What's a good tough SMALL folder?

fulloflead

fulloflead

Joined
May 3, 2002
Messages
6,192
OK, BESIDES a small Sebenza... :D

I just got an Al Mar SERE 2000 and I love it. Now I want something that tough, but smaller - for when I'm traveling or just need to carry something smaller - something that I'm not afraid to beat the hell out of like I am with my customs.

Requirements:
3" blade (give or take about 1/4")
Blade around 1/8" thick.
Plain edge.
Pocket clip
tough, strong, sturdy, durable...
No plastic/frn handles.
Not an auto.
No more than around $150 STREET/FORUM ;) price.
...that's about it.

I've got a couple ideas, but I wanna hear what people would recommend first.
 
Buck/Mayo is about 3-1/4", slim and tough ti framelock, sharp S30V blade, right up your alley.
 
My suggestion would be to look at Benchmade. A 720/one of the smaller pardue designs would probably suit you well. Spyderco has QUITE A FEW that fit that description as well. Congrats on the Al Mar, BTW, nice knife overall.
 
The mini Buck Strider spear point would be a good candidate... if only it had a higher hollow grind. :(

N2
 
BS Spearpoint - however, never seen one that did not require the thumbstud be sanded free of the sharp rim, and the pivots on any I have seen have just been a bear to loosen up so a thumb stud is a viable opener.

Still, very tough and if I ever get the right size torx driver mine will be slick a snot and tough as hell.

I would really prefer a flat grind, but nothing comes with everything.
 
Another vote for the Benchmade 705. It's virtually indestructible and it's got a useful blade shape. :)
 
You can beat the crap out of an emerson pretty well. The mini cqc's are pretty strong, and are available with different blades. they fall in your price range..take a look.
 
My first choice would be a Buck 172 Mayo. As said before, S30V an Ti go well together on a nice frame lock. Then there's a Microtech Vector M/A :) Or, I can't believe I'm saying this, a Spyderco Native. The plain ones these days are VG10 with great ergos and well within your price range, and I've seen US made G10 handled models with CPM440V blades for around $100.00. Those would all be good reliable high performance beaters.

John
 
Skyline said:
Another vote for the Benchmade 705. It's virtually indestructible and it's got a useful blade shape. :)
Click to expand...

Reallly? THIS one? 2.9" blade. It doesn't LOOK that tough, but I've never handled one.
 
The Camillus EDC is amazingly compact for its 3" blade length. It is an all steel frame lock design. The blade is also wider than most for its compact size. AG Russell has an exclusive on versions with D2 alloy blades. The combination is great and the price is very reasonable. My ownly complaint is that the opening is a little stiff and I have to flick the stud with my thumb to get it open.
http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...ny/camillus_edc_with_d2_blade_plain_edge.html
 
I'm surprised that no one has yet mentioned the Kershaw/Ken Onion designed Vapor - all stainless steel handles and Frame-Lock - tough, virtually bullet-proof -

what's even better is that it's easily available at one's local WalMart for less than $20 - where at least one can handle and examine it before parting with any money.... and I can attest that the knife quality belies its low price.
K1640.jpg
K1640BLK.jpg


Frame-Locks (ala Sebenza)

Vapor Minutiae

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
 
fulloflead said:
Reallly? THIS one? 2.9" blade. It doesn't LOOK that tough, but I've never handled one.
Click to expand...

Yup, that's the one, and it's completely solid. If you search on prior posts on the 705 or look in the BM Forum, it's the general consensus that this knife was completely overbuilt, LOL. I love it so much, I own four!

You might also look at the silver G10 limited edition 705-401.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/special_projects/edc_knives_p.asp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top