Sturdy sub 3" folder

Q

Quy4n8

Joined
Nov 27, 2002
Messages
659
A friend of mine is looking for a locking folder, one hand opening. Looking for a solid, comfortable working knife. Not necessarily the traditional gentlemen’s knife. Something that when you are holding it and using it simply inpires confidence. It needs to have a blade less than 3” for legal reasons, but not smaller than 2 ½” if possible. Two thoughts come to mind, CRK small Sebenza or the small Buck/Strider. Different price range and totally different knives, but I think both would work. Are there any others that escape my memory? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.
 
BM705
MB Mini Griptillian or Ritter Grip
Strider PT (when it come out)
Atwood small Solar arc
For the price I'd go with the Small Seb myself
 
Spyderco Salsa. I have been carrying one of the blue aluminum scaled nes since they came out and I love it. It is a bit bulkjy in the pocket, but that makes for a better hilt to hang onto. I should think that the Ti Salsa would be even better.

BTW, the Spyderco Store has them on discount at $42.95 for the blue ones. I just bought two for presents.
 
Definitely the Spydero Navigator. It rides in the hand well and is built like a tank. Sal's said that the lock strength on the lockback is over 250 in/lbs. Best of all it's affordable. I'm pretty sure you can find one for under $35. As of now, it's my EDC until the Native arives.
 
2nd for a Doug Ritter Mini-Grip! By far the best everyday folder I've carried.
 
This is what I posted on another forum when I got the Knife. I still love it!

Disclaimer: I don't own a Chris Reeve Small Sebenza (though I would like to).

I have been looking into purchasing a "small but formidable knife". I narrowed it down to two knives. A Small Sebenza or a Ritter Mini-Grip.
How it came down to these two was a lot of research. Also some hands on. I have a Chris Reeve Umfaan (My favorite knife) and a Benchmade Griptilian. I wanted a S30V blade. I had for a while Buck Mayo TNT and I loved the way it split hairs. I've also read a lot of good things about the steel.
Remember I only had a Griptilian and an Umfaan for this test.
Feels good in the hand: I imagined a smaller Griptilian and a bigger Umfaan. For me the Griptilian seems like a smaller version would still feel better than a bigger Umfaan.
If you know me you know I am a sucker for a good thumb ramp. (I love my Mini TSEK for this reason) One of the most important features on a knife!IMO
I've seen pictures of the sebenza; I "think" the Grip wins here.
I like to flick my knife open. Yes I know and I don't care.
The Axis lock lends itself to this like no other I've owned.
I had to change the thumb stud on my Umfaan just so I would everyday carry it. It was to sharp for ME. It never flicked open to my likening.
I know at he bigger blade of the Small Sebenza "may" flick better I don't know.
Price was not taken into consideration in the beginning of my research.
I wanted a THINNER, SMALLER, LIGHTER WIEGHT HANDLE with the biggest blade. I did consider at this point:

Small Sebenza NEW- $305.00
Ritter Mini-Grip- $100.00

Viewing pictures and descriptions, I Picked the Doug Ritter Mini-Grip.

I am very pleased with my pick. I love the deep drop point of this blade. It came hair splitting sharp. Even after cutting cardboard, rope and thin plastic tubing.
The axis lock is smooth as silk with no grittiness you may have heard of. It's very lightweight and feels great in the hand.

This is not an anti Sebenza thread.

Thanks.
 
might want to take look at the CRKT M16 Carbon model I really like mine
and it's not going to scare the sheeple!
 
The Buck Mini Strider is a little large in my pocket. I took off the clip and put it in a sheath. Works good there. Try one before you buy it for fit. If the bevel is a bit thick for you uses,you can reprofile it thinner. The Small Sebenza is a perfect pocket fit . Cant say much that hasnt been said already about them.
 
Yup, quiet storm has it right. If you are looking for confidence, go with an Emerson mini-CQC-7b with wave. The wave is completely one handed opening. :D
 
hey guy g, what blade does your mini strider have?
i have the non serrated tanto mini, its one of my edc knives i love it,
it feels good knowing i could punch holes in sheet metal for some reason.
 
In the $40 price range you can't go wrong with a Camillus Sizzle. The blade is 2 1/2" and made of AUS-8. Strong lock and good spring assist on it. I own the Camillus Heat (big brother to the Sizzle), they're both great knifes. The Heat is above the 3" mark.

camsizzle.jpg


I like the ones you picked out too. The Strider and Seb are awsome little knives. I would even love the knife Quiet Storm recomended. I'm cheap though, I like budget knives in the $40-$60 price range. I've lost knives before, very heat breaking. At least in the under $60 range I can still afford to replace the knife right away.
 
`I have an older 881 ATS34 spearpoint. before they offered the part serrated. I used to carry a 112, but after I pulled the clip and reprofiled the blade, I swapped the 112 BG42 to my wifes uncle for his old 112 to be part of my display. I have opened canned food with mine.
 
I'd like to second FullerH's suggestion of the Spyderco Salsa. It is the stoutest knife in its size range and it provides an outstanding grip. Kind of wide in the pocket, but quite thin.

--Bob Q
 
I have a benchmade 705 that I like a lot. I really wanted the next larger size but they were out of them at the knife shop. I thought about it for awhile and got the 705 and now I'm glad I did.
 
I'll recommend the Salsa again. Nice little knife, tough, not too big, not too small, with a strong lock. I have a blue one also.
Other Spyderco's to consider: Lil' Temperance(3 1/16", only 1/16 over), Dodo(2 1/6"), SS Delica(2 7/8"), Yojimbo(2 7/8"), and the Scorpius(3").

Let us know what ya decide on.
:)


Blades
 
I hadn't considered the Buck/Mayo 172. Sounds like an very good alternative. I have two questions. When you hold the knife in a saber grip or a fencing grip, does the cutout end up under the middle finger or in between the index and middle finger? Can you tell what the washers are made of? Thanks for you input, this is one for serious consideration.
 
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