small folding knives what are my options

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Corso

Full Member
Aug 13, 2007
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I've been getting quite a kick out if small folders recently. My Buck 305 and Buck solo have been outstanding for food and fire prep so I've got the itch to try some others.

So with the stipulation of nothing bigger than 3" closed what are my options if I were looking at traditional patterns?
 
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Janne

Sent off - Not allowed to play
Feb 10, 2016
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Gerber and Kershaw make some small folders that look like a knife and not like something from The Ring Trilogy.
Camillus and that French manufacturer.

Victorinox of course.
 

Corso

Full Member
Aug 13, 2007
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moving on..

I'm looking for traditional 3" closed traditional style folders, the peanut style folder seems like it could tick the boxes but I'm interested in other options
 

Hibrion

Maker
Jan 11, 2012
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Ireland
I've been considering something from gec or northwoods recently.

If you want to go high end Don Hanson is doing some folders this sunmer.
 

demographic

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 15, 2005
4,691
710
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I bought a Viper Drop knife from a member on here a while ago.
It does lock (it's a liner lock) but it's very small and not in the least bit tactical.

After an initial period of loosening up I can open it one handed with ease and its a properly nice little knife.
Ramshorn scales and just nice.

Sorry I can't post pics from my phone but I bought it off AndyP from this parish and if you do a search you can find the thread he put up to sell it.
 

Corso

Full Member
Aug 13, 2007
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I've been considering something from gec or northwoods recently.

If you want to go high end Don Hanson is doing some folders this sunmer.

oddly I've been going in the other direction and have been looking at rough rider knives
 

Janne

Sent off - Not allowed to play
Feb 10, 2016
12,330
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Grand Cayman, Norway, Sweden
Gerber, Kershaw, Victorinox?

All three manufacturers make super quality stuff.

When travelling I carry an airline approved Victorinox folder. Weirdly enough it does most things I use a knife for, despite the tiny size.
 

Samon

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 24, 2011
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Get a bunch of Rough Rider and Marbles knives. Buy two of each so you can inspect them and send the lesser finished one back. HH understand this as they know these knives can either be brilliantly finished and better than Case at 1/6th the price or a bit loose and kinda meh.

Traditional models wise have a look at the canoe,lannys clip, peanut, barlow, sodbuster, stockman, elephant toenail and scout. Lots of tradtional knife making companies offer these models if you want to up the price and get something with nicer materials.

I've owned a GEC sodbuster in orange. Nice knife, comes blunt as a shoe but was a tidy little knife. Also have a Douk Douk, reallllly like it. Very simple, strong and special.
 

Corso

Full Member
Aug 13, 2007
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Gerber, Kershaw, Victorinox?

All three manufacturers make super quality stuff.

When travelling I carry an airline approved Victorinox folder. Weirdly enough it does most things I use a knife for, despite the tiny size.

but if you'd read my first post you'd understand why I discarded your suggestions :rolleyes:
 

mikehill

Settler
Nov 25, 2014
944
345
Warrington
Try out a few Rough Riders to see whether a trad is right for you. If one is then buy a GEC etc.. version of it to keep forever :) I'm looking at a nice whittler myself and may sell everything I have to make way for it :eek:
 

Samon

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Mar 24, 2011
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but if you'd read my first post you'd understand why I discarded your suggestions :rolleyes:

Do kershaw and gerber actually make traditional paterns? or just black tacticool stuff for the yanks..

Not sure if my suggestions are under 3 closed.. don't have any at hand.
 

Samon

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 24, 2011
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Do any of the traditional Sheffield makers meet your needs?

Generally speaking they are terrible. Badly constructed, over priced and sold under a false promise of quality. Sheffield is dead, the tools are gilded cack in the name of the old school ways. No remnance of Sheffield steel works exist beyond custom work. The rest is less than the asains can produce at half the price.
 

peaks

Settler
May 16, 2009
722
5
Derbys
@Samon...........not a fan eh ? lol

I have a couple of Sheffield folders that I'm very happy with and meet my needs. Everyone has their likes + preferences.
 

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