Strong little knives?

STR said:
Its already been mentioned and I'll concur that one of the better 'little big knives' I have and use a lot is that tank of a folder called the Mini Buck/Strider 881. Its probably the only liner lock I really like anymore all that much. I think after having both it and the 880 S/B that the lock on this 881 is actually more secure and reliable than its bigger brothers, probably due to the shorter length but thats just my opinion. I know they seem to have better lock up with no give compared to the big ones, or at least with the three each of the ones I've owned.

I know I've worked my 881 pretty good and its held up well. Granted it is a liner lock though. I keep looking at it wondering if I could convert it to a lock back but haven't had the nerve to try. Maybe one of these days I'll look it over closer or find one that is junked for parts to snag the blade off of and try it. Speaking of lock backs though the Buck 112 is a pretty stout little folder also and it can easily be converted to a pocket clip carry thumb stud converted one hand opener too.

STR
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I concur. My 881 is small, but really tough. The linerlock is uniformly thicker than some framelocks I've seen(regarding the bend point). It's about as ergonomic as a brick, but it's about as tough as you get for that size and price range.
 
flipe8 said:
When we talk about strong folding knives, we hearthe names of Strider, Manix, Hinderer,etc...and with good reason. However, these are pretty good size(some might say BIG:eek: ) knives and some are out of many users' price-ranges. There's a thread on the Spyderco Forum touting Spyderco's small knives and it got me wondering if there are any small(-2.5"blade or so) knives that are well known for their stout nature. I'm pretty much a Spydie guy and think the Spur fits the description "stout" quite well, but don't really know of many other companies' offerings in this catergory. Anyone have any suggestions? It doesn't have to be exactly 2.5" in blade length, but I'm not talking about a Mini-Skirmish just because it says "Mini" either:D ! Kinda see what I'm looking for? Thanks for any input.
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Another vote here for the Boker Subcom.
Or Spyderco Navigator II.
:)
 
While the body of the Subcom F is quite tough for its size.. I'm not at all sure the blade is such - it's VERY thin, wide, sharp,... and therefore more fragile than if it were saber-ground.... but it cuts very well (as my thumb will attest to).

Got to handle a Byrd Robin recently - they didn't have SE so I didn't buy it, but it's quite solid as well.
 
I still think that as far as blades go the Strider Buck knives are the best ones and the best value for the $ spent when it comes to strong blades. Snag one or two while they are still available readily though. Being only recently discontinued they will still be for sale for a little bit yet but the longer you wait the harder it will be to find one for a reasonable price.

The blades on both the 880 and 881 are far more capable than the rest of the knife is and are pretty much sharpened pry bars for lack of a better description. I measure mine at 4mm thick (Edit: Correction. Its 4.5mm thick. I just double checked) which is vastly superior in toughness and durability to many thinner profile blades when it comes to lateral forces from prying.

I open canned goods with mine all the time and it doesn't really seem to be that big of a deal with one of these blades. Not that I'm saying its unique to do this with a knife. I've done it with my Buck 110 and Spyderco knives also, its just that this one seems to hold up better to it. I really think you could take one of these knives and literally cut a car apart with one of them. Get jammed inside with both doors stuck shut? No problem cut your way out through the roof. Of course you could readily do that with a lot of other knives also but with one of these blades you could peel your apple, slice it up and stick the knife back in your pocket afterwards without even having to touch up the edge much if at all because it will still basically be sharp enough to still cut for most jobs.

STR
 
Any of the mini-Griptilians (Benchmade) would be a sturdy user.

The Bark River Mini- and Micro- knives are very sturdy fixed blades.
 
Is the Salsa too small?
I don't own one, but I'm shopping for my wife (great excuse for long hours spent on the forums) and it looks tough for a little guy.
Plus the "cobra hood" solves the problem I have with my Kiwi, can't flick it open for the life of me (I could try harder I suppose but it's too sharp to chance it!).

The salsa looks wimpy in the stock photos, it was Wojtas13's pics that got me interested.

And yes, the Wilkins Leafstorm is probably perfect, but 6 times the price.
Happy hunting.
 
Well the Buck Mini Strider is around 3" bladelength if I am not mistaken...and not really a small knife. If that counts I would have to mention the Lil'T. But those are not really small knives.

The first that came to my mind are the Salsa and the Dodo. Unfortunately both are extinct. The mini-Persian probably qualifies as well. In a different price category I would name the small Sebenza and several Wilkins knives. I have never handled one (Wilkins) but their dimensions speak for themselves I believe.
 
I carry an Al Mar SLB in my duty bag on the job. Not sure why I do that.

I've never used it.

I consider this knife more of an "art piece" than a real knife.

But I am thinking more in the line of needing to use a knife under somewhat stressful conditions: not the case for the average person.

You do not want to "get a grip on" the Al Mar SLB in an emergency. It's tiny build makes it almost useless under stress.

If you've got all day......it is a cute knife.

Dan
 
Strong little knife?
Doesn't get much stronger than this- Busse Assault Shaker.

newest-busse.jpg


The one in my Signature line is very stout as well, and more comfy in the hand. (Busse 3 finger).

I very much prefer a small fixed blade rather than a small folder.
 
flipe8 said:
When we talk about strong folding knives, we hearthe names of Strider, Manix, Hinderer,etc...and with good reason. However, these are pretty good size(some might say BIG:eek: ) knives and some are out of many users' price-ranges. There's a thread on the Spyderco Forum touting Spyderco's small knives and it got me wondering if there are any small(-2.5"blade or so) knives that are well known for their stout nature. I'm pretty much a Spydie guy and think the Spur fits the description "stout" quite well, but don't really know of many other companies' offerings in this catergory. Anyone have any suggestions? It doesn't have to be exactly 2.5" in blade length, but I'm not talking about a Mini-Skirmish just because it says "Mini" either:D ! Kinda see what I'm looking for? Thanks for any input.
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I think that: Bird Robin, all SS. Robin is my EDC now it is a SAK size and strong blade without gaps.:thumbup:
 
The Subcom is pretty solid , the Al Mar SLB is worth looking at .

Chris
 
Spyderco's Navigator II has quickly become my "small knife" of choice. As the Spyderco ad copy states (http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=193), it really does have the cutting ability and lock security found in larger folders. I also find it extremely ergonomic for such a small folder, and I have fairly large hands.

BTW, I don't consider blades with 3" (like the Mini Buck/Strider, and a couple of others mentioned) to be "small knives." To me, they are more in the "medium" size range. The Spyderco Navigator II's blade length is 2.25 inches, including the 50/50 choil.

Original poster's specs:
flipe8 said:
got me wondering if there are any small(-2.5"blade or so) knives that are well known for their stout nature.
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Other good choices (all have blade lengths of 2.5" or less):
Spyderco Spur
Spyderco Ti-Salsa
Spyderco Dodo
Spyderco Poliwog
Spyderco Lava (upcoming, and designed by a great guy, CLB)
Spyderco Cricket
Spyderco Dragonfly (SS version)
Al Mar SLB
Boker Subcom (designed by a great guy, CLB)
CRKT S-2 (the small one)
 
I have often wondered why, when people take the time to ask a specific question, people bother to waste time posting answers that don't fit the thread starter's specifications. Is is because they can't read?

Original post:
flipe8 said:
When we talk about strong folding knives
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Answers that don't fit the original poster's specs:
Franciscomv said:
Fallkniven WM-1 and Bark River Mikro Canadian! Tough little blades!
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Coonskinner said:
The Micro Canadian is too small for me. Hardly enough handle to get a hold of.

I do have the Mini-Canadian and highly recommend it.
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Grampa said:
The Bark River Mini- and Micro- knives are very sturdy fixed blades.
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Rat Finkenstein said:
Strong little knife?
Doesn't get much stronger than this- Busse Assault Shaker.

newest-busse.jpg


The one in my Signature line is very stout as well, and more comfy in the hand. (Busse 3 finger).

I very much prefer a small fixed blade rather than a small folder.
Click to expand...
 
3Guardsmen said:
I have often wondered why, when people take the time to ask a specific question, people bother to waste time posting answers that don't fit the thread starter's specifications. Is is because they can't read?

Original post:


Answers that don't fit the original poster's specs:
Click to expand...

manpons.jpg
 
I've got to disagree about where to draw the line to call a knife small vs medium. They didn't call the Buck/Strider 881 the Medium Buck Strider. They named it the Mini Buck Strider. Its a small knife to me as is any folder with a 7" or less overall length open. I'd call it Med in a slightly different place than some of you guys I guess but I can see where some guys with smaller hands than mine might be inclined to say otherwise.

According to my ruler my Dodo is 156mm and my Mini Buck Strider is 174mm. That isn't much difference. The Calypso Jr. is between those two sizes OAL and most people consider that a small knife also. I do agree Buck found a way of sticking a little more blade in a small handle but overall length is what I was looking at and not just the blade length. Even still most advertisements for the Strider PT say "small frame lock folder" and its basically the same size as the Mini Buck Strider. One is 6 and 3/4" overall length and one is 6 and 7/8" overall length and one has a 2 and 3/4" blade and one has a 2 and 7/8" blade. If the blade is under 3" I'd say its in the small knife category.

STR
 
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