Under 3” folding knife for EDC?

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tomrkba

tomrkba

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Hey all!

Due to state laws, a blade of less than 3” can go just about anywhere. What folder do you recommend?

People asked about price. I prefer $100 or less, but I can do $200 for the perfect knife.
 
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tomrkba said:
What folder do you recommend?
Click to expand...

Your uses will dictate meaningful responses. Do you use it as a tool at work cutting cardboard and cordage/twisting & prying/scraping terminals or is it in a "business casual" carry capacity? Do you want it to serve in a rescue or bugout role or just the occasional nail cleaning/thread snipping/envelope opening role?

Price range? https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CR...tonewashed-blade-sandblasted-titanium-handles or https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KU...35vn-stonewashed-blade-green-aluminum-handles
 
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I wanted an EDC knife of about 3" for the same reasons. AR is pretty gun & knife friendly, but 3" was the cutoff for one particular statute. As I am in business attire a good deal of the time, I wanted something discreet, unobtrusive. I initially bought a Spyderco Native 5. I like it a lot, but it's a bit big for dress-clothes carry. I wheeled and dealed and wound up with a second one, which I then traded for a Benchmade Sequel. That one has been discontinued, but I carry it far more than I do the Native. Two other serious contenders were the Benchmade Mini-freek and the Mini-Griptilian.
 
HMMMM....I am currently carrying the Benchmade Mini Barrage. I thought it was 3", not 2.91". I dislike the smooth grip and the minimal handstop.

I absolutely adore the Benchmade Emissary, but the damned law is getting in the way.

So, given the attributes of the Mini Barrage, is there an equivalent with something like the AXIS lock with handstop?
 
It looks like the Benchmade Mini Osborne 945bk-1 will meet the requirements except for lacking spring assisted opening.

https://www.benchmade.com/mini-osborne-945bk-1.html

I can switch to a Spyderco Delica since I have two sitting in the bottom of my drawer. I thought those were also 3", but I am apparently wrong.
 
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That Rat 2 in D2 steel is a favorite of mine, more than half the price of a Spyderco Native 5 which is another favorite of mine.
 
As already pointed out, the intended use dictates the knife choice, and also whether or not you want something very nice, or you want something that will get beat up a bit. I recommend you head over to BladeHQ and use their filters to narrow it down.

https://www.bladehq.com/

Some brands I've come to enjoy are Zero Tolerance, though they don't make too many knives under 3", WE, Bestech, Hogue, Spyderco, Benchmade, and there are a lot of other choices. I have a thing for frame lock flippers though, but there are many other lock types.
 
When I lived in places where the Buck 110 was over the limit I went to its little brother the 112 Ranger. 2 15/16"
 
The rest of this thread is for future readers.

Yes, I'm cruising bladehq.com.

I reviewed the law again. Any spring assisted opening folding knife is HIGHLY LIKELY considered a "switchblade" and may not be carried in Maryland. Fixed blades are likely out too (I have a little Wolfpup that I like). The Spyderco knives exceed 3" if you move the ruler around. While they are technically 2 3/4" or so, a creative cop looking to make a criminal charge could likely do it just to see if it sticks. Dangit.

So, the requirements are:

1) Less than 3" blade IN ALL DIMENSIONS (in other words...a cop cannot move the ruler around and meet or exceed 3")
2) Manual open only
3) Ambidextrous pocket clip
4) Prefer AXIS lock or similar
5) Grippy grips

I do have a CRKT Pineapple. I'll use that while I switch things up.
 
tomrkba said:
1) Less than 3" blade IN ALL DIMENSIONS (in other words...a cop cannot move the ruler around and meet or exceed 3")
2) Manual open only
3) Ambidextrous pocket clip
4) Prefer AXIS lock or similar
5) Grippy grips
Click to expand...
I'd really recommend you look at Hogue knives then.
 
tomrkba said:
I reviewed the law again. Any spring assisted opening folding knife is HIGHLY LIKELY considered a "switchblade" and may not be carried in Maryland.
Click to expand...
That isn't true unless you're in Baltimore City. State's Attorney already publically announced AOs are not switchblades. Are you in Maryland? That's where I am and I have a tons of accumulated research on the legalities of weapon carry here. There is no length restriction and anyone telling you otherwise obviously hasn't read the law, and there's already case law that a cop can be held liable for false arrest if they claim otherwise. If you're not in MD, I want to point out that no length law is universally accepted; some states use entirely different criteria for legality that can be applied to knives under 3".
 
daniel craig said:
Kershaw Cryo. Probably my absolute favorite small carry.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Cryo-1555Ti--11101
  • Steel: 8Cr13MoV, titanium carbo-nitride coating
  • Handle: 410, titanium carbo-nitride coating
  • Blade length: 2.75 in. (7 cm)
  • Closed length: 3.75 in. (9.5 cm)
  • Overall length: 6.50 in. (16.5 cm)
  • Weight: 4.1 oz.
Click to expand...
The Cryo is a good value, and a strong knife. Unfortunately, it can only be opened safely with the flipper. Also, it's somewhat slippery.

John
 
Got me a case mini copperlock for everyday. Slim nice old school nice. Some mentioned above are a step above but for everyday I am partial to the wood and brass.
 
Based on your updated criteria and apparent willingness to go $100+ I'd recommend either a Benchmade Mini-
Griptilian or Spyderco Native. They make 2 versions of the Mini-Grip. I like the hole in blade version better. That design is also on the Spyderco's and is the fastest to deploy manual open knife.

Benchmade Knives: 555-S30V Mini-Griptilian - Sheepsfoot - CPM-S30V - AXIS Lock | All Knives Ship Free

Spyderco: Native 5 Lightweight - Cobalt Blue FRN - Lockback - CPM-SPY27 - C41PCBL5 | All Knives Ship Free

The Benchmade uses the axis lock and comes closest to meeting all of your criteria. And that is a good price in the link I provided.
 
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