Okay, I know this might be a little vague, but I need some advice. I have carried numerous knives over the years from slip joints to BM, CRKT, Spyderco, Case, etc. I am in the market for a new EDC. I am looking for the best everyday cutter for everyday cutting needs. I don't need a self defense knife, that is why I carry a gun. Requirements are: Under 4 inches but preferably less than that. I like a slimmer knife with no serrations. Great cutting ability whatever steel, I don't have a favorite, and under $150.00. Any suggestions?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Best Cutter!
- Thread starter KFU
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2007
- Messages
- 1,144
Let me see.... Under 4 inch blade, slim with no serrations, great cutting ability whatever steel, under 150.00 . Sounds like a Caly 3 CF ZDP fills the bill and looks great doing it.
Dave
Dave
Two great cutters that may fit the bill,
BM Mini-Grip--I've the 440C version and, with little effort, I sharpened it to and wicked edge (sharpmaker, fine stones). Amazing little cutter that performed all my daily cutting needs adequately in the 6 months or so I carried it.
Spyderco Delica 4--IMHO, best version of the Delica to date
Both are well below your price range.
BM Mini-Grip--I've the 440C version and, with little effort, I sharpened it to and wicked edge (sharpmaker, fine stones). Amazing little cutter that performed all my daily cutting needs adequately in the 6 months or so I carried it.
Spyderco Delica 4--IMHO, best version of the Delica to date
Both are well below your price range.
cutlerylover
BANNED
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2003
- Messages
- 2,558
that question is just to hard to answer...REALLY it is...there are literally thousands on good cutters under the $150 price tag...all I cna say is spedn about 5 hours lookign at old posts in the general section of this forum and pick one you like the look of and will serve you well for your cutting needs...
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2005
- Messages
- 1,730
Spyderco Caly3 in any steel is my vote...
lambertiana
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2000
- Messages
- 9,761
As much as I like my high end knives with the latest greatest steel, I have to admit that if I were to go strictly by cutting efficiency, it would be hard to beat my Opinels. They have great edge and blade geometry for effortless cutting. They may not stay razor sharp nearly as long as some of my other knives, but even when a bit on the dull side they still cut well because of the edge and blade geometry. And they are so cheap that if you lose or break one, you won't shed any tears.
A few others with good geometry if you are determined to pay more to get premium steel:
Spyderco Caly 3 ZDP-189, or the standard Caly 3 or UKPK
BM Ritter mini-griptilian (available only from Aeromedix)
Buck Mayo 172
Fallkniven U2, TK3, TK4
The smallest of that bunch is the U2, the largest is the Buck Mayo
A few others with good geometry if you are determined to pay more to get premium steel:
Spyderco Caly 3 ZDP-189, or the standard Caly 3 or UKPK
BM Ritter mini-griptilian (available only from Aeromedix)
Buck Mayo 172
Fallkniven U2, TK3, TK4
The smallest of that bunch is the U2, the largest is the Buck Mayo
- Joined
- May 4, 2007
- Messages
- 413
I'm assuming you're looking for a folder. ZDP-189 Spyderco Calypso Jr. (light, FRN, no liners in handle) or ZDP-189 Spyderco Caly3 (heavier, G-10, linered). A flat ground is nearly unbeatable (except by convex grinds when woodworking), and the lamination makes them quite tough.
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2007
- Messages
- 738
well for folders id have to say the spyderco manix is one heck of a cutter. it has a broad blade of s30v and a full flat grind......i guess its acutally one heck of a slicer.
Here are some questions to help us narrow it down a bit.
What are you primarily cutting?
How heavy duty are you looking for?
Fixed or folder?
Here are some questions to help us narrow it down a bit.
What are you primarily cutting?
How heavy duty are you looking for?
Fixed or folder?
Victorinox Hiker....
Victorinox Gardener....
Victorinox Farmer....
Buck 110 from Buck's Custom Shoppe....
No pictures for these yet but they are also great cutters:
Spyderco Centofante III
Spyderco Manix
Spyderco Military
Victorinox Electrician
Opinel
Benchmade Griptilians 550 and 551
Benchmade Mini-Griptilians 555 and 556
Good luck,
Allen
Victorinox Gardener....
Victorinox Farmer....
Buck 110 from Buck's Custom Shoppe....
No pictures for these yet but they are also great cutters:
Spyderco Centofante III
Spyderco Manix
Spyderco Military
Victorinox Electrician
Opinel
Benchmade Griptilians 550 and 551
Benchmade Mini-Griptilians 555 and 556
Good luck,
Allen
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2005
- Messages
- 4,271
I'd have to vote for the Caly 3 also. I like the G10/VG10 version best, but any of them will do exactly what you want. If you want an even lighter version than the Caly 3s, a Caly Jr is linerless but still has a flat ground blade that is as sharp and efficient as any of the others in the lineup.
The nice thing about the Caly 3s is that they are made as relatively light weight EDC knives but they are built well enough to be able to handle some heavier use, if necessary.
Another option, but one that is slightly more expensive, is the H&K 14210 in 154CM steel. They are AXIS knives with open constuction, full steel liners, and G10 scales. I've been very pleasantly surprised at how efficient a cutter this knife is, and it's certainly built well enough to be able to do more than my everyday EDC tasks. The 154CM is tough enough to take some heavier use w/o chipping and it gets as sharp as any steel I've ever used. Mine does all of the usual things like push cutting, popping hair, etc, and it never needs anything but a quick touch up. No corrosion issues, either. I do cut stems, small branches, and other outdoor stuff. I don't do any food prep, though, so I can't say anything about acidic fruits, etc.
The nice thing about the Caly 3s is that they are made as relatively light weight EDC knives but they are built well enough to be able to handle some heavier use, if necessary.
Another option, but one that is slightly more expensive, is the H&K 14210 in 154CM steel. They are AXIS knives with open constuction, full steel liners, and G10 scales. I've been very pleasantly surprised at how efficient a cutter this knife is, and it's certainly built well enough to be able to do more than my everyday EDC tasks. The 154CM is tough enough to take some heavier use w/o chipping and it gets as sharp as any steel I've ever used. Mine does all of the usual things like push cutting, popping hair, etc, and it never needs anything but a quick touch up. No corrosion issues, either. I do cut stems, small branches, and other outdoor stuff. I don't do any food prep, though, so I can't say anything about acidic fruits, etc.
