I'm looking for a 3" EDC folder

John Joseph said:

and considering the Spyderco Delica.
I don't trust liner locks
Any opinions good bad or indifferent?

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I always get wobbly pocket clips on Spyderco knives like the Delica that have the clip screws threaded into the thin metal liners that are nested in the plastic handles. @JShirley and have talked about it, and he's had the same experience. But lots of people like the Delica. I much prefer Spyderco's USA made Native 5 family. They're similar in size to the Delica, but a bit thicker. All the Native 5s have liner-less handles and use relatively long metal thread inserts instead. These mount the clip screws more tightly and eliminate wobble. I also really like the Sage 5 lightweight and the Chaparral series for Spyderco folders in that general size range. What's your budget? What are your steel preferences?

John Joseph said:

I don't know much about the steels.

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No problem. What's important to you? Ease of sharpening, edge retention, rust resistance? By concealed for LA purposes, does that mean all the way in the pocket and not clipped to top of the pocket?

I like the Gerber STL 2.5, and its predecessor. I have both, and have carried one for years, compact, slim, light, good lock, holds an edge. Excellent utility pocket knife (what a pocket knife should be).

The Delica is a good choice. I like my Para 3 Lightweight better, but the blade may be too long. You might also consider the Benchmade Mini Griptillian.

For the money, the KaBar Dozier Design in D2 just can't be beat.
For a maybe better knife with easier ergonomics, I'd go Benchmade. Mini griptilian is a true classic. Mini bugouts get a lot of high marks lately too.

I have the Native 5 with s35vn and is a favorite of mine, the Rat 2 with D2 is another favorite it's hard to pick between the two as they are different knives that fit there own purpose very well.

joneb said:

I have the Native 5 with s35vn and is a favorite of mine, the Rat 2 with D2 is another favorite it's hard to pick between the two as they are different knives that fit there own purpose very well.

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Great point. It would help if the OP, @John Joseph , would come back and tell us more about his budget and other preferences. There are so many good folders with blades right at or just under 3" to filter through without more specifics.

John Joseph said:

and considering the Spyderco Delica.
I don't trust liner locks
Any opinions good bad or indifferent?

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I don't have experience with those.

If the link works, this is filtered by USA lock back 2-3 inches. Quite a few choices... and in stock.


I do have the Buck mini spitfire (thumb hole lockback USA) and like it.

I also have the Buck vantage small that has a small thumb hole and a flipper.

I like both.

The buck Ranger 112 has a thumb stud if you like that... lock back USA.. a cpl different steels available. I don't have it but have played with it.



https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/...riceAs&min_blade=2&max_blade=3&b=lockback&s=1

I've carried a Spyderco Endura for a decade or two, and the clip has never loosened.

Budget? I assume you're talking about something in the $75-$100 range if you're asking about the Delica. If you're willing to buy Chinese there are a lot of surprisingly good knives in the $30 range. If you can go a bit over $100 there are lots of options too. Does it have to be 3", or could you go somewhere between 2 3/4" and 3 1/4" That opens up possibilities too.

Spyderco has a line of Chinese made knives that are similar to the Delica and Endura. They are every bit as good, but made with a little less expensive steel. But 8Cr13MoV isn't a bad steel.

Byrd for sale - Knives and Outdoor Gear - Huge Selection | Blade HQ

If you can fit this in your budget and 3 1/4" isn't too much it is a good one.

Hogue Deka in 20CV is US made, runs $140.

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Available in other handle colors, but I like blue

Hogue Deka - ABLE Lock Knife | Blue Lava | Blade HQ

If you're ok with d2 steel, I just love the cjrb feldspar in micarta. But it's 3.5" luckily, it also comes in a 3" version https://www.bladehq.com/item--CJRB-Small-Feldspar-Liner-Lock--113274

I've heard nothing but good about this ria either https://www.smkw.com/cjrb-ria-1917-od-green-micarta

I'd also look at the civivi odium. I have it's cousin, the ferrum forge mini archbishop, and it's great for a little knife.

I have a Spyderco sage 5 that's nice, and the lightweight versions of it and the para 3 have appeal.

I dont know how they blade length, but Ferrum forge stinger is a huge hit, has a 3.2" blade, but only 2.8" of cutting edge because of the choil. https://www.bladehq.com/item--Ferrum-Forge-Knife-Works-Stinger--115106

Spats McGee said:

I don't trust liner locks, either. Perhaps more accurately, I don't trust myself to safely use a knife with a liner lock. I have nightmare images of slicing my hand wide open trying to close one. With that said, does the Delica have a liner lock? I looked at the Spyderco website, and that looks like a regular back lock to me.

I carry a Benchmade Sequel or a Spyderco Native 5, both of which I like (for different reasons). I'd also look at the Benchmade Mini-Freek. (Bearing in mind that I'm far from an expert on knives).

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I cut myself closing a Leek. I worry about frame locks too for the same reason.

The Delica is a long-time favorite. I always have a Delica, even if I'm not carrying it. We've been blessed to have a lot of dealer exclusives with different handle and blade configurations lately. I've got a forest green FRN one with 20CV blade, which is a huge upgrade over the standard VG-10.

The Native is another option, though, as is the Para 3. However, the blade on those two is exactly at 3", and I know in some places with blade length limitations people do find it wise to have a blade that is a smidge shorter than the actual limit, and the Delica's blade is 2.88". The Lil' Native is a great choice at 2.4" of blade length and has compression lock and backlock options.

The Marcin Slysz-designed Techno 2 is a small framelock for a bit over $200 that would be a good choice as well. The Brouwer is a handsome little framelock for about $180.

... or you could just go straight off the deep end and go to a Chris Reeve Small Inkosi (2.75" blade) or Small Sebenza 31 (2.98" blade). for $375+.

Madcap_Magician said:

The Native is another option, though, as is the Para 3. However, the blade on those two is exactly at 3", and I know in some places with blade length limitations people do find it wise to have a blade that is a smidge shorter than the actual limit, and the Delica's blade is 2.88"

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Per spyderco.com the Native 5 and Para 3 blades are 2.95" (75mm) vs. the Delica's 2.875" (73mm) blade. Of the three Native 5s I have, one has a blade that's pretty darn close to measuring right at 3". I've seen some Delicas that were pretty close to 3" in the past. Always something good to be aware of, and usually easy to fix by sharpening the knife a few times to take away a tiny bit of metal.

Another “vote,” from me, for the Delica. I actually EDC larger, but the Delica is better for the rules and laws in some places, so is a good choice for a default EDC, for a range of places and circumstances. Spyderco, except perhaps for some of the specifically collectible models, has always seemed to be a good value for the level of quality.

So, @John Joseph , what do you think of the suggestions that have been made in this thread? Did you already buy something? Or are you just gonna leave us hanging?

If the OP comes back, I've been EDC a Delica lightweight for a few months now and really like it. I carry it mostly at work due to its smaller size. I also don't trust liner locks even though I own several.

A Spyderco Para 3 lightweight is also on my list to aquire soon.