Hi everyone

I know this can be answered at bladeforums.com as well, but I trust the people here to be un-biased. I need a folder (only one) and here are my requirements:
• 2.5-3.5 inch blade
• EDC
• Good steel (obviously)
• Less than $60
• Lawful in NJ/Pennsylvania (Toothpicks are against the law in NY and I will refrain from carrying anything in to the city)
• One handed opening
• Don’t want to draw attention to myself
My short list (priced low to high with my rating next to it):
• Catbyrd at $30 2
• Spyderco Tenacious at $30 1
• Spyderco Native at $50 4
• Kershaw Mini Cyclone at $50 3
• Kerhaw Lahar at $60 6
• Kershaw RAM at $60 7
• Benchmade Mini Gryptilian at $60 5
I’m leaning very strongly towards the Tenacious and the Mini Cyclone. I like both blade shapes (the Mini Cyclone being the coolest) but I’m pretty careful about the authorities and their view on assisted openers.
Which one would you choose?
Advice would be appreciated

Thanks,
Gideon

of those you've listed, i like the tenacious. it's a great knife, no sacrifice. otherwise, get a delica.

I like the Kershaw Leek, but I don't care for it in the standard metal handles. Mine is a G-10/S30V (1660G10ST) model, which is harder to find and a bit more expensive, but it's well worth the extra coin in my opinion. Of course, it is an assist and you've expressed some reservations about them.

I like Spyderco, but I prefer their FRN handles to the metal ones. FRN is tough, lightweight, and provides a good textured grip. My best "Bang for the buck" award goes to the FRN-handled Byrd Cara Cara, but it's a bit bigger than you're looking for; you might take a look at the Meadowlark, which is also available in FRN and fits your size requirements.

I took a look at the Spyderco Tenacious; it looks quite nice. The Native is a step up in price but the steel's better, not that there's anything wrong with 8Cr13MoV.

Of the ones listed, my choice would be the Native first, or the Griptilian, but I don't have first hand experience with the Griptilian.

I have a S30V Native that I really like, and I've EDC'd it for quite some time. I recently started carrying the new Spyderco Sage which is very similar, but I still like my Native a lot. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I have heard good things about all the others too though.

I've been eying the Lahar and Needs Work by Kershaw...they seam nice.

Well, I would recommend the mini grip, but that would be depending on what blade style you get it in. 555 series is a big no no.

Recently I went to a Cutlery shop and talk to one of the guys there, who I know personally. I questioned him about the mini grip tanto. I actually at that time wanted another Grip to replace my nearly dead beat up larger grip. He told me that one of the buyers of a mini- grip was able to gut and clean a whole deer with just that knife. At that moment I got pretty excited but ultimately thinking back on what happened to mine I didn't get. The other drop point and tanto would be a much better choice than the 550 series. Their saber ground rather than the thinnes hollow grind you can possibly get.

My verdict (and Cloak's) on the 550 is that the blade is way to weak for the lock. The lock is extremely strong. I've stood on it, thrown it into trees with the blade facing up (aerial spin), and the lock is still as smooth as day-1 with no play. I still use the sucker but it's quite near it's last leg.

Other than that I would actually recommend Lahar. Good hanle materials, flipper, VG-10 steel.

You might also look at the AG Russell Sting Titanium Framelock . The seconds (which are just cosmetically defect but fully capable) run for 75 dollars. 75 for titanium and 154cm ain't too bad of a deal. Blade size is within you margin at 3 inches.

Get a Delica or Dragonfly. The Dragonfly may be a little smaller than you are looking for, but that blade handles tasks that you otherwise may use a larger knife for. The dragonfly is truly a little big knife.

I see your options and have given my opinion, but the best thing to do is go to a store that carries most of these knives. This will give you a feel for each blade.

One more thing about the dragonfly, my experiences have shown me that this knife is sheeple friendly.

i do like the two previous suggestions of leek and dragonfly. i have the etched ss vg-10 dragonfly, awesome knife.

You might look at the Spyderco UK Pen Knife. It flies under the radar in Brittan. It should be okay in Pennsylvania. I don’t know how good a price you can get on one, you may need to pay over $60.00.

for comparison:

from the top down, all spyderco
1. Centofante 3
2. Native
3. Salt 1
4. Endura (zdp-189 BRG)
5. Calypso Jr (zdp-189 laminate)
6. Dragonfly customized by Santa Fe Stoneworks

minus the zdp-189 and stonework these can all be had for less than $60 easily. I really like the dragonfly idea for a sheeple-friendly knife. I also think something like the Centofante looks more classy without looking threatening. The Salt 1 shows obvious signs of use and carry in my left pocket. Right now I carry an Endura wave in my right pocket. It definitely isn't sheeple-friendly but I am extremely happy with it. I have several other Spydercos if you want any more comparison photos.

on the H-1 I just realized that kinda looks like rust and it most absolutely is not. Its some kind of residue I should have wiped off before I took the pic. The low abrasion resistance seems to have a lot more effect on cosmetics than on edge retention. The edge is holding up much better than I thought it would, but the sides of the blade are covered in visible scratches.

Thanks everyone, lots of good advice. I had a look at the Dragonfly and it's a sweet little knife. It has just been added to the list.

I will do some more thinking on this, but am leaning towards the Spydercos - either Dragonfly or Tenacious.

Just a question for Sharp - The people at Bladeforums speak very highly of the BM Mini Grip, but you say to stay away from the 555 series. Which one would you then recommend except for the Tanto?

Best Regards,
Gideon