Smallish knife - need suggestions

Joined
Nov 30, 2000
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860
Well, I'm looking to purchase a new knife. It's been a long time since I last bought one, and I think its about time for a new one.

I'm looking for a smallish-type knife. The qualities I'm looking for include:
- Less than 3" bladelength
- One hand opening
- Decent steel
- Slim profile for pocket carry
- No FRN/aluminum handles
- $100 or less
- light weight

Clip is optional. The knife goes my front right pocket, so I need it to be slim.

The contenders so far are:

Benchmade 330, 335, 770
Spyderco Small centofante, Salsa Ti
Emerson mini-cqc7
William Henry CF Kestrel (over budget.. but nifty)
Al Mar SLB

I already have a BM 705, and a delica. I'm not really satisfied with either. The Ti Salsa looks to be a little big. The spydie mouse is too small, as is the meerkat.

Which would you recommend? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

-- Rob
 
have you considered a fallkniven mod p? that has a great blade and is very slim. i dont know how much it costs over there but it cost me 80 GBP which is roughly around the $100 mark
 
Originally posted by bladefixation
have you considered a fallkniven mod p? that has a great blade and is very slim. i dont know how much it costs over there but it cost me 80 GBP which is roughly around the $100 mark

I haven't yet, but it definitely looks like a major contender. I found it for ~$86 over at knifeworks.com.

Thanks for the good suggestion.

-- Rob
 
I carry a William Henry CF Lancet mostly every day. Also over budget, but very nice. Great for an office environment where people might freak out over something like that emerson qcq-7.

I've never gotten to handle a Kestrel. The Lancet seems to be just about as small as a knife can get and still be openable with one hand by me. (Fortunately, I'm not concerned about being able to deploy it in milliseconds :rolleyes: .) I'm not sure that I'd find that I could open a Kestrel with one hand.
 
have a look at the Spyderco Dragonfly(c28). I have had my PE in SS for just over a year...
 
Problem with some of the smaller knives you mention is... they "feel" and handle like they are small. I have medium hands with somewhat fat fingers, only Spyderco seems to make knifes that assume your hands don't shrink just because your blade is shorter. WH Kestrel feels like you are holding tweezers IMHO. Best to handle them in-store if you haven't-
Martin
 
The Kestral is very small -- and I don't have huge hands. The WH Lancet is a fantastic small knife and you can find them for decent prices if you search.
 
I'm generally not a fan of lockbacks; but, I recently got an Al Mar
Falcon. Very light, about 1 ounce, and although a somewhat stiff opener; I can flick it open using the thumb stud as fast as an auto. There is enough blade surface protruding beyond the micarta handle to use a two hand opening quite easily too despite the lack of a nail nick.

Worth condideration I think.
 
Have you looked at the Camillus EDC (the newer version in 154CM)? It seems to meet all of your requirements and does so with a certain amount of style. :)

--Bob Q
 
The little BM330 is a real sleeper. I have been beating one up for more than a year now and it has been a great knife.

I have large hands and yet the 330 cradles quite nicely and has proven to be easy to thumb open from a pinch draw. It has a rather tight cllip though, so right front pants carry (clipped, dungarees) might require bending the clip a little. Mine goes on a shirt pocket with pens.

Truly a scalpel of pocket knives that has proven to be precise and bold in a small, very light, package. I have seen them priced as low as 35usd. Quite a brute for its size.

Cheers

GC

The clip is removable which makes the knife about 1/8" slim!
 
If you want the feel of a larger knife go with the Salsa Ti. I carried one for about two months, until I got my Kiwi, and it's a great knife. If you like smaller blades, <2" look at the Kiwi. The fit and finish are flawless and it looks great.
 
I'll second the suggestion for a Camillus EDC. I haven't run into anything that can beat that knife at it's $50 price point yet. I've had mine for a year and a half now and it has been just as advertised, my Every Day Carry. I have more expensive knives, but this is the one that I put in my pocket every day before I go to work in the morning. It takes a razor edge, the ergonomics are great, the lock is outstanding, and even the pocket-clip is better than most! I even have fairly large hands and even as small as it is the handle feels just right. Plus, it's very sheeple friendly and Camillus has great customer service. I had a slight problem with the lock on my EDC, and after posting on the Camillus forum Will Fennel called me on the phone to tell me how to fix it. I was very impressed with the level of personal attention they were willing to provide to a customer.
 
I know it has a small handle and that might be a downfall for ya, But I have a Spyderco Meerkat and love it. I have huge hands and I am still able to get a good grip on it, And for the price you can get a good second knife like another Spyderco or a CRKT. Thats my .02 I like my pride also..
 
SOG has the mini x-ray vision and Flash I. I think these guys are the some best in the industury. SOGs are underated don't make the same mistake.
 
Most of the charm of a William Henry Carbon lancet at a more reasonable price? It's just a bit larger that a WH T10 and seems like a lot of knife for the money.

If you'd like a bit longer blade (3 1/2 inches) but in a slim and sleek package, look at the Benchmade 940/941/943 knives. I love them so much I ended up with 4 of them. Axis lock, 154CM steel. Truly fabulous design. There was just a pass around done with one of these and most everyone loved it. If you like it, email me, I've decided I really don't need 4 of the same knife (mine are all 941/943 drop point style).

jmx
 
Actually, the BM330 doesn't have a clip. If you are referring to the "Big Spender", it is the model 335. Still, I agree with your assessment of this little knife's abilities! Even though you don't like aluminum handles, try the BM 450. I just recieved one the other day and it is really awesome.
Matt
 
I owned a CF William Henry Kestrel for about two years, It was a great knife and had a custom feel about it. The blades are really nicely ground. The only upside or downside (depending on how you look at it) is they are VERY light. I recently lost mine and I am planning on getting a CF Lancet.
 
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