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Post by frankthebunny on Feb 12, 2013 19:15:40 GMT
I have been watching hours of youtube reviews on small edc folding knives lately just because I'm fascinated with how much detail and functional design they can get in such little packages. I'm not as much a fan of the larger folders just because they don't seem as practical to carry unless you don't mind completely filling your pocket or wearing on your belt out in the open. I tend to be drawn to the knives weighing under 3 1/2 - 4 oz. and I am liking some of the assisted opening models although there are many non assisted that I like as well. I am a bit of a SOG fan because I tend to like many of their designs and they do have a great warranty in case something goes wrong, plus many of them are pretty affordable. I also love the smaller Benchmade knives like the mini griptillian and a few Kershaw, spyderco and some boker knives too. I also tend to prefer straight edge blades instead of partially serrated ones, I've never had a use for that kind of cutting. my brother just got me a SOG Twitch II for a late b-day gift which should be here this week. I'll show it off when it arrives. What are some of your favorite small edc folders? (that don't cost a fortune) I have personally been carrying around an inexpensive M-Tech folder for the last 10 plus years that has never failed me in any task I've used it for. I mostly use it to open boxes and cut cardboard, paper, and plastic packages. I know it's not great metal but it has never chipped or rusted and it holds a razor edge for a surprisingly long time. approx. 3.2 oz with a 2 1/4" 440 steel blade and 5 3/8" oa it's an easy knife to carry in my pocket every day. there is absolutely no blade movement at all even after thousands of deployments and I've never had to adjust the tension. M-Tech folder (unknown model name/number)
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Post by Opferous on Feb 13, 2013 3:09:44 GMT
In terms of small folders, I carry a Curtiss Knives Nano in CPM-154. It's a custom that runs pretty high, but virtually the same model is licensed to Boker as the Boker Plus Nano in 440C. Speaking of Boker, I also love the Boker Plus Subcom and Wharcom. Great little blades made in AUS8. I still carry my Subcom occasionally when I don't want to lose the $200+ Nano :lol: The Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite also gets an honorable mention. Carried one for about a year but eventually switched to the Nano because I hate the choil at the base of the blade on small knives. Otherwise, it's tough as hell, very light, and holds a pretty nice edge for a while. Cold Steel's marketing may be terrible, but bringing in Andrew Demko for the Tri-Ad Lock and design was probably the best decision they ever made in trying to become more than just a gimmick/bigger-is-better company.
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Post by randomnobody on Feb 13, 2013 8:52:05 GMT
Smallest knife I carry these days is still 3.5". I have tons of pocket space, but clumsy fingers, so I tend to go with medium/large folders as a rule, but I used to keep a tiny generic thing in my fob pocket. i190.photobucket.com/albums/z179 ... 120828.jpg It's a chisel grind, flat on one side, and holds a good edge for the $15-20 I paid for it years ago. I'd probably still carry it except, I really don't know the proper terms or how to really explain it...but the bolt thingy it pivots over apparently came loose and fell off somewhere. I've got one side still, but can't use the knife since it's not properly supported. Got some good use out of it, though; was a great knife. Actually, I've just rediscovered a knife that's just a bit longer, though much narrower, than the one pictured. Haven't got a picture of it, though. It's about 5 inches long overall, give or take, and only about 3/4" wide. Has a sort of chain thingy at the end, the ball type, and a tacky camo pattern with rubbery black inlay. It was only a few dollars in some dump bin at a gun store and I was amused by how small it was so I snatched it up. It's a decent knife, but too small for me. I worry about the strength of the lock, such a thin piece of metal...
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Post by frankthebunny on Feb 14, 2013 8:26:31 GMT
a strong lock is generally important imho but then again, a small edc knife isn't really meant to take on too much. I wouldn't want it to fail while in the middle of cutting open a thick plastic blister pack which can be jerky as it is. I just received the SOG twitch II today and while it's slick and well constructed and fun, it' also a bit too streamlined for my large fingers which also aren't used to it yet making it feel a little awkward. I hope the more I handle it the less awkward it will feel, I'll see in a couple of weeks or so of edc.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Feb 15, 2013 0:39:57 GMT
Right now I have a Kershaw Leek(actually I have 4, hahaha). It is superb. The one in pocket is the black tungsten coated model. Slim, light, excellent fit and finish, extremely sharp edge, strong frame-lock, very good steel, and one of the best warranties in the business. All for about $50 off of Amazon or at Wallmart. There is also the Blur. A little bit bigger than the Leek, but still very comfortable and easy to use. You can get them at Amazon and Wallmart as well.
The Spyderco Endura and Delica knives are also superb. I like to carry my Delica 4 as well.
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George
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Post by George on Feb 15, 2013 5:53:32 GMT
I started with the Kershaw Skyline, but even though it was agreat EDC the steel was of low quality and i was having to sharpen it every day. I am now currently carrying a Cold Steel Voyager (medium). Great blade and steel, i have however found the rest of the knive is very cheaply made. I had dirt get in between the scales and alloy liners (as there are many gaps and this is just from carrying in a pocket) so i pulled it apart and the materials used are soft and cheap. Pitty, as the blade is so good. I sealed it up as best i could but realised i needed something better. So i did some research to find 'the best folder' i could, simple, tough and something designed to last along time. Enter Grayman Dua... Expensive but i really need a EDC for work that i can rely on. I probably use my knife at work 4-5 times each day at least so i do put them through alot. Have to give it a few weeks and see how the Dua is coping and if ive found any 'bugs.'
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Post by frankthebunny on Feb 15, 2013 21:59:19 GMT
These knives look sweet. I'm partial to the drop point and spear point styles for small folders and I like clip points on campers. I was looking for a small folder that wasn't uncomfortable in my pocket but some of these seem a little on the big side of small. the Dua looks sweet but seems a little bulky. the Kershaw Leek with the dual fused metals looks sick but again, maybe a bit too long when closed. I might have to try one out at some point. this sog twitch II is just the right weight, thickness and size and it's fun to open but it is just a little too slick if my hands are dry. I could see it slipping out while drawing or deploying. if they made this with some textured grips I'd like it much better. I was drooling over a couple of gorgeous customs that are wayyyy out of my price range -
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George
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Post by George on Feb 16, 2013 6:01:05 GMT
Wow they're some fancy blades! Im going to be carrying the Dua all day everyday for about 14 hours straight. Ill let you know how it goes with size and weight. The Kershaw i didnt even notice, checking my pocket regulary thinking i had lost it. The Voyager is similar but a bit more thick so noticable but in no ways uncomfortable. Just have too see how the Dua goes, but it is a tank, half the reason i got it.
Seems like your after something smaller, how about the Ontario Rat-1?
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Post by The Picky Pict on Feb 16, 2013 7:53:48 GMT
Case XX Barlow and a Kershaw Ken Onion model 1660 Leek.
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Post by Sharp Knives 86 on Feb 19, 2013 8:20:24 GMT
My current EDC knife is my Spyderco Tenacious. Probably the best $32 I ever spent. Seriously for the price, it's a steal. G10 handles, super smooth opening, perfectly centered blade that locks up tight as can be. If this knife were made in the US or Japan and had slightly better blade steel, I could see the Tenacious retailing for over $100.
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Post by DavidW on Feb 19, 2013 8:35:50 GMT
Swiss army knife. Why have just a knife when you can have a corkscrew, can opener, tweezers, and other doodads as well? I also wear a belt knife from trueswords cause you can never be too careful wandering the streets at midnight.
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Post by ninjedi on Feb 20, 2013 20:22:56 GMT
I carried a Ka-Bar Dozier for a long time - 2.4 ounces and 2.75 inch balde. It's awesome -- super lightweight and sharp. But I traded up for a Cold Steel Voyager medium (3 inch blade), mostly because it it sharper and it opens easier. The tension can be adjusted in the Ka-Bar but overall I like the Cold Steel better.
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Post by MOK on Feb 21, 2013 11:06:46 GMT
Because the "just a knife" is almost always a far better knife.
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Post by randomnobody on Feb 21, 2013 12:33:40 GMT
My knife does all those other things, anyway. I don't trust Swiss Army type knives because too few of them are anything more than a mediocre slipjoint and I'm a bit rougher with my knives than that. Also a bit clumsy, as years of trying to make so-called multi-tool knives work haa shown me... Fact is, a good knife IS a multi-tool.
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hhmoore
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Post by hhmoore on Feb 21, 2013 12:52:02 GMT
My EDC has been the Kershaw Shallot for a while now. I've got a bunch that I revert back to periodically; but I think this one has stayed in my pocket the longest, and with the fewest breaks. Perfect size (for me), assisted opening, and I've gotten used to not having a thumbstud, lol. I guess it strays from the idea of a "small" folder, but this is the size that fits most comfortably in my hand...and my knife is usually the only thing in my pocket anyway.
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Post by randomnobody on Feb 21, 2013 13:44:36 GMT
I've just remembered giving a friend of mine one of the miniature knives Filofiel has included in my orders. He was even more excited about the mini than the knife he'd actually wanted, so I let him have it. Apparently he keeps it in his wallet. I've seen him open boxes with it at work. Seems to do the trick. It's this thing: www.filofiel.com/tiendaonline/al ... -5147.html Small enough for you?
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Feb 21, 2013 14:09:31 GMT
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Post by Miekka on Feb 21, 2013 15:01:42 GMT
Typically I carry a Buck Vantage Pro Small for a small EDC folder. Eventually I plan on getting the 20+ folders on my list that include smaller ones, but most of the ones I have right now are 3 inches and up in blade length.
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hhmoore
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Post by hhmoore on Feb 21, 2013 15:02:14 GMT
I've had these M16s for years, and still carry them occasionally. The M16-13LE (on the left) can be opened that way, the 16-03 pretty much requires use of the thumbstud. Attachments:
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hhmoore
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Post by hhmoore on Feb 21, 2013 15:13:59 GMT
Of course, to move closer to the spirit of small folders, I think this might be the smallest I own Kershaw Leek (Rainbow) Attachments:
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