What's your favorite mini? (under 3")?

jackknife said:
Since Earl Christy passed away in 2006, its been a one-man operation by Hal Christy, trying to keep his family's business going. Prices have went up, and I think the company's future may be a bit short. I'm tempted to buy a few just to sock away for the grandkids. I hope Hal can keep it going, I understand he sold the old building and now is operating out of his garage shop.

Once you get used to the knife, it becomes even more interesting on how damm handy the little thing is. One hand opening in three different locked positions. And it's a bit of real cutlery history.
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Yeah I think days are numbered also. Most unfortunate.

Very unique knife designs. With a touch of class, especially if you have the fancy version.

I think I’ll order a couple more blades myself.
 
dirc said:
no one has mentioned the kershaw leek yet, it's likely the smallest 3" folder you can find and the blade ergos are really top notch

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I've been looking at this. Noticed there's a very handsome looking Damascus steel version. Some places have it as cheap as $80. Is the general opinion of that steel very good?
 
Opinel no6,and theres a bunch of small sanrenmu knives with original designs very well made,have couple of them,for price are excellent,dont know if they still make them,but these keychain and miniature knives are very good.
 
lonestar1979 said:
Opinel no6,and theres a bunch of small sanrenmu knives with original designs very well made,have couple of them,for price are excellent,dont know if they still make them,but these keychain and miniature knives are very good.
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Sanrenmu has actually made some pretty decent little knives of good quality for the price. I think I paid like $10 on sale for this one back in 2011, a kind of "gentleman's folder". Sanrenmu made a boat load of these in many different variations. Some with black coated steel. Different colored bodies. For a while you could get a spectrum colorized treatment version. I don't recall the blade steel--might be 8Cr13Mov. The design is extinct now. This particular one was a variant made for Fenix flashlights. No branding. A very dark brown anodizing. Never saw it available anywhere else except at Fenix. Not a tang flipper, but if you hold the lock studs back, you can flick your arm quickly and get deployment. Because the lock provides tension in closed position, you can't flick with your thumb on the blade. But, you can slow-open it with your thumb to be less dramatic. Weighs 3oz. 2.2" blade. I just wish it had a pocket clip. I don't like it rattling around next to other objects in a pocket... so it very often goes in the coin pocket.
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myu said:
I've been looking at this. Noticed there's a very handsome looking Damascus steel version. Some places have it as cheap as $80. Is the general opinion of that steel very good?
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kershaw uses alabama damascus, which is not stainless, but is a pretty nice choice of carbon steel types... if you don't mind that potential drawback it has a good reputation (I don't own one myself) the composition is generally "5160, 15n20, Ni200 folded for 416 layers"

honestly, for a do everything edc, I prefer the 14c28n sandvik - it's tough, stainless, holds a really decent edge and can be easily touched up on anything
 
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lonestar1979 said:
Opinel no6,and theres a bunch of small sanrenmu knives with original designs very well made,have couple of them,for price are excellent,dont know if they still make them,but these keychain and miniature knives are very good.
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lodestar, not too long ago I picked up an Opinel number 5 for general watch pocket duty. I'd gotten turned off to the new lock arrangement so had chalked off the Opinels. But since I don't use the lock a lot, and work them like a regular friction folder or slip joint, it really doesn't matter.

I've found the #5 to be a great little all around pen knife thing. Cuts open boxes, cuts thread, sharpens pencils, trims small branches. Whatever. Just use it like you would any slip joint or SAK and its fine.

I've become quite fond of keychain size knives. They can do much more than most people think.
 
Jackknife,i mostly use knife on my keychain,whatever it is,in kitchen its victorinox boning and paring knives and few opinels.Spyderco ladybug is one of those keychain models i used a lot and never let me down(its overpriced now).opinels and saks cut,period and are easy to sharpen,no matter the model.Classic alox is also very good ,although the blade is too small.
 
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