mid sized "gentleman" folder

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ZMW
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mid sized "gentleman" folder

#1

Post by ZMW »

So guys, I am looking for a new Spydie and need some guidance. I have smaller folders (Urban k390 and Dfly salt SE) and some larger users (pac Salt and millie in S90v). I am going to sell my Stretch 1 in ZDP and want to roughly flip that into a nicer gentleman folder. I was gonna try the manix LW S110v, but for my users I am covered (plus fixed blades when needed), and I love FRN but want a little nicer feel.

I love the delica size +/-, but want a nicer piece. Roughly for what I can sell my Stretch for, maybe a few bucks more. Any ideas?

Mantra comes to mind, but its a little more then I want to spend. I have never used M4 before. Any other good options? blade steel in none S30V (solely because I want to also try different steels out, more so for fun then actual need).

Gayle Bradley comes to mind, but that might a little larger then I am looking for.

I have K390 in an Urban, S90V in a Millie, ZDP (Stretch), H1, VG10, S30v.
ZMW
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#2

Post by ZMW »

I almost want to get real weird and get a Parata. VG 10, but it looks so funky!
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ladybug93
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#3

Post by ladybug93 »

what about a yojimbo? i slept on that model for a long time and it’s one of my favorites now. it’s just so cool looking and it very functional too.
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
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steelcity16
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#4

Post by steelcity16 »

Chap LW all the way. FRN, but has a nicer feel to it than the Seki models. I love the wafer-thinness of the scales and the entire package. Slicey blade in a hard to get steel. Good price. And the action is a smooth as glass. If you never had one you owe it to yourself.

Otherwise maybe a Native Jade G10/ DLC M4? This, the Chap LW, and the Native Salt are the three I rotate for EDC.
:bug-white-red CRU-CARTA THE SEKI MODELS! :bug-white-red AND BRING US THE DODO-FLY! :bug-white-red
ZMW
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#5

Post by ZMW »

I should clarify. I was hoping for an upgraded handle material. Ti or CF, something upgraded. I have almost all FRN and love it, but wanted 1 knife a little nicer.

I keep comparing a mantra 2 vs a 0450 ZR right now. Any other similar sized options I am missing?
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Sharp Guy
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#6

Post by Sharp Guy »

Get one of the Sages
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most!
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steelcity16
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#7

Post by steelcity16 »

ZMW wrote:
Tue Apr 09, 2019 10:56 pm
I should clarify. I was hoping for an upgraded handle material. Ti or CF, something upgraded. I have almost all FRN and love it, but wanted 1 knife a little nicer.

I keep comparing a mantra 2 vs a 0450 ZR right now. Any other similar sized options I am missing?

Any of the other Chaps then? Or Sages as sharp guy said?
:bug-white-red CRU-CARTA THE SEKI MODELS! :bug-white-red AND BRING US THE DODO-FLY! :bug-white-red
tbdoc4kids
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#8

Post by tbdoc4kids »

Take a look at the Ikuchi. Yeah, its s30V, but CF handle and very gentlemanly despite its length.
ZMW
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#9

Post by ZMW »

The Ikuchi looks awesome! Even though its S30V, that is a good option. S30V is great, I was just hoping for some diversity...
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ladybug93
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#10

Post by ladybug93 »

ZMW wrote:
Tue Apr 09, 2019 11:07 pm
I was just hoping for some diversity...
victorinox farmer
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
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rabbitanarchy14
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#11

Post by rabbitanarchy14 »

native has many gentleman type handles. so does the chap. but i am a huge fan of g10 which to me is an upgrade to frn anyway. if i was looking 3" i would get a para 3 but you said gentleman like.
192.168.0.1 -Para 3 G10 M390 Red, Dice XHP, Lil Native Rex 45 comp, Manix 2 M390 G10 BR, PM2 M390 DLC BL, PM2 k390 RGreen, Cat BD1N, Dragonfly 2 k390
Saving for - Lil Native K390, D'allara 3, UTX-70
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Wartstein
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#12

Post by Wartstein »

Two points:

1.) I'd think twice before selling a ZDP Stretch 1 (or any Stretch 1)...
2.) Other than that: I second the suggestion of getting a Chap! Even the FRN version looks quite "gentleman-ish", but the knife is capable of much more than just "light urban tasks". Trust me, I tested it really hard lately.
And for me it's probably the best "bang for the buck"-knife Spyderco offers, concerning steel, design, and the incredibly well done fit and finish (especially the way the lock is done is great).

But of course the Chap is not "mid sized" exactly as you required, but rather small. Though it offers almost the same amount of edge as a Delica.
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
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Wartstein
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#13

Post by Wartstein »

Let me add to my post above: How about "pimping" your Stretch into something more gentleman-like? Aftermarker CF scales for example? ;) (I know, that would be quite expensive, for you logically would not have the funds from selling the Stretch).
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
ZMW
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#14

Post by ZMW »

Wartstein wrote:
Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:05 am
Let me add to my post above: How about "pimping" your Stretch into something more gentleman-like? Aftermarker CF scales for example? ;) (I know, that would be quite expensive, for you logically would not have the funds from selling the Stretch).
Haha, I like the idea of “pimping” my current knife out. That may not be my end goal, but interesting idea
spyderwolf
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#15

Post by spyderwolf »

Sage 5.CF scale,compression lock,wire clip...elegant,discreet and highly capable.
Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt.
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Wartstein
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#16

Post by Wartstein »

ZMW wrote:
Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:15 am
Wartstein wrote:
Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:05 am
Let me add to my post above: How about "pimping" your Stretch into something more gentleman-like? Aftermarker CF scales for example? ;) (I know, that would be quite expensive, for you logically would not have the funds from selling the Stretch).
Haha, I like the idea of “pimping” my current knife out. That may not be my end goal, but interesting idea
Cuscadi and Suingab have some really nice scales... but to be honest, probably I am just trying to talk you out of selling your Stretch 1 ;) When it comes to this model, I am one of the most biased persons in the universe, and cannot understand how anyone would ever want to get rid of it, so better don´t listen to me... ;)

As for the Chap: I made two quick pics for you (attached), so you can compare it to the Stretch (which you have) and the Delica (which size you said you like). You can see: The Chap is much shorter (and slimmer, not to be seen on the pic) than a Delica, but the blade is almost of the same length.

Spyderwolf just suggested the Sage 5 I noticed. Very good idea, but I´d still prefer the Chap slightly for it´s thinner blade (better in a smaller knife, just imho of course)
Attachments
20190410_080915.jpg
20190410_080817.jpg
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
ZMW
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#17

Post by ZMW »

Dang that chap handle is smaller then I thought, compared to the delica. But I bet it works nice with the choil. The stretch is awesome, I just never carry it. I either go smaller or larger, but recently I realized my only “upscale” knife is my Millie which is too large to carry sometimes.
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Wartstein
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#18

Post by Wartstein »

ZMW wrote:
Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:42 am
Dang that chap handle is smaller then I thought, compared to the delica. But I bet it works nice with the choil. The stretch is awesome, I just never carry it. I either go smaller or larger, but recently I realized my only “upscale” knife is my Millie which is too large to carry sometimes.
You´re right, with my L to XL hands on the Chap I have to use the choil to get a good four finger grip. Behind the choil it´s merely a 3 and 1/2 grip.
But that´s ok, I mainly grip it choked up (which is very comfortable for such a thin knife), only when doing extended work I switch to the 3 and 1/2 grip sometimes, which also works fine.
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
Tdog
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#19

Post by Tdog »

The Caly 3 and 3.5 both carry small and cut large. Fine knives.
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Larry_Mott
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Re: mid sized "gentleman" folder

#20

Post by Larry_Mott »

It is amazing how diverse people's opinion of "gentleman's folder can be..
To me it would be a Kopa, Buck Duke or one of the dressier Chaparrals
Personally i'm at a loss for words reading suggestions like Manix lw and Yojimbo (no offense) :)
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