The little ones.

[cbl51]

More and more these days. I appreciate a small pocket knife. By small, I don't mean just SAK size, but really small, what some non knife folks would call a tiny pen knife. More and more often as I grew through my middle age years, I noticed that most of my cutting needed only an inch or two of good sharp blade. A Victorinox classic was my main knife after a while, and I rarely used my Victorinox recruit except for the tools. Opening mail, cutting open those cursed plastic blister package, UPS boxes, and occasional food wrap, needed only my little classic or a knife of similar size. A Boker pen knife, Case peanut, Buck 309 companion all seem to make a good carry knife.

If I go camping, I carry a sheath knife with a 4 inch blade. If I go fishing, I carry a Martini fillet knife. But for day to day life in my urban/suburban area that I live in, a small under the radar knife is a nice thing. JUst big enough to cut what I need to cut, but small enough that it can go into any federal building in Washington D.C. or New York city. 

Then there's the bulk factor. As I edged into senior citizen retiree status, I found myself carrying more stuff, and being on the go more. Traveling, sight seeing, art galleries, museums. A small knife in a suitcase that is checked seemed to be the way to go. It's easiely missed in bag screenings and X-ray, so it's still there when I pick up my bag on the luggage carrousel. I liked landing in Florida and unzipping my bag, finding the rolled up socks and retrieving my little Buck companion or Vic classic.

So...any of you in your day to day life, find a small pen knife size pocket knife handier to had than a larger knife

[AimlessWanderer]

I do like to have the little knives around and about, but not use them as a primary tool. For example an Alox Classic/Rambler, Spyderco Bug, of AG Russell Ultimate Penknife carries nicely in the coin pocket in a wallet. All my key rings have a small knife of some sort, and even if the Classic escapes from my house keys (again  ) my Utilikey is still there.

I do like the little knives as back up, and they've saved the day on numerous occasions when I've not picked a knife up that morning, or I've put it down on my desk or boat or whatever and walked off to do something.

I wouldn't want to try and eat an apple with one though 

[kitbeard]

I've mentioned in an earlier thread that like 50ft-Trad, I keep an AG Russell Ultimate pen knife in my wallet and find it to be a very useful blade for working in an office environment.  I've use it regularly and it's my favourite small knife and I definitely liked the price of about £12 for a knife with a VG10 blade and titanium handles.  The Russell's the most used of my small knives but of all the stuff in my collection, the small knives are my favourites, the ones that I've taken most time to track down and the ones that I'll be most reluctant to part with.  There's also a couple that I've spent silly money on, more than I'd spend on larger knives and, as I've been reminded quite often, more than I should spend on any knife.

At the moment, excluding SAKs, my small knives consist of the Russell; a Spyderco Honeybee; Buck Lancer; Case Peanut in CV steel; Case 'Jesus Fish' small stockman; a couple of Joseph Rogers all stainless pen knives; Rogers Gentleman's pen knife with oak scales; Case Eisenhower;  German Eye two blade small congress; a Moore Maker Peanut; a small Bear and Son Stockman; a Case Texas Toothpick in CV; and a three inch  GEC single blade Tidioute Barlow.  On top of this I've picked up a family of small, non-locking carbon steel Opinels, and was carrying the No 3 Opie this morning.

[jerseydevil]

I've always been a fan of carrying smaller folders, either as my only knife for light carry, or as a backup.  At work I carry a larger folder, as all day I'm busting boxes, opening cases, cutting all sorts of different materials for color samples, etc.  The larger size knife is more comfortable to use for longer periods of time.  However, they tend to scare the crap out of some customers!    For those instances where I need to use a knife around someone who doesn't work at the store, a small folder , usually a SAK or slipjoint, is invaluable.  Some of my favorites at work are my Case Mini Toothpick, about the most sheeple friendly knife I own, Kabar Barlow, Case Mini Trapper in CV, and my Rough Rider Barlow, which sees a lot of pocket time.  Other slippies get used as well, but those four are regulars at work.

[cbl51]

I've always been a fan of carrying smaller folders, either as my only knife for light carry, or as a backup.  At work I carry a larger folder, as all day I'm busting boxes, opening cases, cutting all sorts of different materials for color samples, etc.  The larger size knife is more comfortable to use for longer periods of time.  However, they tend to scare the crap out of some customers!    For those instances where I need to use a knife around someone who doesn't work at the store, a small folder , usually a SAK or slipjoint, is invaluable.  Some of my favorites at work are my Case Mini Toothpick, about the most sheeple friendly knife I own, Kabar Barlow, Case Mini Trapper in CV, and my Rough Rider Barlow, which sees a lot of pocket time.  Other slippies get used as well, but those four are regulars at work.

I hear ya on the boxes. My last job before I retired was in a shop where we did have to cut open boxes, and do set up work. A sharp blade was needed several times a day, so the boss had several Stanley sliding blade utility knives on the work benches. He'd bought nice bright colored ones so they could be spotted easy, and they worked out great. Lots of nice fat handles to grab onto, and replaceable blades so we didn't have to worry about taking time to sharpen. Some of us even had a box cutter of our own in the pocket that took a standard single edge razor blade. They were the nice flat ones that lay in a pocket well and could be 'bumped' open against a leg.  Effective, but ugly as sin.

But on my own time, I want a nice looking pocket knife, and my needs of a knife are actually more now that I am retired. Lots of time for fishing, shooting, woods walking with the better half, teaching the grandkids how to do the outdoor stuff. I love my Victorinox cadet, and my recruit, as well as my vic camper. But sometimes I just love the nice little Boker pen with the beautiful grained rosewood scales, or the Case peanut with the amber bone scales. It's nice to take a moment out of a busy day to admire a nice looking pocket knife. The added plus is that they not only don't scare the non knife carrying citizens, sometimes I even get a comment on what a nice looking little knife it is. I've actually thought about buying a Russell ultimate pen knife with the black pearl scales.

[jerseydevil]

On my own time, there are plenty of slipjoints in my collection that see time in my pocket at some point.  Two of my favorites, though, are my Case small Texas jack, and my Tidioute Patriot Barlow.




Yes, that Barlow is a limited run, #3 of 50.  Doesn't stop me from carrying and using it.    It's actually a very sweet little knife.  I keep it in a leather pocket slip so it doesn't get too dinged up.  There might be some people who think I'm crazy for using it, but hey, that's what it was built for!  If it was just going to sit around looking pretty without any other function, I wouldn't have even bothered getting it.  The Texas jack is a sweet little knife as well, the CV steel takes a fantastic edge, and the patina it has now gives it a nice unique look.  Love the color of the bone too....

[AimlessWanderer]

Yes, that Barlow is a limited run, #3 of 50.  Doesn't stop me from carrying and using it.    It's actually a very sweet little knife.  I keep it in a leather pocket slip so it doesn't get too dinged up.  There might be some people who think I'm crazy for using it, but hey, that's what it was built for!  If it was just going to sit around looking pretty without any other function, I wouldn't have even bothered getting it.  The Texas jack is a sweet little knife as well, the CV steel takes a fantastic edge, and the patina it has now gives it a nice unique look.  Love the color of the bone too....

 

[Styerman]

I'm a big fan of stuff in the 2.5-3" range . They do all I need doing , except possibly bread slicing ( slices get a tad bit ragged ) . I have carved a turkey with a 3" folder ( host's knives were totally awfull , and I had no sharpening gear ) .

My rotation generally consists of a large SAK ( ATM a handyman) , and a sub 3" locking folder .

Chris

[cbl51]

I'm a big fan of stuff in the 2.5-3" range . They do all I need doing , except possibly bread slicing ( slices get a tad bit ragged ) . I have carved a turkey with a 3" folder ( host's knives were totally awfull , and I had no sharpening gear ) .

My rotation generally consists of a large SAK ( ATM a handyman) , and a sub 3" locking folder .

Chris

I was in that same situation once at my sister in laws house. She'd made a nice dinner, and when I went to slice it, all her knives were dull as could be. I took a cheap looking boner pattern out front and stropped it on the cement steps to the porch. In a few minutes Ihad a nice toothy sharp knife that sliced right through a well cooked standing roast. Diane, my sis in law was amazed at how that worked.

I told her it's what I saw all those Italian ladies do when it was time to make dinner, when I was stationed over there. Every afternoon about 4 O'Clock, the women folk would come out to the stoop and sharpened up their knife before starting dinner prep.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

That barlow is indeed very nice, Tom!   

For me, the knife I carry most often is my Vic Executive.  I love the size of the main blade and I even use the orange peeler!  I've turned my Skinth SP into a small wallet, and keep my Exec in one of the side pockets with my HCRI Preon 1(2).  It's the perfect little gentleman's knife for me. 

[jerseydevil]

Why is it that whenever I post in threads like this I ALWAYS forget the Executive?    If there's only one knife/tool on me, that's the one!  Even if I'm carrying a multi, a larger SAK, and a folder, the Executive is there.  It lives on my keys, and honestly gets quite a beating in my pocket, but also very regular use.  It's such an ingrained part of what I carry EVERY SINGLE DAY that I just take it as a given that it's included in discussions..... 

[Poncho65]

As good of a time as any to resurrect this thread I have been carrying several smaller folders the past few days and weeks and some are small enough that they just disappear in your pocket I have the Buck 309 mentioned in the first post in my pocket today and if I hadn't out it there myself Iwouldn't know it was there

[David]

This a small knife much to my liking a Western 442!     

[Poncho65]

Nice one David

[ThePeacent]

long live small folders!




for those "around folks" situations   

[Poncho65]

long live small folders!

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for those "around folks" situations   

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More fine examples Peacent

[dks]

funnily enough I have been carrying my palles 5cm slipjoint, for the past few days

hot weather, shorts and a light knife, that does not try to pull my shorts down.

[cbl51]

long live small folders!

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for those "around folks" situations   

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Uh, I have a question.

What the heck is a nut fastened to the back of that blade for? Is that a zip tie?

What the heck?!

[AimlessWanderer]

long live small folders!

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for those "around folks" situations   

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Uh, I have a question.

What the heck is a nut fastened to the back of that blade for? Is that a zip tie?

What the heck?!

It's purpose is to snag on a pocket, and open the blade immediately, rather like the wave feature on the spine of some other folders. It's tactical.

[cbl51]

I should have known it had to do with something 'tacticool".

 

[Don Pablo]

I've got a rambler on the way. Lets see if I get converted to the small knife league. 

funnily enough I have been carrying my palles 5cm slipjoint, for the past few days

hot weather, shorts and a light knife, that does not try to pull my shorts down.

Where are the knife pics! 

[Poncho65]

I've got a rambler on the way. Lets see if I get converted to the small knife league. 

[getahl]

Peacent, what's that small, black handled folder in your last post? I like the looks of it.

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[T14]

I routinely carry a spyderco bug or opinel #2. Bloody useful little things

[ThePeacent]

Peacent, what's that small, black handled folder in your last post? I like the looks of it.

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if you mean this little guy, it's one of the best bang for your buck folders in the entire world, IMO. SRM 6040 folder



For less than $8, you've got nice grippy scales, excellently heat treated 8Cr13MoV, solid lockup and a thin super sharp blade, with a very nice profile and shape



And it's got an extraordinary (removable) pocket clip.
Best of all, and reason I decided to try it out, it weighs 30 grams (1.1 oz.). Even with the Chinese "hate" recently overflowing the internet forums, I've gotta recommend this SanRenMu above all other similar offerings!

[Poncho65]

Peacent, what's that small, black handled folder in your last post? I like the looks of it.

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if you mean this little guy, it's one of the best bang for your buck folders in the entire world, IMO. SRM 6040 folder

(Image removed from quote.)

For less than $8, you've got nice grippy scales, excellently heat treated 8Cr13MoV, solid lockup and a thin super sharp blade, with a very nice profile and shape

(Image removed from quote.)

And it's got an extraordinary (removable) pocket clip.
Best of all, and reason I decided to try it out, it weighs 30 grams (1.1 oz.). Even with the Chinese "hate" recently overflowing the internet forums, I've gotta recommend this SanRenMu above all other similar offerings!

It looks like a nice one Peacent I really am digging the shape of the blade and that it's PE

[getahl]

Thanks! I don't particularly care where a knife is made, as long as it's not crap. I love the form factor of the Gerber Mini Paraframe, but I can't get a cutting edge on it to save my life.  Thank you for the recommendation.

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[Ron Who]

Some of my little ones. I particularly like the Spyderco Micro Dyad.
MiniChamp and Classic shown for size.

[G-Dizzle]

[leathermon]

Ironically enough,  I have found myself wearing more comfortable clothes lately, which usually means no belt. So by default I have been carrying smaller knives and tools. I pleasantly surprised how well they function and can tackle big jobs. Here is a pic of the small sog that comes with the mini tool. I actually like it alot, the fit and finish was good, it came fairly sharp and has a good balance in my hand.

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