How small a knife?

T

TLM

Joined
Jan 11, 2000
Messages
2,279
Do you find useful and what kind?

I have owned several small "toys" having a blade length of about 2 cm, length seems to be ok but otherwise they were too flimsy. I haven't found much anything in these ultra-small knives. Has anyone found something useful?

TLM
 
I like to carry #10 surgical blades around in my kit, I find them very cheap and very usefull ('cept when I'm choppin firewood
smile.gif
)

Dan

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Go Get 'em Gear
 
The smallest blade I used (and found useful) was the 4 cm small blade on my SAK. I haven't really tried to find out what is the minimum size. However, I agree with Javahed that sterile single-wrapped surgical blades (disposable scalpel blades that one can affix to a scalpel handle) are useful and require little space.

Hope it helps,

HM
 
Setting aside the usual stockmans, trappers, etc. my favorite small folder is a Spyderco Navigator. This is an outstanding small knife, comfy in the hand in either the blade down or blade up position.

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
the smallest blade I take to field with me is the small blade on my SAK. That about does it.

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Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
 
HM- I have found that small SAK blade to be useful, too bad they don't offer it on models I want to carry. I would happily trade a cap-lifter/screwdriver or serrated large blade for a small blade.

Hoodoo- I am with you, I really liked my Navigator, but I like my Mouse even more. Very useful.

On a related note- What about smallest fixed blade?

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

>>--->Bill Siegle Custom Knives<---<<
-http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives-

Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!

Fire Page, metal match sources and index of information.

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
MDP,
Could you give a little more info on the differences between the mouse and the navigator?

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Those scalpel blades and handles sound like a better idea than the x-acto knives and razor blades that I have in my kits now. Could anyone recommend a source?

Thanks,
Hawk
 
JayHawk,
They often sell scalpel blades and handles at gun shows. University bookstores almost always carry them for use by biology students to do dissections.


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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Hoodoo- The Mouse doesn't have the points, I like that. I like the upturned tip. But mostly it is a preference thing I imagine.

MDP
 
Hoodoo,
Thanks for the tips. I'll try the bookstore idea. I've never seen them at the gun shows that I attend.

Hawk
 
MDP,
I was thinking of things like length of blade and cutting edge, and overall length of knife and ease of opening. Can you give me some details on these? I'm starting to get real interested in that mouse.
smile.gif
My navigator is serrated but I've always wanted a plain edge. Maybe a plain edged mouse is the way to go.


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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
I was thinking of things like length of blade and cutting edge,

---> Not clear, stats on pages quoted below.

and overall length of knife

---> Mouse 4 7/8ths vs Navigator 5 3/8ths.

ease of opening.

---> I find them about equal in this regard, though slightly favoring the Mouse due to the heavier handle. I almost always use a drop open. The Mouse handle is slicker though. The Amite Navigator is another option.

The Spyderco site has the Navigator with Almite handles listed at:

http://www.spyderco.com/online_product_info.asp?sts=11%2F26%2F00+3%3A57%3A53+PM&pfid=C62BL&mscssid=2HVJSMUSQ3S92H8T00LHRWKJXHP07E8F

AG Russell lists the Mouse at:

http://www.agrussell.com/spyderco/bt-mk1g.html

------------------
Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

>>--->Bill Siegle Custom Knives<---<<
-http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives-

Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!

Fire Page, metal match sources and index of information.

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
The Mouse looks interesting and it is not a big knife, HMM... now I only have the problem of finding one here. Are there other alternatives, the Navigator does not look handy for forest environment more like marine.

TLM
 
The best and most useful small knife I seem to always have on me is my SOG Mini Auto Clip folder. It has a drop point blade that is just under 3" long, and I highly recommend this knife to anyone that wants a quality, affordable (about $27), folder. I like it so much I bought 2. Best small knife I've ever had, and I've had quite a few.
 
Gerber's LST Ultra and Micro are tiny functioning, locking knives. I wouldn't use them to replace larger knives with good steel, but if you carry scalpel blades, with or without a handle, you might save your finger tips by switching to the Micro, which has a blade about the same size as a scalpel.
Putting a scalpel blade on its handle isn't fun with warm, dry hands; I wouldn't want to do it with cold, wet hands.
If you need scalpels, try surgical supply stores, or places that sell archival conservation and restoration suppies, like

TALAS ( http://talasonline.com/ )

TALAS also sells Renaissance Wax.

Walter

[This message has been edited by wa (edited 12-04-2000).]

[This message has been edited by wa (edited 12-04-2000).]
 
I find that the small blade (about 1.5") of the SAK is the blade I used most often (cutting string, boxes, trimming, stripping wire, scraping, puncturing, ect). Then I bought the Victorinox Pioneer/Soldier and loved it, but...no small blade!
The solution: I discovered the Vic Electrician model! Like the Soldier but has a small electrician's blade instead of a can opener.
 
AllenC:
I also very like the small blade on the SAKs. Especially on the thinner ones, like the Spartan. There is a "minimal" SAK with a large and a small blade. Victorinox calls it Secretary/Canif elegant. It has smooth silver alox handles. A sturdier variant of this knife is available at Swiss-knife.com. They call it Pioneer, it has checkered silver alox scales, and stronger blades. The small blade is drop point as on the Secretary, just a little bit stronger (maybe longer too?). They sell it for 25.00 CHF. BTW all the checkered silver alox handled knives are called Pioneer at Swiss-knife.com. There are about 8 different patterns, starting from a single bladed one and finishing with a Farmer variant which has a small hawkbill blade besides the large one.
 
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