The best folding blade under 2oz (57g)?

U

Uncle Padre

Joined
May 25, 2016
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16
Hi all!
First I want to thank anyone who has some recommendations for me.
Thank you!
Soooo... I am looking for a folding knife in ultralight -class.
So far my lightest knife has been Benchmade 940-1 and as the summer is coming, and that knife while light can be troublesome too with its weight while wearing just shorts as my phone is getting bigger and bigger... :)
Keys... multitool... few coins... lighter... all these things really start to weight some so next I'm making my knife weight less.

What are the best knives at two ounces (around 60 grams) and hopefully less?
Locking blade would be best (althought I have been looking some high end higonogamis as well).
Blade steel is of some importance too, I don't like cheap tool steels. Also multitools and swiss knives are out of question.
Price... well, it doesn't matter much. I am willing to spend money on this one.

I like slim and thin knives, but it can be on a longer side, as I find long blades more useful. Just the weight is really important.
I don't care about the maker, it can be from any brand. I don't close options down because of the manufacturers style or origin. No racism. :)

Some knives I have been watching are like:
Benchmade Megumi (higher end weight, but good blade lenght, but does it have enough of difference to 940-1?)
Böker Exskelibur 2 Carbon (even lighter and longer blade, but opening looks clumsy)
Higonokami Koriwa and such (super light and super long blade for the weight, but does not lock)
Böker Urban Trapper 42 (nice lenght blade, but lower end steel, might be too "weighty")
Spartan Blades Nymph (awesome weight, nice steel, but is the "lock" any good?, also a bit expensive, but that doesn't matter too much as I said)

All suggestions are really welcome!
 
I live in shorts in the summer and my go to shorts knife is the Kabar Dozier Folder. Not an expensive or high quality knife but you're getting a lot of knife for about $25. The thing takes an edge very easily and it holds up pretty well. I abuse this thing and it keeps going. Yeah. it's got plastic handles, lower end steel and is not as smooth as other higher end knives but it's a great very slim, lightweight and simple design. I don't even know it's there when wearing shorts. Heck, get a few of them in different colors.

I know this is not exactly what you're asking for in terms of specs but thought I would mention it.

Also,

Haven't had it that long but I can tell my ZT 0450CF is going to get some shorts pocket time as well. A little heavier at 2.7 but it carries really light.
 
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Al Mar Falcon Ultralight weighs in at only 1.25 oz and has a 3.1 inch blade. You may not like the AUS8 blade steel, but I've always had good results with it.
 
The Benchmade 530 series ring it right at 2oz. Well, 2.1oz according to BladeHQ. I love 531. Cool, sculpted gray/black G10 and a nice, high flat grind. It's SO slim and just disappears in the pocket. I find it very strong and robust for it's size and weight. Sweet little blade.

http://www.bladehq.com/cat--Benchmade-530-Pardue--485 Here's a link to compare the different configurations.
 
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The Al Mar Hawk Ultralight, Falcon Ultralight, or SLB would be excellent choices.
 
WadeWilson said:
The Benchmade 530 series ring it right at 2oz. Well, 2.1oz according to BladeHQ. I love 531. Cool, sculpted gray/black G10 and a nice, high flat grind. It's SO slim and just disappears in the pocket. I find it very strong and robust for it's size and weight. Sweet little blade.

http://www.bladehq.com/cat--Benchmade-530-Pardue--485 Here's a link to compare the different configurations.
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It's 1.8 ounces on my "knife scale" but it may need to be re-calibrated LOL. ;)

The 530 is my go to knife for ultralight weight carry; I got a deep carry clip from Benchmade installed on it and I have yet to find a folder that carries as easily as this one. Rock solid action & lockup too.

The REI limited edition in blue would be amazing due to the improved S30V blade steel. :thumbup::cool:

My 530 & a Charlie Mike Titanium Dashi tool; super light weight stuff.

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If you're into slipjoints, you should check out some linerless models. Jim Dunlap makes some, and the one I have weighs under 1oz!
 
Dragonfly2 - 1.2 oz - 1.9" blade - various steels (VG-10, ZDP-189, H1, other sprint runs)
Shun Higonokami - 1.6oz - 3.75" blade - VG10 - unlike most higonokami-style knives, this actually has a liner lock
Boker Urban Trapper - 1.7oz - 3.5" blade - VG10
Kershaw Launch 4 - 1.8 oz - 1.9" blade - CPM-154
Opinel No. 9 - 2 oz - 3.6" blade - 1095 or 12C27
 
+1 for the 530/531 Benchmades. I have both models and the 531 is now my current EDC. REI is now selling a 531 with S30V steel.
 
The Spyderco Native 5 LW is only 2.5 oz
The Salt I is 2 oz and the Pacific Salt is 3 oz. These are very light.
There are some fixed blades that weigh less, if you can legally carry them.
 
That 531 with a black blade looks sweet indeed. 154CM is borderline enough for me and that REI blue might be too fancy for my style. :)
The thing is that the weight compared to 940-1 is only 0,3oz... is that enough? I'm sure noticetable as it still is close to 12% weight reduction...
So far that knife seems to strike my fancy the most.

I had Opinel No. 9, but due to high moisture the knife must take time to time it cannot be my choice again and so I gifted it away.
Kershaw Launch 4 looks like a stabbing murder knife to me. :)
Kabar knives are pretty expensive around here and I don't want to spend much extra for a knife that is supposed to be cheap.
Spyderco has some pretty nice lightweight models, but usually really wide too. I might think of some Spydercos too, as I do enjoy my PM2 and use Tatanka for cooking actually.
Many Al Mar suggestions also. I actually thinked about Eagle Ultralight Talon. But again low end steel and high price seems wrong to me. It looks really sweet, so I haven't closed it out yet.

Keep the suggestions coming, I have to make my top 10 list of these and brainstorm it few nights. :D
 
Uncle Padre said:
That 531 with a black blade looks sweet indeed. 154CM is borderline enough for me and that REI blue might be too fancy for my style. :)
The thing is that the weight compared to 940-1 is only 0,3oz... is that enough? I'm sure noticetable as it still is close to 12% weight reduction...
So far that knife seems to strike my fancy the most.

I had Opinel No. 9, but due to high moisture the knife must take time to time it cannot be my choice again and so I gifted it away.
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Sounds like the Benchmade is more your style and not trying to talk you in an Opinel that is not your style. Opinel's won't compete on blade steel, for instance.

But just to note... Opinels demand user tuning before use. That's the expectation generally. In terms of moisture, melting something like Johnson's Floor Wax or carpenter's bee's wax into the joint will greatly reduce issues with swelling. Fiddling with this isn't everybody's cup of tea so I'm not pushing the Opinel on you. Just noting that the reason you've given is addressable.
 
pinnah said:
Sounds like the Benchmade is more your style and not trying to talk you in an Opinel that is not your style. Opinel's won't compete on blade steel, for instance.

But just to note... Opinels demand user tuning before use. That's the expectation generally. In terms of moisture, melting something like Johnson's Floor Wax or carpenter's bee's wax into the joint will greatly reduce issues with swelling. Fiddling with this isn't everybody's cup of tea so I'm not pushing the Opinel on you. Just noting that the reason you've given is addressable.
Click to expand...

You are 100% correct sir. Opinels definetly take some care and love to be perfected. I have some old wooden Marttiinis and Moras from 1950's with wooden handles and they have the same "problems". That is just not what I am looking for now. Thanks for the note anyways!
 
I collect high end custom knives. But when it comes to what I carry, it's a 1.6 oz William Henry linerlock. William Henry switched to button locks years and years ago, so you'll only find them for sale on the secondary market in stainless or stainless Damascus. I have lots of others I could carry, but this one does the trick and I don't ever know it's there, which is the whole point.

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CRKT Eros titanium 3" is the one I carry most when exercising. Weighs 1.5 ounces.

Al Mar has quite a few at under 2 ounces.

Spyderco also has a bunch at varying price ranges at under 2 ounces.

Benchmade has the Nak-Lock ones and Pardue.

For a high-quality classy one albeit pricey CRK Mnandi.
 
If you want larger knife and still light, get Spyderco Manix 2 lightweight, i believe it's slightly less than 3oz.
Want even longer blade? Get the Cold Steel Broken Skull, 4 inches of blade for only 3.1oz.

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I think the 2oz limit will greatly limit the OP's options. If willing go up a little, the market spreads out a bit more.

As already mentioned, the ZT0450 is at 2.9oz. And the ZT0450CF is 2.7oz.

Spyderco, I really like the Dragonfly2 at 1.2oz. Great utility for it's size.

But to get a little more of a knife with minimal weight increase, there's also the Delica4 Flat Grind is 2.3oz, and regular blade profile 2.5oz. Or for a real beauty, the Chaparral 2.5oz.
 
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