Big or Small EDC ?

B

Bechbum2588

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Oct 27, 2018
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I am going to buy a new knife and I go through these big or small EDC. Right now I am looking at the new Socom Elte, Spyderco Military or PM2, Benchmade Bedlam 8600, BM 940, Gayle Bradley 2 and this new knife made by WE knives called the Primortal designed by Adam Purvis. It drives me crazy. I cannot decide what size I want. It will only be used for light utility and self defense. Does anyone else have this problem?
 
Bechbum2588 said:
I am going to buy a new knife and I go through these big or small EDC. Right now I am looking at the new Socom Elte, Spyderco Military or PM2, Benchmade Bedlam 8600, BM 940, Gayle Bradley 2 and this new knife made by WE knives called the Primortal designed by Adam Purvis. It drives me crazy. I cannot decide what size I want. It will only be used for light utility and self defense. Does anyone else have this problem?
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Not a problem here. But some say I seem to have a “problem” buying too many knives.
 
Im assuming it will probably never be used for self defense as a folding knife makes a poor defensive weapon.

As far as an edc knife goes that could be used to defend yourself in a pinch, I’d vote for the pm2 or the gayle Bradley. Both are excellent edc blades and are pretty strong locks.
 
Choices such as this come with experience and often the experience is expensive to gain. I have settled on modern knives with blades between 3.0" and 3.25" for the most part as being the largest size and most practical to carry for me. This size is typified by the Spyderco Delica. I have smaller and larger, but mostly smaller. Self defense is generally not one of my "requirements" with a knife.

Been very pleased with the Steel Will Mini Cutjack in M390 and the Boker Urban Trapper.

I'm trying to actually slowly go smaller than this. But even my SAK has a 3" blade that I carry every day and have for 20+ years. I want to go smaller, but it's hard to change.
 
I am literally all over the map. I carried a 8.3oz Medford a couple of days ago and a Benchmade that is under 2oz today. I will carry a 4” bladed Cold Steel one day and a Spyderco Ladybug the next.

I like variety but also like carrying all of my knives. Unless I have a specific use case for a certain knife (fishing, camping, air travel where I need a tiny blade, etc.), I just rotate thru my collection.

With your choices above, most are bigger knives, but not huge.

I have a GB2 and love it. Many love the PM2 as well. The Military is too big for me personally. I would personally go with a PM2 as it can do basically everything you require and isn’t insanely expensive.
 
I only EDC for self defense. Depending on laws restricting length (Chicago) I may change it up but for the most part I carry:

- (TWO) Zero Tolerance 0095 Sprint Run with Titanium Handles and Tan Coated CPM S90V Steel Blade Model 0095TANBLK

The Zero Tolerance 0095 Sprint Run with Titanium Handles and Tan Coated CMP S90V Steel Blade is engineered with high-grade materials for great edge durability and a comfortable grip. It features a CPM S90V steel harpoon style blade that offers a stylish look and optimal performance, and a solid titanium handle crafted with wide, contoured chamfers to provide a secure, comfortable grip. This knife is an extremely limited production run so make sure to pre-order this great every day carry knife today.

Features: CPM S90V steel blade with Tan DLC coating. Matte black DLC solid titanium handle. Titanium frame lock with hardened lockbar. KVT ball-bearing opening system. Tip-up carry reversible right or left handed pocket clip. Made in the USA.

Specifications
Blade Length: 3.6 in. (9.8 cm),
Blade Thickness: 0.121 in. (0.307 cm),
Closed Length: 4.9 in. (12.4 cm),
Overall Length: 8.4 in. (21.3 cm),
Weight: 5.3 oz. (150.3 g)
Country of Origin: USA

or
- (TWO) Spyderco Yojimbo 2 - Carbon Fiber - 20CV Blade

Specifications
Overall Length: 7.55" (192mm)
Closed Length: 4.51" (115mm)
Blade Length: 3.11" (79mm)
Cutting Edge Length: 2.95" (75mm)
Blade Thickness: .156" (4mm)
Blade Steel: 20CV
Blade Finish: Satin
Handle Material: Carbon Fiber
Pocket Clip: Yes, right/left tip up/tip down
Lock Type: Compression
Weight: 4oz
Country of Origin: USA
 
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4" Cold Steel in town , 2X 5.5" at home . Not a problem . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Bechbum2588 said:
Does anyone else have this problem?
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No.
I carry both most of the time.
Something around 4 inch and something shorter.
e.g., today was : Endura 4 in ZDP-189 and a Dragonfly same alloy.

I will say that if I am going to put some money in a folder it is more than likely going to be on the longer side; think 710. But I have some uses for that length.
 
Having categorizing your choices according to price helps out also. I haven't seen the cheapest BM 940 in the same price range as the cheapest PM2. I've also only owned the two & for the price, even a used PM2 is a great value.
 
If I thought of a knife as useful for self-defense, I would probably carry something bigger, but I don’t, so the knives I carry are usually smaller, like 3 1/2” closed, with a 3” blade.

Not too long ago, I bought a RAT 2 in preference to the RAT 1. My preferred Opinel for pocket carry is a No.6. I have a Griptilian, but it is really too big; I should get the Mini-Grip.
 
Only you can decide what feels right to you. I know that I prefer modern folders with blades in the 3.5-3.75" range. I'm usually okay with a 4" blade, unless the handle is too long; and I've finally gotten to a point where I like some with 3.25" blades...but I went through a bunch of knives I wouldn't carry before I got there. (I've got one with a 3" blade that I really want to like; but I can't bring myself to put it in my pocket. I find the Leek and Delica to be too small for my hands/fingers.)
 
I carry for utility, so a Wenger Esquire (Victorinox Classic analog) is my tape buster and goo scraper, with a 3.0”-3.5” folder for real cutting.

Even working in a shitty area, having had 3 physical altercations in the past 5 months with local criminals in my store, I wouldn’t consider a folder for SD. With proper training, these things are usually decided faster than you could deploy a folding knife reactively. These idiots usually don’t know how to fight, and aren’t fighting to the death. You don’t have to kill them. You just have to defeat their commitment to the altercation.
 
I just look for whatever fits my hand and is useful without being too heavy. Usually that is best done in person at some kind of brick and mortar store.

Oh wait you said self defense. Just go with the biggest knife from the Rambo movies.:eek:
 
Bechbum2588 said:
I am going to buy a new knife and I go through these big or small EDC. Right now I am looking at the new Socom Elte, Spyderco Military or PM2, Benchmade Bedlam 8600, BM 940, Gayle Bradley 2 and this new knife made by WE knives called the Primortal designed by Adam Purvis. It drives me crazy. I cannot decide what size I want. It will only be used for light utility and self defense. Does anyone else have this problem?
Click to expand...

I carried a Spyderco Endura (3-3/4" blade) for years as my EDC. After years and years, I never once used it for defense, nor even felt like it was likely I'd have to. I'd be better off carrying a baton when I'm in those shady areas, or just get my concealed carry license and pack some REAL heat. Unless you're in a REALLY bad area and you actually have some defense knife training?

I downsized to a Delica (2-3/4" blade) and it is just better for anything I ACTUALLY do. The Endura was big enough to raise eyebrows when deployed. The Delica gets a glance at the click, but when they see the blade size in relation to my hand, it's no problem.

Aside from the smaller size being adequate and being perceived as less threatening, the tip of the knife has a lot more precision. (and let's face it, the tip of the knife can be quite useful!)

So my advice is to get a smaller one that is better in REAL use, and have another option for defense when you're likely to need it. Billy club, baton, pepper spray, stun gun, pistol, etc.

As I get older, I realize even the Delica is overkill most of the time. I hope this doesn't get me fired from BladeForums, but sometimes I'm only packing a Victorinox Classic with its blade being less than 2"... ;)
 
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