Best EDC: help me choose my next knife!

Something else to consider is a Zero Tolerance Military folder .
I have the ZT0200 St serrated.

It uses the same blade steel as the emerson (154cm) but costs less

It flips and gravity flicks. Also sits low in your pocket.
Lastly Clip can be changed tip up or down left or right handed

Almost the same as the ZT 0350 but a tad longer
 
Sebenza all day... It's a tough knife that can handle almost all tasks but can easily be worn with a suit. I think it fits your needs perfectly
 
Gearguy said:
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.
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No problem. I find that the large Sebenza is the perfect EDC for me. The Umnumzaan is right up there with it, but it's a little heavier and thicker than the Sebenza. Titanium is going to wear--expect scratches to show up on the handles. The first thing I did when I got my Umnumzaan was put a big scratch on it, so that I wouldn't have to worry about babying it. Use it like a knife and it will meet or exceed all your expectations. I've dropped my Sebenza off of a roof onto cement (and had to re-grind the tip), I've had it run over by a car, and I've dropped onto tile numerous times. It's held up quite nicely. The high hollow grind makes it slice really well while retaining good tip strength. Some people complain that it doesn't hold an edge long enough, but I guess I don't cut as much cardboard/burlap/sisal rope as some people do to really tell the difference at the end of the day.

Too nice? I don't think so. I think something like a William Henry or a annual Sebenza with a damascus blade would be too nice, but not a plain Jane Sebenza. In a sandy environment I think either the Umnumzaan or the Sebenza would do quite well.

The Sebenza weighs in at 4.7 ounces, and the Umnumzaan at 5. The BM 950 Rift weighs 4.8, the ZT 200 7.7 ounces, and the ZT 350 5.8 ounces.

If you've never had a true left handed knife (left handed carry option does not = left handed knife) I'd earnestly suggest trying one out. It's so nice that I've stopped looking at knives with right handed locks.
 
Sonits sounds like people are really liking the Chris Reeve knives. I have to admit, I said the price wasn't really a factor but I am a little aghast at the prospect of dropping four bills on a blade. That being said, I think I have been pretty much convinced.

Thanks for the advice guys, I am going to begin a new threat regarding which CRK will best suit my needs.
 
As a lefty and someone who uses their knife daily crawling around crawl spaces, attics, in cold & wet conditions I recommend the Griptilian.

It can be opened and closed easily left handed, can be opened with a gloves, cleaned easily and priced fairly. Like you I have a sebenza and it's a nice knife but it doesn't work well with gloves and dirt.

The funny thing is, I keep spending money on all these knives but when it comes time for work the Grip goes in my pocket.
 
I'd keep it simple and go with a Delica.

I traded my Endura for my Delica because the Endura was too big most of the time, especially with dressier pants.

Keep your other Spyderco for non dress use, and sand down the texture on the G10 so it doesn't tear up your clothes.
 
Gearguy said:
are all g-10 scales as damaging to clothes as my paramilitary 2?
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No. Spyderco using peel-ply G10, which is very aggressive. Polished G10 is fine. One of your options is to remove scale on clip side from Para and sand it. This will do the trick, unless you need a new knife. If $$ is not a concern, than CF Para2 with S90V would be nice
 
I love my Mini-Grip...only compliant is you need to put a better edge on it than BM does. It is my favorite EDC...smooth, great lock, good grip, and solid! Now the only think I do like is the the blade shape...I like an EDC to be more of a slicer...like my Para-2...pointer, narrower, but my para 2 tip is a worry for I think I could easily break it off. So with that trade offs the blade is still strong and it is by far my favorite. Also the 154CM that BM does seems to be pretty good. I have an M390 which is a tank of a steel but really hard to sharpen! And a S30V which I am not a huge fan of no matter who makes it. Edge never seems to be smooth enough with S30V..even when I really hone it down. But when it does have a good edge on it I like it. I have a mini-grip in all those steels and like 154CM the most for I can put an edge on it very easy...but the M390 will out last them all...but is tough to put an edge on just like S30V. I just need to get an Apex and shut up about it. I use these knives so often it is hard to keep them razor sharp...I mean I beat them!! My spyderco come from the factory with the best edge by a mile!!! But I am not as nuts about the design...lock, handle, length or not having a thumb stud. My BM Minis function above the rest without being a total bank breaker...they are not in a sebenza, Strider, or hinderer category so I dont compare them...for every day use I am happy with the mini as an EDC above all...and if I where to break it I wouldnt be pissed...for 69 bucks and I am on to a new one...never broke one yet and they have taken a beating!!
 
I am on my fourth Sebenza. It is a 2009 large annual inlay. It is a perfect knife that is both durable and beautiful. I went from Benchmades to Sebenza's and now I am carrying that as well as a Lambert and a Hinderer. There is a reason a Sebenza costs more. It's worth it.

I am not knocking Spyderco or any other brand. Knives have become more like jewelry or art to me.
 
CS is coming out with that spear point Recon 1, ooh or the synthetic bone one, something Texas with FFG may bring me into the bone handle group
 
Hi guys, thanks for all the advice. I have decided to buy a CRK Sebenza, felt hand. I will post pics when I receive it.
 
I have a Benchmade Griptilian and love it. I was needing a new EDC as well when I decided on it. I had looked at several Spydercos but decided I like the feel of the Griptilian the best. Here is a link to a video on youtube of one being field tested. Pretty tough knife although I have never used mine as hard as they do in the video.[video=youtube_share;pKol-A0fX7E]http://youtu.be/pKol-A0fX7E[/video]
 
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
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Your list includes a wide range of prices! Of those I would definitely choose the BM 470. This is personal of course but it has the qualities that I like. From other peoples suggestions I looked at the BM 943 and I might choose it too, depending on the size that I wanted. Currently I'm carrying a Benchmade mini-grip and I like it too, but I bought it because it was cheap and I wouldn't mind if it got beat up a little bit. I can certainly recommend it but if I was willing to spend more money I would buy one of the more expensive models. If I had the money I would buy the 470.

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I edc a pair of BM 710s. Their G10 handles don't scratch up your clothes like some others. Lately I've carrying the m390 model. I am really impressed with that steel. It seems to be on par with my CPM M4 model. Another knife you might consider is the ProTech TR3 Integrity Manual folder. You can find it in a variety of steels. One more thing I can say about BMs is that the axis lock is ambidexterous.
 
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