Although I typically EDC a Leatherman Wave, I find that the PS4, which is on my EDC keyring, has a blade that is quite adequate for nearly all urban/office situations. It looks exceedingly innocuous, and the small pliers are great for pulling staples. I can soon even carry it when flying (maybe).

I prefer the pliers on the Squirt ES4 since they are more of a needlenose and because I work around electronics on occasion; the wire strippers are very capable. For those times when one must associate with TSA ... I do not trust them to not change the rules yet again As for regular locking folders, the Delica is a great knife in that size, but a tad too pointy for me, so as previously mentioned, I opted for the Benchmade mini-Griptilian and specifically DR's version. The Delica is definitely thinner overall, but the mini-Grip is stronger overall. BTW those cheap feeling Noryl GTX handles are very capable and not at all delicate.

Especially for an urban environment, I've always favoured a multi-tool as opposed to a single bladed knife.

Recently, I've switched over to a more minimalist tool that fits great in the pocket; a Victorinox Alox Cadet. It is slimmer than my iPhone and has a good, basic tool set. I paid $26 for mine. I believe the blade has a cutting edge of just over 2".

Depends on what you're going to use it for, but I love my LM Wave an my SAKs, especially for EDC. I keep my Wave in my purse right now, and my SAK on my key chain. Except when I'm camping or steak is on the menu, then I like my CRKT Mt. Rainier the best. We bought them for each other and our wedding party when we got married 11 years ago, and have both been using them ever since.

I'm partial to Spyderco, too. If the entire knife is to be 3" or so overall then a Delica or Native would be a great option.

I'm partial to Kershaw. I carry a Kershaw Ken Onion Tanto folder and love the thing.

I just ordered the CRKT M16-01T. This knife looks like it's custom tailored for me.

For me, it was the end of the search. It was the last knife I bought that wasn't made for a specific function like the Crimson Trace models from CRKT.

CRKT m16's are nice knives and they're half what you're budgeting so it is something to think about. I have a M16-12ZER that I trash around a lot. I picked it up at a garage sale as a sharpening project because the previous owner should have gotten arrested for cruelty to knives. It took an hour to get it back into shape. It has become my go to knife for things like cardboard boxes, cutting plastic, and all other things I wouldn't want to damage another knife on.
I really like both the flipper opener and auto lawks safety. The lawks gives added piece of mind that the lock won't fail (Doug's lock is stronger). After a little practice it is easy to close one handed. I reprofiled the blade so I can't speak about the factory grind but it sharpens well. It is thicker than my other two recommendations. I would not recommend the tano unless you like that shape.
If I was ranking one of the single blades that I mentioned I would say 1 Doug's, 2 delica, 3 a m16.


After reading a number of posts you might want to reconsider and get a multi tool. If this purchase is just for the trip then a multi tool will serve you longer, be more functional and is more non-knife onlookers friendly. I know my leatherman charge tti sees a lot more use than any of my single blades knives.

Please let us know what you finally decide upon.

Victorinox has just introduced a new lock blade.Single blade with easy open thumb hole.Can't post a link from where I am at.Saw it in the recent copy of BLADE magazine,I think on page two......

BOATMAN
John