Small Stout Folder Recommendation

If I were limited to a <2.5" blade, I'd just grind my favorite 3" to length.
 
My older son just chose the TECHNO for his EDC. He held it and compared it to about fifteen other knives that he could have...including some great ZT's, Southern Grind and Spyderco.
You gotta know that the Spydercos that are made in Taichung, Taiwan, are FIRST CLASS. These are as good as the ones that come out of Golden. I'm a Spydie freak and I love the Spydies that come from their shop over there.
The TECHNO has a 0.177" blade thickness, but is flat ground which thereby retains some decent slicing ability, along with the strength of a prybar...if/when necessary.
I've owned about six of these Technos...they are great folders.
 
RamZar said:
Niolox is a German tool steel with good corrosion resistance.

LionSteel manufactures the DPx HEAT/F folder. They're a high-quality manufacturer from Italy. The 2.3" blade is a stout 0.18" thick. There's a glass breaker at the bottom and the blade has a hook for opening bottles or Wave-type opening.

DPx HEAT/F can be found for under $200 with G-10 on the presentation side of the titanium frame lock. There are also all titanium versions and one with Shred CF on the presentation side but those are over $200. The Black Stonewashed model with G-10 is about $180.
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RamZar - Thanks for the Info about the Steel/Knife.

Chris B507 - Good call on the TSF CCT, I forgot about that one. I need to look into it some more.

"You gotta know that the Spydercos that are made in Taichung, Taiwan, are FIRST CLASS."
As I said in my original post, I know the quality is there, It is just my preference. I have had many knives (mainly Spydercos) made all over the world, and most of them were made really well with excellent fit and finish. I think spending $60-$80 on a Japanese made delica is a great deal and a great knife. I have no problem that it is made in Japan and it really is an excellent value that I often recommend. My problem is when knives made in taiwan (which are also excellent quality) cost the same or almost the same as knives in America. Again thats just my preference and I am sure this has all been discussed/argued/brought up many times before.
 
20161003_212045_zpsha4tngjq.jpg


I quite liked this little guy. A DPX Heat. The standard G10 version sells for around $180 I think.

It's Italian production I believe, so still not made in the US. At least you know the Italians won't use your money to later take over the world. They'll spend it on a pair of leather shoes or a Ferrari branded watch. My kinda people.
 
Sonnydaze said:
My older son just chose the TECHNO for his EDC. He held it and compared it to about fifteen other knives that he could have...including some great ZT's, Southern Grind and Spyderco.
You gotta know that the Spydercos that are made in Taichung, Taiwan, are FIRST CLASS. These are as good as the ones that come out of Golden. I'm a Spydie freak and I love the Spydies that come from their shop over there.
The TECHNO has a 0.177" blade thickness, but is flat ground which thereby retains some decent slicing ability, along with the strength of a prybar...if/when necessary.
I've owned about six of these Technos...they are great folders.
Click to expand...

T.L.E. Sharp said:
20161003_212045_zpsha4tngjq.jpg


I quite liked this little guy. A DPX Heat. The standard G10 version sells for around $180 I think.

It's Italian production I believe, so still not made in the US. At least you know the Italians won't use your money to later take over the world. They'll spend it on a pair of leather shoes or a Ferrari branded watch. My kinda people.
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Three questions:
1) is the notch on the spine of the blade a bottle opener?
2) what is that handle material?
3) how does it feel in hand?
 
Chris, do you have any experience with the Al Mar SLB? It has been on my long list for quite some time.

The CCT as with all TSF knives is very well made. I found the ergos a little off for me.

The Boker pipsqueak looks quite good also.

matt


ChrisB507 said:
Al Mar SLB if Japan-made is acceptable. I believe the HEAT is Italian-made. From Oregon: Three Sisters Forge CCT.
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delkhouri said:
Three questions:
1) is the notch on the spine of the blade a bottle opener?
2) what is that handle material?
3) how does it feel in hand?
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1) I believe it's both a bottle opener and wave feature. The knife in the photo was a customer's though, so I didn't test it.
2) Ive seen it called Marbled or Shredded Carbon Fiber.
3) Palm Filling. Comfy. I don't recall any hot spots.

It's worth noting I think that I don't generally like this sort of knife. I find most of them cumbersome and awkward, but I really dug that one.
 
palonej said:
Please stop discussing my Chubby!!!
Sorry Vel.......that one was just too easy!!
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Yeah, Joe... I waltzed right into that one.

I'm not a Spyderco fan at all, but that knife of yours there is REALLY nice.
 
matt009au said:
Chris, do you have any experience with the Al Mar SLB? It has been on my long list for quite some time.
matt
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Matt, I handled the SLB but ultimately didn't buy it. It reminded me of a slightly wider Dragonfly, but without the finger choil. It's an attractive knife, but didn't feel right. I have an Al Mar Falcon and Hawk that'd I'd recommend heartily, but can't do that for the SLB.

Here's a shot of a few discussed in this thread..(CCT, Dragonfly, Techno, HEAT, Chubby)
[/IMG]​
 
Other than their country of origin (Taiwan) and the thinner .09" (in either 440C or CTS-BD1) blade stock, is there an objection to the Spyderco Cat and Chicago siblings? With your budget of $200 or less, you could easily afford four of either model (or five or even six if you happen upon on a good sale). Just how "stout" do you require your small folder to be? Understand that with a handle length of around three inches, you aren't going to be able to apply much leverage anyway.
 
I would recommend the Spyderco Techno. I have found this to be an outstanding knife. It is a small bladed knife that handles well and is made of high quality materials and carries a sub $200 tag.
 
Velitrius said:
Yeah, Joe... I waltzed right into that one.

I'm not a Spyderco fan at all, but that knife of yours there is REALLY nice.
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I'll tell ya.....I liked this one when it first came out, but wasn't spending over $200 for it. KC has it for $139 and I had a bunch of points. Cost me a little over $110......and ya know what??? It's worth >$200 Vel!
Literally rock solid in every regard!
The blade is hollow ground and is very thin behind the edge! Serious slicer!!
Action is smooth and fast!
All in all a great all arounder!!
Really like it!
Joe
 
I had a thread called Stubby folders from August 2013 which was last updated in July 2015. There are pictures in there and this chart of those I have.

[table="width: 500, class: grid"]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]Overall Length[/td]
[td]Blade Length[/td]
[td]Blade Thickness[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Benchmade 755 MPR[/td]
[td]6.90"[/td]
[td]2.90"[/td]
[td]0.164"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Boker Pipsqueak[/td]
[td]6.125" [/td]
[td]2.50"[/td]
[td]0.16"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Boker Albatros[/td]
[td]6.375"[/td]
[td]2.50"[/td]
[td]0.196"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Spyderco Techno[/td]
[td]5.98"[/td]
[td]2.55"[/td]
[td]0.177"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Curtiss F3 Compact[/td]
[td]5.75"[/td]
[td]2.31"[/td]
[td]0.16"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]DPx HEAT/F[/td]
[td]6.25"[/td]
[td]2.375"[/td]
[td]0.18"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Spyderco Burch Chubby[/td]
[td]6.00"[/td]
[td]2.30"[/td]
[td]0.175"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Andre de Villiers Mini TAC-Butcher[/td]
[td]7.00"[/td]
[td]3.00"[/td]
[td]0.16"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Zero Tolerance 0900 [/td]
[td]6.625"[/td]
[td]2.75"[/td]
[td]0.16"[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
 
Although I like both the Spyderco Chubby and Boker Pipsqueak they're both on the wide side! They fill your hand but your pocket too! :)

DPx HEAT/F has a couple of advantages over Spyderco Techno. If you must have a blade length of 2.5 inches or less HEAT/F is the choice. Also, HEAT/F has a handle length of 3.9 inches versus 3.42 inches for Techno.

DPx HEAT/F with black stonewashed frame, blade of Niolox and G-10 on the presentation side of the titanium frame lock for $180 is a very good choice. The Shred CF version has Sleipner tool steel which is not as corrosion resistant as Niolox but has a coating for $200.
 
So many good options. I got to handle and play with a Curtiss F3 compact and that is a nice little knife but too bad its out of my price range.

I think that the Curtiss Nano is on top of my list, can anyone tell me how it compares to some of the others on this list.
 
There are so many good choices. You now have a real dilemma. How can you choose one without being sad about missing out on the others. We are lucky there are so many good choices these days, truely privledged. Personally the Techno and the HEAT would be at the top of my list.

Now you must determine what is at the top of yours.
 
I own the DPX Heat/F in full Ti and I can say, it is fantastic. If you want a lighter version, I would recommend the one in shred carbon fiber! It fits all the criteria you are looking for.
 
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