A new EVERY day carry decision. Input? (LONG)

C

Cedric

Joined
Jan 22, 2002
Messages
55
Done the research and I'm still stuck!!

Here's my situation: I lost my beater knife (CRKT mirage) a while back, and purchased a new EDC (BM 555). I was very excited about the new knife, but have run into problems with the mini-grip, namely a too-roughly textured side that's abrading the heck out of my pant pockets, and a grip which pushes my hand too far away from the blade, making, for my large hands, an ackward grip. I found my mirage, and though it has crappy steel, a tough to actuate thumb stud and liner lock, I find it my EDC again. :rolleyes: I like the slim profile and smooth grips which help it be in and out of the pocket easily, without chewing up my hands getting to other stuff in the same pocket.

So, what I'm looking for is a new Every day carry knife (as I put my 555 up for sale). My wants are:

1) Smooth grips (not G10 or heavily textured FRN)
2) 2.75-3.5" blade
3) Better steel than AUS-6 (darn thing won't retain an edge)
4) Easy to use liner lock, frame lock, or Axis. Needs good 1 hand opening/closing
5) drop point or clip point blade (considering wharncliffe)
6) Hole or smooth reach thumb stud
7) Toughie! Price <$150 (mail order)
8) Pretty enough to carry with a suit or slacks, but tough enough for most every day chores (not hacking down a tree), or carry with jeans. Clip preferred but not mandatory - if a clip is present, nothing reflective/gaudy (shiny stainless).
9) Slips in and out of pocket easily, preferably with above mentioned clip.

The options to date after extensive searching are:

CF BM 690 (coming out) - kind of thick?
CF BM 941 (very end of blade length desired) - coming out
Spyderco Lum leaf point (a bit wide)
William Henry series' in #10 or #12
Small Sebbie (would have to raise price line dramatically), otherwise
perfect.
Camillus EDC in 154 or D2 (hard to manipulate as it's so thin though :( and the recurve blade shape is not ideal for me ).
Klotzilli's?

Any thoughts, or things I may have missed? Mind you if I up my price dramatically, I can find SO many things that fit the bill, being Sebbies, TNTs, Obenaufs, etc. I want an all around classy folder that won't scare the hell out of my workmates, that will do the job with aplomb, hold a great edge, and most of all, have GREAT ergonomics. I want something that I can use without fear of destroying (thus the roped in price category above).

Help me out folks! :D Thanks!!
 
Wow, dang, shame the Camillus EDC didn't work out for you...

How about a Spyderco Delica or Native, both are relatively thin, not too coarse, sport very nice steel, are of appropriate blade length (though the cutting edge on the native might be a little short to your liking) and sport easy to one-hand close lockback actions, I really don't have any problems one-hand closing my Native, Endura, or Chinook with my large mitts, so I doubt you'd have too much trouble, just takes a little adjusting is all.

If you are determined against lockbacks, try a Spydie Vesuvius, it's got a compression lock so it shouldn't be all that bad, I didn't care for it much but you might.

If you want a step down from the sebbie and can get one, a BM 750 Pinnacle (now discontinued) might rock your boat, it's an all-titanium handled thin rig sporting an around 3.5" blade, it's also a frame lock, definetely not as nice as a sebbie but... hey!

Have you checked out the CRKT S-2? I'm not sure but I think it MIGHT be your thing.

Just a few wild ideas from the man :)
 
I've owned everything on your list except for the William Henrys. My recommendation would be the Camillus EDC Enhanced (the newer version in 154CM). I think it has the best mix of the features you're looking for and I found that with a bit of TufGlide mine had a smooth and easy action.

--Bob Q
 
I'm a Camillus EDC man all the way. It's the only inexpensive folder I've found that I still love after extended use. The more I use it, the more I appreciate the design.

I also found the EDC to be hard to open at first, but have gotten use to the knife. Once you develop a feel for it, the opening problems go away. That is assuming that you don't have monster-sized hands, which definitely rules the EDC out of consideration. But don't let a little initial awkwardness in opening scare you away. If the ergonomics in the open position are good, getting the knife there is just a learned thing that comes over time and use.

Is there a special reason that you don't like recurves? They can be hard to sharpen without a "sharpening system". I do understand that. I wouldn't want to sharpen my EDC with a bench stone. That's for sure. I praise my SharpMaker every time my EDC neeeds a touch up. The Lanksy does well also. While I don't much use recurves outdoors (because of the sharpening issues), I find them to be tremendously useful in the urban climate. The EDC seems to have enough tip for small tasks, yet tons of belly for the big cuts.

Have you looked at the Spyderco Veile? I had the opportunity to handle one at a knife store last year. I was more than impressed by it. It's classy, and there's a lot of quality put into it. You get Micarta, VG-10 and the great Spydie opening hole for under $150.00. I have to admit though, that Lum Chinese looks pretty sexy too.
 
I recently got a BM720 which I really like. Smooth (aluminum) grips so no pocket abrasion, axis lock makes for extremely smooth opening, handle really fills the hand and makes for a comfortable grip and is extremely comfortable to use. Price range runs about $100-$120 though you could probably get it a lot less at an auction site or here in the exchange. And it looks dressy enough to go with anything while still being not too dressy for EDC. Can't say much for the thumb stud since I have no idea how your hands are, but I do have some trouble with thumb studs since I have kind of fat fingers, but I have no trouble with this one.

-Z

BM720.JPG


edited to add: Oh yeah...the CRKT Crawford/Kasper might be good too. It doesn't solve your steel problem, but it's a great knife at a great price. The thumb scallop should make for an easier opening and everything else pretty much falls into line with what you're looking for.
cr6772a.jpg
 
I second the LizardKing, the BM 940's are great 'lil knives, I don't go anywhere without one.
 
I've read almost only great reviews of the Griptilians, but the handle doesn't fit my hand at all either.

The 940 or 720 is exactly what you're looking for.
 
Although I don't care for aluminum handles, the BM 940 is a great knife. I would wait for the new release of the 941 w/ carbon fiber handle. (I wish they were releasing the 940 with a CF handle).

I recently (about 3 weeks ago) purchased a Klotzli Sailor. Handground Wharncliff blade with a little belly. Just under 3 inches. What a great knife. It keeps beating out my Mnandi for office carry on most days and has freed me up to sell my Small Classic Sebenza. Is also very thin and disappears in the pocket. A bit more than $150 ($169 at www.bestknives.com).
 
Classic Seb. (Probably Small)
Like you said it's perfect but for the price,
You only buy it once you use it EVERYDAY.
Why not get the best? :confused:

Oh, and second vote would be for the new EDC
 
I agree with Youngcutter on the Vesuvius. Sounds like what you described. Try one with the blue inlay.


Blades
 
Thanks for the input so far everyone!

Vesuvius - I tried one at the store, and the spiral FRN handles just didn't feel right.

On the 940 - I guess my stopping point may be the blade proportions. It's a narrow, -long- blade, which looks fairly useful, but looks out of proportion asthetically. I'm not so sure of the sheepsfoot, but the clip looks like a decent shape. I love the contrasting anodized liner - a very classy touch. I think the CF model, being so lightweight that it could disappear in a pocket, or be clipped depending on the wear, may be the ticket.

I may have to relook the Camillus EDC, though I do like a nice sharp tip (see the "usefullness of the recurve blade" thread...

I saw the CRK and WH and 940/941 at the store today, fondled them alot, liked the CR small sebbie, Mnandi, WH lancet (CF), WH spearpoint(CF), and the 941. Yeah, that really narrowed it down a lot... :D :rolleyes:

So do you guys carry your knife clipped on the front or back pocket? It seems that a lot of knifes are too wide to clip in, and still be able to access your keys (front pocket), or wallet (back pocket), without shredding your hand or popping the knife out of the back pocket onto <gasp!> the ground. Thoughts on what you can/can't get away with??

Thanks guys!
 
My recomendation is for the William Henry Series, if you stick with the standard scales you should be able to stay close to that price range, and the leather pocket sheath with clip is definately pocket friendly, the sheath stays behind while the knife pulls out.
 
As I write this I am looking at my two new knives purchased Sat. for EDC. They are a Benchmade 770 and a 941. The 770 in Anodized aluminum is very slim and easy to get in and out of a pocket and very dressy looking. The 941 obviously larger and due to the size is much easier to open/close with one hand. My other EDC knives are the Spyderco Native and the Spyderco Veuvius. Love them both but they were a tad too heavy for the office in my dress pants. Also have a few other SPydies including the Calypso Jr. which is a slick little knife. For my EDC I have been gravitating to the Compression locks and the Axis locks due to the ease of one-hand close. I was going to buy a small Sebenza but ended up buying two BM's and a couple of Spydercos for the same money. I recommend you at least handle a couple of the Benchmade knives just to compare the slick action with the other choices already mentioned.
 
I have a William Henry T10 in carbon and love it, but to me it's a little small for EDC use. If I didn't already have a plain small Sebenza, I'd probably get a WH T12 in carbon for an EDC. WH makes great knives. I only have the plain sebenza, so it definitely doesn't impress anyone with it's rugged good looks, but damn does it cut! The knife is easier to operate, locks up better and in general works better than any folder I've ever handled in my med large hands.

If you really want a knife that meets your specs almost to a T (including budget), look for a Microtech Mini Socom. I've seen them at shows as low as $100.00. It's a real Microtech with a 154CM blade. Tremendous fit and finish. Tip down low ride clip and a pretty solid liner lock (although a different lock than the Microbar lock on a Socom Elite). It's slender, refined, sharp and strong.

jmx
 
Until recently I carried my knives at the back seam of the front pocket. I just switched to Royal Robbins 5.11 cargo pants, where the back pockets start near where the front pockets end. Now I find it more comfortable to clip at the front of the back pocket instead. :)

I really never had trouble with my knives getting in the way of my front pocket access, even though my EDCs have mostly been a Sifu or a CUDA Maxx. I found that I got used to reaching past them fairly quickly.

--Bob Q
 
I second the suggestion for a Microtech Mini Socom. I had the opportunity to handle one today and it's a great knife.
 
Too bad the vesuvius didn't fit your bill. I thought it would complete your requirement pretty well.
Did you try the Stainless handled Spydercos?
 
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