Best EDC: help me choose my next knife!

G

Gearguy

Joined
Feb 12, 2012
Messages
10
Hello Everyone,

First off, I'd like to say hello and introduce myself to the Blade Forum. I have been a lurker on the site for years and have looked to all your reviews and commentaries when considering past purchases. Now, however, I thought I would actually post and get specific feedback in the hopes of informing an impending purchase.

A little about me. I am a Canadian (yes - that is carte Blanche to start spinning up Canuck jokes) who spent quite a few years in the Canadian military primary reserve as a light infantry officer and am now employed overseas in East Africa. While in the military, my EDC was a Cold Steel Voyager - Medium, with a traditional tango blade. I still have the knife but my tastes - and knife technology - have evolved quite a bit since then. My primary complaints with the Voyager were the Tanto blade shape, which I didn't find overly practical, budget quality, and finally, the lack a movable pocket clip (I am a leftie).

In any event, about a year ago, after reading many reviews, I pulled the trigger on a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 and I have to say the knife completely exceeds my expectations. The S30V steel and blade shape, ergonomics, and fit and finish are just perfect. My only complaint is that the G-10 handles absolutely destroy my clothes. For work I travel quite a bit and find myself wearing a suit some days and then cargo pants and hiking boots the next. Thus, the Paramilitary 2 is finding itself getting left behind as an EDC due to the damage it inflicts on my clothes. (Try replacing a favorite pair of jeans in East Africa!)

Thus, I am now on the quest for a new EDC. My criteria are broad and I am finding it extremely difficult to come to a decision. Price is not really an issue and I don't mind paying more if it will get me a substantively better blade. At this point, I haven't even been able to decide on a 3.0" or 3.5" blade as the Paramilitary 2 split the difference and I really liked that. My only real hard and fast criteria are that it be suitable for a wide range of tasks, carry quite inconspicuously, and be usable for a leftie. Also, I know this is a bit controversial, and believe me, I am no means Steven Seagal, but the ability to use it as a last ditch SD blade would also be nice.

So, without further blathering on, here are the options I have identified thus far:

- Spyderco Delica or Endura 4
- Spyderco Caly 3 or 3.5 (a little concerned that the ZDP sandwhiched blade may scratch to easily)
- Spyderco Sage in Ti (would prefer a US made blade)
- BM Emissary 470 (heard reports that the scales scratch easily)
- BM 940 (like the size and wieght but not a huge fan of the blade design)
- BM Mini Barrage (I have had the Luck too handle this one in the store in Canada and liked it but it did seem a bit heavy and bulky)
- BM Griptilian or Mini Griptilian
- Chris Reeves Sebenza 21 (I love this one, but is it too nice for an EDC?)
- Emerson A-100 (can a leftie carry this one?)

Beyond that I have also been looking at Al Mar, ZT, and Lone Wolf models but am not at all familiar with them.

Also, I am not adverse to G-10 as a handle material as long as it doesn't chew up clothes.

So, what are your thoughts. What should I buy?
 
if your in the military and are going to need a knife to use practically i mean beat on thrash on and just be a worker i would NOT recomend a sebbie its nice but its slow the steel and heat treat is meh

if it was me i would go bm griptilian and if you want an unbelievable steel that i dont think you will believe get it in m390 i sh** you not when i say its the best steel i have ever used 100 percent rust proof IMO/experience and 154cm took years and bleach and other acids to develop 1 single rust spot that wiped off after a little soak in oil

the axis is unbelievably fast to use i have worked in florida attics for duct work at around 130+ degrees on a medium day and 100 percent humidity and crampt spaces and i have known guys who have died from it and i will tell you this being able to flip the baby open however fast i need it and close it 2x as fast as a liner/frame lock its great cause you want to get whatever you are doing done RIGHT NOW its way better than a back lock, liner, frame ball bearing i would say comp locks are very similar but axis is better for lefties 940 is meh i mean nice knife but i bore from s30 i would rather have vg10 or 154 or m390 d2 is good but it will rust

sage doesnt come in lefty

and a grip will not tear up your pants
 
No longer in the military actually, so the cutting tasks are definitely less intense. I agree with you about the griptilian, it is definitely on my short list and I compare it to the Endura quite frequently. At this point, if I had to choose between the two I think it would be the Endura or Delica 4 in ZDP-189? That being said, the Griptilian in M390 is tempting.

And are you sure the Sage can't be carried left handed, from the pics it looks like the wire clip can be mounted on the other side.

Cheers.
 
I would second the BM Mini Barrage but it IS a little tricky to close one handed (you can do it, I do easily, but YMMV). Grip would be a great option considering that, also it is cheaper. But if you really like AO, Mini-Barrage is awesome. When I carry it in my pocket it doesn't feel bulky at all.
 
tacdriver22mk2 said:
if your in the military and are going to need a knife to use practically i mean beat on thrash on and just be a worker i would NOT recomend a sebbie its nice but its slow the steel and heat treat is meh
Click to expand...

I'd disagree. I can flick my Sebenza open just as fast, if not faster, than any of my other knives. I think that the steel and heat treat is the perfect all around compromise. Sure, other steels can hold an edge better, but it often comes at the expense of ease of sharpening. If you've ever held a Sebenza there are few knives with the same blade thickness that feel as robust.

Axis lock, well, I've had two Omega springs break on me. It's probably a fluke, but it has definitely turned me off of Axis lock style mechanisms.

Gearguy CRK makes a dedicated left handed frame lock. If price isn't an issue, I really wouldn't even consider a Sage 2. Yes, you can mount the clip on the other side, but you can't change the lock bar side. It's a nice knife, but it isn't a left handed knife.

If I'm not mistaken I think Emerson makes left handed versions of their knives.
 
Maybe a Spyderco Stretch. It's leftie friendly, great ergos, fairly light and is quite affordable. It also fits your blade length request a bit better than the Delica or Endura.
 
Thanks for the input so far.

Paranoidsentry, unfortunately a fixed blade really isn't an option given that, under certain circumstances I will be in a suit.

Okay, so we've got a vote for the Griptilian, the BM mini barrage, and the sebenza (what a gorgeous blade).

Anything else to recommend? And are all g-10 scales as damaging to clothes as my paramilitary 2?
 
an EDC should be something you can carry inside your pocket (but a clip is still a desireable feature.) also, in crappy places, you should be able to conceal it well enough to escape a cursury pat-down. now, since it's likely a small knife, it must be sharp and sturdy as hell. in an emergency, it'll be called on to do big knife chores or chores not intended for a knife.

yes, i'm headed for the SAK/multitool direction but a single knife blade that's sharp, strong and functional is miles away from having no tool whatsoever.
 
The Endura has always been my favorite value self-defense knife. The HARD USE medium Cold Steel Voyager fits perfectly in my blue jean watch pocket. The Kershaw Salvo is a great little suit knife that does not chew up pockets and is flat enough to conceal very easily.
 
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Gotta agree with you hank_reardon, an SAK is indispensable, I always have either the camper or climber on me but I find takes to long to access the blade when you really need it. It's my edc bag (filson field bag or belstaff colonial). I want a knife that is instantly at hand.

The delica's and endura's are very hi on my list and I have now also added the stretch based on Insipid Moniker's suggestion. I have read that there may be some problems with the lock up on. Some models however, has anyone had problems with this?

As for the kershaw Salvo, it looks pretty sweet but, from the pics I've seen, it looks to be right hand only.

Drbobguy, the 943 looks great, how robust is the blade though, it looks quite thin/narrow near the tip and doesn't seem to have much belly.
 
Gearguy said:
Drbobguy, the 943 looks great, how robust is the blade though, it looks quite thin/narrow near the tip and doesn't seem to have much belly.
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Consider the BM 943 to be a slightly bigger BM 470. I carried a 943 exclusively for three years during college, and the blade was more than robust enough. The tip is just about as thin/narrow as the Delica's/Caly 3's/Caly 3.5's.

Here are some pictures of a few of the knives in question:

2012-02-13_07-42-04_950.jpg


If you want a heftier knife you might want to consider the Umnumzaan (Both of these are left handed versions).

2012-02-13_07-42-50_35.jpg
 
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ZT 0350 is very good for your purpose. I like it and my only reservation is the damn ken onion curved blade...why ZT cant just do a normal blade is beyond me.
 
Have you looked at the Benchmade Rift? I also really like the Para 2 and it is close in size. I have had a ton of knives pass through my hands and it is still my favorite. The G10 handles are machined to add texture but don't have the normal surface texturing that a lot of G10 has. It also has a lot of cutting edge for the handle length and the reverse tanto gives it quite a bit of tip strength. Also comes with your choice of black or a black/tan G10.


bm950.jpg
 
Mt. Airy and soapboxbreacher: The ZT 0350 is awesome. Three questions: is it suitable for left hand carry; how is it for EDC; and, will the g-10 damage clothes.

FlaMtnBkr: this is actually a really interesting blade, I am going to research it immediately.

Cynic2701: a big thank you for the pics, they are worth a thousand words as they say. The 943 looks good but I am concerned about how much finish has come off the handles and clip. What are really catching my attention are the Chris Reeve blades. To be honest, before last week, I had never heard of them (sacrilege). I am now officially obsessed with them. What are your thoughts? Are the large versions of the sebenza 21 and Umnumzaan good for EDC or are they too big and heavy. It looks like you have really used them which is great. How have they held up? My only concern is that, at this price point, I might be afraid to use them. I can find myself in conditions from an office environment to desert in the span of a week.

As it stands, I am beginning to think it will either be a top end sebenza or like, or an entry level Endura or Griptilian.
 
Gearguy said:
Mt. Airy and soapboxbreacher: The ZT 0350 is awesome. Three questions: is it suitable for left hand carry; how is it for EDC; and, will the g-10 damage clothes.

FlaMtnBkr: this is actually a really interesting blade, I am going to research it immediately.

Cynic2701: a big thank you for the pics, they are worth a thousand words as they say. The 943 looks good but I am concerned about how much finish has come off the handles and clip. What are really catching my attention are the Chris Reeve blades. To be honest, before last week, I had never heard of them (sacrilege). I am now officially obsessed with them. What are your thoughts? Are the large versions of the sebenza 21 and Umnumzaan good for EDC or are they too big and heavy. It looks like you have really used them which is great. How have they held up? My only concern is that, at this price point, I might be afraid to use them. I can find myself in conditions from an office environment to desert in the span of a week.

As it stands, I am beginning to think it will either be a top end sebenza or like, or an entry level Endura or Griptilian.
Click to expand...

It can be carried for lefties. I have carried it for EDC but it is on the bigger size for me...I like a 3" blade for an edc because state law in IL is under 3" without getting any attention. But by no means is this a big knife! I love the flipper!! It makes it fast and easy, stud works too just needs to work it in a little. To me the 0350 is a tactical folder that is practical for EDC. The G10 pattern isnt a highly coarse texture. My lawman is far worse for that pattern is aggressive. The 0350 is easy on the clothes for me so I had no issues. I find the jimping to be perfect on it as well. Grip is also a very good shape. Overall this is one of my favorite blades. My only reservation is the ken onion recurve blade but that is more so from a sharpening stand point then any. This is a stellar knife for the money!
 
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