I have never carried a EDC knife (yea I know). I would like a smaller sized folder with a belt clip that will fit in the watch pocket of a pair of jeans.

$75 would be my max budget. USA made would be preferred. I like serrated blades over plain but its not a deal breaker.

Any recommendations?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: gpbst3, January 31, 2022 03:51 PM

Spyderco Dragonfly or Ladybug might work. Serrated available and $67 on the Spyderco website I have not tried them in a watch pocket but they are pretty small and very good EDC knives for what they are. I mean they cut stuff but you wouldn't want to get in a knife fight with it. Or at all......

Edited to add - actually under $50 at BladeHQ

Not US made, but made for the US army :-)

Kershaw Chive

This message has been edited. Last edited by: h2oys, January 22, 2022 04:59 PM

The Chive is the first thing that popped to mind for me as well but I don't care for assisted opening knives.

I think the Spyderco Lil' Native may fit the bill.
-American made
-Small enough to fit in ANY pocket
-Good steel
-G10
-Unobtrusive
-Great clip
-Smooth but non assisted action

The Dragonfly and "bugs" are not made in America IIRC. They are NOT China knives but not U.S. made. The Dragonfly and Chaparral are a GREAT small knives as well if you are ok with Japan and Taiwan as point of manufacture.

Lil' Native

I gave one of these to friend that wears jeans, he carries it in the watch pocket. It's a Roadie, 2" blade, made in Italy, no clip, though. Here's mine:

Dragonfly. Or a Swiss army knife.

I keep a Victorinox ALOX in the little watch pocket. you don't need a clip if kept in there.

https://cutleryshoppe.com/vict...ox-handle-0-8150-26/

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
Kershaw Chive

That would be my recommendation. I have a blue/black. It's my dress knife

It's small enough you can bury it entirely in a jeans watch pocket.

Some great suggestions so far...

Spyderco Dragonfly comes in plain edge or serrated, and its serrations are very aggressive. As cslinger noted, it's made in Japan.

Spyderco Ladybug & Manbug - no clip

SAK - no clip, most models do not have serrated knives

Kershaw Chive & Scallion - the versions w/ fiberglass reinforced nylon scales have half-serrated blade options. The variants w/ steel or anodized aluminum scales are considerably thinner and more streamlined but I don't believe serrations are an option. Made in USA.

I checked some of my pants w/ watch pockets. Some of them are deep enough to comfortably carry a 3" blade. That opens up options a lot.

Kershaw Leek is the next size up from above. Unlike the two previously mentioned, most of the metal scale variants of the Leek come in plain or half-serrated. Also made in USA.

Spyderco Delica 4 - is slightly under 3" blade, has trademark Spyderco serrations but made in Japan

The Lil' Native cslinger suggested also comes in full serrated blade option, but I doubt you can buy either for close to $75.

Spyderco Dragonfly 2 is available serrated. I carry a plain edge version. Lil Native is USA made but twice your budget.

Apologies I glanced right over budget.

If you can give up the made in the USA but accept made in a first world nation the Dragonfly is a GREAT tiny knife. You won’t even know it’s there yet it’s plenty capable for all the normal stuff you likely use a knife for. I mean it’s not a pry a door open knife but packages, food, cordage, etc etc etc. it’s just a great little knife.

I know the Delica was mentioned above and it’s probably my favorite all around knife or at least way up on my list but IMO it’s too big for watch pockets.

The Chive probably comes closest to your price/manufacture location/quality/availability and general size. It’s also a great knife but for me personally as mentioned above I don’t care for assisted openers and IIRC you must carry tip down not tip up like God intended.

These are my small fit in the watch pocket knives. By FAR the Dragonfly is the most unobtrusive/light weight etc. Pretty sure the Scallion is close to the Chive.

Scallion, Lil' Native, Chaparral, Dragonfly


Scallion, Lil' Native, Chaparral, Dragonfly


Blade open they are sized roughly Chaparral, Scallion, Lil' Native and Dragonfly.


For me, personally, my sweet spot in knives is the 3 inch blade (2.8-3 inch area), that said I do occasionally carry the smaller ones and if I had to pick one it would be a toss up between the Chaparral and the Dragonfly.

Ok that little DW2 is PRECIOUS!!!

Not USA made but the CRKT Squid is an excellent small knife that would fit in a jean watch pocket.

https://www.amazon.com/CRKT-Sq...i%2Caps%2C246&sr=8-2

Spyderco C61P

This is my EDC. It's made in China, but designed and sold by Kershaw, and is pretty excellent quality for the money. Light yet durable, easy one-handed operation, and easy to keep wicked sharp. Also I don't cry if I lose it and have to replace it, unlike some others from my past. On sale right now for $25 from Kershaw guy...I couldn't pass it up and bought a spare:

https://kershawguy.com/product...clash-assisted-1605/

quote:

Originally posted by kalei:
Spyderco C61P

Do people bother to read the OP anymore?

The Spyderco Pegasus has been out of production for over 20 years. If you could find one now, it'd cost at least 2-3X the OP's target price.

Picked up a few Kershaw Crown II when the LGS had them on clearance, $15 a pop, fits right in the pocket watch or clipped into the pocket. yeah Chinese, but at $15, they have held up well, keep one in the office, bathroom, bike, truck...

https://www.kershaw-knives.net...aw-Crown-II-3150.php

Another vote for the Chive.
I've got a scale-less model that I carry in shorts/slacks.

Scallion is my EDC in jeans, but it's a bit longer/thicker due to the scales.

Both have a lock that prevents opening. I have both of mine tightened to not have it inadvertently lock in my pocket.