tactical folder recommendations, under 3"

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misterjuiceman

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Sep 19, 2009
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I need a smaller (3" blade or under) folder due to local restrictions. I'm looking to spend around $150, but would probably pay a small amount if necessary.does anyone have good recommendations?

edit: I forgot to mention that I'm a lefty. I can quickly deploy knives with my off-hand, but would prefer a blade that has a swappable clip. I have no preference with regard to tip-up/tip-down carry.
 
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Take a look at Benchmade, Mini Grip or Mini Barrage. Both have blades measuring 2.91", have thumbstuds on both sides of the blade, and the clip can be mounted on either side of the blade. And a bonus, both are under $100 :thumbup:. Mini Barrage on top and Mini Grip at bottom. Mini Barrage is a spring assisted knife FYI in case of local laws preventing those kind by you.
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Also Spyderco makes some good priced knives where the clip mount can be on both sides and the hole works well for right or left handed users.
 
What do you mean by "tactical" and what will the knife be used for?

Benchmade offers a number of 3-inch and under knives with the axis lock under their own name, as well as H&K, Harley Davidson, and NRA. Lots of good models to choose from.

I always push for Ritter mini-Griptilians for these shorter blade recomendations. I carry one of these regularly and the company is worthwhile IMO.

I like the axis lock as its very ambidextrious and easy to operate.

An issue is handle length, as I like a good, solid handle with enough length to actually get a good hold on. This is a problem with most shorter bladelength knives.

Lately I've been using a Spyderco P'Kal. The actual blade length from tip to handle is 3-inches. The lock is ambidextrous and the handle allows a good, solid hold due to the finger grooves. The blade shape could be an issue depending on what you use the knife for, but it works well for many tasks. I took the "wave" bar off - I feel it is in the wrong location on the Spyderco knives and should be at the pivot area on the blade.
 
I was looking at benchmades earlier, since it seems like the axis lock would be great for a lefty. I'll check out the mini grip, unfortunately I can't carry an assisted opening blade. how's the jimping on the mini grip?

actually, I have a spyderco endura 4 g-10 (the length limitation in the thread is for my university, the endura 4 is legal for where I'm from), so I kind of wanted to try something new. maybe another spyderco, but possibly a different blade steel or an new handle material. I just saw they have a delica with a zdp-189 blade, has anyone tried that?
 
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orthogonal1 said:
What do you mean by "tactical" and what will the knife be used for?

An issue is handle length, as I like a good, solid handle with enough length to actually get a good hold on. This is a problem with most shorter bladelength knives.
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able to withstand hard use if necessary

I'd actually prefer a long handle if possible on a small blade.
 
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Waved delica is a good choice. Might also consider a smaller Emerson and have it drilled for left side carry. Or you could practice waving the knife into reverse grip from the left side. Or the Emerson karambits are ambi.
 
are the emersons really worth it to have to do those things?

I've been hearing a little about the spyderco sage II. has anyone used one of these knives and if so, is it worth the extra money? are frame locks hard to manipulate with your left hand? I've had a cheap liner lock knife that I was able to easily unlock with my left hand, almost as naturally as my right hand. I would just push up with my left thumb. is it easy to do this on a frame lock as well?
 
I very much like my Spyderco Sage and would not hesitate to recommend it. The SageII is probably even better.
 
I would suggest you reconsider a <3" folder as a defensive weapon. Of course, living in a county where the Sheriff won his election by promising to lower the annual CCL fee from $20 to $7.50, gives me the rationale to suggest something louder as better protection. Legally carried, of course. The fee is still $7.50 - good man!

One of the neatest, and most economical, knives that has many of the attributes you want is the Spyderco Native in S30V. It's 2.6" lockback blade is deployed by a thumbhole. The blade is jimped (notched) where your thumb would rest - for a better 'purchase'. The clip is reversible - or can be left off, as I do. It has an ergonomically designed FRN handle. It was <$40 at WallyWorld up until 6/08 - now, expect $65-$75+ s/h - still a bargain. The S30V is properly heat treated - and has a very dull swedge at the blade's end. I have two - one is still new - the other has seen many EDC chores - including reducing appliance boxes, lawnmower boxes, etc, and carried nearly every day for a year - then touched up on a Sharpmaker. I've even woodcarved with it.

Stainz
 
As a lefty myself I highly recommend the Native also. Great blade shape (tactical??) you decide. Fits your hand like a glove and the choil is perfect for the grip.
The bad part? They aint $40 bucks no more!
 
scarysharp said:
As a lefty myself I highly recommend the Native also. Great blade shape (tactical??) you decide. Fits your hand like a glove and the choil is perfect for the grip.
The bad part? They aint $40 bucks no more!
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Very true about the Native. I just got my VG-10 in the mail today and I can't even describe how sharp the blade came :eek:. But even if you can't find one for $40 it is still well under the OP's budget. I scored mine off ebay for $40 NIB. Here is a link to KnifeWorks for one for $49.95
http://www.knifeworks.com/spyderco3-dnativeplainedge.aspx

And here is one to New Graham, they are at the bottom of the page
http://newgraham.com/store/search.asp
 
I'll recommend the BM Mini Grip, Spyderco Delica 4, and Spyderco Caly 3
All are "lefty friendly" with switchable clips, have locks that dont discriminate against left handed users, and are within your budget.
 
On that blade length, slashing outweighs poking...I'd take a Leek.

If you must poke, a Kershaw Talon, it makes a great P'kal knife.
 
the Ritter mini-Griptilians seem like they'd be great, but I can't seem to find them sold anywhere. are they still available? how does the ritter mini-grip differ from the benchmade? it appears the ritter has s30v for the blade while the bm has 154cm.
 
tf8s said:
the Ritter mini-Griptilians seem like they'd be great, but I can't seem to find them sold anywhere. are they still available? how does the ritter mini-grip differ from the benchmade? it appears the ritter has s30v for the blade while the bm has 154cm.
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The blade shape and grind are different along with S30v.I really prefer the Ritter but for a defensive blade it wouldn't matter.
 
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