Sheeple friendly knife? (Under 3 inches, non scary)

J

jasperjb

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Jul 24, 2012
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I don't really want to be carrying my 560 or military around when carrying *any* knife is illegal here. Although, I live in a small country town so I doubt anyone will care if it looks harmless and is under 3 inches.
Any ideas? I don't want a slippy or a traditional. Perhaps a Spyderco Dragonfly? I have the cricket but it looks a bit scary :confused:
Thanks!
 
The Spyderco Dragonfly is a wonderful choice, it's small and often looked at as "cute" rather than "scary".
The great part about it is that there are so many choices!:
Spyderco Dragonfly Stainless Steel
Spyderco Dragonfly Tattoo
Spyderco Dragonfly 2 Black FRN
Spyderco Dragonfly 2 British Racing Green FRN in ZDP-189 Blade Steel.
Spyderco Dragonfly G-10 - Foliage green G-10 scales.

Others to look at, depending on how small you want to go are the Spyderco Ladybug(several flavors) or Spyderco Manbug(a few flavors). These are small and work well for the keychain but make awesome little EDC's as well.

Ladybug Options:
Purple
Foliage Green
Yellow - H1 Steel
Orange - H1 steel - County Comm Exclusive
Tan - H1 steel - County Comm Exclusive
British Racing Green - ZDP-189 Steel - FFG blade
Stainless Steel
Tattoo

Manbug Options:
Black FRN
British Racing Green - ZDP-189 Steel
Grey G-10 Sprint Run

There is also the Spyderco Jester Grey G-10 Sprint Run, I really like the blade shape of this one personally.

The Spyderco Spin is also a nice little knife, smaller than the Dragonfly, with a VG-10 Wharncliffe blade and Stainless Steel Frame Lock. You can find this with the Spyderweb pattern on the handle or the acid etched pattern. You can still pick them up for relatively cheap.

Depending on how much you want to spend, with it being a more expensive option, I'll throw out the Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air as well. It's around $150 US Dollars. Has nice silver twill glass fiber scales with the perfect amount of grip, milled titanium liners, 2.5" Wharncliffe blade in M4 super steel, doesn't have a clip and rides well in any pocket. This knife is just beautiful and has amazing quality. I couldn't be happier with mine and carry it in my watch pocket every day. It's more gentlemanly looking and won't scare people. It's just a great little knife.
 
My first thought is a peanut. But you don't want a slippy or a traditional.

I've been doing a lot of remodeling, and so has my Father and Brother, so I got a pair of "Mora High Q Chisel Knives". I'm really impressed and I want to order a few more for my friends in the construction business. I'm sure they will respect this knife even if they test it to destruction.

3" blade.
Yellow.
Single flat bevel on one side. Just like a chisel.
Big plus is that they are Carbon Steel.
Around 12 bucks here in the States.

However, they are a sheath knife. Nice sheath, friction fit with a nice "snap" when it is all the way in.

I know you mentioned folders. But this thing is pretty mundane.
 
Spyderco Sage series, though it's blade length is 3 inches on the dot. However, it's cutting edge is closer to 2 and half inches. There's four different versions for you to pick from.
 
JSMcustoms said:
Spyderco Sage series, though it's blade length is 3 inches on the dot. However, it's cutting edge is closer to 2 and half inches. There's four different versions for you to pick from.
Click to expand...

I've had plenty of poor reactions from my tenacious, but never one from my Blind Horse Patch knife. There are two versions, one with a longer handle and a shorter one. If you get a patch knife, get the longer handle, it is much more comfortable.
 
^^ Sage is a good Idea. Or you could take a look at the Spyderco Techno(little tank).
Or if you're in the mood for a great design and a custom knife, take a look at the Curtiss Knives Nano. It's another awesome little knife. I was highly impressed.
 
Spyderco Chaparral series are great EDC knives. They are smaller than the Sage but just as good. There are currently 2 versions with different handle materials and steels.
 
BladeChick777 said:
The Spyderco Dragonfly is a wonderful choice, it's small and often looked at as "cute" rather than "scary".
The great part about it is that there are so many choices!:
Spyderco Dragonfly Stainless Steel
Spyderco Dragonfly Tattoo
Spyderco Dragonfly 2 Black FRN
Spyderco Dragonfly 2 British Racing Green FRN in ZDP-189 Blade Steel.
Spyderco Dragonfly G-10 - Foliage green G-10 scales.

Others to look at, depending on how small you want to go are the Spyderco Ladybug(several flavors) or Spyderco Manbug(a few flavors). These are small and work well for the keychain but make awesome little EDC's as well.

Ladybug Options:
Purple
Foliage Green
Yellow - H1 Steel
Orange - H1 steel - County Comm Exclusive
Tan - H1 steel - County Comm Exclusive
British Racing Green - ZDP-189 Steel - FFG blade
Stainless Steel
Tattoo

Manbug Options:
Black FRN
British Racing Green - ZDP-189 Steel
Grey G-10 Sprint Run

There is also the Spyderco Jester Grey G-10 Sprint Run, I really like the blade shape of this one personally.

The Spyderco Spin is also a nice little knife, smaller than the Dragonfly, with a VG-10 Wharncliffe blade and Stainless Steel Frame Lock. You can find this with the Spyderweb pattern on the handle or the acid etched pattern. You can still pick them up for relatively cheap.

Depending on how much you want to spend, with it being a more expensive option, I'll throw out the Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air as well. It's around $150 US Dollars. Has nice silver twill glass fiber scales with the perfect amount of grip, milled titanium liners, 2.5" Wharncliffe blade in M4 super steel, doesn't have a clip and rides well in any pocket. This knife is just beautiful and has amazing quality. I couldn't be happier with mine and carry it in my watch pocket every day. It's more gentlemanly looking and won't scare people. It's just a great little knife.
Click to expand...
What's your take on Manbug vs Ladybug vs Dragonfly?
 
I've got all three. Manbug and lady bug have almost the exact same blade length. The blade profile on the manbug is slightly fatter, has more belly and is available in G10 with SS bolsters. But they are both VERY small knives that are designed to use on a keychain or to drop into the bottom of your pocket. If you are used to carrying a full sized knife, they will seem really small. If you go with either one of these, I'd add a lanyard to give you a full grip. The Dragonfly, while still being a small knife, actually fits the hand better for every day use. You still might want a lanyard for a full four finger grip, but it's certainly more substantial than a ladybug or a manbug.

Staying with the Spyderco theme, there are several other options as well. The Ambitious is the baby in the Tenacious line, and it has a more substantial grip to it while still being a small knife. Then there is the Cat. It's about the same size as the Ambitious, but has a slightly narrower blade profile. I know that you mentioned not being interested in slipjoints, but you MIGHT want to check out the Kiwi 3. The knife has a very small profile that disapears in your pocket, but the blade is designed with a large finger choil that actually gives you a full four finger grip.
 
Both the Böker nano and the Subcom (in orange or pink) are pretty friendly looking.
Bit on the small side though.
Or maybe the Izula for a small fixed blade,
 
Take a look at the Spyderco Leafstorm, lovely little knife that I am really taking a liking to after a having it for a couple days. Some people don't like the ergo's and/or that it doesn't have a choil on the heel but I haven't had any problem with either. I have large paws and it feels fine in my hand and I have no problem using it for everyday cutting tasks. Sturdy, thick blade, solid lock up along with the usual Spyderco fit and finish. Nothing scary or aggressive about its appearance when unfolded and the jade colored G10 and titanium combination give it a distinctive. classy look. I work in an office and this should be perfect for that environment. The DF2 was also on my short list and will probably be my next little knife purchase, most likely the ZDP-189 version. Not sure I'd carry a DF2 to work, however.
 
How about something like the Al Mar Hawk? It's a "pretty" little lock back knife with a 2 1/4" blade. You can get the scales in materials like Mother of Pearl, Abalone, several woods, stag or jigged bone. Very non-threatening looking.
 
Megnin makes a good point, handle material choice can make a difference in how the knife is perceived. The natural materials an really make a difference in the knife's appearance.

Also the manner in which you open and use your knife will affect the way people react. I keep it low key and go about using like any other tool I use on a daily basis.

Ric
 
I've used an Opinel No. 6 to eat in various buildings of my university. So far, no comments from strangers.

However, it looks like you want a one-hand-open knife. I have a Spyderco Chaparral as another people-friendly, dressy knife.
 
In my opinion, and thinking from the perspective of a person who is not into knives like we are, I would say that any Spyderco is going to be "scary" looking.

I would suggest a Benchmade Mini Griptilian; although I can't say if the Axis Lock would qualify it as illegal in Australia.

best

mqqn
 
jasperjb said:
I don't really want to be carrying my 560 or military around when carrying *any* knife is illegal here.
Click to expand...

I believe you just answered your own question...?

If nothing else, go with the cheapest blade possible, for when it's confiscated.

~ P.
 
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