Modern UK legal folders

[AimlessWanderer]

Not long ago it seemed that the only legal EDC knife options that were available to us Brits were the old traditional knives. That's not to say there's anything wrong with a two hand opening slipjoint such as a whittler or stockman, and I do have one or two of my own  but the options for pocket clipped OHO slippies were few and far between. Thankfully things have been getting better for us of late, and whilst we can still carry locking and fixed blades if we have good reason to do so, we can now choose from a growing range of more modern legal EDC blades.

I suppose the one that started the ball rolling was the UKPK



This was certainly Spyderco's flagship "slipit" model even if it wasn't their first (maybe someone could fill in the blanks in my knowledge here), and pictured is the original one before the orange and green versions, and all the carbon fibre, titanium and FRN derivatives. To be honest this is the only Spyderco I now own - well, actually I might still have a Bug kicking around somewhere, but I'm not counting that for this exercise. I figured this might be the model that everyone is more familiar with, and it would make a good comparison for the others I've aquired.

To be honest, the Spyderco was the third of these "modern" clipped OHO slippies that I managed to snag. The first one I got hold of, I didn't really take a shine to for a long time. It was a CRKT Edgie.



These days I don't mind it for a box bashing work knife, but I still want to have a SAK or slippie on me for anything other than opening packages, slitting plastic banding etc. It's not a bad knife in hand, and the built in sharpener will ensure it has a sharp (and burred) chisel ground edge for dirty work, but not something you want to try and sharpen a pencil or eat an apple with if you have any form of alternative knife. Next in line is a knife that still sees A LOT of pocket time to this day - Byrd Wings Slipit ...



Byrd really did a good job with this knife. It took a bit of getting used to as regards the ergonomics, and I was very self conscious of the "other" blade when I first started carrying and using it. These days I hardly notice it though, and that serrated blade has come in very useful at times when a ripper of an edge is required. It was actually this knife that got me hooked on the modern options, and I figured if the Byrd is this good - what is the Spydie like. I got the Spydie, and it's lived most of it's life with me in a drawer. It's a perfectly fine knife, but it's just a little big, and that blade is going to be a swine to sharpen if I chip the edge on anything. Back to Byrd then - and the next in line was another favourite - the Tern



Great knife! Absolutely love this thing to bits. It's slim, it rides deep enough, feels great in hand, its easy to keep in good order, its cheap enough to not be frightened of using it, and it's not big enough or scary enough to get people stampeding if used sensibly in my opinion. It's excellent! I actually did a more detailed comparison of the UKPK, Wings and Tern in another thread on here if you want more details. After this other stuff started coming available. I resisted temptation for a Squeak and a Pingo, but I did succomb to a Vagnino ... I've always been a sucker for a nice ..... knife 



The ZipSlip has a D2 blade which is just starting to get the faintest hint of a patina, and a wishbone affair on the baskspring which means there is no spring movement on the exterior of the knife. Was it worth the permium cost? Probably not, but I don't really regret buying it. I'm glad to have one expensive folder in my array - even if it just serves as a reminder that spending the extra money doesn't always give a substantial return. It will rust, it can be a pig to keep the edge in order compared to other steels, and the recess for the index finger is rather small - but I like it. The latest two are very new to me, so I can't offer much in the way of a review on them at this stage. First up is the CRKT Liong Mah #5



I really like the look of this blade, and again it has a nice hand feel to it. The scales are quite smooth, and probably not a knife you'd want to be using with wet/oily/slimy hands, but it knid or has the look of one of the more expensive Gentlemans Folders that you see over the pond. It doesn't have much of a "lock up" as there isn't a back spring. With the blade deployed the handles are hollow. You can feel a detent action at the open, closed and half stop positions - but I've not figured out exactly how that's happening without a backspring yet. The clip rides deep and has good retention. I can see this one getting quite a bit of "off-duty" pocket time. Finally we have the Boker XS.



Whilst the cutting edge on this knife isn't that large, it probably has the least people-friendly blade of my options - and the blued finish probably doen't help. It does however have very grippy scales, excellent purchase on the jimping. Good strong spring, and a very positive feeling knife. The spring is very robust too. I would say however, that along with the UKPK, I would need to use discretion as to when and where to carry this knife, as even though it falls within the letter of the law, it still might have a few folks startled if used in a public place



So that's my little assortment of clipped, OHO, sub 3" slippies .... anyone else? 

[AimlessWanderer]

First up is the CRKT Liong Mah #5 ...... It doesn't have much of a "lock up" as there isn't a back spring. With the blade deployed the handles are hollow. You can feel a detent action at the open, closed and half stop positions - but I've not figured out exactly how that's happening without a backspring yet .....

Sussed it!

The liners are sprung almost like a liner lock on both sides which acts against the sides of the blade tang.

[kirk13]

Other choices that spring to mind are the Boker Subcom and Nano 42s.

I've had both. I tried very hard to love the Subcom,Sparkies wood scaled one is lovely,but I just couldn't get on with the Aus8 blade.

The Nano42 I drooled over for ages before pulling the trigger. I ended up having for less than two weeks. Just Couldnt get on with the mini cleaver.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Great write up mate

Nice to see there are some options open to us still

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[AimlessWanderer]

Other choices that spring to mind are the Boker Subcom and Nano 42s.

I've had both. I tried very hard to love the Subcom,Sparkies wood scaled one is lovely,but I just couldn't get on with the Aus8 blade.

The Nano42 I drooled over for ages before pulling the trigger. I ended up having for less than two weeks. Just Couldnt get on with the mini cleaver.

Not had a play with the Nano, but it doesn't look like one I'd get along with. I have played with a Sub-Com (was it at the meet?  ) and found that a little too "boxy" too. Kind of OK, but nothing that made me want to rush out and buy one, and it would prob be left in the drawer in favour of other stuff.

So what's the issue with the Aus8, John?

Great write up mate

Nice to see there are some options open to us still

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Cheers Mike  you got anything of this ilk, or is it just the Farmer? I think you have more restrictions in your day-to-day don't you?

[kirk13]

The Subcom came more or less blunt,had a bitch of a time getting an edge on it,and didnt really ever manage to until I got my Lansky,but by that time it was too late for me

[AimlessWanderer]

That's a shame 

[dks]

SanRenMu also has some non locking small folders.
I remember the H02 series was popular a couple of years ago.



If you just want modern looking, rather than one hand opening, then EKA also makes some.

[AimlessWanderer]

Ah yes, the H02. I still have three of those, but they don't tend to get much carry



I think it's the lack of a clip. If I want a knife I can get at quickly, it'll be clipped and OHO. If I won't need it so quick, it'll be a plain traditional style slippie. The H02 falls between two stools there. It's not a bad little knife though, and the prices were excellent 

I've not paid much attention to EKA lately ... I'll have to take a peek

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Other choices that spring to mind are the Boker Subcom and Nano 42s.

I've had both. I tried very hard to love the Subcom,Sparkies wood scaled one is lovely,but I just couldn't get on with the Aus8 blade.

The Nano42 I drooled over for ages before pulling the trigger. I ended up having for less than two weeks. Just Couldnt get on with the mini cleaver.

Not had a play with the Nano, but it doesn't look like one I'd get along with. I have played with a Sub-Com (was it at the meet?  ) and found that a little too "boxy" too. Kind of OK, but nothing that made me want to rush out and buy one, and it would prob be left in the drawer in favour of other stuff.

So what's the issue with the Aus8, John?

Great write up mate

Nice to see there are some options open to us still

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Cheers Mike  you got anything of this ilk, or is it just the Farmer? I think you have more restrictions in your day-to-day don't you?

I don't edc anything but my Farmer at work, but home edc's different

I really do like my friction folders such as my Svord's which are great users. I'd love to like my Mantis friction folder more, but its too thick, and also chisel ground so its not a great slicer sadly It is bulletproof though, so would be great on zombies )

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[AimlessWanderer]

... this one, Mike?



I think this is the first friction folder I've seen with the rat/beaver tail tang and a pocket clip

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That's the one

Well made, and smooth as you like, just not brilliant at everyday tasks compared to a thinker bladed sak say.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Gareth]

The first of the non-locking OHO's I got was the CRKT Edgie.  Actually a good knife IMO, though I deliberately pushed the 'sharpening' strip out of the way as I didn't like the rough edge it gave. 

I also got a SRM H02 from Al, but like him I've not really carried it much (sorry Al).  Probably for exactly the same reason.

The Byrd Tern is another matter altogether.  Despite playing with various versions of the UKPK, it's the Tern that really does it for me; just the right size, just the right weight, just the right price.

[Taxi Dad]

it's the Tern that really does it for me; just the right size, just the right weight, just the right price.

+1 to that 
lovely little knife my only concern is that it does look (and sound) a bit scary to the "non-knife scared of everything brigade" ! I've caused a few raised brows 

[Gareth]

it's the Tern that really does it for me; just the right size, just the right weight, just the right price.

+1 to that 
lovely little knife my only concern is that it does look (and sound) a bit scary to the "non-knife scared of everything brigade" ! I've caused a few raised brows 

This is true.  Despite being a 'reason free' EDC it's not actually one I carry outside of work.  Also I rarely find myself needing something OHO out of my work environment so a less tactical looking knife suits me better when out and about.

Ironically; when at work I can actually justify carrying a locking knife, I just rarely do.

[enki_ck]

Great thread and write up, Al.

I love non-locking knives. Even though my local laws allow carry of any size knife and be it locking or not I mostly find myself with a slippie in the pocket. I had a UKPK for a while but sold it a few months ago as it didn't get carried nearly as much as it should have. I think I'd like the Tern better sizewise.

[AimlessWanderer]

The Tern is a SUPERB knife! It's a nice size, weight, and price as Gareth mentioned, but it's also an excellent blade. I might have just acquired two new knives, but the Tern is still superior in many ways. It's a good all rounder, whereas the new knives look like fruit splitting mauls rather than slicers 

The Boker is definitely not "people friendly" either. I'm still undecided as to whether the Tern of Liong Mah is more "acceptable" for uninitiated onlookers  That is one great thing about the Vagnino ... something that bright and colourful must be harmless ... 

[Goatlord666]

this was an educating experience! great write up! and thank you for the pictures.

[phil40000]

This is my Vagnino Zip-Slip, he has refreshed the range recently with bigger choil and new blade shapes. I ordered my custom with lightning strike carbon fibre scales and 154cm Tanto blade.

[enki_ck]

That looks like an awesome knife, Phil.

[AimlessWanderer]

Absolutely!
Was that direct from MV, or a store/dealer?

[Zed]

Great review and pics Al  ive only had a ukpk and loved it but for me still a bit scary for non knife folk,i stick with a Opinel or sak daily, if zombies attacked ill go kukri   

[Gareth]

Just spotted that the Edgie is now listed as discontinued on the CRKT site: http://www.crkt.com/Edgie-Self-Sharpening-Knife-Razor-Sharp-Edge 

Might be old news to some, but I hadn't heard myself.

[Essexman]

Great thread and write up.

I think I can add a couple to the list.....

SRM M1. I love this cheap folder. Works on ball indent in the same way as the CRKT Liong Mah #5

The fit and finish is unreal for the price. But the blade is spot on 3 inch.





L to R , Subcom 42, squeak and Nano 42.



I have to admit the subcom 42 sits in the draw nowadays. Mr Squeak and Nano get a fair amount of pocket time, both are very sheeple friendly. The Nano looks small, but for some reason acts like a bigger knife in use.

Spyderco Pingo. Again I love this knife. Gets more pocket time than any other EDC. This really is one of those that you have to try before making judement. Lots of people are put off by the design, some don't like the modern lambs foot blade, some say they don't like the look of the handle. Most change their minds once they have had it in their hands and used it.



How about a modern twist on an old design. A Russell White folder with Carbon fibre and Da blade.

http://russellwhiteknives.co.uk/welcome-to-russell-white-knives/

Russ loaned this to me some time back for a look see. Nothing more to say, apart from I really didn't want to give it back!

[Gareth]

My friend has a Squeak and very nice it was too, BUT the backspring broke on his so it's currently with Spyderco.

That SRM M1 looks great, but not leftie friendly.

[Essexman]

My friend has a Squeak and very nice it was too, BUT the backspring broke on his so it's currently with Spyderco.

That SRM M1 looks great, but not leftie friendly.

I think you could undo the thumb stud and turn it over to the other side. But you would have to remove the clip then?

[Gareth]

My friend has a Squeak and very nice it was too, BUT the backspring broke on his so it's currently with Spyderco.

That SRM M1 looks great, but not leftie friendly.

I think you could undo the thumb stud and turn it over to the other side. But you would have to remove the clip then?

I was more concerned that the stud would be striking the scales if I swapped it over.  Doesn't look like there is much room on the side going by your pics.   I'll happily be told I'm wrong though.

[Essexman]

I was more concerned that the stud would be striking the scales if I swapped it over.  Doesn't look like there is much room on the side going by your pics.   I'll happily be told I'm wrong though.

ah bugger, I'm wrong.