Recommendation. Replacing Gerber EAB with stronger folder. Keeping it the same size..

M

Mohawk Dave

Joined
May 13, 2015
Messages
14
Hey guys,

First off, wanted to say thanks for the recommendation for the Benchmade Adamas (replaced CRKT M16-14). I carry this in my front pocket and more often than not it's used more as an abused tool than a knife.

Anyway, I have been carrying a Gerber EAB in my back pocket so that I always had a super sharp edge for whatever light weight stuff was needed. However, I want to replace it with an actual blade of the same size. One thing that comes to mind was cutting off a limited access heater hose and having to pry the hard part off the heater core. The EAB is obviously too weak for that and snaps the blade. (Friends car. No tool kit)

Knife needs to be small. The EAB width is .25". I'd like to stay there as it goes in back pocket off to the side of 5.11 pants, and I do not sit on it.

I really want the Serge Thorn. But at ~$250, I'll have to wait. http://www.arizonacustomknives.com/thorn-friction-folder-by-serge-panchenko-148787.aspx

Hoping to stay around ~$50 give or take. Go more if exponentially better.

Boker Plus Subcom F. Reviews on BF look pretty good. ~$35 http://www.amazon.com/Boker-Subcom-...8&qid=1432318831&sr=8-4&keywords=boker+subcom

Spyderco Dog Tag Folder or Squarehead - (can I mod a pocket clip on it?)
Gerber Ridge
Gerber Mini-Remix
CRKT KISS

I think the Spyderco dog tag and squarehead is deviating from the type of knife I'm looking for. Anything else like the Serge Thorn?

CLIFF NOTES:

1/4" width and flat with clip
Small, low profile.
Plain Edge
Good for precision work

What do you guys think? Thanks, -Mohawk Dave

IMG_9123.JPG
 
Last edited:
Subcom is a nice little folder. I recommend the Wharcom more. I like the blade shape and the point of the wharncliffe blade might suit certain cutting tasks better (depending on what you are doing of course). Makes a nice money clip too.

Cold Steel has the Mini Tuff series and Micro Recon. I have heard good things about them considering the basic models are under/at $20.
 
The Thorn is a great option.
I would also take a look at the Strider PT.
It's 6 and change inches open, you can really choke up on it, and the blade is just around 2 inches when you subtract the choil.

Going to be hard to replace the utility of being able to replace the blade on the EAB, but if you are good at keeping a knife sharp, the extra flexibility of a knife vs a dedicated box cutter will come in handy.....

You can find one on the forum for around $250 (well beyond your budget) but it's a great tool that will just keep working.

For size reference, the hardwood below is 2 inches wide...



 
Yep, the Thorn is awesome.

On the wallet friendlier side, I'd echo the Micro Recon 1 from Cold Steel, probably the tanto configuration.

Possibly the Benchmade Harley Davidson Money Clip.... Levitator is it called?

Save up the money and get the Thorn... hey, buy once and cry once.... kinda my credo of late. :)
 
Last edited:
Since you like that friction folder, are you into traditional folders? I've been recommending Jim Dunlap's work around here quite a bit lately, and for the price, his work is phenomenal. The knife below was around $250 after shipping. If you're considering the Serge, this is another small/light option.

This is his shadow trapper, and it weighs under an ounce (mines exactly 27.85 grams). It's small enough to fit in any pocket, and light enough that you won't even know it's there. He also makes them in many different types of carbon fiber, or you can hit him up and maybe have one made to your specs.

Get what you want, that Serge is an awesome knife I bet, I'm just throwing out another great option for something small, light, and beautiful:) and plus, Jim doesn't get enough press around here IMO.

EC38F417-DEFA-47AE-9E48-CEC8E0CBF42B_zpstzcxpt4i.jpg


B5495DC2-B423-42F4-B6CB-563D201D22AD_zpsg85pyecr.jpg
 
Velitrius said:
Yep, the Thorn is awesome.

SNIP....

Save the money and get the Thorn... hey, buy once and cry once.... kinda my credo of late. :)
Click to expand...

Yep. I agree. I'm a toolhound and my shop is full of "buy once, cry once". I keep looking at all the other knives I posted and keep coming back to the Thorn. Truth be told, there's enough stuff laying around my shop and house I can throw on the bay real quick that would pay for the Thorn and not even miss the coin.
 
That's the spirit, Dave...

You poor bloke, you asked for a recommendation around 50 bucks and the first three hoseheads tell you to get a Thorn, a Strider, and a Custom Jim Dunlap. LOL!

You did say that you'd go more if it was exponentially better... too bad it's also exponentially more. But thus is the nature of the get-what-you-really-want club. We should make T-Shirts for our support group.
 
At or around $50, the ESEE Izula would seem to fit your needs.
 
I have heard that esee izulas aren't great for detailed work, but are more suited to survival. If you want a small fixed blade that you can edc and use for detail work, look at the Bradford guardian 3.
 
Velitrius said:
That's the spirit, Dave...

You poor bloke, you asked for a recommendation around 50 bucks and the first three hoseheads tell you to get a Thorn, a Strider, and a Custom Jim Dunlap. LOL!

You did say that you'd go more if it was exponentially better... too bad it's also exponentially more. But thus is the nature of the get-what-you-really-want club. We should make T-Shirts for our support group.
Click to expand...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1291084-BladeForums-TShirts-are-now-available!
 
SRM 605/6050 and 681/6081. The latter is REALLY small, like maybe even cigarette sized... both are way below budget, small, slick, pocket clip. Steel is probably better than the standard razor blades too...
 
gazz98 said:
Subcom is a nice little folder. I recommend the Wharcom more. I like the blade shape and the point of the wharncliffe blade might suit certain cutting tasks better (depending on what you are doing of course). Makes a nice money clip too.

Cold Steel has the Mini Tuff series and Micro Recon. I have heard good things about them considering the basic models are under/at $20.
Click to expand...

Minor wrinkle: the Wharcom is no longer produced. I also own a Mini Tuff and it's excellent. The Micro Recon is a little small for easy manipulation, unlike the Subcom and Mini Tuff. The Tuff Lite is also within the price point and excellent, but it's a little bigger than the OP was thinking.
 
Last edited:
Mini Tuff, Boker Nano, CRKT Kiss. I would be carrying a Leatherman Skeletool CX. It's no bigger than a midsized folder, has a pocket clip, real pliers, screwdriver bits and about a 2 1/2“ blade of nice steel.

I have the EAB and use it as a money clip. The Skeletool is about the same width (1 1/4"), longer (4" vs. 3") and thicker (3/8" vs 1/4") but carries extremely well.
 
Last edited:
I love this thread. I'm looking for something very similar. I carry a regular rotating EDC clipped in my front pocket, but have been debating adding a small fixed neck/horizontal belt mount or a back pocket low profile folder. I've really been considering the Esee Izula because of it's simplicity and track record, but this thread is making me second guess myself and think about just adding a back pocket option. It sounds like you've written off the dog tag. I'm curious (and have no experience with it), why does it not work for you?
 
Modding the Thorn to accept a pocket clip is easy. (Is that sac-relig on BF?)

But what about a detent ball for the blade. I'm assuming the handle thickness is about 0.125", so that's pretty tight tolerances to drill a hole, place spring, and press in a ball. Or thru drill, and add set screw....even more difficult I'd think. Or TIG a small bump???

Ideas on modding a beautiful $250 knife?
 
Stop and see him at the Blade show. I bet he'd mount a clip on one for you.

And if you don't like the result, I'll buy the coolest money clip in the neighborhood off ya in a jiffy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top