"Tactical" knives with natural materials

C

Carboniferous

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It's been a good long time since I've owned a one-hand opening folding knife with a pocket clip, and I've recently gotten the bug to buy one. The problem is that I really, really prefer natural materials like wood and bone to G10 or polymers or stainless steel.

So far I haven't had much luck finding a knife that fits the bill. I'm looking for something with a ~2.5" blade, as thin as possible, with a pocket clip and that can be opened with one hand.

So far the LionSteel 8200 is the only one I've found that meets those qualifications, but I'm sure there must be more.
 
The blade is a bit longer, but the Boker Damascus Gent 1
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is a nice little blade. :)
 
In all honesty if you really want something special go with a custom maker. Here is one I found just through a quick google search. I own one of John Arnolds knives and he is a very fine knife maker.

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Tactical Front Flipper with Box Elder Burl, Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber and MoonGlow II (IKBS)
 
What is your budget?

A small Sebenza 21 could be had with all kinds of wood inlaid into the titanium.
 
My budget is relatively limited, otherwise I'd be all over the customs market. It's certainly the best bet for the kind of knife I'm looking for, but $100 is my upper limit. Some aftermarket scales might be in that budget, though, that's a great idea.
 
Boker Exskelimoor II.

Oak handles, 2.75in 440c blade, one hand open (with a tiny bit of practice), and a pocket clip.

Oh, and it runs about ~$50 or so.
 
MCUSTA makes some nice alternatives with wood handle scales and pocket clips (tip-down only, tho/). And they've got a more tactical model available since these pics were taken. Here's one in ebony and one in some kind of maple burl (IIRC - old pics):







 
I'm with you, Carbo....not enough wood in the folder world anymore. If you get a nice one be sure and get a slipcase or pouch for it as it will become scratched by other things in your pocket from time-to-time.

That Mcusta of Derek's rocks. I like burl anything.

BTW, you can do a LOT worse than LionSteel. Good knives. Hope you post a pic of whatever you end up with so I can buy one too. :)
 
The Lionsteel Opera is a bit longer (hair under 3" I think), but very nice.
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Benchmade also made/make a few under their hunting line with wood handles. My sympathies with your dilemma, I've always liked non polished canvas micarta on modern folders but they're basically non existent.
 
The Boker Exskelibur II hits all your points exactly. 2.5" blade, decent slicer, clip, sub-$100. The opening is a bit odd, and takes a little practice, however it does work one-handed. It'll run you $60-80 and comes in a few different woods - Bog Oak, Olivewood, Cocobolo, Ebony, and Maple Burl, in order from lowest to highest price. For whatever reason, the Bog Oak version is called the Exskelimoor instead.
 
salehonasi said:
The Boker Exskelibur II hits all your points exactly. 2.5" blade, decent slicer, clip, sub-$100. The opening is a bit odd, and takes a little practice, however it does work one-handed. It'll run you $60-80 and comes in a few different woods - Bog Oak, Olivewood, Cocobolo, Ebony, and Maple Burl, in order from lowest to highest price. For whatever reason, the Bog Oak version is called the Exskelimoor instead.
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It was my understanding that the g10 version was called the exskelibur, while the wood handled version (the one I have is bog oak), went by the name exskelimoor (for both the full size and smaller versions).

And I'm quite sure it is a 2.75in blade, unless they changed something, or have a different model out there with the same name.

Either way though, it is about spot on what the op is requesting. Is not super thin, (not thick either though... Just average I guess). I've been varying mine for ... Gosh... Almost 4 years now? Is either great for me as on office edc. The pocket clip is a titanium color that blends well with almost everything, ave the knife itself is classy and non threatening.

Good luck on the hunt :).
 
Take a look at the Enzo Birk 75, I think they are out with wood handles now.

edit: I guess the wood ones have been delayed. But you could easily make some wood scales to replace the stock ones, easier than for most knives out there. And you can choose S30v or D2 and scandi or full flat grind.
 
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I second the EnZo Birk 75 recommendation. They are easily found with wooden scales. I have one and it is an excellent knife; it is very precisely machined.
 
AmosPaul said:
I second the EnZo Birk 75 recommendation. They are easily found with wooden scales. I have one and it is an excellent knife; it is very precisely machined.
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I also have one with birch scales. One of the nicest knives I have. Extremely sharp out of box and the finishing is top notch, can't really find anything to complain.

In the wood handle "tactical" knives genre, the Boker urban trapper is slightly longer, but very light. I just ordered one with cocobolo scales.
 
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