Slim bladed folders

[Boattale]

How could I forget?

 

[Rupestris]

One of my favorites has always been the Case 6208 Half Whittler. Formerly a slim single spring knife, it’s now a dual spring.

The small pen blade is 0.049.

The main blade is 0.082

The newer model compared to the older.

OAL

Old single spring with the new version for comparison.

The lighting in my garage is terrible I apologize for the funky color.

 

[5K Qs]

...

and 5K Qs that is a great listing you put together there, Many thanks! I appreciate it, my run ins with Rough Ryder I don't recall them being that thin but I don't remember which models I had, but worth checking out!
G2

You're welcome, although I'm not sure how helpful it is with the lack of details about how thickness is measured. I suppose it gives us info about the relative thickness of various models. (I looked at Case muskrats, but for some reason thickness was not reported for those.) I was surprised that Case canoes came in so thin. I have lots of canoes, including 5 Case canoes, and I've always thought that they cut well, but I guess I hadn't noticed how thin the blades were (except maybe on the amber jigged bone CV Case canoe).

- GT

 

[Boattale]

I have to opine that there is a lot more involved in a blade being a good/great slicer than the thickness of the blade at the spine.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

My #8 Opinel is about .06" at the spine and behind the edge is about .014" and it cuts exceptionally well. But overall a little longish and the steel keeps it's edge ok but not great. So I guess my quest will be a hard one to fill



G2

Edited to add, initially the blade felt soft on my stones, after several sharpenings, I'm guessing around 4, the steel feels a bit harder against the stones during sharpening and appears to hold it's edge better now. Before it would need a good strop in order to be somewhat sharp again, so I believe it's true that a knife, some knives, can benefit from several sharpening's before you get down to the 'good' stuff.

 

[cbach8tw]

I think Opinel will be pretty thin, I have a #6 stainless and it is a slicer. I thought my USA Made Uncle Henry 697 small serpentine stockman was thin, I believe it is 440A. I think I can suggest…not completely answer your need for a thin blade and go to a small fixed blade…..a RedMeadow cowbell. You can get a good grip on it without being too small, and the blade is thin…..I got the Zulu blade shape.

 

[Will Power]

An interesting question, made more difficult by your need for 2 blades

The Opinel or pretty much most French knives fit the key slicing bill but most are not two blade- unless you count Laguiole with a corkscrew or fleam...no.

I'd say you need to think about a pattern with blade each end and preferably single-spring, this makes for thinner blades. Three suggestions: GEC 82 Possum Skinner: Clip/Wharncliffe both full size. GEC 68 White Owl Clip or Spear/Pen small secondary. Queen Cutlery Muskrat single spring 2 full California Clips ground thin in D2- this retains very well.

 

[Will Power]

I have to opine that there is a lot more involved in a blade being a good/great slicer than the thickness of the blade at the spine.

Very true.

Pallares knives (Spain) with their Leaf blades are quite thick stock but ground thin at the edge and are formidable slicers. Likewise, Chambriard (France) knives le Thiers-compact or bigger sizes are distal taper and very efficient slicers but alas both marques are single blades ....

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Case Muskrat! The CV versions strike me as slightly thinner than the SS, but I haven't measured. Also, Schrade (USA) 897UH.

 

[Shmo723]

What about the GEC 81 Coon Skinner / muskrat? Very thin identical blades running on one spring.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

S Shmo723 that is a good call, I was just in on a Traditional knife giveaway and one of the knives in the package happed to be a GEC 81 Yellow Rose and by my rough measurements the tang is about .070" and tapers down to .030" near the tip, which on some non traditional folders that is about what the behind the edge thickness is !

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Compared to one of RoseCraft folders which is typical thickness

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

So, my search is about over for the slim bladed folder, only thing I would have preferred would be that it wasn't as long, but being narrow it goes into the watch pocket easily.
G2

 

[Drop bear]

Yachting knives are generally thinner?

Those really big sheepsfoot style?

 

[Arathol]

S Shmo723 that is a good call, I was just in on a Traditional knife giveaway and one of the knives in the package happed to be a GEC 81 Yellow Rose and by my rough measurements the tang is about .070" and tapers down to .030" near the tip, which on some non traditional folders that is about what the behind the edge thickness is !

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Compared to one of RoseCraft folders which is typical thickness

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

So, my search is about over for the slim bladed folder, only thing I would have preferred would be that it wasn't as long, but being narrow it goes into the watch pocket easily.
G2

Thin and fits in a watch pcket? GEC Northfield 68 White Owl, blade is .06 at the spine, .025 at the tip.....

 

[Shmo723]

S Shmo723 that is a good call, I was just in on a Traditional knife giveaway and one of the knives in the package happed to be a GEC 81 Yellow Rose and by my rough measurements the tang is about .070" and tapers down to .030" near the tip, which on some non traditional folders that is about what the behind the edge thickness is !

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Compared to one of RoseCraft folders which is typical thickness

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

So, my search is about over for the slim bladed folder, only thing I would have preferred would be that it wasn't as long, but being narrow it goes into the watch pocket easily.
G2

The blades on those are so thin but still quite sturdy. Enjoy! The 81 muskrat in coffee house acrylic was my first gec, started me down the path to appreciating traditionals with its perfect action and SNAP.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks, I'll do just that, it's quite an attractive folder as well. I was just cutting up some foam to pack the upcoming giveaway to ship out this week and the blade just cruised through the material pretty neatly!

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2