Small & Sharp

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WRK003

Joined
Dec 15, 2011
Messages
16
Hello everyone,

I've been lurking on these forums for ages but decided to ask for help in deciding what knife to get my father for Christmas.

Specifically, I am looking for something small with incredible sharpness and edge retention.

EDIT:
Refined Criteria
3.5-4.5 inches closed
Very hard steel (sg2, zdp, or comparable)
No Nylon / Plastic
Maybe assisted opening for his fat old fingers :)

Thanks for your help!
 
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4.5 inches overall? That's gonna be a tough one.

4.24 inches overall length: Aristocrat Medallion. It has vg10 steel which is plenty decent. It's no zdp189, but you will have to look very hard to find a 4.5 inch total length folder with zdp189. You can find these with different handle materials. They are all made in Japan.
7_27705.jpg
 
The Fallkniven U2 and U1 are both small and very very sharp, with Laminated Super Gold Powder Steel at 64 HRC, though they are not likely small enough to fit your 4.5 inch overall need.
 
harkamus said:
The U1 and U2 are nowhere near 4.5 inches overall length.

I think the guy's better of looking for a small fixed blade. Something like this comes to mind.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/907640-Two-Finger-Drop-Point-Prototype The maker didn't leave dimensions, but he could probably tweak that design to make it 4.5 inches total.
Click to expand...

Yes, I know the Fallknivens would be longer than 4.5 inches overall and noted it. But if you're looking for very small with very tough steel, your choices are limited.

If fixed blade is an option (though it sounds like it would not be), the Brous Silent Soldier is very short at 4.25 inches. But fixed blades also have to factor in the width and length of the sheath.
 
Gadfly22 said:
If fixed blade is an option (though it sounds like it would not be), the Brous Silent Soldier is very short at 4.25 inches. But fixed blades also have to factor in the width and length of the sheath.
Click to expand...
The Silent Soldier is exactly what I had in mind as well. I think the OP is asking for a very niche type folder that may not even exist. Even the gentleman William Henrys are bigger than 4.5 overall. He can go custom, but that will push cost through the roof and probably leave him hanging for months to a year+ before he takes delivery of said knife.

Tiny fixed blades on the other hand...there's a lotta choices.

Silent Soldier would be great for work, especially in the wharncliff blade shape.

EDIT: If the dad won't like a Ladybug I doubt a name change and a slightly difference in appearance will make him like the "Man"bug. The sprint run g10 Spyderco Jester does fit the bill, but hardly what I'd call traditional.

Jester sprint run:
spyderco-gray-jester-large.jpg
 
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harkamus said:
The Silent Soldier is exactly what I had in mind as well. I think the OP is asking for a very niche type folder that may not even exist. Even the gentleman William Henrys are bigger than 4.5 overall. He can go custom, but that will push cost through the roof and probably leave him hanging for months to a year+ before he takes delivery of said knife.

Tiny fixed blades on the other hand...there's a lotta choices.

Silent Soldier would be great for work, especially in the wharncliff blade shape.

EDIT: If the dad won't like a Ladybug I doubt a name change and a slightly difference in appearance will make him like the "Man"bug.
Click to expand...

Agree 100% on the niche folder problem. But I'd second (third actually, since Singularity was first) the Manbug. Seems just right if VG-10 is an acceptable steel.
 
There is the spyderco "manbug" as previously stated, there is also the venerable peanut I think its around 4.5 overall - not super high end steel, but they take a razor sharp edge - -

6232.jpg
 
harkamus said:
4.5 inches overall? That's gonna be a tough one.

4.24 inches overall length: Aristocrat Medallion. It has vg10 steel which is plenty decent. It's no zdp189, but you will have to look very hard to find a 4.5 inch total length folder with zdp189. You can find these with different handle materials. They are all made in Japan.
7_27705.jpg
Click to expand...


Spyderco Dragonfly comes in ZDP-189. :)



Excuse my ignorance, I posted without reading the OP.
 
AG Russell 2.5 Titanium Lockback. Titanium frame with your choice of scales, VG-10 steel, comes in just under 4.5" closed. Very traditional styling
 
Totally forgot about the AG Russell 2.5 lockback. I got the 3.0 version for my dad for Father's Day last year. Great little blade.
 
Man... the members of this forum never cease to surprise me with the number and speed of posts.

I am reviewing the information / knives suggested and will get back to everyone right away!

Manbug: The name change is good but there is something about the feel of the lady/manbug style that doesn't scream quality when someone over 65 looks at it.
 
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harkamus said:
The U1 and U2 are nowhere near 4.5 inches overall length.
Click to expand...

Maybe my information is wrong but I'm finding the Fallkniven U2 to be 3 2/5 inches. If this is true it might be perfect. Looks traditional, exotic steel, nice and small!
 
WRK003 said:
Maybe my information is wrong but I'm finding the Fallkniven U2 to be 3 2/5 inches. If this is true it might be perfect. Looks traditional, exotic steel, nice and small!
Click to expand...

Did you mean overall open length or overall closed length? Because the U2 is 3 2/5 inches closed.
 
Doh!

It seems my lack of terminology / brain has confused everyone.

I meant 4.5 CLOSED LENGTH.

I imagine this changes the suggestions considerably...

Sadly I may have been confusing this myself when looking at dimensions online. I thought the Spyderco Calypso 3 zdp was too large but after looking again I see it has closed length just over 4 inches. Perhaps it is a good option.
 
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I read the post to say closed length. That is pretty big. You can get the Delica in ZDP or the Chaparral in S30V. There is a fancy Delica in VG10 with bone scales.
If you want something more traditional, I'd recommend the Moki knives in VG10. For more traditional knives, you can get Northwoods or Queen in D2, or Schatt and Morgan in ATS 34. Steels like VG10, ATS34 and D2 are very wear resistant, but not quite like ZDP. I highly recommend the Spyderco Chaparral in S30V. It is small and convenient to carry and holds an edge well. I like the sprint runs of the Spyderco Michael Walker in ZDP, but I don't know if you can find any right now....P.S. I just checked and some stores still say that they have them online - you might want to call if you like the pattern.
 
Under 4.5 inches closed gives you hundreds of new options! What about a custom Buck 110 or 112? Very traditional and well-made.
 
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