Small (<2.5" blade) slipjoint with big blade/s? (Germany carry)

[MatthewVanitas]

Once again I find myself coming to BF for advice on knives due to yet more restrictions on my knife carry due to work and travel.

I'm looking at some possible jobs in Germany, and understand that the laws there prohibit 1-hand openers. Combining that with some other restrictions I deal with in travel and worksites, I'm looking for a good-quality slipjoint with the largest blade no bigger than 2.5".

Here are some of the features I'm looking for:

• Under $150 (prefer under $100)
• Big broad (but short) blade or blades, like on a Barlow or a Butterbean. Not so much slim little blades like on a Jack, Trapper, or Peanut.
• Carbon or stainless is fine
• Hopefully slimmer than GEC's knives, which are lovely but a bit thick
• Decently durable since it'll be getting banged around with my keys and used for minor tasks at work
• Not a fan of spear/pen points, so clip point would be good, and Wharncliff always awesome

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[TLARbb]

I'd look into an Opinel or Victorinox or even a Boker Barlow.

Opinel #5 or #6. Should be available in carbon steel or stainless.

Victorinox has lots of suitable knives in your size range such as the Gardener series and the Pioneer. Only thing is most all Victorinox has spear point blades.

The Barlow style knife might be right down your alley. Lots of different makers out there.

Both the Opinels and the SAKs are very inexpensive and easy to replace in Europe, especially for a work knife.

Ed

 

[moonwilson]

The QCCC teardrop jack sounds about right- the master blade is right at 2.5", IIRC. They're lovely little knives- definitely stout enough for a heavy work knife.

Ebony and carbon, with superb F&F for around $100- what's not to like?
I think Queen makes a similar teardrop jack as a regular offering, but I could be mistaken. There are some Schatt & Morgan teardrops that are similar, but they are the very definition of "nailbusters"- the backspring on mine makes a GEC #73 look positively wimpy by comparison.

Edit: Sorry, I just measured my example of the above knife, and the master blade measures right at 3". My mistake! The S&M teardrop measures at just a hair over 2.5".

The Case swayback jack might work. The master blade is just over 2.25".

 

[jacknife]

Case Sodbuster Jr.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Ran across another possible contender: Cripple Creek "Punkin' Seed" knives. Kind of midway between a little barlow and a jack, or like a one-ended butterbean. I'd be more tempted by the butterbean if they had more variety of profiles (just can't get into spearpoint), but you can't have everything...

 

[TLARbb]

That Cripple Creek looks like it has your name on it to me.

Ed

 

[comoha]

The QCCC teardrop jack sounds about right- the master blade is right at 2.5", IIRC. They're lovely little knives- definitely stout enough for a heavy work knife.

Ebony and carbon, with superb F&F for around $100- what's not to like?
I think Queen makes a similar teardrop jack as a regular offering, but I could be mistaken. There are some Schatt & Morgan teardrops that are similar, but they are the very definition of "nailbusters"- the backspring on mine makes a GEC #73 look positively wimpy by comparison.

Edit: Sorry, I just measured my example of the above knife, and the master blade measures right at 3". My mistake! The S&M teardrop measures at just a hair over 2.5".

The Case swayback jack might work. The master blade is just over 2.25".

Good call on the Queen Teardrops. :thumbup:

 

[Voltron]

Why not try the Victorinox Cadet?
Alox construction means it is extremely durable!!

Comes in a variety of colors:

At 84MM, it is compact and slim:

And you can even engrave your name on it:

I carry the Red Alox one myself, and it is probably my favorite pocket knife, for EDC or anything. If it will be with your keys, I would get the silver one. Plus it is not very expensive either.
It does have a spear point, but it's not too bad.
Can't go wrong with a Cadet.

 

[Blues]

Why not try the Victorinox Cadet?
Alox construction means it is extremely durable!!

If you read the OP, he states that he is not a fan of spear/pen blades.
That would kind of eliminate the SAK or other knives with spear point master blades.

The OP states that a clip or wharncliffe would be his first choice.

 

[moonwilson]

If you read the OP, he states that he is not a fan of spear/pen blades.
That would kind of eliminate the SAK or other knives with spear point master blades.

The OP states that a clip or wharncliffe would be his first choice.

Whoops. I missed that, for some reason I thought he was looking for a spear-point.

In that case, a GEC #25 easy-open sounds like a good fit. As a single blade, they are quite slim, yet still plenty tough. :thumbup: Blade length is a bit under 2.25", measured from the tip of the bolster.

The sleeveboards (also on the #25 frame) are also slim, with both blades on a single spring. They're sweet little knives.

 

[Voltron]

If you read the OP, he states that he is not a fan of spear/pen blades.
That would kind of eliminate the SAK or other knives with spear point master blades.

The OP states that a clip or wharncliffe would be his first choice.

That's ok.
I threw it out there for him to decide for himself. He might decide he'd like to give it a try, you know? I know I've bought knives I originally wasn't too sure about because I figured I'd try them out.
It's your call, Matthewvanitas.

 

[black mamba]

Case 62009 1/2 Barlow should have about the max length clip blade (stout and deep, too) plus the smaller pen. Many handle and blade steel variations available.

 

[dirtpig67]

I am a GEC fan and some of their single blade knives are fairly slim compared to their multi-bladed knives. The single-bladed barlow they make would meet your requirements. They come in several different blade-shapes so you would have some choice in that area. They can be found for under $70 depending on the sub-brand and handle material.

One option that has not been mentioned is the Northwoods line that Derrick over at knivesshipfree.com is marketing now. They seem to be pretty well made from some of the reviews I have read so far.

 

[Will Power]

This is quite tough as most blades that size tend to be slim.

Maybe you should verify the exact wording of the law, you may discover that a slightly larger size is allowed,particularly if you are using it in a work context. Worth investigating.

The GEC EZ Opener is a gem of a knife and as already shown it has Sheepfoot blade. Pity you dislike Spears, they give width.

If you can carry a larger knife at work, the GEC No.73 Tidioute Beaver Tail would be a perfect choice for you: broad Skinner blade, carbon just over 3" blade(total not cutting edge) nor is this thick knife either. The flat bolster variant is even slimmer.

 

[popedandy]

2.5" is always a tough blade length to work with, especially when you look for a wide blade.
-The Case Swayback Jack is a good choice.
-A.G. Russell makes a two-blade reverse Congress that has nice, wide blades 2 3/8" long.
-There are some other companies that make a half/2-blade Congress.
-Rough Rider mades a Barlow with a clip main blade that measures just under 2 1/2".
-Steel Warrior has a saddlehorn with clip and spey blades that come in right at 2 1/2".
-The Spyderco Urban is a possibility if you don't mind shortening the blade a little bit with a sander. If you take the length off the top of the blade, you wouldn't have to rework the edge.
-If you can find a Lone Wolf Loveless folder, it's a real nice knife. I've seen two figures for blade length on it - 2 5/8" and 2 1/2". Mine is just shy of 2 1/2".

 

[Absintheur]

The Boker Beer Barrel Whittler has a main blade of 2.5 inches and a small coping blade and pen blade. Made of C75 which is a good high carbon non-stainless. The scales are made from what looks like oak staves from used beer barrels.