Suggestions for a smallish EDC dressy folder

I'm a big fan of the CRKT Ripple for this. The Spyderco Sage 2 should also fit your needs, though I've only owned the Sage 1 (which I can't stop raving about, I love that knife!). I also like the Cold Steel Medium Espada, which I have carried to "dressy" occasions. What a combination of viciousness and class that knife is! It's the kind of knife you'd expect to find in the pocket of a Columbian crime lord or something.

Generally speaking, however, I personally prefer to carry the Sage or a wooden-handled traditional like a Buck 301 when I need to dress up.
 
Kwon Kwang said:
I'm a big fan of the CRKT Ripple for this. The Spyderco Sage 2 should also fit your needs, though I've only owned the Sage 1 (which I can't stop raving about, I love that knife!). I also like the Cold Steel Medium Espada, which I have carried to "dressy" occasions. What a combination of viciousness and class that knife is! It's the kind of knife you'd expect to find in the pocket of a Columbian crime lord or something.

Generally speaking, however, I personally prefer to carry the Sage or a wooden-handled traditional like a Buck 301 when I need to dress up.
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i was going to say the ripple as well but then someone mention the lionsteel TRE which is just all kinds of sexy. i dont own a TRE but i really want to some day. i do have a ripple and it is a nice knife, however its not in the same class as others that have been mentioned. its a $40 knife so its not going to have the same premium materials or machining but it is a good knife for the money

my vote however goes to the spyderco positron by brad southard. i had one but sold it, the knife was great but i wanted to trim my collection down and buy one or two really good knives instead of having like 7 or 8 $100-$200 knives. The positron was the sharpest folder out of the box ive had. the blade geometry is great, nice thin blade with no tumb studs to get in the way. ball bearing flipper. carbon fiber scales. it is VERY light weight. i cant remember exactly how much it weighs but you would never know it there
 
Thanks all! That Positron really has my eye now. Not exactly what I thought going in, but that's exactly why I posed the question :p
 
Check out the Lone Wolf Paul knife. They're no longer being made, but are still available. Here's just one example of many.

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My dressy knife if I am not carrying a SAK is a Spyderco Kiwi ("2" I believe... current version). It has G-10 handles however but is a nice comfortable slim knife with a wharncliffe blade.
 
TC, if you like the design of the southard avo, i would say go for it. it is one of my absolute favorite knives. so much so that i bought a 2nd one.

you also cant go wrong with a benchmade 940 model. i carry my 940-1 every day regardless of what else i have on me. that along with an avo makes for a great combo
 
gm* said:
Thanks all! That Positron really has my eye now. Not exactly what I thought going in, but that's exactly why I posed the question :p
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And from what I see, ZT is coming out with a CF 450. The positron and 450 are almost identical in blade length, overall length, and with cf against cf, probably the same weight. Love the positron, but I'm still going to have to add the cf450 also. Dang all these attractive tweaks.
 
Hinderer XM-18 3" Slicer Grind? These are also available in a Spanto blade configuration.

You can probably pick up a user in the low $300 range.

They're built like mini tanks, but still manage a certain elegance to their design.

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Another vote for the Southard Avo. Exceptionally light with a very versatile blade shape. The Positron might work for you too, but you should check out reviews and commentary on the Spyderco forum first.
 
As I was reading the first half of your post it was a Sage 2 that immediately came to mind.

Another option is a Kizer Ki3404-3. Great smaller Ti framelock, although I didn't like the tip down only clip as I found the flipper sometimes caught on the pocket and partly opened the knife as I pulled it out. i removed the clip and carry it in a zipped vest pocket.

To step out of your metal handle parameters, a BM 484 or 484-1. The Axis lock is awesome, as is the thumb ramp.

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Don't know why I didn't think of this earlier, but I'm currently testing a Kizer pass around model ki3452. It's very impressive and almost the exact same size as the zt450, but with a bit more beef (depth). Looks great with darkened titanium and design insert, s35vn blade. Smooth bearing pivot action with perfect centering and lockup. I'm going to have a hard time letting it go. Definitely now on my short term hit list.

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If you're looking for group justification to buy a new Ti flipper, you've come to right place.

"Offices" are different and have different cultures and your office will no doubt be different than my office and of course, your tastes/needs different from mine. But based on my experience, I can't envision an office situation where a PM would be too something while Ti flipper would be just right.

My experience, which may not be yours, is that traditionals and modern knives generate entirely different reactions when used around non-knife people, particularly in offices. A good bud of mine at work carries Kershaw Chive. I mean, I can't hold that Chive in my thumb and forefinger it's so stinkin' tiny. A watched him put it out and deploy it with a <clack> to cut the strapping on some printer paper and this buffed body builder standing nearby acted like a rat ran up his leg. "Why are you carrying a *weapon*?" Meanwhile, I regularly eat at my desk and openly use a large Case Sodbuster or large Opinel 9 and honestly, the reaction I generally get (if any) is, "Oh, that's a pretty knife."

I think the Buck 500 series is something of a in between design, somewhat between modern and traditional aesthetics. It's actually a bit scarier for non-knife folks, but nothing like my buddy's Chive or Leek. The smaller 501 is a great dress carry. Very little print.

Buck 500 Duke and Micra by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
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