EDC Folder

L

lessonz

Joined
Feb 26, 2010
Messages
16
I’m looking for an EDC folder. For most of a decade I’ve carried a CRKT tanto with serrations. When I decided it was time to replace it, I started doing some research. So, I’m looking for suggestions.

None of the things I say below should be taken as being written in stone. I just wanted to show I’ve spent some time thinking about this, researching, and didn’t come and ask for the “best” EDC. I’m hoping to find something that fits me.

Budget: I’d prefer to stay under $200. Of course, lower would be better if I can still satisfy my needs. If it must be higher, I’d entertain it.

Intended Use: So, this is kind of a dual-purpose deal. In the time I’ve carried a knife, I’ve never needed to use it for self-defense. That said; I would prefer a blade that can handle that task well. In reality, my knife is most often employed in the opening of boxes and plastic containers and a million other odd jobs. Most days it is carried but not used.

Blade Shape: From what I’ve read, it sounds like a drop point with a flat grind would be great. That’s not a requirement, just looks like what might fit best, but I’m no expert as indicated by my CRKT. I kind of dig the design of the Kershaw Boa. I’d like to stick around the 3.5” mark, and no serrations this time.

Blade Material: S30V sounds like the way to go. Honestly, I’ve never sharpened my CRKT, and it sounds like the S30V will hold an edge really well. I do intend on getting a Sharpmaker, as a possibly important aside, and taking better care of this one.

Handle: One of the things I like about the Boa is its handle. It looks like I can get a good solid grip on it. I’ve got some knife training, which as I stated I’ve never had to use in a real situation, but I’ve always been concerned about my hand slipping up onto the blade with some designs. I’ve always trained with a fixed blade with a crossguard. So, when I see so many “tactical” folders with nothing more than a slight curve, I have to wonder if there isn’t any intent of helping the wielder keep his hand off of his own blade. Training can compensate for this, but the crossguard always brought me a measure of comfort. On the Boa, the relatively deep finger grooves look like they’d fit the bill.

Opening Mechanism: Here’s my biggest concern about the Boa. I’ve never had an auto or an assisted open. I can see their advantage, but I worry about the thing opening in my pocket. I realize that’s rare, but I have read stories about it happening. I’m also concerned about the perception such a knife brings with it. I’ve always said a knife is a tool. It can be used as a weapon, but so can a screw driver and a hammer. The more features making the knife appear menacing, the more it makes people nervous (not that I go around flashing my knife). And while it appears these knives are legal in my area, I still think I’d feel more comfortable with a manual open blade. I’ve also heard the assisted opens wear, and I’d like to keep my EDC for quite a while. If the wear isn’t that bad, and if they are really unlikely to open accidentally, let me know. Also, I think I prefer the thumb studs over the holes. I also liked my CRKT flipper, but that’s definitely not a requirement.

Weight: As an EDC, I would tend towards something lighter. One of the nice things about my CRKT is I forget it’s there. I don’t know how much my CRKT weighs (and I don’t know if it’s the same as the current models), but I think it’s pretty light.

Carry: I’ve liked my pocket clip with the blade tip down. I understand the argument for blade tip up and would consider it. I do prefer pocket carry over a sheath.

Aesthetics: Realistically, this will play some role in my ultimate decision. Those Striders sure are pretty, if expensive. I’m not a huge fan of the shiny satin finishes, but I admit not knowing if there’s an argument against any of the numerous blade coatings. Satin finish isn’t a deal breaker.

I’d love any specific suggestions or even general insights into my perceived requirements. Thanks for your time.
 
Well you are heading in the right dirrectiion in choosing a Kershaw. they have just about the best warranty/customer seervice you could ask for , thee are dozens of testimonals to this on bladeforums.
Kershaw has a lot of offerings in your price range , i do not own a BOA BUT I do own a Groove , Skyline , a few Scallions , RAM , ET , a few Leeks , OD-1 , Zing... Any of which would make you pleased i think.
The Groove is a great knife , I would classify as a hard use folder , mine has been in my EDC rotation since I got it , great flipper action , sturdy as all get out , wonderful blade steel...and for well under a hundred bucks. If you check out Kershawguys blemish thread here in for sale you will find some real bargains.

My reco ,go with a Kershaw.

Tostig
 
I have a small kershaw (would love if it was tanto and partial) but great for boxes and plastic and would not secound guess it for SD. Real sharp and I have been cutting stuff with it all month.
 
I think you might wanna check the 615 Mini-Rukus from Benchmade
http://www.benchmade.com/products/615

The blade material is S30V, blade shape is drop-point, also the mini-rukus does have a deep finger groove on the grip so i don't think it would slip. A friend of mine have this one and he is quite content with it.

In any casers here is the info about the mini-rukus.
Blade Length: 3.40"
Blade Thickness: 0.121"
Blade Material: S30V Premium Steel
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Blade Style: Utility Drop-Point; Ambidextrous Thumb-Stud
Weight: 5.90oz.
 
Spyderco FRN Stretch (Blue) in ZDP. Light. Drop-point FFG blade. ZDP-189 steel has incredible edge retention. Four-way clip. Back lock. Hole for opening.
 
Get a Boker Exskelibur I or II. Light, weight, ti liner, beautiful knife, pocket clip, can be opened one handed kind of like a flipper. I love mine.
 
As mentioned the mini Rukus sounds like it would be good or you. Only problem is it was recently discontinued and getting harder to find by the day. It also has the awesome AXIS lock. Also, there really isn't anything mini about it.

The Kershaw RAM is pretty great. The steel is ok but not as good as S30V.

My favorite is the Benchmade Rift. It also has the AXIS lock. It doesn't have much of a guard but the machined G10 has good grip. It has 154CM steel which is pretty good but probably doesn't hold an edge quite as long as S30V but not far behind it. Here is a pic:

950.jpg
 
First of all, welcome to the forums! You going to find a lot of information and opinions here. It looks like you've done some research up to now with your general familiarity with current knifeolgy - Assisted opening, EDC, S30V, blade coatings, etc. In an effort to keep things as uncomplicated for you as possible, I'll just throw out some general recommendations. If you decide you want to get opinions on specific models of knives, ask again and you'll no doubt get a flood of them.

For my part, I think that you should start by limiting your purchase to known reputable brands in the price category you are choosing. Since you threw out $200, that can be your reference point. There is vast selection of excellent knives you can get for this amount, or even 1/2 of this amount. I would suggest looking at Kershaw, Spyderco, Benchmade first. Those are the big three, for very deserving reasons. They all have good product selections, take care of their customers, are easily obtainable, have generally high quality of product, and use the most current materials and designs. There are other companies that make good knives, but like I said, I would keep it simple until you first cut yourself :)

One thing you haven't mentioned is your typical environment when carrying a knife or what the prevailing knife laws are where you live. Some areas limit blades to 3", for example. For me, I'll carry a 3" max blade in the office, and 4" max on weekends or in jeans. Knowing what size blade you want helps narrow the choices.

With regard to blade steel and handle materials, you can assume that most of the knives in this price range from these brands will be excellent. I would recommend sticking to stainless steel blades unless you are prepared to maintain and clean them frequently. They generally take this progression, from older/less exotic/less expensive to newer/more high-tech/more expensive. New steels have better "average" capabilities than other steels, like sharpenability, edge holding, hardness. Some are better than others, but there are usually trade-offs with attributes, i.e. ZDP189 is very hard but often difficult for beginners to sharpen well.

420HC-440C-ATS34-154CM-VG10-D2-S30V-ZDP189

There are many other alloys circulating around but these seem to be the most common, and when employed by the brands above, are perfectly satisfactory.

Handle materials play a role in your selection, and you'll need to handle a few to find out what you prefer. The cheapest are generally metal or simple plastic. Composite materials and higher end alloys generally make better grips. Some of these are G10 (resin and fiberglass), Micarta (resin and cloth or linen), Valox (resin), Zytel (Nylon and fiberglass), Carbon Fiber, and others. You can often seen some natural materials such as horn, wood, antler, or bone, but these are more common with slipjoint pocketknives. Nice, but not as common with tactical knives (such as Strider, Kershaw Boa, and the CRKT you mention above). I prefer Carbon Fiber, G10 or micarta handles myself for durability and grip.

Aesthetically, I would pick out what appeals most to you, such as the Boa, and find out where you can sample one for yourself. I've gotten rid of 1/2 the knives I've bought because they look great at first, but didn't feel quite right after I got them. I wish I could hold any knife I plan to buy, but that not always possible.

Assisted opening is a purely personal preference. It's sort of a "gee whiz" thingy, but I haven't seen the need for it in a quality knife. Lots of them are sold, so the demand is definitely there.

Since I'm sure you will get many suggestions, here are some of mine - limited to the brands I've discussed.

Kershaw- Boa, Leek, RAM, Avalanche,Whirlwind
Spyderco - Delica, Endura4, Military, ParaMilitary, Caly3, Sage 1&2, Gayle Bradley, Stretch, Manix, Native
Benchmade - 940, 943, 710, 707, Griptillians, 950 Rift, 580/585 Barrage, 440, 913

There are tons more, but the ones above have large followings and are generally regarded as some of the best.

Finally, make sure you buy from a reputable dealer or individual that will handle the transaction easily and take care of any problems that arise. A few are knifeworks, knivesshipfree, newgraham, knifecenter, theknifeconnection,cutleryshoppe, grandprairieknives, agrussell, et al. There are tons.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on.
 
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emerson horseman with a krein regrind could be your ticket.

btw you mentioned strider. If you can splurge and get an SnG do it.
 
for edc use i'd say kershaw NRG I/II
but then with emerson coming out with their gentlemen jim looks to be one that fits your discription

personally i prefer 154CM to s30v since my 154cm gets way sharper then my s30v on the same grits with the same angles
 
DallasSTB... great, concise overall primer for getting started with folders! I wish I had read that a couple of weeks ago. But I'm glad to read it now anyway. Thank you.

Right now, for myself, I'm leaning toward the Benchmade 707 or 556 for my EDC - for the quality, size, and light weight. I find my BM 585 and Sage 1 just a little bulky and slightly heavier than I want for EDC.
 
I was in a similar position as you when I first came here.

Here is how I went about it:

First quality folder - Benchmade 940, Really awesome knife, with a light package, awesome axis lock, cool blade-shape, and compact with a good sized blade. I still have it, still carry it as a light use blade.

Next: Got a BM710 - liked the 940 enough, I wanted another axis lock, but something tougher... really a great knife, but I don't carry it much anymore because of what I got next...

Zero Tolerance 0350 - awesome knife, solid feel, thick blade, thick lock, good ergos, and I found I much prefer it to my 710 for general all-around use...

All of these will run you under $200. Check em all out.

Others I have owned or would want to check out under $200:

Combative Edge M1
Spyderco Manix 2 (I just got the blue s30v manix, AWESOME knife, if you can find one)
BM Rift (as mentioned by someone else in an earlier post)
Spyderco Para-military and Military
Kershaw RAM (good for the money)
Spyderco Sage II (def. worth a look)
BM Griptilian and mini-griptilian (also recommend the doug ritter verson, the RSK-1 w/ S30v or the m4 model)

There are a few I can't seem to think of at the moment...

Note of interest: I've been carrying the ESEE Izula small fixed blade in my pocket for the past few months almost daily, awesome knife for the money, small enough you never notice it, and way tougher than any folder... def. worth a look if you would consider a fixed blade.

If I had to choose ONE knife under 200 that I own now to carry everyday... it'd be either the izula or blue manix 2.
 
Take a look at the Spyderco Sage 1 or 2. The sage has great ergonomics. The jimping on the thumb ramp and finger choil help keep the hand from slipping forward. S30V, full flat grind. It may be smaller than what you like but its a great knife. Good luck finding what you are looking for.
 
Spyderco Caly 3 in ZDP-189 would be very nice. Though its only 3" mark. Light, tough and ZDP-189 holds its edge really long. Full Flat Grind and Leafshape blade. No assisst makes it legal almost everywhere in the states, where you can carry 3" blade.
 
well i would look at the spyderco military or paramilitary, the digicamo handle with the the black blade is a beautiful knife, :D
 
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