Looking For a Narrow 3"ish Spyderco Folder

[MatthewSB]

My Dad needs a new knife, but doesn't like my Para2 or Native because of how thick they are. He's been carrying a Benchmade 530 and likes it, but has caught "the bug" and wants mroe knives!

I want to get him a Spyderco, but it must be narrow, and the smoother sided the better. I'm looking for something with a blade around 3", but with as narrow a handle as possible. It also must lock open. I've never held a Sage or a Caly3 or a Chaparral etc. I do have a Cat on its way for my wife, that might do the trick for him as well.

If a Spyderco won't work I'll probably get him an Al Mar or Moki...

[gbelleh]

Sounds like a Centofante 3 would be perfect.

[this_is_nascar]

Chaparral is thin, but is a bit shy on the 3" blade requirement.

[xceptnl]

I would suggest the Caly 3 CF / ZDP or the Centofante 3

[tvenuto]

Chap fits these requirements perfectly.

[A-Ro]

Since you said 3ish, the Chaparral is VERY thin and a great EDC.

[The Deacon]

If you're talking narrow, rather than thin, your best bets would be the Centofante Memory and the Des Horn. If you can wait a bit, there's also a new 3" bladed Kiwi coming out sometime this year.

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

Caly 3. Though Deacons are the best suggestions....

[bearfacedkiller]

Centofante3 or caly3 would be close to a 530. The 530 is a spear point and is very thin and light. There aren't many knives that thin or light. The centofante3 cost around the same as the 530 and the caly3 costs a little more but is available in cf/zdp. All of the suggestions above are great too. The chaparral is great but is not pointy like the 530 if that matters. The des horn is another thin and narrow knife around 3 inches that is very pointy. Stainless delica is smooth and thin and light.

Lots of options!

[CanadaDude]

The Chokwe.

[ASmitty]

Go on the Bay and see if you can find him a stainless steel handled Rookie for a reasonable price.

I also really like the compactness of the Delica 4, but I'm not sure if that's narrow enough for your purposes.

[xceptnl]

Go on the Bay and see if you can find him a stainless steel handled Rookie for a reasonable price.

I also really like the compactness of the Delica 4, but I'm not sure if that's narrow enough for your purposes.

That is a really good suggestion, any of the older all stainless knives are super thin. I still carry my stainless Caly Jr. from time to time.

[Chris_H]

I concur with The Deacon's recommendations for a Centofante Memory or Des Horn. The Centofante 3 is another good choice form the others and based on your criteria.

Just to mix it up, I'll throw in a disco'd model -- Jess Horn II (C34) or Jess Horn Lightweight (C38). The lightweight had a sprint run several years back which was a laminated ZDP-189/420J2 blade with burgundy FRN handles.

[xceptnl]

I think the OP was speaking to the thickness of the handle (handle to handle), not so much the height of the handle (spine to backspacer). The 530 BM is a tough knife to compete with in that category. I love the Jess Horns, but they seem a bit more full in the handle (especially the FRN lightweights).

[Blerv]

I've yet to add one to my collection but people speak very highly of the Bradley Air.

[Janfrederik]

Doesn't get much slimmer than the Vallotton.

[hiredgun]

My recommendations are the Caly 3.5, the Des Horn, Cento3 or the soon-to-be-released Kiwi 4.

[Holland]

Chaparral would fit the bill nicely

[bh49]

I am with Paul: dess horn, or Centofante memory. Cento and cento2 would do the trick, but it is harder to find.

[gbelleh]

Narrowness and thinness would get very different suggestions. Lots of very thin Spydies. Not so many very narrow ones.