something small with thin edge - suggestions?

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mantzao

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Jun 16, 2011
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Hi guys,

I've been collecting for a number of years now and after owning most of what's out there i finally settled mostly for FFG blades with a vey thin edge.
Even though i collect for a while, now came the time when i really need my folders for work.
I found that i don't really need an overbuilt knife for my tasks so a thin blade does it all for me.
I carry only two nowadays:eek: :)
Yep, only two wich are two customs, a Burger EXK1 and a Gareth Bull small Warlock.
I love they're opening mechs, being lightweight but what i mostly like are the thin edges.
The GB is considerably thinner though and i carry it the most.
Please, don't ask me how thin it exactly is because i don't know how to tell you. I don't have any calipers :D
Trust me, it's very thin!
So, needless to say, it cuts like hell.
I experimented other production FFG blades like the Para2 for instance but it wasn't a great slicer to be honest.
The best one i can remember was the Chaparral wich cutted like a laser.

So guys, can you recommend something in the 3" range that actually slices great?
Cheap like a Rat-2 or expensive, it really doesn't matter but I would like to keep it under $250 please :)
I'm open for every suggestion so please let me know.

Thanks :)
 
Opinel No. 7 has a 3" blade but No. 8 has a greater variety and most popular in the brand with a 3.25" blade. Blade is only 0.06" thick so a GREAT slicer. You can get them in carbon or stainless steel. Very inexpensive.
 
The Spyderco Delica in ZDP or Super Blue is an excellent slicer and has a 2.875" FFG blade that is 2.5mm thick. Your GB is 3mm stock as a reference. I would also say the Stretch which has a similar blade profile as the GB although FFG but it has a 3.5" blade. The Caly 3 in laminated ZDP or Super Blue is a good slicer as well as is also 3mm.
 
+1 for Opinel. Out-of-box sharpness is hit-or-miss, but once you sharpen them up they're some of the best slicers you can buy at any price point. There are many slipjoints with extremely thin blades as well, that may be something that you want to look into if you want a very good slicer.

The best "modern" slicer I own is a small Sebenza, but that's a bit out of your price range even if you pick one up used.
 
i know the opinel is extremelly good slicer but not a one-hand opener.
been spoiled i'm afraid :)
plus, carbon steel...patina...not my thing but thanks though.
also, even though my GB is 3mm thick, the edge compares nothing to other ones with the same spine thickness, like the sebenza for example.
 
Opinels do come in stainless. It's not super steel but it's surprisingly good for the price. You can also mod them for one hand opening quite easily. If you have a decent budget why not try one out anyway? You can't go wrong for the price :)
It also might be worth looking at Daniel Fairley's titanium folders. I think they are supposed to be quite slicey.
 
Spyderco Air by GB has a 2.55" blade of M4 (same as big brother) that's just 0.089" (2.3 mm) thick.

Spyderco Chaparral has a 2.8" blade of CTS-XHP that's 0.078 " (2 mm) thick.
 
Kershaw Ken Onion Leek comes to mind I have a few of them and love them for small edc's. They come in a variety of finishes at different price ranges.
 
I have several Leeks and I love them! I have a couple of the composite blades in D2, and with a decent back bevel (I do 30 degrees inclusive), they do cut exceptionally well. After all, it's the thickness behind the edge that counts, not the thickness of the spine.

That said, there are much "slicier" knives out there. Because of RamZar, I have been forced, FORCED, I TELL YOU!, to purchase a Chaparral. It looks be all kinds of slicey!

I can also suggest the Spyderco Centofante Memory. Though they may be a bit pricey. Couple of bills at a minimum.

The Spyderco Delica is a slicing machine in FFG. I have one in ZDP-189 which is amazing, and another in Super Blue, which I have yet to even slice paper with, sadly.

Not a single one of my Zero Tolerance knives is much as a slicer (I know, heresy! But, that's my experience).

If you are looking for a smaller knife, I have found that the Strider PT is an excellent slicer. Surprised me no end. I also find it to be totally adorable!
 
very difficult to find a better steel/slicer than the Chaparral...
Blade Thickness: 0.078" Blade Material: CTS-XHP
Most thin blades (slicers) are 0.090-0.125" thick.
The Gayle Bradley Air, at 0.085" thick blade, would be an awesome competitor with its M4 steel. Great knife.
Or...if you can find a "Krein-grind", that would be one of the top dogs, in my book.
 
mantzao said:
i know the opinel is extremelly good slicer but not a one-hand opener.
been spoiled i'm afraid :)
plus, carbon steel...patina...not my thing but thanks though.
also, even though my GB is 3mm thick, the edge compares nothing to other ones with the same spine thickness, like the sebenza for example.
Click to expand...

That is an easy fix:

And, yes, Opinels do come in stainless.
 
+1 to the Spyderco Chapparal recommendations. It's one of the best cutting Spyderco knives I've ever used.
 
The Spyderco Caly3 ZDP-189 is a slicing demon and so is the Chaparral CTS-XHP. Both have fine edges.
Something cheaper is the Spyderco Cat.
All of these have three inch or less blades.
 
NeilB said:
That said, there are much "slicier" knives out there. Because of RamZar, I have been forced, FORCED, I TELL YOU!, to purchase a Chaparral. It looks be all kinds of slicey!
Click to expand...

You're too funny, NeilB! :D

Chaparrals come in three flavors for expanding budgets and tastes but all with the same slicing 2.8" CTS-XHP FFG blade that's only 0.078" (2mm) thick.

Approximate street pricing:

  • Spyderco Chaparral Carbon Fiber Handle: $105
  • Spyderco Chaparral Titanium Handle: $175
  • Spyderco Chaparral Stepped Titanium Handle: $280
 
Aside from the above-mentioned Opinel (they really can't be beat in the thin slicer department), My two thinnest edge slicers in that size range are my Spyderco Caly 3 ZDP and my Ritter mini-grip. Both of them far outclass my other Spyderco knives that you also have (Para 2, Gayle Bradley).

A much less expensive alternative is the Buck Vantage Pro. Although the knife itself is a little rough around the edges, the blade itself is outstanding, with an incredible hollow grind and very thin edge. At half the price of the Caly 3 or Ritter mini grip, it may be worth looking at.
 
I just measured the blade thickness of my Opinel No. 7 with an INOX (12C27 modified Sandvik stainless steel) 3.06" blade: 0.058" (1.47mm).
 
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