Small Pocketknife

[Razorsharp-Travis]

spyderco ladybug or a knife in the spyderco bug series

 

[Lee 74]

Fallkniven U2? Got my Dad one-silly sharp,modern materials and a traditional looking package all in one.

 

[scruffuk]

How about a Cognet Douk-Douk or Spyderco Kiwi Slipit (stag handled for that gentlemanly look)?

 

[themandylion]

I've been looking for a small knife to complement my ZT 0350, one that I can pull out in public and people won't think I'm a maniac. I am looking at Swiss Army Knives (Tinker), the Case Peanut, and various Schrade knives. Are there any other good knives in this catagory?

How about a Kershaw Chill? Or a Zing? The Chill is low-cost, and the flipper is just so much fun!

 

[Eric -SonOfTheViking]

My FH9 is by far the best smaller EDC i ever carry, the 3G steel is just the best we ever seen.
http://www.fallkniven.com/en/shop/details/379/20/folding-knives/lock-back/fh9

//Eric.

 

[Daddyo16]

I keep these on various keychains:

Spyderco Grasshopper
Kershaw Chive
Leatherman Squirt

 

[Will Power]

Fortunately, there are a lot of reasonable to excellent slipjoints available if you fancy a Traditional style.

The Peanut is just too dinky for my tastes (and I don't have big hands) but it has a loyal and respected following. Check out some CASE knives such as Small Texas Jack, Medium Stockman, Mini Trapper, Swayback Jack. Rough Rider are decently made Chinese slipjoints at low cost that help you pick the patterns you really like-they are superior to other import slipjoints by a long chalk. If you have more cash earmarked then do look at Great Eastern Cutlery, I strongly recommend the No.25 single blade, 33 Conductor pattern or the 68 White Owl. All compact, all finely made and a knife that might well outlast us all! Good luck!

 

[Planterz]

To be honest, pretty much any traditional slipjoint with natural handles (wood/bone/horn/antler) is a good knife to avoid scaring people with, as long as it's not too big. Old timey knives make people subconsciously think of their grandfathers and not of bad guys they see on TV. Just get the one you like the most.

Of course, a Swiss Army knife has the same effect (although people usually think of MacGuyver rather than their grandpas). With the added advantage of all the other tools. My personal choice is the Cybertool 29. I find the bit driver absolutely indispensable. In fact, it gets used more than just about any knife/tool I carry. It's larger than the Tinker though, and you really can't go wrong with the Tinker. Apart from the Classic (the keychain one), it's possibly their most commonly sold knife, or close to it.

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

Mmmm. Ananas en tranches!

 

[marcinek]

So many choices. I have seen that even a small, one handed opener will give certain people pause, but people are rarely, if ever, threatened by a slipjoint.

I carry a Vic Super Tinker on occasion. Love it.
My "go-to" was a Case Peanut. Love it, love it, love it. But somehow it has gotten replaced by a Vic Classic. The utility of that Classic is just impossible to ignore. Not as "friendly" or "old timey" as the Peanut, but I can't tell you how many times I've used the scissors, toothpick, tweezers, and nail file.

And no one has given any of those three a second look at the office I work in. They just don't care.

 

[EDCeeker]

I keep these on various keychains:

Spyderco Grasshopper
Kershaw Chive
Leatherman Squirt

+1 on the Chive. I've had blue/black on my "want list" for years, to fill the role of "small, but capable pocket knife for more formal occasions," and finally received it just this past Christmas.

Heck, even the clip is so small I might even carry it clipped, instead of, as I'd originally intended, buried.

Jim

 

[War Eagle]

My vote would also be a GEC model 25. Although I do have and like VERY much a Spyderco Ladybug Salt, it's super light but also very useable for its size. Also for me it's just super cool that I don't ever have to worry about rust, it just makes me smile every time I think about it. My first choice though would be the GEC #25, fantastic knives.

 

[Kru03]

I think the Case Peanut is the perfect choice. I carry that or a swayback and they're perfect when you're out in public and don't want to whip out the tactical beast.

 

[GLDNDomer]

Buck 55 - very recognizeable and non-threatening looking. It has a nice lock and conceals within a watch pocket on a pair of jeans.

 

[dwong]

Any of the smaller Al Mar would work, slim and classy looking.

 

[kinskibrain]

option 1 - Victorinox Spartan. I prefer it to the tinker since I think the Vic can opener is sufficient for most philips I come across. The corkscrew is great if you ever attend parties or drink wine. Many a time have I triumphed when someone asked for a corkscrew. The corkscrew is also brilliant for use as an improvised marlin spike - it's great for undoing impossibly hard nots.

option 2 - Opinel No 7. Mine is in carbon. I love this pocket knife. I've had spydercos, fallkniven tk4 and other stuff but my favourite folding knife is the Opinels. Great value for money and they sharpen like no other knives. Fantastic little pocket scalpels. I own both carbon and stainless but I prefer the carbon steel.

 

[ono724]

I highly recommend a Case Swayback. They are available in a two blade Jack configuration or a single blade Gent.

GEC makes some great knives too. The #33 or #25 patterns might be a good fit for what you want.

I really like that Case

 

[Foilist]

+1 on the GEC 25. I got one a few years ago in buffalo horn, and it is my regular dress pants edc.

 

[richstag]

I would get an Opinel OP6 in carbon. Might as well go for a real nice thin blade. Feather light and about 10 dollars.

 

[tomsch]

I would 2nd the Case Sway Back Jack. I've been through many slipjoints and this remains the one that I still carry on a regular basis.