Thoughts on quality small folders?

SaintlyBrees

SaintlyBrees

Joined
May 7, 2013
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I have 2 small bladed, folding knives, a Buck 505 (1 7/8" blade) & a Kershaw Ken Onion Baby Boa (2").

I would like to add 2 or 3 more small folding knives - similar in size to the two that I mentioned above - to my collection. Looking for decent quality. Wondering what you guys might suggest as candidates? TIA for your thoughts. :)
 
Spyderco Dragonfly.

about 2.25" blade. VG10 Steel (Or the rustproof H1 steel on the Salt version).

Handle choices: FRN for light weight, Stainless Steel for heft, G10 for heft + grip.

You can even get the blade in full serrations or no serrations...
Image from google.
Dragonfly_open.jpg


A step down in size is the Spyderco Ladybug at about 1 15/16" blade. Just about all the same choices as the Dragonfly. FRN, SS (no g10 that I know of), vg10, H1, Serrated, plain edge, etc...

Photo courtesy of Spydercollector. Check out his great reviews!
ladybugs_spyderco.jpg


Does it have to be "modern"? If you don't mind a slipjoint that takes two hands to open check out the Case Swayback Jack. Great little knife.
 
goodeyesniper said:
Spyderco Dragonfly.

about 2.25" blade. VG10 Steel (Or the rustproof H1 steel on the Salt version).

Handle choices: FRN for light weight, Stainless Steel for heft, G10 for heft + grip.

You can even get the blade in full serrations or no serrations...
Image from google.

A step down in size is the Spyderco Ladybug at about 1 15/16" blade. Just about all the same choices as the Dragonfly. FRN, SS (no g10 that I know of), vg10, H1, Serrated, plain edge, etc...

Photo courtesy of Spydercollector. Check out his great reviews!

Does it have to be "modern"? If you don't mind a slipjoint that takes two hands to open check out the Case Swayback Jack. Great little knife.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. And, nope, it doesn't have to be "modern". Just well made and functional. :)

I'll check those out. They sound like exactly what I am looking for.
 
My go to small folders are the Spyderco Squeak, Spyderco Urban, Spyderco Salsa. All great knives. The first 2 are non-locking but still great.
 
yeah, spyderco has a crap ton of small ones. I've been more into carrying 4" blade pocket knives so I haven't experienced many... But there's a lot.

If the Traditional bug gets you also check out the Case Peanut, and Case Pen Knife. In addition to the Swayback Jack I've already mentioned.
 
my favorite little knife is my spyderco dragonfly2 with zdp-189 it feels great in your hand and the blade holds a great edge for a long time. the ambitious is also a nice little knife with a nice low price tag.
 
A shorter blade of CTS-XHP blade-steel with tank-toughness is the Spyderco Techno. I've had three; after another one now.
Sonnydaze
 
viper89 said:
My go to small folders are the Spyderco Squeak, Spyderco Urban, Spyderco Salsa. All great knives. The first 2 are non-locking but still great.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

goodeyesniper said:
yeah, spyderco has a crap ton of small ones. I've been more into carrying 4" blade pocket knives so I haven't experienced many... But there's a lot.

If the Traditional bug gets you also check out the Case Peanut, and Case Pen Knife. In addition to the Swayback Jack I've already mentioned.
Click to expand...

Cool. With the exception of the 2 mentioned, all of my knives are in that 4" range (give or take) or fixed blades. I only carry the small blades when wearing a suit or such.

Blade-fiend said:
my favorite little knife is my spyderco dragonfly2 with zdp-189 it feels great in your hand and the blade holds a great edge for a long time. the ambitious is also a nice little knife with a nice low price tag.
Click to expand...

Sonnydaze said:
A shorter blade of CTS-XHP blade-steel with tank-toughness is the Spyderco Techno. I've had three; after another one now.
Sonnydaze
Click to expand...


Thanks. The Ambitious is an interesting little knife as is the Techno.

Exactly the kind of suggestions that I am looking for guys. [Edit: Looks like Spyderco has a ton of small knives to choose from.] Thank you!
 
Last edited:
I really like having a small folder dropped in the pocket. Some of my favorites are:
Kershaw OD-2
Spyderco Kiwi
Any victorinox
Opinel No. 6 or 7
Microtech UTX-70 (not a "folding" knife its an "otf" switchblade, pricey for the size but I still love it though)
CRKT Pazoda 2
Gerber E.A.B. (the one that takes carpenter razor blades)
SOG Twitch II
I have a few traditional no names too, I don't know much about them so I can't recommend any specific configuration, still reading up on them.

Some are chinese but they are all quality knives for their respective price. Like the OD-2 its sub $20 bucks I think but its a lot of quality for that price and the microtech is around $200 but you get what you pay for in my opinion.

I hope I helped you some or at least gave you a direction to look into if you don't like any of my suggestions.
 
Swoop03 said:
...I hope I helped you some or at least gave you a direction to look into if you don't like any of my suggestions.
Click to expand...

You certainly did. Half of the fun of buying a new knife is deciding which one to get so I plan to check out each of your suggestions. Thanks! :)
 
I've always liked the Spyderco Lava. I'm pretty excited for the blue G-10 handled one that is finally on the horizon.
 
Can't really beat a William Henry for a small knife without going full custom.

knifeart_2264_48801023


B09 Scout, 2 inch blade. 1.1 ounces.
 
Scurvy092 said:
Can't really beat a William Henry for a small knife without going full custom.

knifeart_2264_48801023


B09 Scout, 2 inch blade. 1.1 ounces.
Click to expand...

Wow that is nice, I've never looked into William Henry much, I think I'll have to get one or two of his models. This one being one of them. I'd be afraid of carrying it though, it's so pretty!
 
Spyderco Dragonfly or Ladybug(or Manbug), Cold Steel Tuff Lite or Micro Recon, your choice of SAKs
 
Anyone remember the Wegner mouse offered by Spyderco then later from Blade-Tech?
 
Check out the Spyderco Air. Light weight. No clip so if fits well in the pocket. CPM-M4 steel and a thin blade means it slices like a razor.

Dan
 
Another vote for the DFly in ZDP here. It's like a zipper that keeps zipping!

Yup, Spyderco has plenty of options... Ambitious, Air, Techno to name a few.

Im thinking about getting an Air next. Plenty who got it, now swear by it.
 
It all depends what your looking to spend as well.

One of my most carried small knives is a "Les Voorhies Custom M10".

It's a 2.5" blade and rides in the 5th pocket like its not even there, but is pricey for its size.

Another that I love is one I'm carrying today, which is a "Pro-Tech Sprint Auto".

About a 2" blade and is an awesome little knife to carry.

Just my .02
 
I carried the minibuck for a good 3 or 4 years, all year round, in every manner of dress. I recently upgraded to an opinel. If I didn't lose it I'd probably still carry it everywhere. Small and light enough to carry anywhere. Hell I've stuck it in the waistband of my underwear when I'm just goofing around the house. Its not gonna carve any steaks or baton a tree limb, but it held up to any cutting task I've given it as well as any other knife. only downside was the edge retention sucked and its so small and light you forget you have it sometimes. little paracord on the end provides any extra grip you want.
 
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