What is "Thin" in a Folding Knife?

[tatfiend]

What do you consder "Thin" in a full size folding knife?

I have a SOG Slim Jim as well as a couple of the steel handle/frame Kershaws and a Benchmade 530 Pardue. These are all quite thin knives. In the case of the SOG the design for thinness has compromised the function and utility of the knife IMO. Anything can be taken too far.

In the case of folders near and above 3" blade length I feel that any thickness less than .5", excluding a carry clip, is a thin knife. The Pardue and the Kerhaw steel handle knives which integrate the frame and handle into one piece are near he practical limit of thinness without compromising form and function so far as I can see and they are in the .37" to .41" listed thickness range.

 

[Hawk45]

The 530 is THIN! For me, I prefer to keep close to something like the 940. What's more important to me is height (spine to back of handle when closed). I like my pocket real estate.

 

[evilgreg]

The 530 is THIN! For me, I prefer to keep close to something like the 940. What's more important to me is height (spine to back of handle when closed). I like my pocket real estate.

Agreed, knives that are too thick from spine to back of handle (e.g. the tall-bladed Spydercos) eat up more space than they should. And the 530 is way thin. I think the 940 is a good benchmark for "no thinner than this, please" for me, unless it's a dainty little gentleman's knife or something. Too thin really does make a knife less comfy to use.

 

[goodeyesniper]

the stainless kershaws can be pretty damn thin.

The Spyderco Wayne Goddard sprint is pretty damn thin and LIGHT for it's size, over 3.5" blade. Comes in around 3oz. I don't have a handle thickness measurement but it's thinner than many other FRN Spydies, a tad thicker than the Leek.