What's the smallest "gentleman's" folder you carry?

C

cardimon

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Sep 20, 2000
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I've been downsizing my blades like crazy. I got fed up with my trousers always trying to fall down and my pockets sagging, and I don't want to drag out my heavy artillery for everyday tasks. I keep that stuff in my kit now.

Thsese days, I carry a Victorinox CyberTool 34 with me to work, along with a Kershaw Silver Spur, which is one sturdy little lockblade. The Silver Spur gets a positive public reaction. More of a favorable, "What a cute little knife!" than a raised eyebrows.

As I'm moving toward small gentleman's-type folders, I thought I'd ask you smart folks what you carry along those lines.
 
I just replaced my La Griffe with a Kurt Meerdink minihunter as a neck knife, 2" blade 4 1/2" overall. And I got an Umfaan ...

You're right. Sometimes it is nice not to have all that weight dragging my pants down :) I still will carry my Leatherman Supertool and large Sebenza in belt sheaths whenever I think I might use them, though.
 
Having gone thru the entire line of small Spyderco knives (I'll take a Spyderhole over a thumbstud any day), I have settled on a rotation of a CRKT S-2 with clip removed (the clip was poorly designed anyway) and a William Henry Carbon Fiber (Black & Tan) Lancet. The lancet is light enough to ride in the pocket of my lightest dress shirts without notice.
 
Spyderco Michael Walker Lightweight. Last I looked it was less than $30 at SMKW - a fantastic deal, I think.
 
One of the best all around small knives I carry is a Spyderco Mini-Dyad with black micarta scales. This knife is out of production but you can still find it on Ebay, New Graham or other spyderco dealers for around $50.

This knife has two blades (2-2.5inches) with spydie holes. One fully serrated the other a nice sharp clip point. They do make a Zytel handle version, but I like the clip and the more stout feel of the micarta version.

Dress carry -- Umfaan or Mnandi by Chris Reeve. Spend the money on these and you won't regret it. Then by the mini-dyad for slumming around.

JT
 
I have a few unconventional small knives that i got to get around the problem of carrying a real knife in a formal office or Court environment. The Unfaam is good. Better is a custom jot Khalsa in damascus and pearl. Rather small, but gorgeous and quite a useful knife too. I also have a pendant knife made in Newfoundland, which is rather less useful, and a miniature damascus tanto made for me by Michael Sheppard which can also be worn as a necklace or pendant.Another little straight blade that is very small but useful is a damscus by Christoph Deringer, a Master Smith out of Quebec. The blade is a bit thin, though. Still, quite gorgeous and not intimidating at all.
Frankly, if you want to carry an Umfaan you might as well carry a small Sebbie. I find the weight different minimal and the Sebbie is much more knife. The little Khalsa is really amazing, though. Small and fancy enough to disarm all but the most paranoid sheeple.
And that's when you stab them in the eye.... no, no, no, just kidding.... Really, what the hell do they think you're going to do with these small knives anyway? I could do more damage unarmed with my hands, feet and elbows.
 
3 I have without studs; Schrade Mini Pal Old timer, Buck 525, and VB Mini UDT. My Wh has a stud but still worth a look it is a very nice knife.
 
A.G. Russell AG-6 with the carbon fibre handle.

It doesn't have a thumb stud, or a hole or a nail slot. You just grab the blade and open it.
 
Before I was layed off, I wore dress slacks every day. Not very good for your Strider AR. I switched between two William Henry knives. Every Saturday I would clip a carbon fiber Lancet to my pocket. It weighs nothing. The rest of the week, I would clip a Evolution series, with spear point and cocobolo handle, to my pocket. I modified the Clip Case that it comes with (no pocket clip on the knife itself), by moving the clip up and reseating the rivet. This turned it into an effective "deep carry" gentlemans rig. Once again, this knife and sheath weighted very little and did not cause my thin pants to droop. Not once did the snoopy, bosses daughter inquire as to the clip or what it was attached to. To pull this feat off is a trick indeed!
 
I think small slipjoints make wonderful gents knives. They truly do not raise eyebrows and they are made to fit into pockets. My three favorites are all made by Queen: I have a Robeson Wharncliffe Pen with a 2" main blade, a Marbles Whanrcliffe Whitler (made by Queen) with a 2" blade, and a Queen pearl handled Peanut with a 2.25" main blade. For something bigger, I have a Brian Geyer custom flipper with a 2.7" blade and cf scales but a weight of 1.5oz. Check these out on Knifeart, it is a really cheap but good custom.
 
Its almost always my small sebenza, with clip, carried IWB. The thumbstud works just fine for me, but I concede the over-all utility crown to the spyderco hole.

If the plain sebie is just not dressy enough, I go with my all-stainless Spyderco Dragonfly. A nice elegant knife. Nice simple smooth lines.
 
EDC in left pocket is my Umfaan. I hope to get the Mnandi sometime next spring. Guns have been getting all my knife funds since the Blade show so, I'll just have to see... Difficult to improve on CRK's excellent products and service.
 
My favorite gentleman's folders are both Spydercos - G-10 Rookie (a little big and heavy for the class) and a Baby Jess Horn with black Micarta handles. Great little knife. Just right for opening envelopes and packages. Might also do some damage if required. Too bad they're both discontinued.
 
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