Looking for a solid EDC under 3 inches.

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Sharpbladeofsteel

Joined
May 3, 2017
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I had a Delica 4 in zome green. I lost it. As you can see from the knives I own Spyderco are by far my favorite. I was going to replace the Delica with another one but I’m trying to branch out and see if maybe there is something newer that has come along. Delica has been around so long and ultimately I may just get another one of those because I know it works for my needs, but I wanted to see if anybody has any other suggestions.

I bought a Dragonfly 2 and I think I am going to have to return it. Besides the clip being too stiff, which I fixed by swapping the wire clip from my Chapparal, which has a much smoother handle so the clip and handle material still need that usable, I don’t think I can stand having to shift it in my hand every time I take it out of my pocket to deploy it. I have gloves size large hands, nothing extreme but I cannot open it no matter how many times or practice without having to shift around first and it’s driving me crazy. Otherwise I love how light it is and how it looks.

I’m looking for something lightweight, corrosion resistant, and a blade around 3 inches or smaller not because of any restrictions but I just want it to be non-threatening and something I can take to the office when I want to switch up from the Chaparral. I like the practicality of VG-10.

Budget up to $150 but preferably around $100. Obviously the Native Salt checks pretty much all these boxes but I was kind of looking for something from a brand different than Spyderco but they are my favorite so I could definitely end up with another one.

Edit: forgot knives I own lol.

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Knives owned: Spyderco Tenacious, Spyderco Chaparral CF, Spyderco Sage 5 CF, Endura 4, Endura 4 Wave, Spyderco Tenacious, Zero Tolerance 0350, Ontario; Rat 2, Marine Combat, Gerber Strong Arm, Cold Steel: Recon 1, Ti Lite, Mora Companion
 
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Spyderco Native Salt in LC200N is right up your alley. It’s basically S30V with the corrosion resistance of H1 and LC200N is one of the best EDC steels ever imo. Blade is 2.95 in. and going for $150 on Amazon. Comes with FRN scales in yellow or green.

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Lovecraftian said:
Spyderco Native Salt in LC200N is right up your alley. It’s basically S30V with the corrosion resistance of H1 and LC200N is one of the best EDC steels ever imo. Blade is 2.95 in. and going for $150 on Amazon. Comes with FRN scales in yellow or green.

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gideonstactical turned me off to it a little bit when he specifically mentioned not liking the handle vs the Delica. All hands are different though however so there is really only one way to tell for sure I guess.

Edit* I think I should add that if I’m being honest with myself I think the Native is pretty ugly. Whatever it is doesn’t have to be corrosion resistant beyond what my Endura 4 has held up to for about 10 years.
 
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Not sure if they're still in stock anywhere, but the S90V Para3LW that was released a few months back could be a good candidate. They were going for $140 iirc, and a steal at that price if you ask me.
 
The Cold Steel Engage 2.5 might be worth a look. 3.5 inch handle with a 2.5 inch blade. $50-$65 depending on where you look. 4116 certainly isn't the latest and greatest blade steel but you might not need that for office carry. The Atlas lock is a lot of fun and it's something a little different.

The standard size sticky notes are for size reference.

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Knives&Lint said:
Not sure if they're still in stock anywhere, but the S90V Para3LW that was released a few months back could be a good candidate. They were going for $140 iirc, and a steal at that price if you ask me.
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This was my thought exactly, since OP likes the Delica and the Para 3 lw has essentially become the defacto "Delica 5." This particular configuration is especially nice, it's actually a rerelease of an earlier run that I hunted down before the new batch.
 
Bob Denman said:
Keep your Butterfly 2. Just get a better clip for it...
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The clip issue is much better after swapping in the longer clip from the Sage, but it drives me nuts that I have to adjust my hand position to open it one-handed. If it were not for that it would be perfect. Otherwise I love it. That said, I am going inside to grab it and putting it in my pocket to carry it around some more today because I really do want it to work.
 
Sharpbladeofsteel said:
The clip issue is much better after swapping in the longer clip from the Sage, but it drives me nuts that I have to adjust my hand position to open it one-handed. If it were not for that it would be perfect. Otherwise I love it. That said, I am going inside to grab it and putting it in my pocket to carry it around some more today because I really do want it to work.
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That's the spirit!
Good luck! 👍
 
DocJD said:
Here's a video about the Cold Steel Mini Recon 1 , but discuses other options also , like the American Lawman , which would be better but is a tad larger .
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I like it, I would seriously consider it except also I’m trying to stay under 3 ounces. I guess I have quite a few stipulations I’m realizing!
 
Sharpbladeofsteel said:
I like it, I would seriously consider it except also I’m trying to stay under 3 ounces. I guess I have quite a few stipulations I’m realizing!
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I have this one and it’s a great carrying knife, one of Cold Steel’s best EDC knives. You’ll never feel it in your pocket unlike the other Cold Steel monsters I regularly carry

The other one I really like is the Spyderco Lil Native Slipit. Slip joint and really well done. Snaps open with authority. First time I tried it I was like, this is a slip joint? Lightweight (2.5 oz), S30v so stainless, simple and streamlined. Something different.

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Personally, I would get another Delica 4.

But in the interest of trying something new - I'll echo the Native 5 and Para3 LW recs, since it doesn't look like you have any US-made Spydercos yet.

Then as M mak1277 a Mini Grip would let you try out a Benchmade, or maybe a Mini Bugout.

Finally Kershaw has some good options around that price range, like the Leek or Link or Dividend, and you can get some good steel too, like Magnacut (Leek, Dividend) or 20CV (Link).


(but really, give me another Delica and a LynchNW clip and I'm happy.)
 
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