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Best beginner knife for EDC?
- Thread starter RH1
- Start date
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. The Chive is pretty small, so much so that I wouldn't personally consider it for my exclusive EDC knife. The Scallion might be a better choice if you like the style of the Chive, or maybe the Leek. The Blackout or Whirlwind are good middleweight choices, or the Boa for a top of the line but still like the Chive kind of thing. But that's only if you want to stick with Kershaw. They make a great knife for the money, but there's other options out there.
Give us a little bit of information about yourself, what you'd be using the knife for in most cases, and that kind of stuff.
Give us a little bit of information about yourself, what you'd be using the knife for in most cases, and that kind of stuff.
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2003
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here are some knockout, great knives with plenty of bang-for-the-buck:
Kershaw Leek -- great size, gotta love the "speed-safe", around 30 bucks
Kershaw Vapor -- i know 'cause i just got mine in the mail today -- thanks Jhillas! can be had for 20 bucks or so
Spyderco Delica -- a tried and true all-around great EDC, for only 30-35 smackers!
Benchmade Mini-Griptilian -- a little pricier than the others, but still a great choice, good size, and the always neato AXIS lock, for around 40-50 dollars
good luck!
abe m.
Kershaw Leek -- great size, gotta love the "speed-safe", around 30 bucks
Kershaw Vapor -- i know 'cause i just got mine in the mail today -- thanks Jhillas! can be had for 20 bucks or so
Spyderco Delica -- a tried and true all-around great EDC, for only 30-35 smackers!
Benchmade Mini-Griptilian -- a little pricier than the others, but still a great choice, good size, and the always neato AXIS lock, for around 40-50 dollars
good luck!
abe m.
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- Sep 11, 2004
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- 1,675
Another vote for Scallion. My first real folder. Good ergos, design, looks pretty good.
I don't recommend the combo edge one, since the blade is already fairly short. Check the lock when you get it, my friend picked on up from a local hardware store, not really knowing what to look for in a knife (quality, I just told him "the one I have is on sale over there"), he just grabbed one, that had a lock that was stuck wayyyyyyy tooooo farrrr in to the tang.
I'm playing with it now.
I got a BM 722, but I'll still carry the Scallion depending on the situation (skating, working in the garage). It will probably be your "grunge knife" later on.
Oh ya, around 50(at a gun shop)-30 (at a hardware store) over here.
I don't recommend the combo edge one, since the blade is already fairly short. Check the lock when you get it, my friend picked on up from a local hardware store, not really knowing what to look for in a knife (quality, I just told him "the one I have is on sale over there"), he just grabbed one, that had a lock that was stuck wayyyyyyy tooooo farrrr in to the tang.
I'm playing with it now.
I got a BM 722, but I'll still carry the Scallion depending on the situation (skating, working in the garage). It will probably be your "grunge knife" later on.Oh ya, around 50(at a gun shop)-30 (at a hardware store) over here.
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- Apr 7, 2003
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- 2,315
My first was a Spydie Delica, and I think it's probably a good choice.
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2001
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- 2,726
We could help you select a knife based on function and price, but it doesn't sound like that's what you really need. If you haven't carried a knife before and want to start, just pick one that appeals to you and start carrying it. Over time you will gradually figure out what features you like, what features you don't like, and what features you wish your knife had. Then you can pick out another one that comes a little closer to your ideal and carry that one for a while. Eventually you will end up with a knife that seems perfect. At least until something better comes along...
I guess what I'm saying is that if you like the looks of the Chive you should get one. It's a good knife and a good place to start. Personally, I like the rainbow-colored version (titanium-oxide coated).
My only gripe about the Chive is that the blade steel is on the low end. I hope that someday Kershaw will put out a special edition for us knifenuts with a high-end blade steel and a titanium frame...
--Bob Q
I guess what I'm saying is that if you like the looks of the Chive you should get one. It's a good knife and a good place to start. Personally, I like the rainbow-colored version (titanium-oxide coated).
My only gripe about the Chive is that the blade steel is on the low end. I hope that someday Kershaw will put out a special edition for us knifenuts with a high-end blade steel and a titanium frame...
--Bob Q
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2004
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- 744
My vote?
Something you can afford that is not illegal. Plain and simple.
After that, go with what you like and what suits your needs.
Something you can afford that is not illegal. Plain and simple.
After that, go with what you like and what suits your needs.
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- May 24, 2001
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- 1,480
RH1,welcome to the Forums.Another vote for the Spyderco Delica.tom. 
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2004
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I would suggest you also look into a Victorinox swiss army knife (SAK), I think the soldier is one of the most popular smallish models around here, at a great price (I have a tinker myself).
I just recently (it's supposed to come tuesday^^) got myself a Doug Ritter griptillian (Link) (s30v blade steel and a different blade profile then the regular one) for EDC, but those are up around $100 (they come in mini grip too).
I just recently (it's supposed to come tuesday^^) got myself a Doug Ritter griptillian (Link) (s30v blade steel and a different blade profile then the regular one) for EDC, but those are up around $100 (they come in mini grip too).
- Joined
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If you have never carried a knife before I would also suggest a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife (SAK). They are acceptable in almost any environment and have a multitude of valuable tools.
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- Mar 26, 2004
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Spyderco Delica/Endura.
Not just for the quality of the knife, or the value of quality for the very modest price. But because if it's your first (or one of the first) knife, you'll have an excellent benchmark to base future knife purchases on. If you buy garbage, you'll have a skewed perception of what a knife should be.
Not just for the quality of the knife, or the value of quality for the very modest price. But because if it's your first (or one of the first) knife, you'll have an excellent benchmark to base future knife purchases on. If you buy garbage, you'll have a skewed perception of what a knife should be.
Robert.B said:SAK SwissChamp, acceptable in the office and got the nod of approval from MacGyver himself
The advice for a SAK is really good -
SAKs are relatively inexpensive - almost every serious knife person has at least one - they are universally recognized and not normally regarded as an offensive weapon.
Even if the SAK is retired or rotated out of EDC in favor of some other knife - the SAK is still a very handy knife to have around - and some people (like me) have not outgrown the SAK.
The Victorinox SwissChamp is indeed a marvel for the number of functions in a relatively compact package - but it may be considered by many as a bit too heavy and bulky for comfortable/easy in pocket carry.
A lot of people consider about 3 layers/backsprings about the maximum for comfortable in pocket carry. That still opens a large selection - please take a look at these threads:
Minimalist SAKs
SAK - Purchase Rationale
Some suggestions:
Waiter (53891) (1 layer/backspring) ~$10; Compact (54941) (2 layers) ~$20
....and finally to see what people here actually carry as EDC - "study" this BEHEMOTH thread, standing currently at 850 replies.......
EDC - What's in Your Pocket(s)??
--
Vincent
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2003
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sak is good
i just bought a 50 lot of them from ebay so i could have one in ever mode of transport and clothing i have, one for the jacket, one for the bag, one for each of the cars, one for my room, one for the survival kit etc etc etc
the soldier is where i would personally start of in the sak line, the only things id like added on would be saw or a pair of scissors (there are models that include those). the soldier give syou a knife, a can opener, a bottle opener (and 2 sizes of plain head scredrivers) as well as a leather punch/something to make holes in things. if you dont have a needle, that can come in quite handle.
and no one wants to end up like tom without a can opener
(tom and jerry)
i would also agree with all the spyderco suggestions, though if your hard on your knives (breaking electrical wires, prying open cash redister drawers etc), you may want something a little thicker.
in the kershaw line, though its on the pricey side for retail, the black out suprised me with its functional simplicity.
id suggest the crk&t m1 but thats kind of a "fancier" more complicated design...
another one to think about would be the benchmade griptilian. very simple and utilitarian. (or the mini griptilian to put it closer to the chive)
i just bought a 50 lot of them from ebay so i could have one in ever mode of transport and clothing i have, one for the jacket, one for the bag, one for each of the cars, one for my room, one for the survival kit etc etc etc
the soldier is where i would personally start of in the sak line, the only things id like added on would be saw or a pair of scissors (there are models that include those). the soldier give syou a knife, a can opener, a bottle opener (and 2 sizes of plain head scredrivers) as well as a leather punch/something to make holes in things. if you dont have a needle, that can come in quite handle.
and no one wants to end up like tom without a can opener
(tom and jerry)i would also agree with all the spyderco suggestions, though if your hard on your knives (breaking electrical wires, prying open cash redister drawers etc), you may want something a little thicker.
in the kershaw line, though its on the pricey side for retail, the black out suprised me with its functional simplicity.
id suggest the crk&t m1 but thats kind of a "fancier" more complicated design...
another one to think about would be the benchmade griptilian. very simple and utilitarian. (or the mini griptilian to put it closer to the chive)
SethMurdoc said:
The Soldier (53929) is a wonderful model -
But the Victorinox Farmer (model #53964 - review linked) - adds the woodsaw and keyring to the Soldier and stays at 3 layers/backsprings thick ...
The Huntsman (53202) or the Fieldmaster (53931)
offers all the tools and gives a choice between the corkscrew and the Phillips
note: a hint the can-opener small screwdriver tip is designed to fit #1 & #2 Phillips - so the corkscrew on the Huntsman IMHO is a better choice for the added function as well as the ability to keep the small jeweller's screwdriver as in the Huntsman Plus (53261) that even adds a ballpoint pen -
--
Vincent
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
A Sak would be pretty neat choice. I second that, especially for EDC.
I personally would fork out a few more bucks and go for a SOG multitool or Leatherman. I dont like the feel of some of the Sak's, probably the plastic handle.
It has been said before, you get a pretty good knife and lots of other funcional tools too (depending on the version of Sak, Leatherman or SOG you buy).
I personally would fork out a few more bucks and go for a SOG multitool or Leatherman. I dont like the feel of some of the Sak's, probably the plastic handle.
It has been said before, you get a pretty good knife and lots of other funcional tools too (depending on the version of Sak, Leatherman or SOG you buy).