US (locking) UK Penknife Equivalent?

[Dude Crush]

Not to belabor the point but I’m still looking for that perfect EDC. The Swamp Rat, Rat Trap is just too big for me, though everything else is perfect. The Spyderco, UK Penknife is just about perfect minus the no-lock. So what’s the U.S. equivalent? High end materials, low riding, around a 3” blade, thin (relatively) profile, I don’t at all mind the “tactical” look though it’s not necessary. Slowly, I’m zeroing in on that perfect knife. Thanks for all the help.

 

[spyken]

Dude, have you tried the UK pen knife? Actually, if you put your finger on the choil, you don't really need a locking blade for light use...

However, like you, I'm hoping that there will be a US-locking version. But I prefer the steel to be VG10.

 

[Planterz]

The SS Dragonfly is pretty similar, as is the Micarta Calypso Jr (if you can find one). The FRN Calypso Jr would be good, but I don't know if I'd classify FRN as "high end material". The Titanium Salsa is the highest end small Spyderco, but it's discontinued, so it might be hard to find. There's aluminum Salsas as well.

 

[Saberman]

If your looking for a "locking" UK Penknife. Look at Spyderco's Calypso Jr and the Paramilitary. These three knives share lots of characteristics, all have very simular handle and blade shapes. Only differance is the lock and steel; Paramilitary has the Compression lock w/ S30V and the Calypso Jr. is a lockback w/ VG-10.

As to the high-end materials question, FRN isn't a high end handle mat'l but then again G-10 isn't either. But people do reconize Spyderco's and that there good knives. Maybe one of the limited BM 705's my be a good choice. For a 3" perfect EDC I had to go into Customs and Reeve's.


To give you an idea of what I think aboout these knives, I have four Calypso Jr's and the UK Penknife and have been loooking to get a Para. Today I maybe carrying a Custom Atwood, but I also have a Calypso Jr with me...

Good Luck on finding that perfect EDC, it doesn't end no matter what knife you buy.