Best Affordable EDC

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steelscout30

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Aug 1, 2006
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I've spent a ton of cash lately (or whatever the relative ton of cash for a 15-year-old kid is) on the higher-end Spyderco folding knives and I really hate to lose them at Scout meetings or walking around in the woods after school to pass the time. I'm looking for someting around $50, maybe a little more expensive or anything in between the price range; I would like an effective everyday folder for general utility stuff. The D'Allara DP, Native III, and Endura come to mind. The Byrd series is also an option; I also like the Pacific Salt. If you have any more successions or your favorite, I would love the help. I lean towards high ergonomics and easy to sharpen edges if my preferences there help; and I also hate corrosion so probably VG10 or H1 steel. Thanks again. GBA.:D
 
In new models, I like the DP D'allera, Centofante 4, Pac Salt. Consider picking up a used older model to save some money. I prefer the Delica 3 and Endura 3 over the 4s. I also think the Rescue models are nice, esp for around water. I have a Rescue that I use for boating and anytime I am going to be in water. I also made a Kydex sheath for it that goes around the neck.
 
steelscout:
You seem to be very familiar with Spyders. I have carried a Delica 4 SS for a couple of weeks and just got a Navigator II PE. These are my main EDC's. Although the Nav. is a little on the high end of your budget, I think that you may find that its a great little knife.

Good luck.
 
Just picked up a Native in s30v, very sharp and well made. Although I was dissappointed to see no liners inside the handle. And the blade tip looks very vulnerable to breakage. But it does seem to be a good knife.

I was going to get a G10 Meadowlark, and I'm still thinking over-all it would be a better woods knife with the more useful tip, the G10 scales and for you, a more corrosion resistant blade. But the Native is a great slicer, I need to get a stick and see how it whittles and splits tinder still.


heh... just noticed we answered eacother's posts... Do you already have a Native or just some other spydies?
 
My two picks are...

For the light-weight champ:
The Pacific Salt.

Heavy weight champ:
D'Allara Drop-point.
 
I would go with a Salt I or a Pacific Salt. Actually, any of the Salts should be perfect for what you are looking for. I've got two Pacific Salts and I love them.
 
I'd go with pretty much any of the ones you've named. It would depend on what's most important:

-Endura/Delica 4 (waved or not) or the Native if you like the added security of the steel liners.
-2 or 3 Byrds if you're really concerned about losnig them.
-Salt Series if you're mostly concerned about corrosion.

Also in this price range:
Camillus: Heat, Blaze, Sizzle, EDC
Cold Steel: Voyager Series
Benchmade: Monochrome, Vex, Pika, Ambush

Personally, I'd go with something from Spyderco.
 
I like the endura4 or delica4. You guys who are choosing the Salts as a general carry knife ... are you having such bad problems with corrosion? I've not had rust problems on the endura or delica
 
Joe Talmadge said:
I like the endura4 or delica4. You guys who are choosing the Salts as a general carry knife ... are you having such bad problems with corrosion? I've not had rust problems on the endura or delica
Click to expand...

No corrosion problems to speak of, I just prefer the Pacific Salt over the Endura 4 for a light-weight EDC since the older Endura has been discontinued.
I really wish that Spyderco had kept the older Endura/Pacific Salt handle design for the Endura 4.
I don't like the E4's handle.
And the H-1 blade-steel gets hair-popping sharp with the greatest of ease.

Allen
 
Joe Talmadge said:
You guys who are choosing the Salts as a general carry knife ... are you having such bad problems with corrosion? I've not had rust problems on the endura or delica
Click to expand...

Not really bad, but rust specks tick me off. And I like a knife that requires minimal upkeep.
 
With my EDC, I will wipe the blade down with hoppes lubricating oil every now and then (usually if i am sharpening any knife I'll wipe them all down). Maybe ends up between once a month or so. Haven't had any problems with my blades rusting.

Granted, all my old carbon steels have a patina, Ka-bar has epoxy, and the rest of stainless like my gerbers, and SAK. I am curious about my new native and how inert the s30v will turn out to be.
 
I have a WallyWord Native with the S30V (I think I might have mentioned that in my reply in your thread) but I was interested in trying the 3D version with the VG10 blade and more ergos. The S30V on the Military and Native seemed to rust like crazy out in New Mexico despite the dry air/high altitude; but I was using them in those crazy ridgeline storms and things like that, so it's to be expected. Oil seems to be a good bet for them right now---no corrosion as of late. Thanks for helping me out. I have a ton of others too, Buck628 (or anyone else), if you're interesting with anything else or need some more tech tidbits and some real-world experiences at the campsite. I'm very lucky to be in a good Boy Scout troop with a leader that knows what he's doing and is a Spyderco collector to help me along in all my knife and outdoor pursuits.
 
Joe Talmadge said:
I like the endura4 or delica4. You guys who are choosing the Salts as a general carry knife ... are you having such bad problems with corrosion? I've not had rust problems on the endura or delica
Click to expand...

D4 for me. Used to be D3. Sometimes Salt I before it jumped ship (lost it somewhere). This is for edc, pocket or waistband.

Highest quality knife for the price I have ever come across.

VG10 vs H1 corrosion. I originally got my Salt I for carry while running, biking, xc-skiing. Often waist band carry and high exposure to my corrosive sweat. I bought it because I thought I might have possibly seen a slight amount of spotting on my D3 under these conditions. But then I lost the Salt I and started to carry the D4 (foliage green handle, partially-serrated version), wipe the blade after my runs or whatever, and have had no problems at all. I carry this knife all the time in wet environments (not marine though) and have never had a problem with corrosion - I just figured if it was going to be a problem, it would be from my sweat. No problems though. And VG10 holds an edge much better than H1.:thumbup:
 
Steelscout.

Do yourself a favor and stop by Rivers edge cutlery. With your knife knowledge you would have a great time talking to the guys there. Not to mention being able to see and handle a lot of knives that are talked about and looked at on the internet.
 
I have never had corrosion problems with a Spyderco and I have swam in the ocean and swimming pools with my Endura and just hosed them off. That being said I do think that my Salt 1 is easier to sharpen. The Dallara is an awesome knife but the handle sure does seem to make it huge in a police officer or scout master's hand. IMO it seems much larger than the blade length indicates and it takes up too much room at the top my pocket for EDC.
 
H-1 is a work hardened steel. This means over time cutting abrasive materials hardens the blade increasing edge retention exponentially. A while ago Cliffstamp reviewed a fully serrated Atlantic Salt and by the end of his testing the hardness had jumped to 66 RC!

For that reason I would choose something from the Salt line with a SE.

mmmotorcycle
 
Chris Adams- do you happen to have an address that I can MapQuest or GPS for the Rivers Edge store? I would like to go check the place out this weekend and handle the Salt/Byrd series and the new Delica to narrow down my choices. Thanks for the help.

God Bless America.
 
Hi steelscout30,
I would agree that you should give the D'Allara DP a look also. IMHO, it is a sleeper in the Spyderco line. It is a good strong knife. It is not a little knife, but is a good one. Very smooth opening and a good strong lock. It is $56 at NGK.
Also the Delica4 is a very nice knife.

Ron

D'Allara DP
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Delica4
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Rivers Edge Cutlery
2863 Festival Lane
Dublin 43017
They are in the the shopping center behind the Mongolian BBQ. at the corner of Sawmill and 161. I know you will have a good time.
 
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