Best Keychain Folder w/ Composite Scales (OCL < Three Inches)

I carry the Spyderco Ladybug3 w/ SpyderEdge as my keychain EDC (carbon fiber Cricket w/ SpyderEdge on another), but looking for something new. What do you guys recommend as a superior replacement with similar closed dimensions (overall closed length < three inches), or shorter. Would prefer a serrated, S30V blade. No multi-tools, please. Think mid to high end . Recommendations?

1. Ladybug3 FRN w/ partially serrated VG-10 @ ~2.5" OCL
2. Boker Subcom F w/ partially serrated AUS-8 @ ~2-3/4" OCL
3. byrd Finch FRN w/ partially serrated 8Cr13MoV @ ~2.5" OCL
4. Boker Keycom w/ plain edge AUS-8 @ ~2-1/4" OCL
5. byrd Finch G-10 w/ plain edge 8Cr13MoV @ ~2.5" OCL
6. Benchmade Benchmite II w/ plain edge AUS-8 @ 2-7/8" OCL

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

Spyd Jester might work. If you can find one, the old Spyd small Dyad is a great knife. The Byrd line is good dollar value, but the smaller knives aren't as smooth as the larger ones (IMO). The Benchmade Benchmite is a great small knife, but don't think you can get serrated.

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

for that small of size on a keychain, theres nothing better than a fully serrated spyderco ladybug! upgrade to the all stainless handle one if you like, but inch for inch it outcuts any other small knife!

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

Superior to the Ladybug? Its successor is pretty good, the Ladybug3 with VG-10 steel.

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

You might want to check out the Benchmade Benchmite II. Nice small and thin knife. I just picked up a couple of the new version stainless Crickets. They are really thin and nice now.

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

I recently retired my Spyderco Ladybug. Now I rotate EDC between a Boker Wharcom and Spyderco Byrd Finch.

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

The Spyderco Ladybug is kind of hard to beat and that Benchmade Benchmite is also a nice addition.

While it may not be a folder, I've seen the FireAnt series of knives. Very cool little w[one]der of knives I say! Don't know if there's serrated, but it is made of S30V. If you've seen them, then you know.

I'll see if I can "borrow" some pictures from the maker.

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

Placed an order for a Boker Subcom F 01BO586 .

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

Okay, got permission from the maker to post his pictures of the FireAnts.




Of course, he told me that his inspiration was from Peter Atwood.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nice going on the Subcom by Boker! :thumbsup:

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

adamlau said:

Placed an order for a Boker Subcom F 01BO586 .

Click to expand...

Chad's designs are excellent, and affordable. But his biscuit is quite a bit larger than a Spyderco LadyBug.

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

And four times heavier. The Subcom F should hold me over until the Keycom is released w/ a partially serrated edge (hopefully). Are those the Charles May FireAnts?

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

adamlau said:

Are those the Charles May FireAnts?

Click to expand...

Joshua Rice of JDR Knife and Tool

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

CLHC said:

Okay, got permission from the maker to post his pictures of the FireAnts.

Click to expand...

Please identify the maker...link...full knife name.
Does he(she) have a website?
Very interesting 'micro knives' !!

MikeH

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

CLHC mentioned Joshua Rice of JDR Knife and Tool .

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

Any options for fixed blades?

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

For small keychain folder I like the Spydie Jester better than the Ladybug. It's about the same size, maybe the tiniest bit bigger (like within 1mm) but the thumb hole is actually big enough to use and the blade shape is better IMO. I have the plain edge version, wouldn't want serrations in a knife this small.

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

I had looked at the Jester, but was put off by its use of AUS-6. Had I known that AUS would eventually earn a reputation as a durable steel with fair edge retention, I would have reconsidered. But absolutely a serrated edge with knives of this size. My keychain EDC knives see near daily use and lose their edges rather quickly, including that of the ATS-55 Cricket. Serrations allow me to rip (as opposed to cut) through elements upon dulling and help prolong the time in between sharpenings.

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

Spyderco 'Spyderkey' - very small, very beautiful, Very sharp!
No longer available but occasionally on ebay.

Dave.

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

Sharpening a plain edge is easy--a few swipes on a stone or steel. Sharpening a serrated edge is another matter entirely, in my experience. I've had lousy results with the methods I've tried. Factory resharpening hasn't been so great either.

Re: Best Keychain EDC (Spyderco Ladybug or Shorter)

The only success I've had with serrations is to find ceramic rods near the diameter of the serrations. And then it hasn't been too great.