EDC advice

M

MMehrtens

Joined
Jan 30, 2018
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5
Hey guys, i cant seem to make up my mind on a new EDC option for myself. Ive narrowed it down to 5 options. 1. Cold steel code 4, with tanto blade and cts-xhp steel. 2. Cold steel recon 1 with spear point blade and cts-xhp steel. 3. Buck vantage force pro with s30v steel. 4. Coast DX356 with 9cr18mov steel. And 5. Coast TX395 with 9cr18mov... I havent heard much about coast knives. But thats pretty decent steel and they are a third of the price of the other 3 i listed. I know the solution.... Buy them all!!! Lol but the wofe says choose one. Apparently i have too many knives already. What woukd yall choose and why? And what do yall think of coast knives?
 
I haven’t heard many good things about Coast knives, but I have never owned one. The ones I have handled in stored seem just ok. Like Gerber quality.

I am ordering a CS Recon 1 today after asking for hard use knife recommendations here. Many glowing reviews of the Recon 1 but it is a big knife.
 
A four inch blade is a lot of knife for edc. If your like me, I like large knives. Either one of the the Cold Steels would be much better made than the Buck and especially the Coast. For edc I would go with the Code 4, it would probably be a little more edc friendly than the Recon 1.
 
Of the five you list, I'd go with the Code 4 also. I own multiple Code4s, a Recon 1, and also own a Buck Vantage and can attest that the Code4 is the better knife of the three in an EDC role. My Recon 1 is my camping knife, and the Vantage I don't really carry. As for Coast, I'll just say that I'd pass.
 
Cold steel recon1! I own 4 variants and love them all! The Code 4 is a good knife but not to keen on the slick scales. Ditch the Coast idea.
 
TheEdge01 said:
A four inch blade is a lot of knife for edc. If your like me, I like large knives. Either one of the the Cold Steels would be much better made than the Buck and especially the Coast. For edc I would go with the Code 4, it would probably be a little more edc friendly than the Recon 1.
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Yah i like big knives.. i have quite a few smaller ones i carry as well for different tasks or reasons. But the wife says i have to weed out my collection a bit so ive been steady donating a few to friends who need a knife. The code 4 really catches my eye.. i like the tanto blade and i like the steel choice. You can really put the knife through hell and it will out the other side smiling ready for more.
 
Seems the consensus is that coast isnt worth much. Diddnt think it could be honestly since one can go to any home depot and grab one off the shelf for 25 bucks... But i was hopefull to save sone cash.
 
I'd get code 4. Because its slim and not gonna tear up the pocket. Easier to actually edc. Might need to put some hockey tape on it or something for better traction.
 
CS Recon 1 or for more compact EDC, switch to American Lawman. I would not prefer the Code 4 personally, do like the steel and the CS lock, but don't like those type of aluminum handles as the width of the grips is too thin and they have nothing to get traction on the scales. If you do the get the Recon 1 and carry for EDU, you will have to do a few mods to it to keep it from chewing up your jeans pockets. I had to: sand down the grips underneath the clip, also had to insert a 0.25" thick pile of printer paper under the clip for a few minutes to bend it slightly, so that it wouldn't have such a death grip on my jeans. Before I did all that that, carrying the CS Recon would cause visible wearing of my jeans pockets after about 2 to 3 days of carry, it wore through the pocket in a brand new pair of Levi's. Just be aware it's a great knife, but to carry, you'll likely have to make a couple simple mods like that.

The Buck Vantage is also a great choice for a compact EDU knife, I have and carry that one in both S30v and 420HC.

One more to consider: Ontario Rat 2 folder in D2. It's more compact in size than say the CS Recon 1, but great steel, great design, great edge retention. You can get one in carbon fiber for $40 and change, or a regular synthetic handle for a little less.
 
maximus83 said:
CS Recon 1 or for more compact EDC, switch to American Lawman. I would not prefer the Code 4 personally, do like the steel and the CS lock, but don't like those type of aluminum handles as the width of the grips is too thin and they have nothing to get traction on the scales. If you do the get the Recon 1 and carry for EDU, you will have to do a few mods to it to keep it from chewing up your jeans pockets. I had to: sand down the grips underneath the clip, also had to insert a 0.25" thick pile of printer paper under the clip for a few minutes to bend it slightly, so that it wouldn't have such a death grip on my jeans. Before I did all that that, carrying the CS Recon would cause visible wearing of my jeans pockets after about 2 to 3 days of carry, it wore through the pocket in a brand new pair of Levi's. Just be aware it's a great knife, but to carry, you'll likely have to make a couple simple mods like that.

The Buck Vantage is also a great choice for a compact EDU knife, I have and carry that one in both S30v and 420HC.

One more to consider: Ontario Rat 2 folder in D2. It's more compact in size than say the CS Recon 1, but great steel, great design, great edge retention. You can get one in carbon fiber for $40 and change, or a regular synthetic handle for a little less.
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I had no idea ontario worked with D2. I have an old rat 2 i got at a flea market a few years back. I used it faithfully till the clip and handle broke in a motorcycle accident i had. I will deffitnatly have to look into that carbon fiber version. If not that i think im sold on the recon 1
 
Love the vantage and for the price with s30v it’s a good deal, also if you pull it out everyone knows buck and it’s got a nice deep carry pocket clip design
 
Just keep in mind that while the cold steel triad lock is smoother than a lockback and certainly a lock you can trust, it is still a lockback. Deployment will still take a good wrist flick. As long as you are aware of this, I think they are the ones on your list to get.
 
@20$ something, Byrd Cara Cara 2 FRN has good HT and Spyderco backs it up. Thin and good slicer.

Unless you want D2, IMO Byrd is better options than Rat 1.
 
SharpieB said:
I haven’t heard many good things about Coast knives, but I have never owned one. The ones I have handled in stored seem just ok. Like Gerber quality.

I am ordering a CS Recon 1 today after asking for hard use knife recommendations here. Many glowing reviews of the Recon 1 but it is a big knife.
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If you look at Coast’s website they have some models that are blatant ripoffs of other company’s designs.

M MMehrtens of those you listed Code 4 hands down. Depends on how big a knife you want to carry. For something abit smaller I would go with the Buck.
 
I know its not on your list but the Spyderco Tenacious is a really nice knife. Love mine!
Around $45
 
I really like the Byrd Cara Cara 2 for the price, but I prefer the G10 over the FRN. And I have used and carried my RAT 1 a lot and put it through some really hard use - including cutting PVC pipe - and it has been really outstanding, especially for the price point. I have one in D2, but the one I've used and abused the most is AUS8!

Chris "Anagarika" said:
@20$ something, Byrd Cara Cara 2 FRN has good HT and Spyderco backs it up. Thin and good slicer.

Unless you want D2, IMO Byrd is better options than Rat 1.
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