Anyone cary a user EDC AND a higher end EDC simultaneously?

H

HotDiggity

Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Messages
37
I have some higher end blades I enjoy carrying but just can't bring myself to open clam shell packages or other such things with them. I know they're made for cutting; I just hate using them for harsher cutting tasks—although I know they'll take it and plenty more. Am I alone here? I often carry just a beater or a beater and a "fondler." Stupid?
 
I don't do that. But I carry lightweight folders and I tend to baby them more than I should. On the other hand, there's always the notion that one should use the right tool for the job. When it comes to opening clamshells, scissors seem to work better for me than knives do.
 
I do that sometimes. I'm not going to drag a custom folder through the mud as a user. I know that's what they're meant for and all but my more expensive knives come dearly any more.
 
HotDiggity said:
I have some higher end blades I enjoy carrying but just can't bring myself to open clam shell packages or other such things with them. I know they're made for cutting; I just hate using them for harsher cutting tasks—although I know they'll take it and plenty more. Am I alone here? I often carry just a beater or a beater and a "fondler." Stupid?
Click to expand...

Dear HotDiggity,

I used to be in the same boat that you were. I always carried kershaws or other less expensive knives. Even still I almost always have a small traditional knife in my pocket. My case whittler is perfect if I need to scrape some paint or something really mean to a blade. I digress. As I began to step up the quality of knife that I purchased, Spyderco Manix 2 sprint run, then my Para 2 S90V sprint, then finally settling on a Chris Reeve small sebenza 21. I began to realize that these knives are tanks! There is no reason why I need to "baby" these blades. They have been over-enginered for daily cutting tasks, even plastic clam shell packages, or the thickest cardboard you can think of. The only thing that should hold you back might be the fact that you are going to have to sharpen your knives again if you are using them extensively. At the same time however, with the amazing modern steels that are being used, you will never use up a knife blade under normal conditions.

You will realize how much more you like you knives once you get over the fact that they are really nice and expensive. You only have one life to live here on this earth, so might as well use your knives during that time :P

That being said, I often use my knives extensively including cutting tires, drywall, wood, or plastics. I love how well they hold up and even under "hard use" steels like S30V or S90V will take a lot before needing to be sharpened. I love them


Take care
 
I do. I carry a user EDC like an XM-18 or Sebenza or Caly 3, and a small William Henry in my coin/watch pocket, which I take out and fondle throughout the day. It has less to do with the cost of the knife, but more with the finish.
 
I always carry a minimum of 2 knives, sometimes 3 depending on the size of my main "high end" knife. One of the knives is always an alox vic cadet or pioneer which is used for the tools as well as for dirty work or abuse (scraping etc.), the sak is also used as my loaner knife. However, I don't hesitate to use any of my knives for cutting tasks as long as abuse isn't involved. I carry nice knives because I like using nice knives, no sense in carrying a high quality, high performance blade and keeping it in your pocket only to use a lesser knife for fear of scratching the good one. Today I've got my small sebenza and the alox cadet.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
It has less to do with the cost of the knife, but more with the finish.
Click to expand...

That is a great point. A nice stonewashed finish like on a sebenza or XM-18 (mine should get here tomorrow so I am just going off of pics here) is very forgiving on cutting harder/more abrasive material. I would not be so quick to open a clamshell or cut up cardboard boxes with a mirror finish, but would do it all day with a well done stone washed blade, regardless of cost. If used, they all need to be sharpened eventually. That being said, I always carry an Alox SAK. Sometimes taking out a larger knife can't be done in public. Also, if someone needs to "borrow" a knife, I will hand over the Swiss Army Knife every time.
 
I typically carry a bladed multitool / SAK of some sort that I use for common utility tasks like opening packages, especially those tasks that leave some sort of gunk or residue on the blade.

I also carry a one handed locking folder, usually a Spyderco Tenacious, but I'm not afraid to use it since by very nature it's a user knife. However I like to keep it hair popping sharp. So I reserve it for those uses I need an extremely sharp larger blade. I find that most of the time I end up using it for assisting in food prep when over at a friend's house. My friends tend to have very dull kitchen knives. When i have to cut up a tomato, I'm always prepared.
 
Interesting comment. Someone on the Hinderer forum (I think) said he was borrowing an XM-18 for a week or two. I cannot imagine lending one of my high end knives to anyone. I would not even let my brother hold my XM-18, I let him look at it though. Guess I'm too old to trust other people, who can accidentally drop or ding a knife.

MRaymond said:
That is a great point. A nice stonewashed finish like on a sebenza or XM-18 (mine should get here tomorrow so I am just going off of pics here) is very forgiving on cutting harder/more abrasive material. I would not be so quick to open a clamshell or cut up cardboard boxes with a mirror finish, but would do it all day with a well done stone washed blade, regardless of cost. If used, they all need to be sharpened eventually. That being said, I always carry an Alox SAK. Sometimes taking out a larger knife can't be done in public. Also, if someone needs to "borrow" a knife, I will hand over the Swiss Army Knife every time.
Click to expand...
 
I carry a small Gerber boxcutter with a bimetal blade for the nasty jobs. I don't mind lending it out either.
 
I'm with you on this one OP!

Don't get me wrong, I love using customs and think that's half the fun of having them. But there are some tasks I hesitate using a nice knife I spent over 1,000$ on, so instead I pull out my sebenza or delica and feel a lot better about using those instead.

Also if anyone asks to use a knife I always throw 'em my SAK.
 
I sometimes EDC a small CRK Insingo along with a Case Peanut. I always use the Reeve for the hard stuff. I don't baby mine and it rides around in my pocket with my car keys. I do end up sharpening it about once a week if it has been heavy use week.
 
I always carry a nicer prod/sprint folder generally in the $150-$300 range, and a SAK mostly just for the tools, if I do use the blade on the SAK it's for tape or something that will glue or similar on the blade that will impede its cutting ability the rest of the day until I can clean it at home
 
It doesn't make much sense to me to carry a knife to not use it, call me crazy. I have seen some posts where people say they don't use knives because they want them to be sharp in case they need to cut something... wtf?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top