Wanting a Case folder for EDC

[Modoc ED]

Have a look at the single-blade Sowbelly with yellow handles and CV blade. Love mine!

-- Mark

The single blade Sowbelly Mark referenced - - length closed 3 7/8" ; Blade 2 3/4" ; weight 3.45 oz

 

[hornetguy]

The Swayback in either iteration is a wonderful knife... I prefer the two blade jack, but the gent is nice, as well.
The Tribal lock is a tad over the desired 3" blade.... just a joke on my part. My wife tells me I sometimes try too hard to be funny.....

 

[baxtrom]

I currently don't EDC any knives. I have an Opinel and a Rat 1 D2, but neither one is in a size category I'd feel comfortable carrying on a daily basis, so I am looking for things in the 2.5-3" length blade range, and I want something more traditional looking, maybe a bit more decorative, and US made. I've mostly centered on Case for this.

In that size category, there are a few knives I've taken an interest in. The mini trapper, the mini copperlock, but I guess since it's slim enough and light enough, the slimline trapper could be a consideration. I had considered modifying a mini trapper to be a single blade to make it even lighter and slimmer, or replace the second blade at some point, but a mini copperlock is basically already that, but with a lockback.

I am just having a hard time deciding which direction to go for a traditional EDC.

I’ve carried a mini trapper as an edc lately because I feel uncomfortable with bigger blades here in Sweden where the knife law is very unspecific. Here is a photo of the slimline trapper, the mini trapper and a small case Stockman that is in the same category of carry-friendly blade size. Note that the slimline is a larger blade, I do not typically carry it as an edc.

I added my 110 for size comparison.

 

[hhmoore]

I landed on the Buck 501 as my (almost) always there pocket knife. I carried a Case mini copperlock for a while; but, ultimately, I preferred the drop point over the clip...and the 501 is a better fit for my hand.
View attachment 1881698

 

[Hickory n steel]

The medium toothpick basically has the blade the slimline trapper would have if they made a mini version of that.

Boy do I wish they'd make a mini slimline trapper.

 

[hank_rearden]

A Jack or similar. A long blade for cutting or hard whittling. A short blade for specific tasks like drilling, gouging, cutting those blasted blister packs, etc.

 

[Boattale]

Less than an ounce makes that much difference?

It does to my pants!

 

[JM2]

I landed on the Buck 501 as my (almost) always there pocket knife. I carried a Case mini copperlock for a while; but, ultimately, I preferred the drop point over the clip...and the 501 is a better fit for my hand.
View attachment 1881698

That’s a beautiful case.

 

[OldHercDude]

Mini Copperlocks are a nice-sized knife IMHO.

In the size range you're looking at, non-Wharncliffe, The Tribal Lock might be another consideration. About 4 1/8 closed, blade about 3 1/8 from bolster to tip. It's slim, only slightly thicker than my Mini Copperlocks.

Single-blade Tear Drops are a nice slim pocket carry as well, and if you shop around you might still be able to get one with a Wharncliffe, but the blade is just under 2 1/2.

 

[JM2]

Mini Copperlocks are a nice-sized knife IMHO.

In the size range you're looking at, non-Wharncliffe, The Tribal Lock might be another consideration. About 4 1/8 closed, blade about 3 1/8 from bolster to tip. It's slim, only slightly thicker than my Mini Copperlocks.

Single-blade Tear Drops are a nice slim pocket carry as well, and if you shop around you might still be able to get one with a Wharncliffe, but the blade is just under 2 1/2.

All of those are very nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BrotherJim]

I'll also vote for Swayback Gent, Teardrop and even a Peanut

 

[OldHercDude]

All of those are very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks - some nice options for OP just either side of his stated blade length range, if he's open to it.

 

[OldHercDude]

I'll also vote for Swayback Gent, Teardrop and even a Peanut

Nice bone on that Tear Drop.

 

[STDK]

I love the Case 06263 Eisenhower pattern, super light and thin with enough blade to get most jobs done.

 

[BrotherJim]

Case also makes a (drop point) Small Lockback
Compared here with a Mini Copperlock ...

 

[black mamba]

Another vote for the Tribal Lock. The Zulu spear is the most utilitarian of all single blades, and there are a wide variety of handle choices, plus either stainless or carbon.

 

[cudgee]

The sodbuster jr also works for that size range.

Second that. The pocket worn bone sodbuster is thin as well. Fantastic for a leather slip, and slicey sharp.

 

[Sacto]

The swayback gent/jack is a very nice knife, but might be a little smaller than you are looking for. To me it feels quite a bit smaller than the mini trapper. If I were looking for what you are describing, I would go with a mini trapper with a single wharncliffe blade.

 

[TrapperMike]

The peanut is great. Small enough you dont even notice it in the pocket, but still cuts most everything i need to cut. I carry mine in my watch pocket. A victorinox classic would also be a good choice and still traditional.

 

[Ulfrinn]

I think I've pretty much settled on one of the sizes of Copperlocks. Small or full size, either one with the standard clip point. I just need to decide on a size, and blade. I'm not too familiar with their CV or Stainless. Which one will get sharper and hold an edge longer? I think that's CV?