Two of my favorite small knives are the Spyderco Salsa and Polliwog. They are about the same size, lightweight, and extremely sturdy. The Polliwog was one of the first Ball Bearing Lock Spydercos, and it was originally in all steel.
I loved the knife, but didn't get it because of the weight and inherent slipperiness of an all-steel knife. When a G10 version was offered, I jumped at it. I've had this one for 9 years. Despite the small size, the 'Wog really locks into your hand in a way that would make holding onto it during an emergency much easier.
The Salsa is another small but disproportionately useful knife. It has a wide blade, "Cobra hood" for extra quick and secure opening, and a sturdy Compression Lock.
Each does have its disadvantages. The aluminum handle of the Salsa can be slippery, and the Polliwog can work itself out of a pocket, if you're not careful. And the original BBL isn't quite as user friendly as the later "caged" BBL with plastic tabs, as on the Manix 2s. Neither one is currently offered, though I'd especially love a G10 handled Salsa.
Shown for scale with the Spyderco ARK ("
SpyderEdge" is the preferred version, but I gave my last one away to a female Soldier in Germany), Polliwog, Salsa, THR knife, old favorite Native 3 LW (replaced by
Native 5 LW), and new favorite Manix 2 LW Black. (Amazon only has
Translucent Blue in stock, but Jeff at
Cutlery Shoppe has them, and he's a great guy )
John