Need advice on lightweight EDC

S

son of soren

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Jul 16, 2021
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Excuse my ignorance, I am a long time camper/knife user but after some recent research realize my knowledge in knives is severely lacking (there are HOW MANY different types of steel!?).

I am looking for an EDC folding knife in Canada. I'd like a blade length in between 2-3" but could deviate somewhat for the right knife. Weight is less of an issue.
What I am REALLY having trouble with is finding one that is thin enough (not just a thin blade, but overall thin).

I finally settled on the SOG Ultra XR Carbon, only to find out they've been discontinued and I'm having trouble finding one at a decent price. Cabella's has them listed at 99$ CAD, but they are sold out online and have none in any local stores. I've found it at houseofknives.ca for 175$, which would have been fine had I not realized that Cabella's would have sold it for almost half that price were they in stock.

Anyway, I may pull the trigger and just pay the 175$, but figured I'd come here to see if anyone has any better suggestions, as there seems to be a TON of knowledge and experience here.

So, in summary, looking for a THIN, lightweight, EDC folding knife, budget would be approx 100-200$ CAD (80-160$ US).

Thanks in advance for your help, happy to re-post somewhere else if there is a more appropriate spot for this thread.

Son of Soren

Update: Thanks so much for all the responses! I think I am going to go with the Spyderco Chaparral FRN (if I can find it in stock anywhere). I'll update again once I've purchased to let you know my thoughts.

Update #2: I ended up with a Chaparral titanium, it was immediately available (I am impatient) and just at the top of my budget (200$ CAD). Man, this knife is SOLID. Right out of the box I can tell this is quality I am not used to. Ergonomics are great, size is perfect and fits well in my pocket and it is sharp as hell. I am now researching proper sharpening techniques/tools and slowly making a plan to replace all of my current knives with better quality pieces, I think I've stumbled into another expensive hobby, my wife may kill me lol.

Thanks again for all the help guys, hopefully one day I can contribute to these things as well!

Son of Soren

ps I tried to add a pic but can't figure out how to upload a file directly from my hard drive as opposed to a URL.
 
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Spyderco para 3? decently thin. Wells Blade Works (look him up on IG if you're not familiar) makes some stupid thin blades. His prices are very reasonable but might go over your budget. You'll have to investigate. The Manly Wasp was a very thin slip joint I had a while back. S90V too.
 
Spyderco Salt 2 (Green, LC200N.) Pretty thin, extremely light weight, blade size right in your range, and totally impervious to the elements including saltwater.
 
Chuck_Nunface said:
Spyderco para 3? decently thin. Wells Blade Works (look him up on IG if you're not familiar) makes some stupid thin blades. His prices are very reasonable but might go over your budget. You'll have to investigate. The Manly Wasp was a very thin slip joint I had a while back. S90V too.
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Just got mine in this week and it is as perfect an EDC as you're going to find. I got the G10 with S45VN and paid about $140 US after taxes. Look at the lightweight model too for around $100.

The BM mini bugout is pretty good too but the Para 3 with the compression look is much better.
 
That 0.2" thickness on the SOG Ultra XR is pretty tough to match! There are plenty of knives in your size range with notably thin handles -- around 0.4" to 0.45", say -- but the Ultra XR is optimized specifically for thinness, which is pretty uncommon.

In addition to what's already been recommended, check out Spyderco models with stainless handles. The stainless Delica trades weight for thinness, and comes in at 0.29" thick with a blade right in your sweet spot.

Personally, I'd probably sacrifice the ~0.1" and go with a Benchmade Mini Bugout. But I think the stainless Delica will be tough to beat if thinness takes priority. :)
 
Light? Like really light? And thin? An amazing slicer?

Spyderco Native lw, it's amazing!

jjEnPfZ.jpg
 
son of soren said:
Excuse my ignorance, I am a long time camper/knife user but after some recent research realize my knowledge in knives is severely lacking (there are HOW MANY different types of steel!?).

I am looking for an EDC folding knife in Canada. I'd like a blade length in between 2-3" but could deviate somewhat for the right knife. Weight is less of an issue.
What I am REALLY having trouble with is finding one that is thin enough (not just a thin blade, but overall thin).
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I like my Spyderco Para3 lightweight. It should be in the right size range that you're looking for.

Other Canadian online retailers include https://www.srknivesandswords.com/ and https://www.warriorsandwonders.com/
They are pricier than US retailers, but some have experienced issues with shipping items across the border with overly-enthusiastic CBSA agents. Also, cross border shipping is a bit of a mess.
 
Spyderco has a variety of thin, lighweight blades in various steels that would fit your criteria. Have a look at Benchmade's Bugout and Manly's Wasp, as well.
 
son of soren said:
Excuse my ignorance, I am a long time camper/knife user but after some recent research realize my knowledge in knives is severely lacking (there are HOW MANY different types of steel!?).

I am looking for an EDC folding knife in Canada. I'd like a blade length in between 2-3" but could deviate somewhat for the right knife. Weight is less of an issue.
What I am REALLY having trouble with is finding one that is thin enough (not just a thin blade, but overall thin).

I finally settled on the SOG Ultra XR Carbon, only to find out they've been discontinued and I'm having trouble finding one at a decent price. Cabella's has them listed at 99$ CAD, but they are sold out online and have none in any local stores. I've found it at houseofknives.ca for 175$, which would have been fine had I not realized that Cabella's would have sold it for almost half that price were they in stock.

Anyway, I may pull the trigger and just pay the 175$, but figured I'd come here to see if anyone has any better suggestions, as there seems to be a TON of knowledge and experience here.

So, in summary, looking for a THIN, lightweight, EDC folding knife, budget would be approx 100-200$ CAD (80-160$ US).

Thanks in advance for your help, happy to re-post somewhere else if there is a more appropriate spot for this thread.

Son of Soren
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Check with Sisusari, he has a Spyderco Chaparral for sale and he’s taking offers
 
Besides the usual suspect(Spydie Para3 lightweight, BM Bugout), why not also consider an Opinel? Definitely one of the thinnest and lightest in the market, and inexpensive too!

uA306bs.jpg
 
comis said:
Besides the usual suspect(Spydie Para3 lightweight, BM Bugout), why not also consider an Opinel? Definitely one of the thinnest and lightest in the market, and inexpensive too!

uA306bs.jpg
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IANAL, but potentially problematic with Canadian law.
As I understood it (and I'm known to *be* wrong), can't really have it concealed. Generally cops don't care about slip-joint SAKs, but not sure how they'd feel about Opinels. Some do consider clipping it to the pocket to be visible.
 
I would suggest an Otter Messer Mercator. Comes in brass, copper and steel. Stainless or carbon. Two different sizes. About as thin as you can go on a knife but still has the ability to work hard.

s-l1000.jpg
 
OP, since the Mercator was mentioned I would recommend the Douk Douk as well. Same vein as the Mercator, but no lock. That said, it doesn’t need one - the things snap like a gator so not much risk of it folding unless you fold it.

Best thing is they cut well, they’re thin as you can get, tough as a brick sh!thouse, and cheap as chips.

 
Delica is certainly a good option. Can also look at the Cold Steel Mini Recon 1. Have both and just checked...they are the same thickness (~3/8"). CS has a few offerings in that thickness (Air Lite, Code 4, etc), but they have longer blades.
 
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