Looking for a something a little different (folder)

[Ringer]

I want to pick up another folding knife primarily for EDC at work, which is a semi-office environment. Looking for a folder with wood or stainless handles or maybe a color other than black that can be carried loosely in the pocket or mabye in a sheath. So, below are some basic requirements:

Blade length of apporximately 3" (give or take)
Blade material - fairly high quality (440C, 154 CM, ??)
Single hand open, locking blade (not a lock back)
Straight plain blade, no serrations or black coating
Handles - wood, stainless or some color other than black
If it has a pokcet clip needs to be removable
No tanto style blades
Price range $50 to $125

Here are some examples of what I'm thinking

Benchmade 690
Wish it had an all wood handle, otherwise I'd probably pick this one and forget it.

Benchmade 771-01
Not sure about the handles or the spear point blade.

Benchmade Benchmite
Is a little small and not a single hand opener, otherwise I kinda like this one.

Benchmade Mini Griptilian
In Olive Drab or some other color. Already have one Mini Grip, would like something different, otherwise might just go this route.

Buck Alpha Hunter 277-00
Blade and overall knife is a little big. Don't know much about the ATS-34 steel. Otherwise I like this one. If you click on this link you have to scroll down to this knife.

Kershaw Splinter 1460 - Don't know anything about the AUS8A steel, have some research to do. Kinda like this one too.

You can see from above I like Benchmade, but not against other brands. So what say you? Any ideas for similar knives?

Thanks

 

[Ringer]

OK, how about this one from A.G. Russell. Looks pretty nice. Never heard of them. Its $75.

The Mcusta® Folder from Seki (MCU-MC100CQ)
Type - Folder
Lock - Walker
Lock Clip - Stainless
Origin - Japan
Blade Length - 3-1/4"
Closed Length - 4-1/4"
Weight - 3.5 oz.
Handle - Chinese Quince
Blade Steel - VG-10
Rockwell - 59-61 Rc.
Liners - Stainless

 

[hso]

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/williamhenry/

 

[Don Gwinn]

I've been impressed with the Queen line lately. Just got a Utility Knife for my father-in-law.

They use D2 for the blades--great stuff and much, much better than a lot of the factory "traditional" looking knives use. You would look at the Mountain Man, the Cheetah, or the Tear Drop Liner Lock. Neat knives. Grand Prairie has them in Rosewood or hand-carved bone.

http://www.gpknives.com/catalog/default.php?manufacturers_id=35

 

[Skofnung]

Hmm...

If you are willing to concede the "one hand opening" requirement, then Opinel may be the knife for you.



I take it that you are looking for a knife that will not draw attention when you use it at work, but will do the chores you need a knife to do.

I carried an Opinel back in highschool for the same reason.

They are inexpensive, but the steel is very good, like the Swedish Mora knives. In fact, I look at them as a folding equivalent of the Moras of which I am very fond...

The locking ring is as strong a lock as you will need. They come in Carbon or stainless... I have no experience with the latter, but I can vouch for the quality of the former. The only caveat though is this; don't use it as a screwdriver or a prybar.

It seems that I am always on here telling people to get a "less expensive" (not "cheap") knife. It's not that I don't like expensive knives... I own a few myself... I just find that I use the SAKs, Opinels, Moras, Green Rivers, ect, more often than others. They do the job well with no worries about loss.They are also pedestrian enough to fly under the radar.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

The Opinel can be snapped open with a flip of the wrist, with a little practice. Some people thought mine was a switchblade.

And what's a locking blade that's not a lockback?
How about this one :

http://www.cutlerytogo.com/navaralnr7.html
Blade's approximately 3'' [give or take ] Little over $125, but much cheaper than Willam Henry. Many similar knives here

 

[Ringer]

Thanks for the replies, still shopping around.

And what's a locking blade that's not a lockback?

A locking liner or other type locking mechanism such as Benchmade's Axis. Something that can be opened and closed fairly easily with one hand.

 

[Gordy Wesen]

Go to a knife show. Find an original nib Paul Knife by Gerber. It might cost just a little more than your budget but you will Love the knife.
I'm on my second one. My first was purchased in 1987.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

My first thought was to recommend a Spyderco Delica stainless, but that is a lockback design. I just picked up a Kershaw Vapor at Walmart for $19.95. It is a neat little knife. The only thing that bummed me out was that after I bought it I saw that it was made in China. If that is not an issue for you I would say check out the Kershaw Vapor.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

A. G. Russell's One Hand folders do just fine by me.

A. G. Russell's One Hand folders do just fine by me. Of course they are a lockback design but it works for me. The choice of steels as well as the guarantee are there. Matt Helm used one in one of the books so there are strong literary associations as well.

 

[Ringer]

I ended up ordering buying a Boker, Michael Walker design, liner lock ATS-34 blade just under 3". Hopefully it will get here this week .

 

[5shot]

I got a Kellam Jouni a few months ago and like it. Its easy to touch up and holds a nice edge. The handle is rosewood with reindeer antler . Feels good in your hand, open or closed. Made in Finland. Kellamknives.com
Regards
Jack

 

[Cosmoline]

Re. the Opinels. For the money (under $20) they are fantastic. They will take a true RAZOR edge. And by that I mean they are sharp enough to slice clean through a 14" chum salmon that's been swimming in fresh water long enough to turn to leather. On the down side, however, they are quite primitive. The wood handles tend to expand when wet and freeze the blade in place. The steel rusts very qickly, and though it can be cleaned up with some steel wool it's a limiting factor. The only way to keep them from rusting if doing wet work is to keep them so oily you would never want them on your clothes.

I strongly suggest picking up a vintage Case XX. I got one for $50 from an estate and it's my go-to knife. It holds a very sharp edge and has gotten a lovely patina over the past year that seems to resist rust on its own. It's a very well made lockblade, with brass fixtures and excellent engineering.

 

[Skofnung]

Good point Cosmoline.

Sanding the varnish off the wood and soaking in Thompson's Water Seal takes care of the swelling, but I agree with you regarding the the blade and locking ring rusting. I never used mine for "wet" work.

 

[Joe Demko]

I greatly reduced the rusting problem on my Opinels by cold bluing the blades.

 

[MrMurphy]

Spyderco Lil' Temperance (my everyday knife).

Solidly built. Removable clip. One hand opening and closing.

"Friendly Sheeple Green" handles.

Lock will withstand several hundred pounds of pressure, excellent steel, non-serrated blade.


The Spyderco Chinook II is also similar, with Friendly Sheeple Green handles too. Solid knives, about $90-120.