Spyderco Urban Leaf Non-Locking Knife with 2.61" N690Co Steel Blade and Black Lightweight FRN Handle - PlainEdge - C127PBK

This is probably the knife for you. In an alternate universe you may be a MacGyver type and need a 4"+ folder to baton wood and cut god only knows what for 100 years before it needs to be resharpened, but in this universe you probably sit at a desk and maybe cut cardboard or a string off of your tie every now and then. In this universe, the Urban Lightweight is the knife you should be carrying.The Urban Lightweight is a continuation of the Urban design, following the original leaf-shaped Urban with foliage green G-10 handles and the wharncliffe-shaped Urban with orange G-10 handles. I own the orange safety version and still choose to carry the Lightweight. Not only is FRN so much better on my pockets but doesn't show dirt and grit the way the orange G-10 did. I can't tell if there is a weight difference, but the half-stop and backspring are noticeably snappier on the Lightweight knife. I am not worried at all about the knife closing on me unintentionally with appropriate use.The design of the knife itself is outstanding. I love that I can carry this knife virtually anywhere without raising eyebrows, and it's still a practical option to have in my pocket. Concerning size, the Urban is a little bigger than a Dragonfly II and a little smaller than the Delica 4 - both great knives but the Urban is truly the perfect size and is incredibly comfortable to hold thanks to the choil and thumb ramp. Regarding the steel, N690Co is certainly nothing to write home about but it isn't half bad. I cut a lot of cardboard at work and home and I haven't had to sharpen the blade. I was concerned about rust but the blade has gotten wet at work and also soaked in a 10-minute monsoon and there are no rust spots to be found. Personal preference is going to dictate how you feel about a slipjoint over a locking mechanism, but for small every day tasks and moderate use I don't believe a lock is necessary. If you would feel comfortable using a SAK to get the job done you should absolutely feel comfortable using the Urban Lightweight.Cons? The only issue I have with the knife is the lack of a lanyard hole. I think the Urban is small enough that a lanyard could be advantageous.I think you would like this knife. I have a lot of knives and this is the only one I carry consistently. Some of my other knives are too heavy or too big/small, too long, etc. The Urban Lightweight does everything I need it to and then disappears back into my pocket AND it doesn't scare anybody.

This is high-quality, small, and lightweight EDC utility knife. The fit and finish is very good with pleasing aesthetics.The thin bade shape and profile make this knife a good slicer. Jimping is provided on the top of the blade and finger choil enabling great blade control for cutting tasks. Blade deployment requires a good amount force, but it can be done one-handed using the Spydie hole - at least on my knife. However, blade closure is better accomplished using two hands. The blade is tight and secure in the open position, and it was pretty sharp right from the factory. Be advised, this knife is a slipjoint design, and it does not have a locking blade. Bohler N690 blade steel is a functional mid-grade stainless steel, and I have seen it favorably compared to VG10 on several knife forums.The scales are FRN, and they do not have liners which contributes to the knife's light weight. Scale texture is good which provides for a secure grip even though the handle is small. The pocket clip is Spyderco's wire clip design, and it secures the knife very well in the pocket.Overall, I am very pleased with this knife. The main drawback of this knife is that blade deployment requires quite a bit of force, and this will be challenging for some people to open it one-handed. The design and build quality of the knife is excellent which more than compensates for its one main shortcoming.

Produced at Spyderco's Maniago Facility (Italy) this compact knife (blade is 2.6") has AWESOME capabilities. This is as legal as it gets pretty much everywhere in the world. Featuring an N690Co blade, it's as tough and strong as its bigger brothers but so practical and light it totally disappears in your pocket. Keep in mind that in order to make it as legal as possible, it is a slip joint (no lock) so it takes a while to get used to it. You can't flick it open as it has a safety mid-stop, so you have to use your thumb to deploy your blade at 90 degrees, and then all the way to 180, which might not be that satisfying as a locking knife, but this one is meant for lighter and easier tasks, which is no problem at all to me. Great addition to your collection if you're a Spyderco fan. I love traveling with it, it's funny how many times we need a knife (tags, zip ties, threads, packs, snacks, you name it) and end up using nail clippers or whatever. Not anymore!