EDC Folder?

namaarie

namaarie

Joined
Aug 23, 2004
Messages
1,499
Hey all.


I'm currently looking for a new EDC. It needs to be discrete and fairly lightweight, a fact that will probably necessitate a folder. It also needs to be strong enough that I don't have to worry about it.

The reason is that my current folder that I use for EDC is just not strong enough for my liking. I don't feel that I can pry at all for fear of breaking it. And while I know that knives aren't prybars, I'd like to carry something I can count on.

What knives would you guys recommend? Try to consider a reasonable price, too. No sebenzas, unfortunately. ;)

Thanks, :) :)

Nam
 
I really like the Camillus Lev-R-Lock series, but it may not be legal in your state... Also Cold Steel Voyager series... Good Luck, Nam- should be a great thread. If you needed a pocket prybar, the JKM has got to be unbreakable... not a folder but fits many pockets...


Ad Astra
 
I've gotta agree with Ad A about the JKM-1 being a great EDC even if it's a fixed blade.

As to Folders I'm sort of biased and am fond of the Kershaw Folder's, but then I have to tell you that I'm not too knowledgeable about folders as I almost always carry a small fixed blade when I'm wearing my jeans and not sweatpants.;)
 
One thing you might want to consider is getting an Atwood prybaby. With one of these on your key ring or in your pocket you have a portable tool that you can use for prying or scraping or other things that will likely screw up your cutting tool. An Atwood prybaby and a folder purchased for its cutting attributes IMO is a hard to beat combo. Spyderco, calypso Jr. Native (in s30v), Delica, the Kershaws are pretty nice too.
 
Another vote for the JKM-1. Get two, One in horn with roughed up scales for work and one in antler for formal dress:D
I like Cold Steel Voyagers myself. stong and pretty much geared toward the workin' man. However, i too was guilty of prying with my pocket knives. After several bent tips on several expensive knives I decided to just buy a cheap ol' SAK and use the flathead screwdriver to pry with...never looked back;) Not fancy, but it won't raise any eyebrows either. Typically, i'm a multi-tool guy. My leatherman wave sees about 90% of the cutting use with it's one hand opening blades, but i never leave the house without my plain ol' SAK Spartan tucked in some pocket. Tough little bugger. plus it's cheap to replace if lost or destroyed...and you'll be able to save your pennies for more Khuks:)

Good luck and let us know what you pick out.
Jake
 
Nam,

I carry a Myerchin and love it. Very strong, sharpens easy, and the marlin spike is great for prying.

The full size version is not what I would term 'discreet.' But it will do everything you need it to.

The smaller one is definitely discreet, but actually a little too small for my hands for really versatile using.

Can't recommend his knives enough.....

Good luck in your search.

~ B
 
I carry a bunch of different ones and really like the CRKT line as it is so varied, and they have a very strong liner lock. BUT, the one I carry the most day to day is a Spyderco police model. It is very slim and light and and cuts like hell. The blade is 3 7/8" long. The downside is that the serrated SpyderEdge is more of a pain to sharpen than a standard blade.

I was lucky enough in 1994 to get one with Titanium handles as opposed to steel, and an ATS-34 blade. It is almost indestructible. The standard model is only a bit heavier. I think you can still get one for less than $100.

Regards,

Norm
 
Hmmm....could you elaborate on "small" and "discrete". There aren't too many pry-able folders that would necessarily fit the bill in my book - most overbuilt folders fall into ~4 inch blade range, which is a bit outside my personal sphere of discretion - then again I'm not working in the most knife-friendly environ.

Good suggestions so far, with the exception of the Police. Good knife, but IMHO the tip is a bit thin for prying. If you like the style, get a Military.

Also, prywidgit is a good idea, as is a cheap Cold Steel or CRKT beater that isn't such a loss if you break it.

Other suggestions:

Small Bark River fixed blades, i.e. Mini or Mikro Canadian

Spyderco: Military, Manix, Chinook for longer blades, also the Impala (available at Sierra Trading Post for a discount).
Shorter - 3" or so - Paramilitary, Lil Temperance
All of the above are G10 handles, tough locks. Spyderco tends to use single liners, and very thick G10 - I'm OK with it, but many people prefer double liners.
2.5" - Dodo I really like mine. Blade is a funny shape. Should be OK unless you pry with the very tip (difficult to do with this blade shape)

Benchmade - Stryker or Ministryker - both linerlocks, relatively inexpensive.
AFCK - D2, which doesn't have the best rep. for prying-type applications, but solid knife with the Axis lock.

Short list - Spyderco Lil Temperance - this knife is pretty wide, which could be a turn-off. Recently discontinued, but dealers should have some in stock
Benchmade (mini)stryker - Mini also recently discontinued, full sized version still in production. Stryker is slimmer than the spydie, and offers a longer blade.
 
"small" and "discrete" pry-able folders don't exist for me. I'm fairly small of stature. If you are of the big and/or tall variety there are strong folders out there. Tho I never consider a folder a prying tool. Find a screwdriver or use one of Atwoods prybabies or other tools.
 
The only folder on the market that you can use for light prying is one of the Strider series. They're overbuilt to the max and very expensive. You're flirting with disaster with any other knife IMO. Get a JKM or maybe a Bark River fixed blade andyou should be good to go. Or better yet a Prybaby as was previously suggested.
 
You can always use the marlin spike on a Myerchin as a prybar!!!!! Works like a charm and won't ever break! Plus you have a wonderful 3.5"+ blade on the other end.

Just a thought ..... :D

b



edited to add: it unties knots pretty well too. ;)
 
Yeah, Steely, I love multitools, too. The problem is, I trusted the pocket clip on my new Leatherman Charge Ti and it has fallen out somewhere and I have lost it. God, do I feel like crap losing that expensive a tool!

And to those who asked, I want something that can be put in a pocket without being noticed. And I don't need a prybar or anything like that. Just a good sturdy knife. My current one is to cheep to trust to do much of anything.

Thanks, guys!

Nam
 
The Camillus EDC is a great small (3") knife. Solid, slender and a great user.
The Spyderco Native is also a great 3" knife. It has a broad, stout blade. Both can be had for about 50.00 Good luck choosing. ;)
 
namaarie said:
Yeah, Steely, I love multitools, too. The problem is, I trusted the pocket clip on my new Leatherman Charge Ti and it has fallen out somewhere and I have lost it. God, do I feel like crap losing that expensive a tool!

Nam
Click to expand...

Ouch, man:( That's one of the reasons i opted for the 2004 wave instead of the Charge. I like the blade steel on the charge, but i would never need the pocket clip nor the lanyard attachment. I don't see how people can get along without a multi-tool;) i HATE losing my pocket knives and tools. I go into a panic attack when i forget to strap my leatherman to my belt. I'm sure it'll turn up somewhere. If not you can always get a wave cheaper to replace it, or wait for the new Surge to come out...or buy another charge if you like.
Good luck, buddy.

Jake
 
You can always get an SAK and pry with the flathead screwdriver/can opener blade.
The Myerchin or JKM are also great choices.
 
I've been carrying a small Buck Strider spearpoint 881 sp for a few months. It is fairly plain in appearance and doesn't draw much attention. There is a 3" version and a 4" version and there are spearpoint and tanto. They are about 3/16" thick at the spine BOS treated ATS-34, very tough, good quality knives. About $100 new.

Another one you might look at is the Al Mar SLB. Small with less than 2" blade and low profile look, but still tough with a thick blade. A little over $70 new.
 
I'd generally recommend the Benchmade 940, but it's not a prybar. Then again, no knife, especially a folding knife, really is. I think it could be used for light prying. Great knife--slim, light, tough. I've carried mine for four years now.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
Ouch, man:( That's one of the reasons i opted for the 2004 wave instead of the Charge. I like the blade steel on the charge, but i would never need the pocket clip nor the lanyard attachment. I don't see how people can get along without a multi-tool;) i HATE losing my pocket knives and tools. I go into a panic attack when i forget to strap my leatherman to my belt. I'm sure it'll turn up somewhere. If not you can always get a wave cheaper to replace it, or wait for the new Surge to come out...or buy another charge if you like.
Good luck, buddy.

Jake
Click to expand...


Oh, yeah, I went all over trying to find it. Looks like somebody musta taken it. Figures. And btw, I'd recommend the Charge to anybody. The blade is out of sight. Factory, it's the sharpest knife I've ever owned and it never lost its edge. Amazing.

Nam
 
Tohatchi NM said:
Hmmm....could you elaborate on "small" and "discrete". There aren't too many pry-able folders that would necessarily fit the bill in my book - most overbuilt folders fall into ~4 inch blade range, which is a bit outside my personal sphere of discretion - then again I'm not working in the most knife-friendly environ.

Good suggestions so far, with the exception of the Police. Good knife, but IMHO the tip is a bit thin for prying. If you like the style, get a Military.
Click to expand...

I didn't see the "prying" requirement, and in that case you are absolutely correct. The Police model tip will break if used as a prying tool. If you want something that strong then get any of the CRKT military/police line with a tanto blade. Strong as hell, but all these others are great suggestions as well.

Regards,

Norm
 
ArchAngel said:
The Camillus EDC is a great small (3") knife. Solid, slender and a great user.
The Spyderco Native is also a great 3" knife. It has a broad, stout blade. Both can be had for about 50.00 Good luck choosing. ;)
Click to expand...

I'm also a Native fan. The Native III (VG10 blade) has a great, beefy handle (FRN, not G10). The original has S30V blade and a somewhat slimmer handle. The stainless steel handled version is very solid, though is a bit more expensive.

For the record, I try to avoid prying with folders. Even many fixed blades wouldn't make the grade. Still, if you place the blade correctly (don't use the very tip!!!) there are probably many folders that I couldn't easily break, even with full body weight. That's also not to say they would still fold afterwards. However, if it's an extreme situation, sometimes you need to use a tool beyond it's intended purpose. YMMV.
 
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