Want to buy a gentleman's folder with X-Mas money

eschwebach

eschwebach

Joined
Jul 16, 2012
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Okay, I normally have no issue whatsoever picking a knife. However, for some reason I am having an issue with this decision. I would like a smallish gentleman's folder to carry at work. My max price range is $200. Since I work in an office it won't see heavy use. Here are some of the candidates:

Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air
Bradley Alias II
BM Emissary
BM Megumi
BM Shoki
Case Mini-Copperlock

I already have the Spyderco Chaparral.

Would appreciate any recommendations based on my candidates, or if I am missing one, let me know. The only brand of knife I stay away from is SOG.
 
Spyderco Sage 2
Spyderco Caly 3 CF/ZDP-198 - this is what I use for a nice folder, but not my gentleman's knife
??
 
ShooterMcgavin said:
Spyderco Sage 2
Spyderco Caly 3 CF/ZDP-198 - this is what I use for a nice folder, but not my gentleman's knife
??
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Yeah, I have the Sage 1-3. I thought of the Sage 4 since it would round out the series for me, might be a tad big for what I want though.
 
I like Benchmade knives and the Emissary and Shoki are both very nice. I wear business attire most of the time, and my EDC knives are generally focused on being lightweight, smallish, and pocket-friendly as a result. Let me suggest a couple of less common options:

Mcusta Tsuchi small (MC-0113D) - very pretty, solid framelock, quite light (a smidge heavier than a BM 707, my usual EDC)
CRKT Ken Onion Eros - funky styling, titanium scales, very very light and thin

I like both of these enough to carry them some of the time, though my 707 seems to end up back in my pocket in most cases.

I almost bought a BM 480-1, but I was afraid I'd pine for the pocket clip and the little lanyard loop bothered me for some reason. It's pretty though, so I suppose I'll end up picking one up at some point anyway.
 
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evilgreg said:
I like Benchmade knives and the Emissary and Shoki are both very nice. I wear business attire most of the time, and my EDC knives are generally focused on being lightweight, smallish, and pocket-friendly as a result. Let me suggest a couple of less common options:

Mcusta Tsuchi small (MC-0113D) - very pretty, solid framelock, quite light (a smidge heavier than a BM 707, my usual EDC)
CRKT Ken Onion Eros - funky styling, titanium scales, very very light and thin

I like both of these enough to carry them some of the time, though my 707 seems to end up back in my pocket in most cases.

I almost bought a BM 480-1, but I was afraid I'd pine for the pocket clip and the little lanyard loop bothered me for some reason. It's pretty though, so I suppose I'll end up picking one up at some point anyway.
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Yes, I actually have a 707 as well and love it. The Tsuchi is a great recommendation, I had a Mcusta for a while and really liked it. I had forgotten about the Eros, thank you for bringing it to my attention.

The lack of pocket clip won't bother me if it is light enough. I carry a SAK Cadet a lot, and I tie a small lanyard to it.
 
I think the whole "gentleman's knife" term gets overused way too much. I think it would be better if everyone just talked about where they plan to carry it, and what they see themselves using it for, so I'm glad to see you've done that :)

I own both the Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air and the Benchmade Aphid, both of which I've seen called a "gentleman's knife". However, for my job (also in an office) while I do carry a small folder, honestly, the knife that sees the most use is my SAK Cadet or SAK Classic. I use them every single day. The small screwdriver and scissor tools can be incredibly useful.

That said, since you already have a SAK Cadet I can't really recommend that :D I really do like my Gayle Bradley Air; it's an incredibly well made, fun little knife, and nearly everyone that has seen me using it at work has asked to see it. However, there are a few things I don't like. The blade shape has no belly, and could be more useful. In addition, while I don't miss the lack of a clip, I wish it has a small loop or lanyard ring like the Benchmade Shoki does. Actually, I plan on picking up a Shoki at some point, but I just haven't seen them in stock anywhere.
 
Spyderco Caly 3 Damascus and CF sprint. It's a little beyond your budget but not too much.
 
Here are the ones that are in my rotation for a small office/suit knife. Buck Waimea, Benchmade 480-1, Spyderco Air, Moki Glory, and Queen small stockman. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, you can't miss with any of them.
IMG_3304.jpg
 
lambertiana said:
Here are the ones that are in my rotation for a small office/suit knife. Buck Waimea, Benchmade 480-1, Spyderco Air, Moki Glory, and Queen small stockman. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, you can't miss with any of them.
IMG_3304.jpg
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You have excellent taste. I have to say I really like the look of that BM 480-1.
 
I'm going to be the one that says:
Get the Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air.
This knife is excellent and built amazingly especially for the money.
You get a lot for what you pay.
CPM-M4 steel which is just awesome, it slices like a laser and sharpens up easily, holds it's edge for a long time.
Milled titanium liners which lock up like a vault with no play and no issues, also helps add to the extreme lightweight of the knife.
Beautiful Silver Twill scales that provide enough grip without being too aggressive.
The fit and finish on this knife is flawless, solid lock up, centered blade, and slides into the pocket so easily that you don't even realize it's there. I've also carried this as an EDC not just for suit wear or whatever and it's an awesome EDC. Slices and cuts amazingly, slips into the pocket without being noticed, so light that you can carry it with anything, and just an awesome little folder overall.

This is what I would choose hands down.
 
I carry a "pocket worn" mini-copperlock every Sunday and it is a great knife. So slick and solid with perfect lockup. I don't expect it to pull duty like my larger folders but it's up to almost any task you could get yourself into while wearing your best duds! The air is really slick also but I've never met an Irish pennant that called for M4. :D
 
BladeChick777 said:
I'm going to be the one that says:
Get the Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air.
This knife is excellent and built amazingly especially for the money.
You get a lot for what you pay.
CPM-M4 steel which is just awesome, it slices like a laser and sharpens up easily, holds it's edge for a long time.
Milled titanium liners which lock up like a vault with no play and no issues, also helps add to the extreme lightweight of the knife.
Beautiful Silver Twill scales that provide enough grip without being too aggressive.
The fit and finish on this knife is flawless, solid lock up, centered blade, and slides into the pocket so easily that you don't even realize it's there. I've also carried this as an EDC not just for suit wear or whatever and it's an awesome EDC. Slices and cuts amazingly, slips into the pocket without being noticed, so light that you can carry it with anything, and just an awesome little folder overall.

This is what I would choose hands down.
Click to expand...

You were actually the one who got me to consider the Air. You we talking about how much you liked it on another thread here (can't recall which). It is a beautiful knife, I love the glass fiber handle scales.
 
RetiredGuns said:
I carry a "pocket worn" mini-copperlock every Sunday and it is a great knife. So slick and solid with perfect lockup. I don't expect it to pull duty like my larger folders but it's up to almost any task you could get yourself into while wearing your best duds! The air is really slick also but I've never met an Irish pennant that called for M4. :D
Click to expand...

I have a full size Copperlock but it's just too heavy, I think the mini would be a better fit.
 
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