Slim Spydies - Recommendations?

[RamZar]

When you said slim ike Benchmade 940 and ZT 0450 it's clear that your're looking for folders with narrower overall widths.

Spyderco Centofante Memory, Mantra2, Air, Positron, Des Horn and the upcoming Brouwer & Hanan.

Most Spydercos are fairly wide by nature due to the blade hole.

[Hopweaver]

I think the Spyderco PM2 carries surprisingly slim. But that might be skewed compared to my normal EDC, the Military.

It is likely difficult to manufacture a very slim knife as you describe it and also include the Spydie Hole. For that reason, when I occasionally want to carry a super slim folder I reach for one of my Boker Kwaikens (mini or full size). They better fit your description of a slim folder.

[RamZar]

To me there are two types of slimness in a folder. One is handle thickness and the other is overall maximum width. I think the poster was referring to overall maxium width as pointed to by BM 940 and ZT 0450. A folder with smaller handle thickness can still occupy considerable pocket space if it's too wide like the Manix.

[Evil D]

Depends on how you're referring to "slim". Do you mean a slim blade as in thin blade stock, or do you mean short blade height from edge to spine, or do you mean slim in grip thickness, or slim in the overall width when folded in your pocket?

Apologies for not being clear. I'm mostly referring to slim as in distance from back of scales/handle to top of spine of blade. I'd guess you'd say I'm referring to the overall width of the knife. With the BM940, for example, it's only about an inch or so wide. That's how I was defining slim.

Check out the Mantra 2 and Southard. Both of those are pretty low profile overall. The Mantra 2 is slim all over, it's pretty thin in the handle width too and disappears in your pocket. The Southard is thicker and heavier but is a really solid knife.

[RickC27]

I hate to beat a dead horse here, but I'm telling you...I don't know how any knife can be any slimmer than the Chaparral with frn. I'm amazed by that thing. Grab some change from your pocket, stack it up. I bet the Chap is as thin as 3 or 4 quarters stacked on top of each other (excluding pocket clip) Even in terms of width it's much slimmer than any other Spyderco I own.

[RamZar]

I hate to beat a dead horse here, but I'm telling you...I don't know how any knife can be any slimmer than the Chaparral with frn. I'm amazed by that thing. Grab some change from your pocket, stack it up. I bet the Chap is as thin as 3 or 4 quarters stacked on top of each other (excluding pocket clip) Even in terms of width it's much slimmer than any other Spyderco I own.

Chaparral is slim in handle thickness. However, Mantra2, Positron, Centofante Memory and Air are all narrower in overall width (not thickness). Actually, Chaparral is about as wide as my Native5. Both Native5 and Chaparral are narrower than Delica4, Para3, Sage5, etc.

[foofie]

The positron also fits your definition of slim.

[Mad Mac]

In spite of its wicked recurve blade, the Ulize, though a bit lengthy, is a surprisingly slim bit of kit.



If not put off by the Tanto blade, the Double Bevel is a little charmer.

[QUICKSILVER]

Check the Caly 3.5. Open it has a longer thinner look than most Spidies but closed it is about the same as most with the hole. This is my EDC. It is max legal for Colorado and nice in the pocket.
It would be helpful if you gave us more information. About what size & kind of blade are seeking? Are you looking only for Spyderco? Are you interested in carry ease which depends on overall bulk and handle thickness?
The Des Horn and the Centofante Air have the narrowest handles of the 26 Spides I own. But they are very small knives. The Des Horn is harder to open than most.
Both the Kershaw 3410 Chill by RJ Martin and the Boker Urban Trapper are longer narrow knives that I like.
Bill Maier

[mad german]

Thx all. I'll have a look at the Mantra and the Positron. As mentioned, the spyder hole is going to make most blades seem wide. I've got a fair number of PM2's and they are wide (to me), as is the Manix. One of the things I really like about my 940 and ZT0450 is how my hand slips right past them when I reach into my pocket. Not so much with my PM2, Manix, Para 3, and to a lesser extent, my Native 5 G-10.

[mad german]

That Mantra looks nice. It doesn't appear to have a lockbar insert on it, however.

Both Mantras have the lock bar insert.

I see the lockbar insert. Is it just an overtravel stop or does it actually function as a interface between the lock and blade?

[SpyderNut]

Definitely check out the Spyderco Centofante II (C50). It’s been discontinued for many years, but they occasionally pop up on the secondary market in good condition. One of my all time favorite designs, especially for ultra lightweight and slim carry.

[Sharp Guy]

I see the lockbar insert. Is it just an overtravel stop or does it actually function as a interface between the lock and blade?

Interface

[Donut]

The Goddard series is pretty thin from spine to back of the blade when closed.

[hoimin]

The upcoming Hanan might be of interest.

[dreadpirate]

That Mantra looks nice. It doesn't appear to have a lockbar insert on it, however. Have there been any issues with the Mantra's bearings and washers?

Thx guys!

I have a Mantra for over a year and it's fine. Don't think twice, get one.

[ferider]

My slimmest Spydies are the the ZDP Caly 3.5 and Stretch 2, Chinook 4, and the Police 4. Might want to check them out, depending on blade length you want. They all beat a ZT 0452 wrt slimness (don't have the 0450 to compare). That Chinook is amazing - so much knife in a relatively small package ...

[mad german]

Mantra 2 it is. My wallet hates all of you...LOL!

[Sjucaveman]

Mantra 2 it is. My wallet hates all of you...LOL!

And it always will, we're enablers of the highest order.

[RickC27]

Mantra 2 it is. My wallet hates all of you...LOL!

And it always will, we're enablers of the highest order.

Truth!! I came into this knife thing saying I'd never spend over $50 on a pocket knife. Then it was $100, then $150 when i got my PM2...then last night i found myself browsing the spydiechef and Gayle Bradley.