What's a good knife the same size as Kershaw Scallion?

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1KPerDay

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I love these things and have had three. I keep them in my jeans change pocket. Best place for me since I pocket carry a pistol also. They are exactly the right size. However the steel seems to not be very durable/hold an edge well.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not really a "knife guy". I have Wusthof kitchen knives and keep them relatively sharp with a 3-stage "chef's choice" sharpener and a steel. I don't have a whetstone and know nothing about sharpening on one.

I've been touching up the edges of my pocket knives with a kitchen steel. Seems to work okay but even after cutting 8 or 10 sections of nylon 3/8" rope, the knife is noticeably dull and I can see the shiny edge.

The first version I had was "Damascus" and I loved it, but it was lost. Now I've been using the standard one, the blade marked 1620 FL.

Any ideas? I tried a couple of Spydercos but they were too thick top to bottom for my change pocket and I'm not really a fan of the opening system (I really like the kershaw finger flipper thing).

After you hardcore knife guys finish rolling your eyes, I'd appreciate some advice. :D
 
So you are looking for a knife similar in size to the Scallion, but with better steel? Your blade should tell you more about what it is made out of. 420HC maybe? Which is ok, but surely nothing special. What is your budget? Is the assisted flipper opening a deal breaker?
 
About the only other kershaw that comes to mind would be the Cryo, but it's larger (2.75" blade vs 2.4"), will be heavier, and I dunno really how much better the chinese 8CR13MOV steel is going to be.

If it weren't for your aversion to the thumb hole (and perhaps it's closed width), my suggestion would be for the Spyderco Dragonfly in any of the steels they've made it in (including AUS8).
 
do you have a closed length of the dragonfly handy? It really can't be any longer than the scallion or it won't fit.
 
Closed, mine measures just under 3.25" in length, 1.3" across, and 0.4" thick (not including the molded-in pocket clip).
 
Dragonfly is nice. Great for easy to medium use edc. Incredibly light. I bought one for my Dad for father's day. The VG10 steel will be superior to 420HC. But obviously still requires some maintanence. It's lack of a recurve may help you in this department.

That size range is tough. Not a lot of quality specimens out there. Have you considered going up a notch? Maybe carry it clipped in your left pocket. You dont seem like the type that is concerned with super fast deployment speed. Pulling it out of your left pocket, switching hands then opening, cant be any slower or more of a hassle than digging a tiny knife out of the fifth pocket.

I am a righty and that is how I carry my knives of three to four inches. Went that route after trying the right side pocket but did not like it because I go in there for other things many times a day. Plus trying to even out weight distribution a little. Gun on right side (hip). Knife, keys, change, small SAK, that sort of thing on the left.
 
You can't go wrong with a Carbon Steel Opinel knife.
The price is right, available on line!
Easy to sharpen with great edge holding ability!
 
mboe794 said:
Pulling it out of your left pocket, switching hands then opening, cant be any slower or more of a hassle than digging a tiny knife out of the fifth pocket.
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Actually it comes out pretty quick. I use it like 23 times a day, as all people who carry knives know. Lefty... Mmm... I guess I could do that. I have a ZT 0300 that sits on my reloading bench because it's as heavy and pointy as a pistol. :D Good knife, though.

That knife pretty much needs its own pocket. And an extra belt.
 
Although it won't fit your change pocket a Buck Vantage is a great economical 'user'. I had one in my pocket for a long time and liked them so much I bought 10 and gave them to my friends. Holds an edge and everyone I gave one to could sharpen it. I'm a bit more snobby now and carry all kinds of different folders, but the Buck was great for a workhorse flipper. They are cheap enough that you could grab one to try and not want to send me nasty messages if you don't like it :)
 
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g448/Jerseydevil379/DSCF0702.jpg

pic of the two knives in question for any interested. My scallion is the metal framed/frame lock variety, which I prefer to the ones with scales.

Looks like the Dragonfly will probably work, even if it's more curved. I don't know which Sypderco I have but it's much taller/thicker when closed and doesn't work right. Plus the thumb hole was sharp as heck until I rounded the edges out. I think it's a really cheap Chinese-made model.

I do like the Kershaw flipper, though.

What's the difference between dragonfly and dragonfly 2? can I carry the dragonfly tip up?
 
downunderhunter said:
Although it won't fit your change pocket a Buck Vantage is a great economical 'user'. I had one in my pocket for a long time and liked them so much I bought 10 and gave them to my friends. Holds an edge and everyone I gave one to could sharpen it. I'm a bit more snobby now and carry all kinds of different folders, but the Buck was great for a workhorse flipper. They are cheap enough that you could grab one to try and not want to send me nasty messages if you don't like it :)
Click to expand...
Thanks, but if it doesn't fit my change pocket it's not for me right now.

I've bought several knives for my kids and wife but they apparently don't see the utility yet because they don't carry them. Without a knife I feel handicapped. :D
 
Is your spyderco a flat grind? I have a caly 3.5 and wouldn't want to use it as my 'cut everything' daily knife (very thin fine edge), something to think about if the dragonfly is the same.
 
Dragonfly 2 is just an updated version. The wire clip, which I am not a huge fan of, is tip up only. Either side though. For fifth pocket carry you may just wanna remove it.
 
downunderhunter said:
Is your spyderco a flat grind? I have a caly 3.5 and wouldn't want to use it as my 'cut everything' daily knife (very thin fine edge), something to think about if the dragonfly is the same.
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No, it appears to be a concave grind, whatever the proper term for that is called. Scooped inward away from the back/top of the blade.
 
1KPerDay said:
What's the difference between dragonfly and dragonfly 2? can I carry the dragonfly tip up?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be able to list the exact differences, other than what is visible - the lock on the back of the knife has a slight relief in it in version 2, the scales' pattern is slightly different (on the FRN models), and they got rid of the integrated molded-in clip on the FRN model. And probably changed the steels they offered. I believe only version 2 is being sold these days.

All dragonfly's carry tip up with the exception of a pretty rare carbon fiber version they put out a long time ago, which was tip down.

And as far as I know, all dragonfly's have a full-flat grind. For every day tasks, I think they are perfect. Yes the blade is thin, but the wide chord of the leaf shape blade gives it strength while still allowing it to be a very good slicer.
 
I was also trying to think of any Benchmade offerings that might work for you - the mini-griptillian comes to mind, but it may be a little longer than you want at 3.87" closed with a 2.91" blade.

Otherwise, I found their model 482 Megumi which seems to have the right dimensions at 3.28" closed with a 2.48" blade. Looks nice too:

482.jpg


I do admit that Kershaw's speedsafe flipper is a nice way to open a knife. Was thinking that CRKT would have something for you as well since they offer a similar flipper on some of their models, but they're all either too large, or don't offer a better blade steel as what you have now.

Then I thought of a small Sebenza.

Sebenza21tumbresize_860.jpg


They don't list a closed length on their site, but overall length is only 6.875" with a blade length of 2.94". Might be just the ticket (if you can afford the entry fee).
 
You mention cutting 3/8" Nylon rope / cord. Besides cordage what else do you frequently cut? Knowing what tasks the knife is most commonly used for can help us make better recommendations.
 
Mostly plastic packaging, cardboard, miscellaneous stuff. Not working it very hard.
Click to expand...
Okay, now the hardcore knife guy in me will come out. Cardboard is actually very abrasive and is one the fastest to dull an edge materials that most people commonly cut.

So, onto knives. The standard Spyderco Dragonfly with VG-10 blade will work quite well. If you want something even smaller, but still very useful, take a look at the Boker Plus Subcom Titan. That's the titanium handle version of the Subcom, and Boker just upgraded the blade steel from 440c to VG-10.

If you want something tiny with spring assisted flipper opening take a look at the SOG Twitch I. The AUS-8 blade steel won't hold an edge as long as VG-10, but it's still far better than the 420HC on your Scallion. If Kershaw will ever release the Ember (it's been listed as "coming soon" since this past spring) that would be another great economical option with better steel than the Scallion. I got to play with a pre-production model at Blade this year and it's a very neat little knife.

Next, you've got to a better sharpener. I'd try something like a DMT Aligner, Lansky, or other angle guide sharpening system to start with. On working knives I stop at around 600 grit because it leaves a toothy, longer lasting edge that will still shave hair off my forearm.

I hope all that helps.
 
At 4" closed my small Sebenza is too big to fit the watch pocket on a pair of jeans that fits the 3.5" Scallion, so it won't meet his size criteria.

I agree with ugaarguy that the SOG Twitch warrants attention for your size limitations.
 
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