Recommendation? Seeking gentleman's locking folder

Smaug

Smaug

Joined
Jun 30, 2003
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1,797
Here's what I have in mind:
  • Preferably a flipper, but thumb stud/disk could also be OK if the action is good
  • 3 to 3-3/4" blade
  • Preferably wood, bone, stag or micarta handles;
  • Pocket clip; tip up
  • Doesn't have to be top blade steel; I'm perfectly happy with AUS 8A, as this knife won't see heavy use. Mostly cutting fruit, I bet.
  • Looks classy
  • Under $200; closer to $100 would be better

Ones I'm considering so far:
  • Benchmade 940. ($183) Not really a gentleman's folder, but I'm sold it's pretty slicy, with that reverse tanto, and it looks good in the green or G10:
    Benchmade-Osborne-AXIS-Lock-Green-Satin-BHQ-0160-jr.jpg


  • Boker Kwaiken: ($140)
    Boker-Kwaiken-Tuxedo-Canvas-Micarta-Brass-SW-BHQ-77843-er.jpg


  • Boker SD3: ($230) This one looks GREAT, but kinda spendy... Might be too beefy for food prep. Something like this with good quality and a cheaper steel would be OK. Is this really 3X the knife as the Urban Trapper? Or twice the knife as the Kwaiken?
    Boker-SD-3-LL-Black-Micarta-Ti-Satin-110657-BHQ-71445-jr.jpg


  • Boker Urban Trapper: ($70) This looks about perfect. Quality issues noted, like lock stick and poor blade centering. Does anyone make a higher quality version of this?
    boker-01bo734-cm.jpg

Others I should consider?
 
That 940 is aluminum as I understand.

How about a Mini Crooked River and maybe one from their “custom” shop?
 
Google image search for: mcusta folding knives. You'll see alot of cool jdm gentleman's knives, some of which should fall into your categories. No flippers. Great prices. Steel that gets super sharp and easy to sharpen.

I avoid boker like the plauge and those specific models would not be idea for my use case. of the choices you've made I'd go 940. The 940-1 is a step up in gentleman's carry due to the carbon fiber. It's worth saving for and often in the exchange for cheaper than new. The 940 pictured is not a great slicer. BM is known for poor qc but I think boker is way less value, less qc etc than Benchmade's.

Ill take my 940-1 whenever I need something small and classy. Light use edc. Jogging or workout. Really light weight. A bit long to reprofile and use of diamonds helps. S30v is good though also recommend diamonds for sharpening but easier to sharpen than s90v.
 
Check out the AG Russel k12, interesting design compared to most knives I see now days with the handle. But that is not a bad thing
 
I'll throw in the Fox FX-525 Terzuola in either birch, olive, or bocote . Same size/ form factor as the 940 but more gentlemanly (at least to my eye). That being said, I also love my 940.

As for Boker, I had the SD2 (smaller cousin of the SD3) but sold it again. The F&F was great (these are made in Germany, hence the premium in prize), but it was too beefy for my taste... YMMV
 
Here are some of my go-to Gent-ish knives. Maybe not hitting all the bullet points, but comparing is half the fun in the search......maybe? ;)

The Massdrop Gent has been a bit popular in it's 15 minutes of Fame. Has had different options from wood, CF, and g10. I've played around with some DIY scales and had some fun with it. Actually the MD Falcon and Crux are refined enough for me to put them in my Gent category also.

2nb90s1.jpg


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I know CF wasn't listed, but I like it enough to add many models to my "fancy smancy" piles also. So most of my CF Spydies and ZT's find their way into my pockets often. The ZT 0450/0452(CF), 0770cf, 0562cf, 0850, 0804cf. And Spyders Positron & Chaparral often find my pockets.

kxjc4.jpg


10dcv9d.jpg


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A sleeper that caught me off guard is the Kizer Ki3452. Fun for the whole family.

29zer92.jpg
 
Check out the AG Russell medium folding Gents hunter, smooth as silk opening, decent steel and other handle materials available, I have the green G10 handle scales, it is contoured slightly to feel good in the hand. Lockback is a little near rear of handle, which I got used to, and the clip is not too big.
 
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I got a Massdrop Gent and I think it’s a good value for the price. It’s not an heirloom piece or the zenith of elegance, it’s certainly no Mnandi and the blade isn’t M390, but I find an $80 S35VN gent-ish size/style flipper hard to argue with. I hope to end up with a truly elegant gentleman’s knife some day, but that day hasn’t arrived yet. In the meantime, the MD Gent works fine for me.
 
Not exactly narrowing it down, eh?:D

Of the ones you posted, I've always like the BM Osborne. I had one when they first came out, and that's really about the only knife I regret selling. Very light, very unobtrusive, excellent lock and overall quality.

I still cringe at AUS8 in the Bokers. I like my 2 Vox f3s, but they are S30V/S35VN, fwiw. I'd be inclined towards the Trapper in VG10. I've handled the skeleton frame, and was favorably impressed, overall.

I really like my ZT 0452, but for something more sedate, the 0450CF would be light in the pocket and reasonable non-threatening.
 
I like the Boker Urban Trapper quite a lot and it would work very well for your application regardless of the occasional issue. I have not had any issues with mine that trouble me.
 
from the ones you posted, and in general, the kwaiken just says "gentelmen" to me.

Kizer Splinter and Matanzas might work for you too
spyderco smock with CF scales if you can find it

or, go more traditional
 
Of the three in the OP, I like the Kwaiken. I carry mine occasionally. But that urban trapper looks pretty sweet. I like the flippers!
 
Take a look at the Kershaw Leek, comes in numerous different styles and prices including rainbow. Affordable, opens very fast, thin in the pocket, and has a lock to prevent the blade from accidentally opening. Overall a great gentlemen's folder, IMHO.

 
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I warn you, if you get the 940 the choices for after market scales will make your head spin. DOAT (Death Of All Things) has some scales that can make the 940 look more impressive than the Mnandi...IMO.
 
Benchmade 490 has S90V, 3.25" blade. A secondary lock open and closed. AO makes it jump out like an auto. I think it's a cool knife and comes in at around 200. This one I got online for 155.

1e0zl3.jpg
 
Boozoo Chavis said:
Spyderco Chaparral with Raffir Noble scales is a beautiful little gent's with CTS-XHP steel. Very light at 2.3 oz.

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This is a great knife.

Another good option is the Spyderco Southard Positron. Full carbon scales, looks great and on sale for about $99. I love mine.
 
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