Best Manual Folder Under 3" ?
What is your favorite Benchmade under 3"?
The ones I have it narrowed down to are the
- Mini Axis Stryker
- Valet
- Mini Grip
- Sequel
What are your thoughts on folders under 3" ?
The ones I have it narrowed down to are the
- Mini Axis Stryker
- Valet
- Mini Grip
- Sequel
What are your thoughts on folders under 3" ?
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quote:Originally posted by Lord_Balkan:
What are your thoughts on folders under 3" ?
My only thought is, why not go 3.25"?
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quote:Originally posted by Painstakingly Meticulous:quote:Originally posted by Lord_Balkan:
What are your thoughts on folders under 3" ?
My only thought is, why not go 3.25"?
[FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i6q3tPzG_IY" width="560">[/FLASH_VIDEO]
Haha, funny you mention that knife- I already have it :P
Some places in Illinois don't allow folders above 3"0 -
In that case lol, I'd go with the Ritter mini-grip in M390 
RSK MK10 -
525. 
Of the ones you have listed, mini grip for work and 707 for a slacks/dress knife - 707 is a little too short and slim for me to get a 4-finger grip on.
(but really, 525)
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quote:Originally posted by Painstakingly Meticulous:
In that case lol, I'd go with the Ritter mini-grip in M390
RSK MK1
PM - explain the RSK is it a Benchmade or is it not? Knifeworks says the manufacturer is Doug Ritter???0 -
Out of production:
525
HK 14210
Current:
484 if you can go 3.08". In hand it's very similar to the 14210.0 -
I unexpectedly bought a 556-1 (2016 G10 Mini Grip) because I had seen such great reviews, I thought I should have one. It feels like it was custom made for my hand, it opens and closes easily with one hand, blade is perfectly centered, and it's scary sharp. If you're looking for beauty, this might not be it, but functionally, I can't imagine a better knife.
If you look in the reviews forum here, you'll find the one that got me to spring for the 556-1 instead of the old 556.0 -
Tough question. Are you going sub-3" to comply with legal requirements ?
If that is the case does weight or closed lenght matter?
I am always looking for great under 3" folders because between legal limits and suit & tie dress, I just could not carry a big knife.
If reason was business dress sometimes I could move up to a 940D2CF or 530 as both are lighter in weight than most sub-3" Benchmade's .
If I've got to go sub-3" for legal reasons, Benchmade doesn't have a large selection.
When legal blade limitation need to be taken into consideration I usually carry two knives one small light & compact and the second with heavy over sized handle ( like the handle on a 4" folder).
Lots of great 4" folders out there very few sub-3". It is a design / execution few makers can achieve.
With more & more restrictions on length of legal carry I wish Benchmade would look more into this segment.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
Tough question. Are you going sub-3" to comply with legal requirements ?
If that is the case does weight or closed lenght matter?
I am always looking for great under 3" folders because between legal limits and suit & tie dress, I just could not carry a big knife.
If reason was business dress sometimes I could move up to a 940D2CF or 530 as both are lighter in weight than most sub-3" Benchmade's .
If I've got to go sub-3" for legal reasons, Benchmade doesn't have a large selection.
When legal blade limitation need to be taken into consideration I usually carry two knives one small light & compact and the second with heavy over sized handle ( like the handle on a 4" folder).
Lots of great 4" folders out there very few sub-3". It is a design / execution few makers can achieve.
With more & more restrictions on length of legal carry I wish Benchmade would look more into this segment.
It is completely legal reasons. For lightness I have a 531 which I love. For when I am in Chicago I have a Benchmade 482 Megumi (I just wish it had an Axis Lock) since Chicago requires 2.5" and under and I would like a nice under 3" knife since there are some suburbs around here that have a restriction on that
Unfortunately there was only one Benchmade choice for 2.5" and under. I have the HK Axis and really like the handle I just would like to stick to stainless steel blades as I do lots of food prep with my knives as well. That is why I listed the Stryker, seems similar to the HK Axis but has a stainless steel blade.
Just for reference, I have
HK Axis
810-1401
710-1401
482 Megumi
531
9500 -
Though little 907. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Assisted blade though, not manual.0 -
quote:Originally posted by boinkman:
Though little 907. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Assisted blade though, not manual.
I'd like to stay away from assisted knifes. For me, as long as its got an Axis Lock it is fast enough for me to open under any circumstance anyway.0 -
I work in DC, so I have some experience with under 3" knife regs. Of the current Benchmade offerings, I like the mini-grip. If you can find one, the 480-1 is my go to knife when I go into DC. Fair warning, it is not an axis and it is not right hand friendly. Benchmade flipped the thumb stud for me and I carry it all the time. 0 -
Oh Lord B great list of growing Benchmade knives.
Not sub-3" but 94Xs are my favorite Benchmade's. If you can't get a 940-1 take a look at KW's 940-1501, great blade steel for price point.
Check out other knives below thread as both Chip & I discussed sub-3" other brands.
Enjoy collecting!0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
Oh Lord B great list of growing Benchmade knives.
Not sub-3" but 94Xs are my favorite Benchmade's. If you can't get a 940-1 take a look at KW's 940-1501, great blade steel for price point.
Check out other knives below thread as both Chip & I discussed sub-3" other brands.
Enjoy collecting!
I actually had a normal 940 but I didn't really like the handle, and the other handles are honestly a tad too expensive. For carrying a knife larger than 3.5" I prefer the 950 Rift.0 -
I really like the action and feel of the 707. Must be due to the blade shape/size to handle but it just flies out. My Ritter mini grip does to but for that I would absolutely recommend custom scales for it. That knife would be ideal too because of the glorious M390 steel. 0 -
Anyone with the Mini Stryker or the Valet with some thoughts on it? 0 -
The mini stryker is a good knife. I've heard the valet was not well received but I haven't handled it. The emissary 470 is a darn near perfect knife for what you are looking for, but once again, it's an assisted blade. Although it does have a deployment lock and the deployment is smooth and quiet. Also comes with a deep carry clip. 0 -
Valet is one of the most disappointing knives I've ever purchased.
On paper is sounds great, M390 blade, axis lock & good looking.
Mine wobbles both side to side & up & down. It on its way to Benchmade service for 2nd time. They replaced lots of parts but when I got it back it still had the wobbles. I spoke to a gear rep & it is going back, for a 2nd try at repair.
Unlike the 707 the axis lock & thumb studs are smaller & while they look in proportion to the knife I do not think the smaller axis lock is as strong & smaller thumb studs hard to get at. Lastly with its full metal liners it's weight is close to my 940-1 and the 949-1 is heads & tails better & so are the 53Xs.
The Valet should have been designed with nested liners ( reduced weight), regular size a is lock & thumb studs. It may not have look as good but it would function a whole lot better
Lastly being a small knife the clip is big & adds a lot of with to the knife. I think split arrow would have been a better choice.
Really hard to design a sub-3" knife.0 -
I'd say the best is the Mini Presidio, but I guess it is discontinued now... 
What many don't think of is the Mini Barrage is < 3" also. Awesome little knife. AND, available through the custom store with many colors, blade steels, G-10 scales, etc. How 'bout that!
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quote:Originally posted by Po:
I'd say the best is the Mini Presidio, but I guess it is discontinued now...
What many don't think of is the Mini Barrage is < 3" also. Awesome little knife. AND, available through the custom store with many colors, blade steels, G-10 scales, etc. How 'bout that!
The Mini Barrage looks great but I want to stick to strictly manual (no assisted opens).0 -
quote:Originally posted by Lord_Balkan:The Mini Barrage looks great but I want to stick to strictly manual (no assisted opens).
I know that it's easy to de-assist the full size Barrage so that it operates like any other manual axis lock knife. Maybe it's possible to do the same with the Mini-Barrage. Anyone know?0 -
quote:Originally posted by R A Miller:
I know that it's easy to de-assist the full size Barrage so that it operates like any other manual axis lock knife.
That's a great point. the 470 is also axis assist and it would probably be fairly easy to pull that spring.0 -
quote:Originally posted by R A Miller:quote:Originally posted by Lord_Balkan:The Mini Barrage looks great but I want to stick to strictly manual (no assisted opens).
I know that it's easy to de-assist the full size Barrage so that it operates like any other manual axis lock knife. Maybe it's possible to do the same with the Mini-Barrage. Anyone know?
Does that invalidate the Benchmade warrenty? I think I'd rather just look into a another option.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Lord_Balkan:quote:Originally posted by R A Miller:quote:Originally posted by Lord_Balkan:The Mini Barrage looks great but I want to stick to strictly manual (no assisted opens).
I know that it's easy to de-assist the full size Barrage so that it operates like any other manual axis lock knife. Maybe it's possible to do the same with the Mini-Barrage. Anyone know?
Does that invalidate the Benchmade warrenty? I think I'd rather just look into a another option.
Yes it does. Having said that, it is possible.
Having said that, there are some video in U-tube on how to do it. Personally, I don't want to de-assist any of the BKC.0 -
Okay, taking a little more analytic look at this question...
First, out of this group, I'd say the Mini Axis Stryker is the best. The ergonomics are great, and the Mini Stryker has been a Benchmade favorite for more than a decade.
Many people also like the Mini Griptilian, and you can get the outstanding 556-1 now. I don't personally like the feel of the 556 handle that well. It is actually a great three-finger grip, but I'm used to the Mini Presidio and Mini Barrage which allows you to get all four fingers on the handle.
Same is kinda true for the 707 Sequel. Good three finger grip.
The 527 Mini Presidio Ultra would make an excellent <3" choice. It is 440C, but it's good steel. Good price.quote:Originally posted by Lord_Balkan:
What is your favorite Benchmade under 3"?
The ones I have it narrowed down to are the
- Mini Axis Stryker
- Valet
- Mini Grip
- Sequel
What are your thoughts on folders under 3" ?0
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