best edc $500 max

I would recommend a Sebenza and a quality multi-tool from Leatherman. The reason I recommend the Sebenza over most other brands for your purpose, is that it seems you will be getting your knife dirty and putting it through a lot of hard use. The great thing about a Sebenza is (a) it is built for and as a hard work knife (b) you can take it apart and clean it very easily (c) great warranty. For what you intend to use the knife for, I think the Sebenza would be the best choice in a folder. You can compliment the Sebenza with a Leatherman on your belt for some of the more demanding cutting chores like vines and roots, that's where the saw tool/attachment will come in handy.

That said, for an all purpose single knife based on many of the cutting tasks you've listed, I think you'd be best served with a blade that has partial serrations. Perhaps a Benchmade Griptilian w/combo edge, or other Benchmade model with partial serrations. Only drawback to the axis models is they aren't the easiest to clean and lube if you are constantly working in the muck.
 
Strider is a good choice for a tough folder, but in your case I would get two knives. One for work and one for the rest. Loosing a knife on one of many job sites is always a possibility. Lending a knife to another person who will do something stupid to it is also a big chance at work. Replacing $150 is a lot easier than $500. I would get a ZT 0200/0300 for work if you want to go tough. I would even carry an Ontario Rat 1 or something similar (~$25-30) for a month or two, just to see how good you are at always knowing where your knife is. Also for your type of work, I would probably go for partially serrated blade as it might be very useful when cutting roots after you dull the edge by cutting thick wires.
When not at work, for the rest, you can have that $400 knife. You can still use it hard, abuse etc, but it is a lot easier to keep track of it, when you don't need to concentrate on your work.
 
I would personally get 3 different knives. I know exactly what you are saying in trying to find a knife that does it all, but you really can't. I was in the same boat as you not to long ago. I ended up buying a umnumzaan because i love the design and its a CRK. If I were you, I first get a decent multi-tool from leatherman or another solid maker. I would then buy a small fixed blade for work only. Maybe a rat izula because it is tough as nails and a NO QUESTIONS ASKED warrenty. Then with the remaining 400, I'd get a folder that you like for EDC to cut EDC things. If you use a 400 dollar folder cutting wire, or roots and sod in the dirt, you will go from a hair popping sharp to butter knife dull in the first 10 minutes at work. Dirt and rocks will dull your blade faster than you can say s*** thats dull. But, if you HAVE to have only one knife, I'd go for what was mentioned already. A CRK or a SNG.
 
I'd go for a tough multi-tool, a mid-sized CRKT razel, and a nice folder of choice for lighter things. Every time I stick a decent knife in the dirt, it comes back chipped and dull.
 
Charlie Mike said:
You listed the SnG as one of your prospects. I suggest the SMF. I personally found the SnG to a bit short on actually sharpened blade length. A like new SMF can be found on the exchange for <$500
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Yeah, based on your description, I'd say SMF, too. It's a little big and heavy, but if you are doing all that you've listed, it shouldn't be a problem...
 
Get a cheap fixed blade to abuse, yes, cutting thick wire and digging in the dirt is abuse.

I'd just make sure my tool belt/bucket has what I needed, like a $10 trowel, $5 wire cutters etc.

I can not recommend a tool that's not made for the job, use some common sense.
 
Take a look at the Rat Cutlery RC3 and maybe even the Izula... then for the wire a nice set of side cutters.
 
Grab your favorite nice knife that fits you. Then spend $30 on a utility knife and replacement blades. I dont care what knife you buy using it to cut roots in dirt and sod will require lots of shaprening. won't ruin the knife, but you'll wear the blade down keeping it sharp. Just my 2 cents. I like my SnG DGG but I've been craving a half GG SMF with a full Ti lockside and a GG G10 side. At $550 you can get a Fairall Reflection.
 
If you're going to abuse a knife like that, get a CS Voyager or a Buck 110 (or a pair of pruning shears) ... spend the change on Sbenza.:D
 
some1 recommended the crkt razel in the midsize and imo thats the best recomendation for the kind of work youre doing. ive carried the same midsize crkt razel with the factory kydex sheath carried as a in pocket sheath and it works perfect and is a knife i dont mind cutting things like roots and such. and with the chisel tip its invaluable in carpenty work for doing things like scraping old paint to chiseling out the opening for door hinges and door lock plates. Oh and its hundreds of dollars cheaper then the custom version. minus the premium steel of course but still great for what you need a knife for. go take a look and if you are somewhere where you can hold the knife before buying it youll see how comfortable theyve made this 1 for a working knife.
 
Zero Tolerance 0500 Mudd. Has enclosed pivot to keep out sod, mud and other nasties. Nice big thumb stud for use with gloves and at around $120 you wont feel like a chump if you mess it up.
 
thanks for all the great advice guys and im deff listening but it seems like some of you guys are using edge retention as an excuse to buy a cheaper knife. if edge retention has nothing to do with it ( 10 mins a week to sharpen my knife seems like a small price to pay for what i get in return) would you still say get a cheaper knife. if thats not what you guys are getting at im sorry im just being a newb and dont understand "abuse" lol.
 
My advice is take that $500 and if possible (depending on where you stay) go to the biggest knife supplier in your area and test and experience each and every valid opinion given here. Look at as many knives as possible and HANDLE each and every one that peeks your interest. I know New Graham is a great store. (Have only heard good things about them on this forum so if possible go there)
 
$500 for an EDC knife? I have the money to do $500 or over BUT if this is gonna be a use and "most-likely" abuse knife then I'd keep it $200 or less.

Suppose that $500 knife gets lost, misplaced, stolen? Will you cry like a baby or simply order another one with no sweat? That is what you have to ask yourself. Many a man spend big bucks on a folder only to lose it then cry tears for the money they spent.

Get any knife you can afford up to the point the tears will start to fall should you lose it. That's my way of thinking.

So I would go Sebenza if the tears won't fall.
OR
Benchmade Griptilian if the tears will fall around that price range.
 
called knifeart.com a little while ago just to get some info........ sng ironwood small seb and a leatherman wave coming next week fml. im going to regret that:o
 
smitty1505 said:
called knifeart.com a little while ago just to get some info........ sng ironwood small seb and a leatherman wave coming next week fml. im going to regret that:o
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It would be a good idea to have them thoroughly check the SNG before shipping. They should look for things like lockup problems, blade play and uncentered blade. I got a PT with problems recently and have heard a lot of people having to send Striders back. BTW enjoy your new knives and they are all great choices.
 
SteelSnob said:
It would be a good idea to have them thoroughly check the SNG before shipping. They should look for things like lockup problems, blade play and uncentered blade. I got a PT with problems recently and have heard a lot of people having to send Striders back. BTW enjoy your new knives and they are all great choices.
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thanks didnt know that will do
 
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