Back-Pocket Gentleman’s Folder Search…

Some thoughts on a gentleman’s folder for “back-pocket” carry. The Genesis started when I was home last and needed to use my folder to cut something in a public place. Normally, I really don’t care much what other people think (or see), but after some consideration, it’s nice to have a smaller blade that attracts little to no attention which is a valuable trait these days. I almost always have at least one larger primary folder and often a second in my front left pocket (weak-hand). My search was for a smaller “gentleman’s” folder that was thin/narrow, light and with a blade less than 3.5”. I also wanted a deep pocket clip with a preference for left-hand carry as my plan was to carry in my back left pocket. Many I chose actually came with them, and for a few that I really like that don't have the deep pocket clips, I’m buying aftermarket deep-pocket clips for them.

The clip design was important as I wanted the knife indexed to the outer side of my back pocket and kept in place. Right or left back pocket? Well, this creates some challenges. For me, I carry my wallet in my back left pocket (I’m left handed for a few things), but I also carry my pistol on my right side. Back home, I IWB on the right, which interferes with a back pocket folder in my back right pocket; however, with an open carry holster that I use that is also a mid-level riding holster here in Afghanistan, I’ve been able to carry in the right pocket just fine. So…a reversible clip is preferred, but many of the folders are only right-hand/pocket styles. That weighs some in my decisions and forces some compromises.

Prices ranged from $20-30 to around $190 (The Benchmade Emissary was the most expensive). Surprisingly, some of the less expensive options had some very good features despite mediocre steel choices. I’ve found that even some of the inexpensive steel options are very good if they’re used on very thin blades; much easier to get and keep a razor’s edge.

Also, to “avoid attention”, I didn’t consider any automatics, but I do have some assisted openers and flippers that may attract attention. This makes it hard, but I ended up just accepting almost “auto-like” opening for some of the folders.

Blade profiles also varied, but this is really a low-key, utilitarian blade for lighter tasks, so it wasn’t a significant factor. I did want a thinner blade which most all had.

Without rambling much more, here is the lineup and my top three choices with a few other “credits" given out along with some pro’s and con’s for my selection criteria. My main criteria focus was weight, thickness (or thinness), deep pocket clip, and reversible pocket clip.

1. Benchmade 943 Osborne: 3.4” CPM-S30V Blade, 2.9oz, 0.41” width (top reversible choice)
PROS: Good steel, good ergos, Axis lock, reversible pocket clip, nice blade profile, good blade/handle ratio
CONS: Rough edge finish, no deep pocket clip; don't care for the satin blade finish, expensive (the second most expensive in the group and if not for the features it wouldn't rate as high...I also have to purchase an aftermarket deep pocket clip to get exactly what I want)

2. Boker Urban Trapper: 3.5” VG10 Blade, 1.78oz, 0.32” width (top non-reversible choice)
PROS: Great blade finish/edge, good flipper, solid liner lock, light and narrow, deep pocket clip
CONS: Tiny flipper, expensive for the quality, pocket clip isn't reversible

3. Benchmade Bugout: 3.24” (3.0” Edge) CPM-S30V Blade, 1.85oz, 0.42” width (Expensive for design but it’s growing on me despite the color of the handle which I don’t personally care for)
PROS: Very light, decent fit and finish, good steel, Axis lock, reversible - deep pocket clip
CONS: Price (fourth most expensive), blade finish on edge is poor, only “bright blue” colored handle option, no steel liners (strength?)

4: Kershaw Al Mar AM3/AM4: 3.5”/3.0” 8Cr13MoV Blade, 3.02oz/2.51oz, 0.42” width (Best Deal)
PROS: Good fit/finish, deep pocket clip, price, blade profile, good ergos, good frame-lock, assist opener
CONS: Useless thumb studs, mediocre steel, no reversible pocket clip,

5. CRKT Crossbones: 3.5” AUS8 Blade, 2.4oz, 0.44 width (Nice in most categories but very sharp edges)
PROS: Great blade finish/edge, good flipper, solid liner lock, lighter and narrow, deep pocket clip
CONS: Sharp edges on handle, mediocre steel for the price, lock sticks bad, pocket clip not reversible

6. Kizer Splinter: 3.375” CPM-S35VN Blade, 2.6oz, 0.41” width (great design and materials, solid choice)
PROS: Excellent steel, excellent fit/finish, lightweight, slim and reversible pocket clip
CONS: Price (although not bad for materials and finish; third most expensive), pocket clip is not a deep-style

7. Kershaw Sinkevich Atmos: 3” 8Cr13MoV Blade, 2.0oz, 0.43” width (a great contender with the Al Mar but with a reversible deep pocket clip and excellent flipping action with KVT ball bearings)
PROS: Comfortable design, good price, decent fit/finish, deep pocket/reversible clip, KVT ball bearing-flipper,
CONS: Mediocre steel,

8. Kershaw Leek (Steel frame-lock): 3.0” 14C28N Blade, 3.0oz, 0.35” width (great design, this model is just too heavy and it needs an aftermarket deep pocket clip)
PROS: Good fit/finish, reversible pocket clip, utilitarian blade profile, nice assisted action, decent flipper
CONS: Heavy for size (steel frame-lock), mediocre steel, no deep pocket clip,

9. CRKT Cuatro: 3.125” 8Cr13MoV Blade, 3.04oz, 0.48” width
PROS: Comfortable design, good price, decent fit/finish, deep pocket clip
CONS: Mediocre steel,

10: CRKT Swindle: 3” 8Cr13MoV Blade, 3.4oz, 0.38” width
PROS: Utilitarian blade profile, good blade finish, unique ambi-pocket clip, decent price
CONS: Small flipper, poor frame-lock lockup, weird ergos, pocket clip not deep or secure, mediocre steel

These folders were simply too heavy for back pocket carry (for me at least), although they make excellent front pocket EDC choices:

Benchmade Emissary: 3.45” CPM-S30V blade, 3.95oz, 0.52” width (Expensive, but worth the quality)
PROS: Excellent fit/finish, good steel and excellent grind, deep pocket/reversible clip, fast assisted opening, Axis lock
CONS: Expensive (the most expensive), heavy, thick

RUIKE P801: 3.46” 14C28N blade, 4.23oz, 0.38” width (Best fit/finish for the price)
PROS: Best fit/finish, deep pocket clip, price, smoothest flipper action, nice accents
CONS: Heavy! Mediocre steel, no reversible pocket clip

Boker Mini Kwaiken (Titanium handles): 3.0” VG10 Blade, 3.89oz, 0.51” width (Great design; the larger version would make a great primary EDC)
PROS: Good steel, smooth flipper action, good fit and finish, nice blade design,
CONS: Price (although good materials), heavy and thick, no deep pocket clip, slippery handle

Kershaw Amplitude: 3.1” 18Cr13MoV Blade, 3.9oz, 0.39” width (Best Deal; excellent little folder)
PROS: Great fit/finish, sharp, good frame lock, assisted flipper, reversible - deep pocket clip, ergos, price
CONS: Heavy, mediocre steel

So, for final thoughts, the Kershaw Al Mar (either size) is the best deal for what I wanted with only the inability to switch the clip for left-side carry. I can still make it work and would recommend it, especially for the price.

The Kershaw Crossbones and Boker Urban Trapper (several variants) are a little expensive, but good designs (although the Crossbones needs less sharp edges). Both are right-hand only carry which sucks a little for my specific needs, but still excellent for the size, weight, and narrow/thinness.

I need to try a lighter Kershaw Leek and get a deep pocket clip (which are made, aftermarket). The design is really about perfect and I like the blade profile. The version I have is just a tad heavy for the size and it needs that deep-pocket clip.

The Benchmade 943 Osborne and Bugout are both strong contenders. The 943 is going to get a deep pocket clip and both have reversible clips best suited to my back left-pocket carry. I was disappointed with both on the finished blade edges; very rough. Both Axis actions and pivots needed some lube. They are both thin and carry very well. While it should be a surprise, three of the four most expensive blades were Benchmade knives; the Kizer was the other one.

The surprise of the group was the Kizer Splinter. It was pretty expensive despite me using some gift-card points. Still, it’s on par with other knives made with similar materials and it had some very good fit and finish with a very nice blade design and sharpened well and evenly. I wish the clip was deep pocket as that was the only issue I had with it and there are no aftermarket clips that I could find.

For the money, both the Kershaw Amplitude and Ruike P801 would make excellent primary EDC knives for smaller blades. Both are a little heavy for their size, but both were top notch as far as fit and finish and solid lockups with the frame-locks. The bearings on the Ruike were extremely smooth.

I haven’t had enough time with either the CRKT Cuatro or the Kershaw Atmos, but I really like both designs and they will get more carry time in the back pockets. The Atmos is surprisingly well designed and good fit and finish for the price.

I’ll eventually get a group shot added as it helps to see a side-by-side comparison.

ROCK6

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Back-Pocket Gentleman’s Folder Search…