Looking for 'The One' EDC folding pocket knife

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tiamat

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First let me start off by apologizing - I generally dislike posts where someone asks everyone to do their legwork for them, but I've been looking for a while, and am not finding what I'm after.

So I'm on the hunt for the perfect EDC folder for me.

Things that I'm after:
  • ~3" blade - a little smaller or larger is ok, but nothing over 3.25"
  • full flat grind - preferred, but not a deal breaker
  • non-serrated
  • assisted opener
  • no tantos
  • clip that can accommodate left-side tip-up carry
  • thin/not bulky
  • light, preferably under 3.5oz
  • made in USA (or at an absolute minimum, not made in china)
  • decent steel - no 8Cr13Mov, but also doesn't have to be a some uber steel either

I really like Axis locks, but I don't have a problem with other styles of locks.
I also like spyderco leaf-shaped blades and basic drop-point or clip-point blade shapes.

I specifically didn't list cost - I'd like to see all my options and then determine if the cost for those options is worth it to me or not.

I've been carrying a Benchmade 585 Mini-Barrage for a while now, and while it hits almost all my points, I really dislike the scales - the Valox just seems cheap and hollow feeling to me, and are too bulky for what they are.

I also just got myself a SOG Twitch II because I was under the impression it's clip could be reversed, but it can't - that's the Twitch XL I guess, which at 4.5oz and 4.25" closed with a 3.25" blade is a little larger and heavier than I'd like.

I also thought I liked the Benchmade 470-1 Emissary - the only thing that's not blowing me away about it is the blade, which is pretty pointy/stabby (much like the Leek I already own).

So unless there are other's that I'm missing, the options I see are:
I either keep carrying the mini-barrage as is, or drop another $75+ for custom G10 scales,
or pickup a new Dragonfly 2 (probably my favorite pocket knife of all time) and forego the assisted open feature,
or drill & tap my Leek so I can flip the clip to the other side.
 
My initial suggestions you don't want because of steel and company of origin, though that seems redundant.

Other suggestions you don't want because they're not AO. <shrug>
 
Thanks guys, at least now I know it's not just me that's having a hard time finding something that meet all those points.

hso, I'll have to read up more on Michigan's knife laws, but I think auto's are a no-no here. But I wouldn't be against having one if I could afford it.

jmr40, I hadn't ever considered a Buck before - in my mind when I hear Buck, I think 110 which is a great classic but obviously not what I'm after - that Vantage Pro though, I may have to consider that one. Especially for the price. Any experience with the standard Vantage with the plastic scales vs the Pro? And is it a flipper?
 
If you like the Dragonfly you would love the Delica4.

The Dragonfly2 is too dang small to use comfortably IMO. The Delica is bigger, but just big enough to fill up the hand. It still carries like dream though. Even though I like using bigger knives like the PM2 and Endura4, they dont dissapear in the pocket like the Delica. Best all around knife in my collection.
 
Delica is a terrific knife. The Dragonfly is a good size for most tasks, but is too small to pivot open smoothly in my medium-small hands. The Native 2 FRN is also a great knife, though may not be available anymore.
 
JShirley said:
The Native 2 FRN is also a great knife, though may not be available anymore.
Click to expand...

It's not. But the Native 5 LW is. Right side second from bottom.

2mmu63s.jpg

Ticks all the OP's boxes 'cept not AO. 3" scale to tip, S35vn, Tip up/down/left/right, made in U.S.A, 2.45 oz , full flat grind.
 
I have the Vantage Pro with G-10. I bought a couple of standard knives with plastic scales to give as Christmas presents. They are every bit as well made, but it was worth the price increase to get the better blade steel and scales. The plastic scales seemed a little slick to me. The G-10 provides a good grip.

You can use the oval hole in the blade just like a Spyderco to open the blade. It isn't quite as large so it is a little more difficult. The blade isn't spring assisted like Kershaw, but if you flick your wrist as you pull on the flipper it opens fast. It can be opened fast either way, although not quite as good as a Kershaw or a Spyderco. But overall I'm really liking this knife. I really like how the pocket clip puts the knife deep in the pocket and where it is located. Seems pretty strong.

After my 1st post I realized both of my recommendations are right at the upper edge of size you're looking for. I have a couple of older Spyderco Natives with plastic scales I bought at Walmart a few years ago for $30ish. They don't make those anymore, but the newer version is a good size. Not sure I'd pay over $100 for the new version though. The Delica is smaller and rides in a pocket without the clip pretty easily and may be the best bet for you.

I included a photo of the Buck alongside a Benchmade, Paramilitary, and Kershaw Blur. The angle makes the Blur look a lot smaller than it is. All 4 knives are similar size.

newton%20search%20060_zpsbggtnfdz.gif
 
Fat Boy said:
Dayhiker,

What knife is second from the bottom, left side?

Thank you
Click to expand...
A G10/S30v Manix 2.

I have a love/hate relationship with that knife. I can't stand the Ball Bearing Lock, as mine is very stiff. But the ergonomics are so incredible I can't bring myselfto get rid of it.

If I remember correctly JShirley is a fan of the Manix 2 line.
 
hso said:
Have you looked at the ZTs?

There are a few on Knife Center that meet all your specs as well as at least 1 Kershaw.

I always recommend going to KC and performing a search under all the desirable traits they'll let you filter for.

http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/s...=3&max_blade=4
Click to expand...

The only ZT I had looked at was the 0350, which I was sure was going to be 'The One', but it's still a bit bigger and chunkier and heavier than I want. Based on what I found on Knife Center, the 0770CF looks like a match:

ZT0770CFe.jpg

and maybe the 0450 too.

ZT0450.jpg

As far as Kershaw goes, every time I search, the only thing that ever comes up is a Leek, which doesn't have a clip that can be put on the other side. 'Reversible' must mean something else to them.

Still searching through everything at Knife Center. So far I've come across another one that matches - the SOG Aegis mini:

SOGAE21a.jpg

SpecificationsBlade Length: 3"
Closed Length: 4.1"
Overall Length: 7.1"
Blade Thickness: 0.13"
Locking Mechanism: Piston Lock
Opening Mechanism: Assisted
Finish: Satin
Blade Shape: Drop Point
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade Edge: Plain
Blade Steel Type: AUS8 Stainless Steel
Handle Material: Glass-Reinforced Nylon (FRN)
Handle Color: Black
Hardness: RC 57-58
Belt Clip Type: Reversible Deep-Carry
Weight: 2 oz.
Assembled in the USA

The AUS8 is uninspiring (but acceptable), and 'Assembled in the USA' seems dicey, but so far this seems like one I'll have to check out.

ETA: any and all suggestions still appreciated, so if there's something that hasn't been touched on, let me know.
 
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I loved the Manix 2. I had a fully serrated one for farm stuff and carried a carbon fiber/S90V one as my EDC for a while. Then I touched a Paramilitary 2 and every other folding knife I had accumulated in 40 years suddenly became excess baggage.

But it's not AO and it's over the 3 inch limit the OP set. Because I used to spend a lot of time in a place with a 3" blade limit I finally just made one of my own. Behold the S.U.C.K (Spyderco Urban Combat Knife):

DSC_0253.jpg

It's an original Paramilitary fully serrated with the blade ground back to 2.9" and converted to tip-up carry.
 
You may want to handle the ZT 0450 before buying. It's a nifty little knife (and really light), but the flipper tab is fairly small.
 
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I enjoy my Buck Vantage Pro. Good steel (Sv30), stays sharp, and carries deeply. Well worth the $85 or so dollars. My only gripe is that I need to apply some blue locktite to the main screw in order to keep the blade from going to one side of the frame (or loosens in the frame).

Give it a look, they are great knives.
 
ugaarguy said:
The Kershaw Camber meets your specs almost exactly to the letter - http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KS1...uminum-handles
Click to expand...

Thanks, this is another one I'll have to check out.

ugaarguy said:
Tiamat, I'm a bit confused in your desire for blade steel better than 8Cr13MoV, yet your purchase of one SOG with an AUS-8 blade, and consideration of another SOG with a blade of the same steel. AUS-8 and 8Cr13MoV are near identical in composition - http://zknives.com/knives/steels/ste... &hrn=1&gm=0.
Click to expand...

I never said better, although I can understand why you may have inferred that. As JShirley alluded to, it has more to do with country of origin than performance of the steel.
Plus, the SOG has the blade grind that I prefer, which is more important to me than steel composition given the type of use this will likely see (as long as we're talking about a generally acceptable knife steel and heat treat, not some mystery stuff found in gas station junkers).
 
Tilos said:
Kershaw 1776 Link
Something a little smaller, and a little more money, a Benchmark Mini Griptillion:
Click to expand...

The Link at 4oz is just a bit too heavy for what I'm looking for.

As for the mini-grip, if they made an assisted opening version of it, that would definitely be my first choice (and I have seriously considered just getting a Doug Ritter Mini-RSK and calling it good).
 
Tiamat, you're very close to where I was a couple years ago in knife desires: Like you, I like Spyderco's full flat grind leaf shaped blades, and I like the grip their finger choils provide. I also liked the thin profile and assisted opening of my Kershaw Thermite. I wanted something higher end.

After playing with good manual flippers at Blade in June of '14 I settled on a ZT 0801 Rexford because the ZT 0562 wasn't out yet. After a year of carrying that I wanted a thinner handle, and a thinner blade. So, in June of 2015 I bought a ZT 0562CF CTS-204P. The Spyderco Domino is really closer to what I want, but I couldn't justify $200 on a Taiwanese made knife with G10 handle with carbon fiber veneer when I could get the ZT 0562 made in the USA with a full CF front scale for a little more money. Both are ball bearing pivot flippers with titanium frame locks that have hardened steel lock face inserts.

It seems like you're wanting a Spyderco Domino that's half an ounce lighter and has assisted opening. Alternatively you could bite the bullet and get custom scales for your Mini Barrage. You'd be close to the price of a Domino at that point, but you'd have a US made knife that meets all your requirements.

I hope that sharing my thoughts and experience helps you to prioritize what features you want most and where you're willing to compromise more.
 
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