Suggestions for an easy carrying 3.5" or so folder

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vikingextreme93

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Nov 2, 2006
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So I am looking for a sub $200 locking folder around 3.5" blade that is fairly light and most importantly takes up as little pocket real estate but is reasonably tough. not looking for a gentlemans folder as i have slipjoints to fit that bill. My first thought is a benchmade 940 but maybe I am missing a gem? I carry my browning ice storm a lot because it is almost perfect however I want to prolong it's life and have a similar in stature edc albeit one a bit stronger. Not interested in any endura/delica and probably not a griptilian because their kind of chubby in the pocket. Been carrying a manix2 a lot lately too and really enjoy it but it does take up a lot of pocket space and come shorts season probably won't get much pocket time. I have thought about a zt 0450 but I am not sure on the size and I have a boker kwaiken fullsize that's pretty heavy and a mini kwaiken that's too small...is the 940 the most logical or am I overlooking something?
 
The 940 is great and is great to carry as well. you might look at ZT 0770 they are pretty great as well though I lost mine. Right now my Gayle Bradley2 is getting all of my pocket time. For all the things you hear about it being a heavy blade it has that slim profile like a 940 that allows you to use your pocket while carrying it. It also has the looks that look like a gentlemen's folder that don't raise eyebrows.
 
940 series is a fantastic choice. If you really, really want to minimize the in-pocket footprint you could get a Boker Plus Urban Trapper.
 
Preach on IM! :D
[video=youtube;sziXlGyudcA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sziXlGyudcA[/video]

Insipid Moniker said:
940 series is a fantastic choice. If you really, really want to minimize the in-pocket footprint you could get a Boker Plus Urban Trapper.
Click to expand...
 
Try a Kershaw Knockout. It's only .40" thick, has a 3 1/4" blade, and can be had in Elmax. Nice knife.

That said, the 940 is a sweet knife.

I've got an Endura in HAP40 in my back pocket right now. I find it a bit long, really. The Native is a better fit for me, personally.
 
The 940/943 meets your requirements. As much as I love Spyderco I seldom carry any of mine anymore due to their wide profiles.

One suggestion when it comes to the 940--look closely at the blade shape vs the more traditional clip-point style of the 943. I have the 940 and generally like it. But in my opinion and after carrying the knife for a while that reverse tanto blade has begun to look just plain butt ugly to me. It's like the tattoo you just loved when you got it but loses its appeal on down the line. I wish I had gotten the 943.
 
I ran your requirements against my BladeIntel tool and it came up with these suggestions:

EDC3.5LightWeightSlim.png
 
That's pretty cool chchin2! I looked at a number of those options. Funny thing about mcusta is that have thought long and hard about their offerings because they made my browning and I have a couple for collecting, cost wise I think I can get the benchmade for only a little more...I'm really over thinking this I think...
 
I cannot recommend the Kershaw Blur enough. I have a ton of knives, but the Blur is in my pocket 95% of the time. (Although I have a BM 903 today :foot: )
 
Spyderco Endura is a classic choice. Comes in VG-10 and ZDP-189, full-flat-ground and saber-ground versions, both plain-edge and part-serrated, and several colorations. Here's a couple of mine

Saber-ground, part serrated, VG-10:



Full-flat-ground, plain edge, VG-10:



Full-flat-ground, plain-edge, ZDP-189:
 
The ZT 07770CF runs about $180 in Elmax. It has a 3.25" blade, light, and very pocket friendly. It carries about the same as a Spyderco Delica which has the same blade length and is my preferred regular carry size. I believe one of the new slim ZT's has a 3.5" blade. I generally don't look at them much, but I do have the O770.

The Spydie Endura has about a 4" blade. I like it, but it's too big for me, but is a nice slim knife.

Can't comment on the Benchmade as I don't own any.
 
vikingextreme93 said:
That's pretty cool chchin2! I looked at a number of those options. Funny thing about mcusta is that have thought long and hard about their offerings because they made my browning and I have a couple for collecting, cost wise I think I can get the benchmade for only a little more...I'm really over thinking this I think...
Click to expand...

Its good to know what the options are. I forgot to say, like many others on this thread, my vote is BM 940.
 
One that I love, and haven't seen mentioned here, is the Wilson Combat ELC. Under $150, nice low profile in the pocket, great steel (mine is in Elmax) and feels GREAT in hand. I carried either a PM2 or a SNG/CC for a while. This Wilson knocked them both out of my pocket.
 
Buck 110 or 112. Belt carry takes up zero pocket space.
I EDC a 110, and do not notice the weight.
 
I love the Cold Steel Code 4. One of the best production EDC blades around if you ask me. Light for it size and rides really well in pocket. Great ergonomics and a great slicer!
 
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