Suggestions for small locking pocket knife

D

dirtsqueezer

Joined
Sep 30, 1999
Messages
135
I'm ready to replace my schrade SP2, and looking for something comparable in size and geometry - drop point, slim profile, but with better steel.

Looking for a locking 2-inch blade and slim, preferably not metal handles (weight consideration). Price less than $50.


Suggestions please?
 
There are a few Spydercos - www.spyderco.com - that might fit that description. If you're willing to go to a 2.5in. blade, the new lightweight Calypso Jr. with VG10 steel is out now. Check one of the dealers who advertises here.
 
Spydercos of course. Or any quality folder that sports a similar pocket clip. Simply remove the pocket clips if they bother you.

L8r,
Nakano
 
Benchmade 330 (Gent) with G-10 scales and titanium liners and a drop-point ATS-34 blade.

Knife is thin, light and unobtrusive. Cost is about your range...I've seen them for about $65.
 
Calypso jr ltwt. Great steel etc... as mentioned above AND fully ambidextrous tip down knife.
 
I would have to go with Longden.
I have the Gent and it works great for me.

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"The bible is no mere book, but a living power that conquers all that oppose it"
*Napoleon Bonaparte

Gal 6:7
 
Or you could go with the Spyderco Calypso Jr. that has Micarta handles. It is a very nice knife, and shouldn't exceed your price limit by too much.

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I need a bigger bucket.
 
The Gent (BM 330) is a good choice but over the $50 limit. Under that limit would be the Spyderco Dragonfly - GREAT little knife with excellent ergonomics (I think it works and acts like a much bigger knife). The cutting edge is under 2 inches although actual blade length is longer.

Also check out AG Russell's little lockbacks under Production -> AG Russell at www.agrussell.com. He's got some really neat stuff that I'm betting is very high quality.

My two cents...

Jon

[This message has been edited by Ghecko (edited 06 October 1999).]
 
Although it's not a modern synthetic design at the Russell site take a peek at the Camillus tortise shell folders in 1095 steel, as they have a very nice looking lockback that is a bit over 3 inches long. Another traditional folder that doesn't weigh much and takes a nice edge is an Opinel, and you can get the #6 for less than $10.
 
The Spyderco G-10 Navigator meets all your criteria. Very nice little knife about $40 on the net. Try http://www.discountknives.com/

The Calypso Jr is a fine knife but more money and a 2 7/8" blade. The Benchmade knife is fine knife too.

Let us know what you end up getting.
 
It's closer to $100, and slightly larger, but the Benchmade 705 is, IMNSHO, the best buy in a small locking folder in the world. Bar none...

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831
 
Great comments, thanks!

I Like that Navigator, seems pretty similar to the Dragon Fly. The Navigator has GIN-1 Steel and the G-10 scales. As it is a spydie, I trust that the steel is fine. What is the benefit with the G-10 scales as opposed to other thermoplastics used in the handles?

-j-

 
The advantage of G-10 is that it is stronger and to me has a better feel of more quality. Its hard to mess up, wears well.
 
In my opinion, the best knife steel for a knife in that price and size range is the Boye Dendritic Steel on the David Boye folders. They are around $50 on a couple of different Internet sites. Much better edge holding than the average stainless steel, closer to tool steel in that regard.

If something more traditional is your preference, look around here:

A.G. Russell's Lockbacks

The lightweight one-hand knives in ATS-34 are nice, and so are the 3" lockbacks.

 
I carry a Spyderco Dyad Jr. with the clip removed. Its rounded edges, and two locking blades(one serrated and one plain) make it the perfect pocket knife.

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"A man has got to know his limitations." - Harry Calahan

John 14:6

 
Yeah, I was looking at the Boye, folders, the ones I saw at knifecenter.com were all around 4-inches (closed). I'd really like to keep it smaller than that. I'll do some more searching to see if they have smaller knives.
The A.G. Russell knives look very promising, good variety of styles, sizes, and steel. Anyone had any experience with this manufacturer?

One more - I tried a Kershaw 2415 liner lock tonight. Nice action (to my undeveloped taste) and I've been happy with their knives before.

comments on any of the above?

Regards,

-j-
 
The Kershaw 2415 was my first locking knife. Nice construction and sharp out of the box.

I bought the BM330 as a treat to myself when I got a raise, and only then began my downward spiral to knife-knutiness (a dozen or more at this moment). I gave the Kershaw to my wife who loves using it for coupons and sewing.

Some thoughts on the 2415:

- The blade is hollow ground and QUITE thin, and thus breakage might be a concern for anything but light use.

- The steel is AUS-6, which is soft by comparison to the norm in this forum, but easy to sharpen (assumed).

- The ball detente, which works so well to protect newbies from letting the blade close on their thumb, gets irritating once you know how to open/close a knife smoothly.

- The liner action is unnecessarily noisy.

- The handle is (I think) cast aluminum with kraton rubber inserts. A bit larger than it needs to be, which may suit unfamiliar hands, but not really a slim profile.

Those are my negative points, but it was a sweet first knife (locking type... I've always carried SAKs). You know what they say, you always remember your first.
 
I have two of the AG Russell lockbacks, the Jess Horn design(large size), and one of the mini lockbacks. Excellent workmanship, that's why I recommended you take a look there.
 
$77.99 and $4.75 shipping BM Axis 705 from Roger at Knife Works. Best little folder I know.

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RICK LEFTIES UNITE


 
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