Small Wharncliffe utility folder for newbie

Thought locking blades were illegal in nyc...

Thankfully that is not the case. Max 4" blade length (cops carry rulers with them so they can check), locking knives permitted, no assisted-open knives, no "gravity" knives.
 
I don't know if you mentioned whether you are okay with assisted openers

No assisted openers, because they are illegal in New York City where I live. If they were legal I'd definitely have an assist knife somewhere on my list though.
 
If you look hard enough, you can find a Case Copperlock with a wharncliffe blade. It's a bit long (4.25" closed), and it'll cost a bit more than the Warcom or the Mini Tuff, but it's narrow and slender and you'll never be harassed by the police about it unless you're waving it around like a psycho.

Alternatively, I would suggest looking into a hawkbill knife. My favorite utility knife (the one EDC I own that doesn't change) is a Spyderco Tasman Salt plain edge. Hawkbills tear through boxes with ease, and although it's not a typical blade shape, it works perfectly well for most EDC tasks. It's thin, very light, and if you get a newer version with screw construction, you can tighten the blade down so it can't be "flicked" open. I carry mine inside my wasteband (IWB), which means if I'm wearing a shirt that's not tucked in (which is all the time), it's completely concealed, which NYC law requires. Alternatively, there's a Byrd model that's similar called the byrd Hawkbill. Not as nice, but way cheaper.
 
A bit more expensive but a high quality Warncliffe, Spyderco's new Air.
SP_Air.JPG
 
Alternatively, I would suggest looking into a hawkbill knife. My favorite utility knife (the one EDC I own that doesn't change) is a Spyderco Tasman Salt plain edge. Hawkbills tear through boxes with ease, and although it's not a typical blade shape, it works perfectly well for most EDC tasks.... there's a Byrd model that's similar called the byrd Hawkbill. Not as nice, but way cheaper.

For boxes, rope, cable ties I can see the hawkbill shape being perfectly fine but wouldn't that shape be a problem for cutting out newspaper articles? The only point of contact would be the tip and won't it want to grip-and-rip the paper?

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A bit more expensive but a high quality Warncliffe, Spyderco's new Air.

Yes, that's a lovely looking gentleman's folder. I like the look a lot but it's too pricey for my basic needs. I could swing $75 for a blade but not the $155 for the Air. I don't need anything to pass down to someone, I'd be happy for something solid that I wouldn't mind replacing in a couple of years. And at the price of the Mini Tuff Lite and Wharcom, I could afford 15 years' worth of replacement knives for the price of the Air and not worry about it getting abused in my pocket with my keys or abused in use. I think I'd probably end up babying a $155 knife, maybe even leaving it in a drawer....

Also, the Wharcom and the Mini Tuff Lite seem to let you get your hand much further up the blade for more control on detailed cuts. (Choking up on blades was the first revelation to me when I was learning to use kitchen cutlery and learned to do really good & fast dices, chopping and slices.)
 
As I said before, no slipits sorry.

Small, pocketable, locking knives only, sharing a pocket with my keys.
 
oh ok. I go into NYC often too, and I carry a Spyderco Cat or Enlan 702 usually. Sometimes a PPT.

2011-10-19_22-16-03_740.jpg
 
You might still be able to find a Spyderco Spin for around $50-$60ish. Just tossing the suggestion out there, but I think you're on the right track with the Wharcom and Mini Tuff Lite in terms of affordability...
 
Is there a consensus on the Spyderco Spin in SS? It's a VG-10 liner-lock wharnie I see for around $55 or so. Seems interesting with better steeel than the Wharcom or Mini Tuff Lite, but maybe with worse ergonomics? (Size/ergo comparison with Subcom)

6N4I9771_rs.jpg
 
You might still be able to find a Spyderco Spin for around $50-$60ish. Just tossing the suggestion out there, but I think you're on the right track with the Wharcom and Mini Tuff Lite in terms of affordability...

Hey you posted that just as I was writing! (And trying to find a useful pic.) :)
 
The slipjoint is tight. I have one. It's not like you are stabbing with it and have to worry about it closing. It's the only slip joint I own. Also on the spin, beware of fakes. They abound especially the etched one
 
I love the Tuff Lite. The full sized version of the mini Tuff Lite. I'm a lefty too and the tip down carry was okay. The AUS-8 steel is okay. You will need to sharpen it regularly.

I loved the Tuff Lite design so much I contacted Alan Davis to create a SUPER VERSION.

DavisTuffest.jpg
I second the tuff lite it is an inexpensive handy little knife.
 
muso,

Thank you for a great thread. I like Wharncliffe, Sheepsfoot and Hawkbills. I have many in every configuration from sub 2" to 10" Fixed blades.

1. In 70 years of using knives for family chores or on the job, I have never had a slip-joint close on my fingers. The only knuckle cuts I have ever received were from releasing a lock without realizing that a heavy blade would be in free fall and could travel much farther and faster than I expected. This is not a contradiction of your lock requirement. I used locking knives exclusively for many years. The surprises were from my being sloppy.

2. I appreciate that you are striving to stay within the local law. Many on BF seem to think that Law enforcement is often benign on "minor" infractions. This was my view for many years, especially the 15 years I spent as Deputy Cook County Sheriff, in uniform or plain clothes. I was often in charge of Security at the County Building in Mayor Daley's downtown Chicago.

I was wrong!!

I was arrested in Chicago for carrying an AG Russell One-hander in my pocket. I do not know what the exact knife charge was. I was 65, ex-LEO and on crutches. I was arrested, fingerprinted and put in a jail cell for five hours awaiting my wife's arrival with $200 Bail.

My total embarrassment and humiliation was enhanced by the fact that I knew the jailer. For 5 hours the jailer sang a sing song chant; "all Detectives always lie; all the the time." He had known me as a "Gold Badge," and doubled over in laughter when he walked by my cell.

Charges were later dropped when the arresting officer did not appear in court. The arrest record will live forever. Do not believe that any arrest record will ever be "expunged." Any arrest must be shown on any official application.

3. I know that you have barred slip-joints from your discussion. I apologize in advance if you consider the following an intrusion.

There may be some reading this who need to travel to Chicago or California where the 2" Blade is Max.

The Vic Alox Electrician and the Vic Alox Pruner blades are sub 2" and both are extremely controllable without jimping.

The Vic Alox Electrician ("7/8" or 1&3/8" cutting edge, depending if you count the stripper)

The Alox Electrician has been released as a Solo (only the 1&3/8" cutting edge). *
or
The Vic SAK Alox Pruner (cutting edge 1&3/4")

These knives run about $20.*

4. A visible pocket clip is definitely considered probable cause in many jurisdictions.

Thank you for a great thread!

Mike H.
WTB
BF 2009 Forum Knife - Barlow.
 
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oh ok. I go into NYC often too, and I carry a Spyderco Cat or Enlan 702 usually. Sometimes a PPT.

2011-10-19_22-16-03_740.jpg

Well the knife you show is really good and I bought 2.But as what is said near the thumb stud it is a SRM702,or SanRenMu 702 ,or 三刃木702 ,whatever..... You see, the 3 letters ,三刃木, is parts of the letter of the brand owner's family name ,梁 . Maybe the seller on ebay call it Enlan 702 and misleads you I guess.

This model is not popular in China, but the design is fantasy and useful .The only problem may be the thickness and sabergrind considering its very narrow blade.
 
For someone that is looking for help, you sure are testy.

I dunno. After specifying no slipjoints in the first post, to be subsequently recommended slipjoints by several contributors and reminded by muso over and over, you'd think folks would stop bringing up slipjoints.

That Enlan looks nice. I'll have to check it out. You know, if the Urban locked, my search would probably be over!

It's a Sanrenmu 702. I prefer the 721, because it's thinner in the pocket and easier to open one handed. I thought the thumb stud on the 702 a bit clumsy. So I removed it and ground some jimping in the spine above the pivot, which allows for a different manner of one hand opening, where the thumb presses on the end of the blade tang and flips the blade open, in a motion that resembles the way one might ignite a Bic lighter.
 
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