Recommend me a keychain knife
- Thread starter ive
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BTL-A4
Well-known member
I like my little Swiss Army knife. Has a knife, scissors, toothpick, tweezers, and screwdriver/nail file.
You might want to consider telling us more about what you plan to use it for.
You might want to consider telling us more about what you plan to use it for.
KenB
Well-known member
My favorite for EDC is the Leatherman Squirt PS4. I sometimes carry a dedicated pocket knife too, if I know I’ll be needing a bigger blade.
Ken
Ken
Dave455
Well-known member
Well, if you want well made, by which I assume you want well ground blades, THE keychain knife has probably always been the Victorinox Classic. Decent steel, decently ground and nicely put together.
The problem is, whichever version of the Classic you get (even the alox version shown) if you keep it in a pocket with keys, the keys will destroy the finish. Pretty much the same with any decent knife you keep on a keychain.
The only thing that will withstand that (to a degree) are metal scales, preferably stainless steel. Some of the cheaper / smaller Spyderco’s are an option, but many are Chinese and probably won’t tick the “well made” box.
How about a Leatherman Micra. I find the small scissors more rugged than a small knife (though you have that as well, albeit not a great one), they are very compact when closed, and quite durable.
The problem is, whichever version of the Classic you get (even the alox version shown) if you keep it in a pocket with keys, the keys will destroy the finish. Pretty much the same with any decent knife you keep on a keychain.
The only thing that will withstand that (to a degree) are metal scales, preferably stainless steel. Some of the cheaper / smaller Spyderco’s are an option, but many are Chinese and probably won’t tick the “well made” box.
How about a Leatherman Micra. I find the small scissors more rugged than a small knife (though you have that as well, albeit not a great one), they are very compact when closed, and quite durable.
dar24601
Well-known member
Workplace restrictions are why I have one. Also have a victorinox jet setter when I fly. Yeah not the most ideal but something better than nothing
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
hey, you guys need to buy two piece key chains so, all of that weight isn't dangling off the ignition switch lock cylinder. 
for a small knife, i like the benchmade mini bugout.
for a small knife, i like the benchmade mini bugout.
Shiftless
Well-known member
I have a leatherman Micra on my keychain along with a fenix AAA flashlight.
I usually carry my Buck 112 in my other pocket.
I usually carry my Buck 112 in my other pocket.
ajchien
Well-known member
My favorite to attach to a keychain is a Victorinox Rambler. It’s basically the same thing as a Victorinox Classic except it adds a Phillips screwdriver that works on p1/p2 screws. I also have had the leatherman micra on my keychain at one time, which wound up being a bit too heavy for my preference. The leatherman style ps and cs I’ve had for a while, but I found the handles to be terribly uncomfortable. Basically, I’d have to say for something useful yet unobstrusive added to the keychain, any of the small victorinox choices are good.
With that said, my current carry is a spyderco dragonfly paired with a victorinox evogrip 14.
With that said, my current carry is a spyderco dragonfly paired with a victorinox evogrip 14.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'll second the Spyderco option -
NWOhioChevyGuy
Well-known member
The Christy Company out of Fremont OH, makes a great little knife for your keychain.
Family owned and run.
Family owned and run.
bassJAM
Well-known member
A lot of the manufacturing sites I've been in won't let anyone carry a knife for safety reasons, every time I pull out my pocket knife they all huddle around to block it's view and whisper "don't let management see that!". They're stuck with these if they need to cut something:
I have never heard of such a policy. Very interesting...and ridiculous.A lot of the manufacturing sites I've been in won't let anyone carry a knife for safety reasons, every time I pull out my pocket knife they all huddle around to block it's view and whisper "don't let management see that!". They're stuck with these if they need to cut something:
Dave455
Well-known member
I’d forgotten about the Christy knife. Probably about perfectThe Christy Company out of Fremont OH, makes a great little knife for your keychain.
Family owned and run.
Ton ton
Well-known member
I have heard of these stupid policies.
Ton ton
Well-known member
I have a small Case knife that I don't like because the steel is too weak. I don't remember the model.
bassJAM
Well-known member
I have to second (or third) that the Victorinox Classic or Spyderco Ladybug are likely the best options. Go with the Spyderco if you want a knife you're going to abuse, it's going to hold up to prying and heavy use better, plus the VG10 blade will hold an edge a little longer than Victorinox's "surgical stainless" does. But the V. Classic is great if you think you'll need the tweezers or scissors, and the Rambler adds a bottle opener and phillips but get's slightly wider to add that extra tool.
RTM
Well-known member
I have a Spyderco C133p (bug) and C137p (honeybee), but prefer by Gerber Micro LST for my EDC. Prefer the lock back, and the overall shape feels better. The plastic scales seem to hide in the pocket easier.
The Victorinox small knives, in all their flavors, is too thick for my pocket, and too fiddly to open the blades. I keep one in my desk, and in my car, in their slip case, for when I need the scissors, tweezers, or Phillips driver. But never in my pocket.
The Victorinox Excelsior will get carried loose in a pocket, occasionally, based on expected need for the longer blade. The medium and large knives will go in a backpack or shoulder bag, or ride in a toolbox
And none are ever on a keyring, always loose in the pocket
The Victorinox small knives, in all their flavors, is too thick for my pocket, and too fiddly to open the blades. I keep one in my desk, and in my car, in their slip case, for when I need the scissors, tweezers, or Phillips driver. But never in my pocket.
The Victorinox Excelsior will get carried loose in a pocket, occasionally, based on expected need for the longer blade. The medium and large knives will go in a backpack or shoulder bag, or ride in a toolbox
And none are ever on a keyring, always loose in the pocket
Hotrod33809
Active member
I'm have the Leatherman squirt ps4 not solely a knife but it has saved me more than a couple times and because of that I leave it on the keys even though I may go a few weeks without ever opening it.
It’s true. I worked at a place where even box cutters were prohibited. We were issued plastic scissors.
Yes. I thought so too.
Management has to come up with things to justify their existence, we say at work.
RTM
Well-known member
I can see making you use work provided blades for work activities, but barring the ability to even carry a regular pocket knife is bonkers to me.
When some professions pay their employees to carry a gun, banning knives just seems silly.
When some professions pay their employees to carry a gun, banning knives just seems silly.
seber
Well-known member
I'll third that. I carried one in grade school over 60 years ago. Perfect for a keychain.The Christy Company out of Fremont OH, makes a great little knife for your keychain.
Family owned and run.
decableguy2000
Well-known member
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BTL-A4
Well-known member
My grandfather was a millwright. He tells a story about how, at a steel mill, the rollers got messed up. While all the big wigs in fancy suits were standing around trying to figure out what happened, he, dressed in his work clothes, asked one of the workers what happened. Turns out someone had dropped a pocket knife and, being hardened steel, caused the rollers to get messed up. That $20 knife shut down a multi-million dollar steel rolling mill because someone wasn't careful. I think they had to get new bearings or something. This may be one reason they don't allow knives.
Jersey Drew
Well-known member
I’ve had both sized sog microns on my key chain. They have both been fantastic. Only problem is sharpening the tanto style. Luckily they are cheap enough you can replace them often.
Indexmill
Well-known member
Many industries require box cutters with ceramic blades as they cut cardboard better than steel and do NOT cut flesh as well as steel.