Can't decide on a new edc!

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Kershaw1567

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Jan 9, 2014
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Everyone recommends the para 2 but I have been trying to try other knife brands please recommend any knife with a 3-4 inch blade, no slip joints my day would be cutting zip ties ,cardboard and paper looking to spend maximum $160
 
I just bought a Spyderco Stretch super blue as my new edc. Ive only carried it fews days since I just got it but love it!!!!
 
If you're going to be cutting cardboard and zip ties I say go heavy and tough.


Look for a Benchmade Rift or Contigo in CPM M4. Big bellies, tough tips and a steel that will hold up
 
I personally love my Benchmade 950 for edc. I tore apart a large sectional earlier with it. Of course it needs to be sharpened now but the amount of fabric I cut it is understandable.
 
Sunyata said:
If you're going to be cutting cardboard and zip ties I say go heavy and tough.


Look for a Benchmade Rift or Contigo in CPM M4. Big bellies, tough tips and a steel that will hold up
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A stretch will cut through cardboard all day long compared to thicker blades.
 
Spyderco manix 2 might be a good choice. I've been using it all week for the same stuff your describing. good luck.

Hope this helps.

Battle
 
Though I've yet to use it on much cardboard, my Spyderco Harpy makes easy work of zip ties. With that said, something along the lines of a Spyderco Matriarch or Civilian may be worth consideration, to fit your length preference.
 
ericzhao517 said:
Cold Steel Lawman/Recon1/Code4. You can probably get all 3 on the forums for less than 160$
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I just today received a Cold Steel Code 4 in the mail today....my first impression is the knife is, in a word, crude. I'd recommend a Spyderco. My budget choice would be a Delica or Endura.....in the Benjamin plus category I'd look hard at a sprint run Super Blue Stretch, Para-Military, Sage 2, or perhaps a Gayle Bradley. Of course you can't go wrong with the Military as well. Any of my suggestions would come in under your $160 limit.
 
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Hogue ex01, lionsteel SR2a, Spyderco Gayle bradley or Manix2, cold steel recon 1, zt0350, 0550, 0566
 
The ZT0350M390, a Knifeworks exclusive, would be a great knife.....if you can up your $160 to $180. KAI does a great job with M390 steel.

Btw, the already mentioned BM 950 Rift is also a great choice. The Spyderco Gayle Bradley is another winner.
 
Since cutting zip ties often involve twisting, which cuts them easier and safer than pull cutting, something tough. And durable over time.

If it were me, I'd be reaching for my ZT 0566. It's a little tank.

It has lock bars on each side of the blade that rest on stainless steel liners and reinforce the pivot. It is very ergonomic.

It also has good steel, Elmax. So it will hold an edge for awhile. And with steel liners, I trust their ability to handle a lot of stress over time vs. FRN.

I like FRN, don't get me wrong. But I'd be concerned with the blade pivot area getting loose over time with my Endura, but I haven't done that job with it daily so that would be a SWAG.

And I have a Civilian and a waved Matriarch, both AWESOME knives. But the Civilian is not made for that job. It's a SD tool, and a great one at that. Arguably the best at that.

Of the two the Matriarch would absolutely be better, but sharpening the serrations would be something to think about. People at work wouldn't mess with you, either, with that blade appearance!
 
An Emerson Horseman is something to consider, too. The wave is very cool, it's a tough knife, and in that price range.

Tap these photos to enlarge. Please forgive my iPhone photos, not the best at all but photos are always great, right?

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Endura, ZT 566 and Emerson Horseman top to bottom.

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Horseman, PM2 and the 566 bottom to top.

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Civilian, Waved Matriarch 2 and another one to consider, the Spyderco Ulize. Thin, cool knife.

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Ulize, Matriarch 2 and ZT.
 
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I've been on a ZT kick here lately and have been really impressed with the value. I have been carrying the 0566 since I got it and it's just about perfect for edc. Carries deep and doesn't eat up your jeans like my 0350 does. I have an 0801 coming, but I'm still not sure it will push the 0566 out of rotation. I can't say enough good about ZT right now especially with some of their new offerings coming out. Good luck with whatever you decide and come back with pics!
 
My edc is usually native frn or mini grip those two have 3" blades. If you want something larger maybe a starmate I think it's a good value got mine for $150 shipped.
 
What do you do that requires a lot of zip ties to be cut? When I do a cable run job and encounter zip ties I use electricians scissors. I can strip, cut ties and cables. The thing with cable ties is you would need a knife with a thick tip. And I will bet anyone here that I could cut cable ties faster with my scissors than any knife......
 
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