at the Kershaw Mini Mojito. The blade length is 2.375". Overall length is 5.87". 3 ounces, stud lock, tip up/down and has a safety built into the flipper. As for the blade steel, older new stock may still be on some dealer's shelves. The BOD will give you the correct blade steel. Anything with a JUL07 or earlier BOD will be 440A. AUG07 or later will be Sandvik 13C26.

This is a lot of knife in a little package!

large-ks1800l.jpg
 
Wait for the new Dragonfly 2. Sal is already asking people what they want (nested liners, FRN, screw construction, wire clip, etc.). I'm sure the new D'fly2 will have VG-10 and be a superb EDC.
 
I'd go with a Spyderco Kopa myself, with some sort of natural inlays (wood, bone, shell, etc). Even a small knife, if assisted or all black, can appear "weapon-like", but natural materials make any knife look more traditional and less offensive. I hate the sheeple mentality as much as anybody, but a government building is one place where you don't want to stir things up if you don't have to.
 
I like the Spyderco Urban for inside the Beltway. It's slightly larger size than dragonfly makes it that much more useful. No lock and spydie hole makes it super easy to open and close. I would actually prefer a lock so I'm waiting for the 2.5" Spyderco Cat to come out, however I have not found the lack of lock to actually be a problem, the spyderco design is certainly safer than the sub 2.5" Victorinox SAK Cadet I've been carrying for a while too. Nobody is threatened by a SAK.
 
ScottFW said:
Let's assume for the sake of this thread that I am interested in complying with Title 18 U.S.C. Sec 930, which allows me to legally carry "a pocket knife with a blade of less than 2 1/2 inches in length."
Click to expand...
Of the blades you listed, I would go with the Dragonfly, but I'm a huge fan of Spyderco knives. Now, someone else suggested waiting for the FRN model, but looking at the photos I have seen it appears the pocket clip is molded onto the frame? If that's the case, I would go with the SS handle. The last molded in clip knife I had the clip got bent outwards and it was impossible to bend it back, making the clip worthless. :(

I'm looking for a folder that can be opened with one hand. Assisted opening is a plus but not strictly required.
Click to expand...
Are you aware of the absolute ban on switchblades on federal property? I know, I know, AOs are not switchblades, but personally I would just as soon not need to explain the difference to the security guard at the enterance every time I go to work. ;)
 
I've got nothing great to add, but I like my Boker Keycom enough to recommend the slightly bigger Subcom/Wharcom
 
Thanks for all the replies. You guys have definitely given me some new ones to look at. I've done a lot of reading here and e-browsing various sites and I keep coming back to the Scallion, Dragonfly/Kopa/Leafstorm, and maybe the Boker Subcom which I previously didn't know about. I'm familiar with Kershaws and know what I'd be getting with the Scallion, though I might be tempted to spring for Damascus. The Subcom is affordable enough that I might pick one up just because.

I actually don't own any Spydercos and I feel like less of a knife nut because of it. I do have a couple Scrap Yard blades in the collection (Dogfather and Yard Keeper, both CG) so hopefully that redeems some of my worthiness to inhabit this forum. :cool: But anyway, on the spydies...

The Kopas look nice, but I'm not sure I'd get one over the Dragonfly. The blades are of the same steel, and while the Kopa's is 1/8" longer and a few hairs thicker, most of the cost seems to be in the fancy handle inlays and I'm not sure I'm willing to spend 2.5X as much for that.

The Leafstorm has a certain appeal. It has S30V, titanium, and some nice looking G10. But I'm not sure how that shape would feel in the hand, and there's no real choil, in fact the handle slopes toward the blade which seems less than ideal. It's real pretty though, to the point that I might feel bad about it being an EDC/user. I'd have to fondle one to be sure.

On the Dragonfly I'd definitely choose the stainless handle over the FRN with molded clip. However if the Dragonfly 2 has G10 and a wire clip that would be sweet and I'd probably buy one.

I'm not overly concerned with a knife that looks too "tactical" versus "gentleman-like," assisted or not, a pocket clip that gives it away, or anything else that would scare the sheeple. As long as the blade is under 2.5", then it satisfies the legal aspect and I won't have any qualms about carrying it. I am not subjected to a search when I go to work, just show my ID and get in, so it's not like I have to display it to security for their approval. They would literally never see it. A few of my coworkers occasionally see it when I open boxes or cut a bad spot out of my apple at lunch, but they haven't freaked out yet, and I don't make a habit of displaying it to people I don't know. In fact nobody has ever questioned me about it in over two years of working at the same place. I'm generally pretty covert about what I carry, be it a knife, pistol, whatever. My own wife usually doesn't know when/what I'm carrying in that regard.
 
I've always thought that Spyderco's Cricket and Poliwog were pretty cute. What do you think?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top