Best folding knife for daily carry?

Speaking of Case, you might want to look into a Case Slimlock with a BG-42 blade. It really looks good, feels good, and is the right EDC size. However I haven't had time to put mine to the test at this writing. Smokey Mountain has it for $180 +/-. BG is a great steel and quite a departure from Case's normal Tru-test XX, etc. steel.......
 
Do not forget Emerson knives if you want a wave (He designed it). And I forgot about Benchmade.....You have so many choices at knives for $500!
 
I'd probably go with either a Strider SnG (or PT) or a Chris Reeve Sebenza. Get the SnG or the large Sebenza if you want a large blade or the PT or the small Sebenza if you want a smaller blade. At that price point it is pretty much strictly personal preference as to what to get. With very very few exceptions (and I can't think of one), if you spend 4 or 5 bills on a knife, its gonna be nice. Look at a bunch, handle the ones you can and buy the one you like best.

Its hard to go wrong with a Benchmade 710 or anything from Emerson, and you'll be quite a bit under your $500 limit.
 
tirod3 said:
With a $500 budget and a first choice of an expensive "operator's" knife, I have to ask, what job are you performing in daily life?

Unless you're on SWAT callout, the knife type specified largely indicates a desire to carry something to bolster a self image deficiency. Don't go there.

If you are LEO/military, pick up an Endura from the local knife shop or PX. It'll do.

High end uber tackycool knives from suppliers who don't specialize in them mean you get something made by somebody else. I suspect Wilson doesn't have a clue about making knives. They are a 1911 range gun maker - which also doesn't mean they specialize in combat pistols. Really, Browning, Glock, Beretta, SIG, HK, and Walther do that. Nobody issues a 1911. It's obsolete.

An EDC knife has a lot of competing jobs to do, and some onerous local requirements. I'd slow down and look for something in the $50 range to start. No sense making an expensive mistake because the job turned out completely different from the tool.
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SORRY TO HI-JACK, but I have to clear the air.

All listed below either issue or allow the use of the 1911 since its obsolete!

If the design was so obsolete then why in the heck is it the most popular, duplicated and mass produced sidearm in the last 100 years.


Austin Police Department, Texas
Austin ISD Police Department, Texas
Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
Plano Police Department, Texas
Richardson Police Department, Texas
Pepper Pike Police Department, Ohio
Mentor Police Department, Ohio
South Russell Police Department, Ohio
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, California
Hillsboro Police Department, New Hampshire
St. Charles Police Department, Illinois
Kane County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois
Sugar Grove Police Department, Illinois
Dalworthington Police Department, Texas
Hay’s County Sheriff, Texas
Williamson County Sheriff, Texas
Tacoma Police Department, Washington (issues Kimber TLE II)
Denver Police Department, Colorado
Aurora Police Department, Colorado
Lakewood Police Department, Colorado
Douglass County Sheriff Department, Colorado
Greenwood Village Police Department, Colorado
Wheatridge Police Department, Colorado
Thornton Police Department, Colorado
Salt Lake City Police Department, Utah
Utah State Patrol, Utah
Dickinson Police Department, Texas
Friendswood Police Department, Texas
Galveston Police Department, Texas
**LAPD SWAT
**FBI SWAT
**FBI HRT
Fife Police Department, Washington
Kittitas County Sheriff Department, Washington
San Diego Police Department, California
Blanco County Sheriff, Texas
Los Angeles County, California
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Arizona
Ripon Police Department, California
Anaheim Police Department, California
Salinas Police Department, California
Garden Grove Police Department, California
San Jose Police Department, California
Del Rey Oaks Police Department, California
Richmond Police Department, California
Pomona Police Department, California
Downey Police Department, California
Long beach Police Department, California
Maywood Police Department, California
Hurst Police Department, Texas
Franklin Police Department, Tennessee
Denton Police Department, Texas
Dalworthington Gardens Police Department, Texas
Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
Gahanna Police Department, Ohio
Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Florida
Tallahassee Police Department, Florida
Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico
Imperial Police Department, Nebraska
Cooke County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska
Southern Illinois University Police, Texas
Roswell Police Department, New Mexico
Tucumari Police Department, New Mexico
Curry County Sheriff, New Mexico
Luna County Sheriff, NM
Portales Police Department, NM
Debaca County Sheriff, NM
Raton Police Department, NM
San Marcos Police Department, TX
Nacogdoches County Sheriff, TX
Houston County Sheriff, TX
Kerr County Sheriff, TX
Kerrville Police Department, TX (issues Glock 35 allows 1911)
Carbon County Sheriff, WY
Sweet Grass County Sheriff, MT
Still Water County Sheriff, MT
Carbon County Sheriff, MT
Davis County Sheriff, UT
South Salt Lake P.D., UT
Murray PD, UT
Missoula County Sheriff, MT
Marion County Sheriff, FL
Belleview Police Dept, FL
Lakeland Police Dept. FL
Woodridge Police Dept., FL
Englewood Police Dept. Co
Westminister Police Dept. Co
Cherry Hill Police Dept. Co
Douglas County Sheriff. Co
Lemont Police Dept. IL
Bethlehem Police Dept. PA
Bowling Green Police Dept. VA
Florida State Fire Marshal’s Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigators. FL
Bristow Police Dept. CO
Cleveland Police Dept. OK
Jennings Police Dept. OK
Pawnee Police Dept. OK
Coconino County Sheriff. AZ
Beverly Hills SWAT. CA
Franklin County Sheriff. KS
Coffeyville Police Dept, KS
Rains County Sheriff. TX
Longmont Police Dept. CO
Arkadelphia Police Dept, AR
Fort Lupton Police Dept. CO
Weld County Sheriff, CO
Lasalle Police Dept, CO
Aberdeen Police Dept. ID
Terry County Sheriff, TX
Dawson County Sheriff, TX
Lynn County Sheriff, TX
Dawson County Sheriff, TX
Lampasas County Sheriff, TX
Coryell County Sheriff, TX
Tahoka Police Dept, TX
Gaines County Sheriff, TX
Bangor Police Dept., ME
Centralia Police Dept., WA
Dover Police Dept., NH
Montgomery County Sheriff, VA
Riesel Police Dept., TX
Burden Police Dept., KS
Bolder Police Dept., SD
Hermosa Beach Police Department, CA
 
In terms of folding knives for EDC, I like a 2.5-3" clip/drop-point blade. Locking mechanisms aren't necessary, but I do prefer lockbacks to liner locks. Truth be told, slipjoints are what I usually lean towards, but as long as the blade's got a nice grind, I'm happy.
 
If you're spending that kind of money, it's imperative that you get the feel of the possible candidates first. If you don't have a good knife store nearby, my suggestion would be to scale down the amount you're willing to spend on the knife, and use the balance for a trip to a city with a really good knife store. Call ahead to make sure they have the models you want to look at.
 
Superdave1 said:
+1 thanks Spideyman, I thought everyone would jump on that 'obsolete' remark!
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I didn't want to say it, but we are talking about knives which are of one if not mans oldest hand tool- so since they are a few thousand years old can they be called 'obsolete' too?;)
 
1911s are not obsolete in law enforcement. But they are certainly mostly obsolete. I suspect that fewer than 1% of LEOs carry 1911s on duty, but thats just a guess. :thumbup:

As for the original post, I'd recommend something good in the $60 - $130 range like a Delica, Endura, Griptilian, Military, Benchmade 710 and so forth. IMO they perform just as dang good as the spendy models, plus you don't end up crying when you lose it.

I can't think of a $500 EDC knife that is objectively 4 times better than a $130 Military.

JMO. :)
 
tirod3 said:
With a $500 budget and a first choice of an expensive "operator's" knife, I have to ask, what job are you performing in daily life?

Unless you're on SWAT callout, the knife type specified largely indicates a desire to carry something to bolster a self image deficiency. Don't go there.

If you are LEO/military, pick up an Endura from the local knife shop or PX. It'll do.

High end uber tackycool knives from suppliers who don't specialize in them mean you get something made by somebody else. I suspect Wilson doesn't have a clue about making knives. They are a 1911 range gun maker - which also doesn't mean they specialize in combat pistols. Really, Browning, Glock, Beretta, SIG, HK, and Walther do that. Nobody issues a 1911. It's obsolete.

An EDC knife has a lot of competing jobs to do, and some onerous local requirements. I'd slow down and look for something in the $50 range to start. No sense making an expensive mistake because the job turned out completely different from the tool.
Click to expand...

I didnt' catch this before. I have owned or handled a couple of knives from Wilson, and have not been at all disappointed. Their knives, while a little overpriced IMO, are excellent knives and very well made.

Please don't badmouth products that you know nothing about.
 
An axis lock Benchmade Griptillian is my EDC. It is smoothe,strong, and you will not be afraid to use it.
 
jdegg: I just ordered the Delta Wave and it should be here this week, if you're still interested I'll post my impressions when I receive it.
 
Slim, light, wicked sharp edge. You wont even know its in your pocket. My most carried knife. Go to a gun show and pick up several. I just ordered a zero tolerance 0200 though which is big and bulky by most standards. If you want a beast get a zero tolerance 0300 or 0200. One word of warning once you get the knife bug there is no turning back. I just got bit about a year ago and have about 10 blades now. Good luck this forum is great for lots of info...
 
Most guys starting out with an interest in folders are often attracted to tactical knives or at least knives that look tactical. Another thing that newbies fall for is the hype that is often found in the websites of these "tacticool" companies. This hype is something that a newbie must watch out for. To the OP welcome to BF and it's such a good idea to ask and find out the prevailing opinions about what you want to buy. It would make your purchase so much more satisfying if you get exactly what you need. I'd advise delaying your purchase and do a lot of reading of old posts here in BF. You have a very valuable resource here. Use it well and you won't have opportunity to regret your first knife purchase.
 
Sebenza.
If you want to spend in that area it is my favorite pick.
I have tried my best to kick my Sebenza addiction but I just keep coming back.
It is the perfect blend of compromises. Built nearly perfect. With a great warranty.
 
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