Recommendations wanted.

gajinoz

gajinoz

Joined
Sep 2, 2003
Messages
11,650
I'm looking for a small knife I can clip inside my shirt pocket. I'd like it to be reasonably priced but of good quality. It needs to be small and light but capable of most light cutting duties. Basically, something that you can clip into a busines shirt pocket without being overly obvious. I'm not especially concerned about looks but if it looks nice that's a bonus.
 
No doubt look at a William Henry T09 or T10. They are georgeous and weigh about one ounce.
 
I think that a Chris Reeve Mnandi would be just what you need. No it isn't cheap but it would be perfect for your intended purpose. It comes with a clip that looks like the clip on a ballpoint pen. Go for it!:D :cool: ;)
 
First question, what weight? For me, the upper limit on shirt pocket clipping is around 1.8 oz. I'll use my weight criteria of around 1.0 oz. being perfect, utility declining with increased weight and anything over 2.0 oz being disqualified. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Second question: what's a reasonable price?

<$50 and I'd say a Lightweight Spyderco Cricket. It's small, lightweight (1.25oz) and very cute. rides pretty low in the pocket also.

<$100 and I'd go with the Benchmade 771 Osborne. It's on the heavy side (1.7), but is an extremely elegant design.

<$200 and I'd go with a Carbon Fiber WH T-09 Lancet. It's super light (1.0oz) and the clip looks like a nice pen.

> $200 Lots more choices here: The Chris Reeve Mnandi if you don't mind a teeny bit more heft (1.3 oz). The clip on the Mnandi is a work of art. Or one of the new WH Titanium Button Locks (B5-FT). Or one of the WH Damascus Button Locks. Or...

Of course your requirements regarding knife shape and strength will be different from mine. The possibilities are endless. BTW, I went with the Mnandi and I couldn't be happier.
 
I would go with the Chris Reeve or William Henry offerings. Yes they cost a little more (ok, maybe alot more), but you're getting the best being made.

Paul
 
I'd go with a Benchmade 770 Carbon Fiber. I carry it in my shirt pocket now-and-then. Length makes it a better balance for that pocket than the Cricket. Walter at Spoonriver Cutlery has a model with a fair price (about 85 bucks, I think).
 
Second the Seki-Cut Hiro knife, fit and finish is excellent and is very light. You might also want to take a look at Xikar Cutlery's Elan; framelock, carbon fiber overlays. Both are very affordable choices, although they probably aren't anywhere near as nice as CRK or WH offerings.
 
I always keep a few "shirt pocket knives" around. They alternate with my small neck knives as light-weight carry. Two recent favorites, both framelocks:

Benchmade/Mel Pardue "Big Spender" money clip knife, mirror polished stainless steel handle, 154 CM blade, 5+7/8" overall length;

Spyderco stainless steel Cricket, VG-10 blade, 4+3/4" overall.

Somewhat more expensive:

Ka-Bar Dozier Thorn, aluminum handle, tab-lock, D2 blade, 7+1/8" overall. An all-black version is available now also.

CRK Mnandi. The best, but very expensive. 6+1/4" overall, titanium handles with wood inlay, S30V blades.
 
Spyderco Dragonfly. Great little knife, looks like a Sharpie marker in your pocket, pretty cheap (around $30)...
 
Originally posted by Scott Dog
I think that a Chris Reeve Mnandi would be just what you need. No it isn't cheap but it would be perfect for your intended purpose. It comes with a clip that looks like the clip on a ballpoint pen. Go for it!:D :cool: ;)
Click to expand...

I agree with Scott. The Mnandi is the quintessential Gent/office knife. It is light weight and non-threatening but can handle most any task that you may throw it's way. Yes the Mnandi costs a good bit but it is well worth the money. You may want to try eBay to see if you can keep your cost down. I picked up one of my two Mnandis on eBay for $235.00 a few weeks ago and it was NIB with a 2003 DOB. Get one, you won't regret it.
 
Chris Reeve Mnandi. The way the clip is designed and positioned on the knife, it actually can pass as a pen in a shirt pocket. You will not be disappointed.
 
Some good suggestions there, thanks. The CR Mnardi sounds nice but a little outside my price range for this purchase. I should have been a little less vague with my "reasonable price" criterion. I'm sure it has a perfectly "reasonable price" to Bill Gates but I'm more in the $0 to $50 range. I'll try and have a look at the knives mentioned and I'll let you know if I find something suitable.
 
Although they are discontinued, the DeltaZ Executive knives are perfect for what you describe. They're designed to look like a pen when closed, and weigh about as much as a quality pen. I saw one recently in the FS forum for $25, that's what they sold for during Delta Z's big blow out sale.
 
Then I'll recoment Spyderco Dragonfly Stainless Steel Handle:
21602425-13f4-02000180-.jpg

It may be bit havy but looks very nice and stylish.
More pictures here:
http://www.geocities.com/nozh2002/Spyderco-Dragonfly.html
Thanks, Vassili.
P.S. BTW:
Hiro LB is here:
http://www.geocities.com/nozh2002/SekiCut-HiroLB.html
 
I often wear my SOG outdoor mini-autoclip in my shirt pocket. I have other light knives with clips but that one seems to be the most comfortable.
 
I will throw in with the William Henry crowd. The Kestral T-09 and the T-10 Lancet are very nice knives, small, light, and perfect for a shirt pocket. These knives may cost more but they are well worth the price tag.
 
I carried a Mini-Socom in my top left uniform shirt pocket for years when I was a LEO. Of course the pocket had a flap on it and I doubt that anyone, other than my brother officers, knew it was a knife. The clip hardly showed and could very well have been a pen clip. The Mini is fairly light but has a strong blade for it's size.

Of course you can buy shirts with flap pockets and pockets with a center button which would help carry the weight of whichever knife you chose to carry there.
 
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