Best 3" or Under EDC for Misc Use + Self Defense?

[Michael Bolton]

So I've been EDCing a Chinook for the past few days but am a little wary of a.) how people kinda gasp when I use it for misc tasks like cutting down a box/opening packages and b.) if I ever needed to use it in a SD situation, the blade length is like 4"!!

I'm thinking of going back to my blue Yojimbo + Lava as my EDCs. I like how the Yojimbo's blade is under 3" and is such a great impact tool, and the lava is such an unassuming folder as well. Can anyone recommend any other solid 3" or under EDCs that would also double as solid SD tools (both for cutting and striking?). The Chinook is a little intense, didn't realize it was going to be quite as big as it is when I ordered it. Plus, in NYC, getting caught with a blade over 4" is apparently as bad as getting caught with a handgun. I'm kinda scared that the Chinook 3 is walking right on the edge....

I have my eye on a lil Temp but everyone is trying to flip theirs for around the $200 range, a little high for me....

How's the Caly 3?

:spyder:

[ozspyder]

Lava and Yojimbo are awesome knives. Though a bit more specialised in that they are specifically designed fo SD or MBC.

Caly 3...... **** yeah ! Go for it. One of the best folders currenly in production by Spyderco. Great all rounder. Nice belly for slicing, leaf point blade...just in case you needed to push forward on it . Unassuming design that should not scare many people, great fit and finish.

Another concurrently running thread shows it in hand. Check out the photos, and on top of that a few reviews in the forums here on the somewhat magical properties of the Caly 3 and its variants.

Other blades you might want to consider are:
Native I, II, or III
Dragonfly
Caly Jr

Others will add to this :D

Cheers
Dan

[Michael Bolton]

Thanks, Datan. I wanted to grow the Spydie collection with a couple of lesser-expensive models making their way into the EDC rotation to hold at bay the wear-and-tear to the more expensive pieces I have...

[KaliGman]

As far as Spydies, looking at stuff for possible SD (and maybe closed as an impact tool) use, I would go with blade length of 3 1/4" and under which would allow me to slip in the Paramilitary.

My recommendations--Delica, Delica Wave, C105 Persian (Schempp designs look classy and are quite capable in the "kick the dog snot out of this bad guy" category as well), Paramilitary and Captain (the shape of the handle and the grind on the back of the blade of the Captain allows for some interesting compliance and pressure point techniques). All of these are good.

[Billy]

Michael, you should really consider a waved D4 as a sub-3" general purpose EDC/SD knife. In fact, any D4 would fit your intended purpose but the wave feature makes for a wickedly fast presentation. I am currently EDC'ing my new G-10 E4 and REALLY like the G-10 handles and FFG blade over the FRN models. Although my waved E4 is still one of my favorite knives. If you can live with the 3.75" blade in a much less intimidating package than the Chinook, you should check out the Enduras as well. I have a pink one and carry it often and that very pleasing color lessens the intimidation factor as well. :)

Also, just to be clear, your Chinook has a 3.75" blade, not 4". It's just the rest of the package that makes it seem much bigger than it is. :D

[spyderskin]

I agree with KaliGman, Delica Wave=Perfect, I got one brand new on Ebay for 46 bucks, waiting for it to come in mail.. If you wanted to go bigger Endura Wave, but the Caly is outstanding to.. :spyder:

[Shike]

Delica.

[Jay_Ev]

I would like to suggest the Native as another one you should consider. Affordable, and there is a version made in Colorado if that is one of your knife buying criteria.

-Jay

[skcusloa]

go waved....

caly jr is a good choice too. FRN is tough stuff.

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: I really like the baby-manix, great punyo strikes! :spyder:

[Michael Bolton]

As far as Spydies, looking at stuff for possible SD (and maybe closed as an impact tool) use, I would go with blade length of 3 1/4" and under which would allow me to slip in the Paramilitary.

My recommendations--Delica, Delica Wave, C105 Persian (Schempp designs look classy and are quite capable in the "kick the dog snot out of this bad guy" category as well), Paramilitary and Captain (the shape of the handle and the grind on the back of the blade of the Captain allows for some interesting compliance and pressure point techniques). All of these are good.

Thanks for the info KaliGman! I will definitely look into your suggestions. I like the Para-Military but I see that it only has a tip-down carry. I've found that I am a tip-up kinda guy. You know I have been kicking around the idea of taking a look at the Delica or Delica Wave and I also have as of yet to acquire a Schempp design...maybe the mini-Persian is the way to go....Do the Delica and mini-Persian have long enough handles to utilize as effective striking/compliance tools? One thing that I really like about the Yojimbo, for instance, is that it juts out of both the forward and back of the hand for hammer fist striking and forward striking.

ps. I have never seen the wave design on the delica in action (in person)...is it an effective opening technique?

pss. Anyone know why Spyderco designed the Paramilitary only for tip-down carry? Curious....

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: The mini persian's a bit small, barely enough to get four fingers on it. The full sized persian is much better. :spyder:

[markg]

Delica...

1.) Strong enough for the task

2.) Easily replaced if lost/stolen/confiscated

3.) Small enough to keep you out of trouble, yet still most can get a good 4 finger grip on it

4.) Has a trainer

5.) Can get a waved version if you like

[matmat]

I think karambit maybe good for SD, but not very suitable for every day chores. I think may harpy or the like will work for you.

[Agent Starling]

hi Michael Bolton,

many good suggestions already have been put forth in the previous posts...I'll echo the notion of the Delica or Endura as excellent SD knives :) ...the wave feature is very effective; however, it does take a bit of practice to get it to deploy smoothly, at least in my hands...in my opinion the Native is not the way to go...while it's a great user knife in every way, I find that the smallish hole plus its location on the blade make it hard to open and slow to deploy...therefore not the most effective option out there for SD...YMMV. :D

Agent Starling

[224477]

Get a waved D4 :cool:
You can get another two as spare ones

[Billy]

ps. I have never seen the wave design on the delica in action (in person)...is it an effective opening technique?

Go to youtube and search "Spyderco wave". There are a few good video of waved openings that show the quickness of the presentation. My E4 is, hands down, the fastest opening knife I own. It does take a little practice and through practicing, I have found that my openings are most consistent (as much so as regular one-handed openings), when I carry it in my back right pocket. I think you will be pleased if you pick up a waved D4. Also for the price point, you could get one "regular" D4 for daily chores and carry the waved one in your back pocket as your dedicated SD knife. :cool:

Have fun with your decision!

[Michael Bolton]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Yes, I think it is a good idea to add a "sacrificable" Spydie to the collection. The fact that the Endure or Delica is so easily replacable is really keen. I think I'm going to go the Delica/Endura route. One final question is, is the Endura very big? I am definately looking to go the more "mellow" looking knife and it looks like the Endura is also sporting the same sized blade as the Chinook III.... Is FRN as sturdy as G10?

The mini-Persian is also looking mighty tempting as well. I might have to go the mini-Persian + Endure/Delica route...

:spyder:

hi Michael Bolton,

many good suggestions already have been put forth in the previous posts...I'll echo the notion of the Delica or Endura as excellent SD knives :) ...the wave feature is very effective; however, it does take a bit of practice to get it to deploy smoothly, at least in my hands...in my opinion the Native is not the way to go...while it's a great user knife in every way, I find that the smallish hole plus its location on the blade make it hard to open and slow to deploy...therefore not the most effective option out there for SD...YMMV. :D

Agent Starling

[MAT888]

Michael;

Anyone of these will do i guess. Although the little non-spydie is concidered as a last ditch backup in case of SD:



Agent Starling:

I have to disagree on your opinion about the Native.
In my configuration it will surely do.
Watch this example of the zipwave :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlTCeParLn4

[KaliGman]

With a little technique and training, you can use the Delica and the small Persian for punyo (butt) strikes. As has been indicated, the grip is just enough for your four fingers, so you don't have a lot of spare punyo, but it can be done. Also, just as I have shown with the Lava, the front of a closed small knife can be used quite effectively.

As for the wave, it works well until it doesn't. What I mean by that is that it is a very quick way to deploy a blade on a folding knife, but that sometimes it will not wave all the way open under stress, or it will get caught on the lining of a pocket, etc. As long as you continue to practice alternative deployments for the "in case the wave fails" situations, waves can be very good--they give you another opening option. That said, in general I prefer my Spydercos non-waved and most of my Emersons waved. I find it a bit easier to bypass the wave at speed, should I need to pull the knife but not yet deploy it (a good idea in many a situation) with the Emerson wave. Besides, I practice deploying all of my knives from various grasps, with either hand, etc., and can pretty much open them no matter how I grab them.

It is probably good to have a Delica wave in the collection (you seem to have the start of a good addiction errr collection :D ), so I would pick one up. I would look into getting a mini Persian too. In fact, I think I have talked myself into buying another Persian, "just in case." :) The Endura, based on your criteria in the first post, would be a bit large: overall length of 8 3/4" when open, blade 3 3/4" (compared to your Chinook 3--overall length 8 9/16", blade 3 3/4") [all measurements from the current Spyderco catalog].