My smallest "mini" is actually the blade of a Swiss Army Victorinox Alox money clip. It works great in a pinch for all those small jobs, when I don't happen to have my EDC handy. I do have a 2.2" Sanrenmu folder that's quite nice for the price. Axis lock. Not a flipper, but will flip open if the lock pin is held back. But I've lately been itching for something a little better. Ideally I'd like to stay at under $50, but if there's a really great discount for something a little higher, I'd go for that. I just don't want to repeat mid-grade steel. 440C would be about the low end limit. VG-10 up to 154CM. I'd consider CPM S35VN if a really good deal. Appearance wise, I'd love stone wash. Not black coated. Attractive scales. Good clip with low pocket carry. Any thoughtful suggestions appreciated. Thanks!
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
What's your favorite mini? (under 3")?
- Thread starter myu
- Start date
ScooterG
You mean Ireland? Yeah, it’s mine.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2016
- Messages
- 4,130
If you can go $59, try this one with S30.
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BU...ed-nylon-with-cnc-contoured-black-g10-handles
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BU...ed-nylon-with-cnc-contoured-black-g10-handles
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
Mini's are the knife norm for me overall. But the term "mini" is very relative.... to what.... maxi? But I will take a practical approach to answering the question posed.
I carry a Vic Small Tinker all the time and use it. In the slip joint area, other small ones are Peanuts and the GEC #14 Boys Knife. I am discovering that I seldom need anything larger. But have those too as needed.
Been starting to get into sub-3" (certainly sub 4") fixed blades and have been carrying a Condor Compact Kephart or on occasion the Condor Mini Bushlore. Both of these are 3 finger knives and fairly inexpensive.
Others that get carried are small slip joints, and sub 4" fixed blades (Dozers, BRKT, and others). Generally save the 4"+ fixed blades for the woods. But in general, I have found that I don't need a knife over about 5 > 5.5" regardless of the location. I still like the big fixed blades and buy them. I very seldomly will carry a folder with a 3.5" blade or longer; I won't even buy them any more. Mini's are pretty much where I'm at now.
I carry a Vic Small Tinker all the time and use it. In the slip joint area, other small ones are Peanuts and the GEC #14 Boys Knife. I am discovering that I seldom need anything larger. But have those too as needed.
Been starting to get into sub-3" (certainly sub 4") fixed blades and have been carrying a Condor Compact Kephart or on occasion the Condor Mini Bushlore. Both of these are 3 finger knives and fairly inexpensive.
Others that get carried are small slip joints, and sub 4" fixed blades (Dozers, BRKT, and others). Generally save the 4"+ fixed blades for the woods. But in general, I have found that I don't need a knife over about 5 > 5.5" regardless of the location. I still like the big fixed blades and buy them. I very seldomly will carry a folder with a 3.5" blade or longer; I won't even buy them any more. Mini's are pretty much where I'm at now.
BD_01
Basic Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2016
- Messages
- 3,920
That’s legit.If you can go $59, try this one with S30.
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BU...ed-nylon-with-cnc-contoured-black-g10-handles
I may hit that.
Been curious about the vantage...& it’ll make a good gift too.
Made in my favorite country!
ScooterG
You mean Ireland? Yeah, it’s mine.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2016
- Messages
- 4,130
Check out the larger size too. Knife Center has a good Buck sale going.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
This Fayette Jack continues to be my favorite sub 3” traditional. The frame fits my hand well, and it all but disappears in my watch pocket.
Then there’s my Mini Ritter. No doubt it’s one of my most carried knives. The size is a big factor in that, plus it cuts above it’s weight class so I don’t feel under equipped with it in my pocket.
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2015
- Messages
- 481
Spyderco Lil Native with compression lock. Handy and small and easy to
operate with one hand. My work EDC.
operate with one hand. My work EDC.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2019
- Messages
- 654
I too almost only daily carry 3" and slightly under blades (with the exception of a BK14) and of course use larger blades for the woods or food prep / filleting, etc
3" and under EDC favorites:
SAK ALOX Electrician
Spyderco Salt 2 serrated
Spyderco Tasman Salt 2
Manly Wasp - S90v
Spyderco Ladybug Salt Serrated
Benchmade Azeria fixed blade Wharncliffe
I'm recently fond of the Victorinox Floral knife with a great sheepsfoot blade
I just find 3.5"+ folders to be big / heavy and also harder to use in a discrete fashion without panicking soccer moms and city slickers.
It helps that I have fairly small hands and a 3.75" handle provides a full 4-finfer grip for me.
3" and under EDC favorites:
SAK ALOX Electrician
Spyderco Salt 2 serrated
Spyderco Tasman Salt 2
Manly Wasp - S90v
Spyderco Ladybug Salt Serrated
Benchmade Azeria fixed blade Wharncliffe
I'm recently fond of the Victorinox Floral knife with a great sheepsfoot blade
I just find 3.5"+ folders to be big / heavy and also harder to use in a discrete fashion without panicking soccer moms and city slickers.
It helps that I have fairly small hands and a 3.75" handle provides a full 4-finfer grip for me.
JBC6650
BANNED
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2008
- Messages
- 499
My favorite small, modern, single blade knives:
Mini Grip - its a great knife and comes in non-scary colors, a baby blue or orange knife at work seems to be more acceptable. 154cm is easy to sharpen Comes in other steel and a couple blade styles.
Rat 2 - thin, light weight, 4 way clip, ffg good slicer, easy to sharpen, low price, lots of colors, couple different steels.
Buck Sm Vantage, I have two and the 420hc is a better knife, I backed off the edge and now its a great cutter, added a couple colored zip ties for thumbstuds, cost me $13 on sale.
Spyderco Delica - or the cheaper Byrd/other brand versions. Ffg, solid little lock back. Lots of color and steel choices, 4 way clip, very lightweight.
Crkt Drifter - good little beater knife, easy to sharpen, one way pocket clip but I normally just carry it and most of these just loose in the pocket not clipped.
Mini Grip - its a great knife and comes in non-scary colors, a baby blue or orange knife at work seems to be more acceptable. 154cm is easy to sharpen Comes in other steel and a couple blade styles.
Rat 2 - thin, light weight, 4 way clip, ffg good slicer, easy to sharpen, low price, lots of colors, couple different steels.
Buck Sm Vantage, I have two and the 420hc is a better knife, I backed off the edge and now its a great cutter, added a couple colored zip ties for thumbstuds, cost me $13 on sale.
Spyderco Delica - or the cheaper Byrd/other brand versions. Ffg, solid little lock back. Lots of color and steel choices, 4 way clip, very lightweight.
Crkt Drifter - good little beater knife, easy to sharpen, one way pocket clip but I normally just carry it and most of these just loose in the pocket not clipped.
