What's the "smaller" Sage CF? Seeking advice

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dupree

Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
22
Long time lurker, first time poster, first time Spyderco owner. :o

I recently got a Sage 1 carbon fiber. It's almost perfect for my EDC. One thing made it a no-go however: it's a half inch larger than I would like. Sticks out a bit too far from the coin pocket of my jeans, and it's a bit too hefty for office carry.

So, my question is: what are my "slightly smaller Sage" alternatives? My dream Spyderco EDC knife would have:

* liner lock
* blade no larger than 2.5"
* G10 or carbon fiber
* S30V would be an added bonus

I found the Chicago and it looks like a candidate but I was a bit suspicious that it was discontinued for some good reason.

Help me, Spyderco subforum, you're my only hope!
 
Just read The Deacon's review and that does indeed look VERY nice. Might be exactly what I need -- thanks Orion's Belt!

I've never had a lockback knife, so I wasn't sure when the the review said:

[...]I prefer the resistance it offers when opening and closing to a blade that swings as freely as a garden gate, and has no inclination to stay closed. Those who like to flick their knives open should probably stick to other locks.
Click to expand...

Lockbacks have more resistance to fast opening?
 
Hi Dupree,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

Yes, lockbacks will generally have a self close that operates for the first inch or so that the knife is opened.

sal
 
Ah, understood. Thanks Sal! I'm going to get one as soon as I hear they're available. Looking forward to it.
 
Dont be suspicious, many a GREAT Spydie model has been discontinued... doesnt mean its a bad knife.

There was also one released around the same time as the Chicago called the Cat if I recall correctly, that might work for you?

dupree said:
I found the Chicago and it looks like a candidate but I was a bit suspicious that it was discontinued for some good reason.

Help me, Spyderco subforum, you're my only hope!
Click to expand...
 
It wasn't one of my favorites & I let it go pretty quickly but a lightweight ZDP/CF Michael Walker fits what you're looking for. (IMO the steel is an upgrade unless sharpening zdp189 is an issue for you.)
 
Buffalohump said:
Dont be suspicious, many a GREAT Spydie model has been discontinued... doesnt mean its a bad knife.

There was also one released around the same time as the Chicago called the Cat if I recall correctly, that might work for you?
Click to expand...
That's often true, but the Cat and Chicago had major QC problems. You can blame the maker in Taiwan, which is not the same one that's doing most of the other models made there for not being up to the task, but perhaps Spyderco was asking a bit much of them. CF and S30V at a price less than half that of the Sage I sounds like a pretty hard target to hit.

As for a smaller Sage in CF, the Chaparral will definitely be a contender, if one can live with a midlock. Leafstorm might also work, if you prefer the Reeve lock and are willing to forgo the CF and finger choil.
 
what about the caly 3?

C113CF_L.jpg


it's what i thought of when i read your title.
 
I got a Chicago and absolutely love it. its was a second, but it works just fine for me. nice and gentlemanly. You could also go for one of the UK pen knives. Try to find an old g10 one of look at the carbon fiber one. I use a drop point g10 s30v ukpk when I wear nice clothes....or i'll rock the Chicago.




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Thanks for the additional suggestions, guys! Hugely helpful.

I also considered the Caly 3 but it's only 1/8 of an inch shorter (closed) than the Sage so still a bit larger than I'd like still. That would have been my choice over the Sage originally but for the backlock.

The Leafstorm I really like, the dimensions are perfect, and *swoon!* the color of the natural G10 and the lock, but that [edit] lack of finger choil freaks me out a bit ;)

orchunter93, any more photos of that Chicago next to a Sage or maybe a small Sebenza? (the dimensions of those knives are familiar to me)


vv Whoops, meant to say lack of finger choil. At least, my (noob) understanding of knife anatomy is that dip after the handle is a choil, just not a finger choil.
 
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dupree said:
Thanks for the additional suggestions, guys! Hugely helpful.

I also considered the Caly 3 but it's only 1/8 of an inch shorter (closed) than the Sage so still a bit larger than I'd like still. That would have been my choice over the Sage originally but for the backlock.

The Leafstorm I really like, the dimensions are perfect, and *swoon!* the color of the natural G10 and the lock, but that choil freaks me out a bit ;)

orchunter93, any more photos of that Chicago next to a Sage or maybe a small Sebenza? (the dimensions of those knives are familiar to me)
Click to expand...

There is no choil...
 
powernoodle said:
And I agree about the missing choil. :)
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I think I agree. I'm wrestling with a Strider PT that is maybe just a tad too small but has a finger choil. The Leaf Storm looks like it might be just a little bit bigger, just enough to make a difference, but I like that choil...
 
JNewell said:
I think I agree. I'm wrestling with a Strider PT that is maybe just a tad too small but has a finger choil. The Leaf Storm looks like it might be just a little bit bigger, just enough to make a difference, but I like that choil...
Click to expand...
Leafstorm has a 1/2" shorter blade than the PT. Have you considered the Sage II? It's a bit bigger than the PT and has a nice deep finger choil.
 
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