EDC folders for dummies

with a budget like that, I'd absolutely without a doubt go with a small Sebenza, and I wouldn't go anywhere near SOG. if you don't want to spend a whole lot on a folder, go with Spyderco. SOG recently borrowed a few designs from them anyway.
 
definitely don't go top dollar for your first real knife. Get one of the great inexpensive folders from one of the main companies. I'd recommend the Tenacious/Persistence, or spend a bit more for a Delica or something. If you can go to a store and play with a bunch that's good. Then get an Opinel or three, learn how to get it sharp and keep it sharp.

By then you might know more what you want to spend big bucks on. You might want something considerably thinner/lighter than the Tenacious, or you might want something even bigger and beefier. Or simply classier. Maybe you'll find out that an old yellow handled Case slipjoint with CV steel is all you'll ever need.

There's a myriad of choices with folders, lock type, handle materials, handle size/shape, blade thickness, blade shape, blade grind, steel, tip up/down carry, opening hold or thumbstuds, carbon or stainless, etc... Your goal should be to at least narrow down some of the choices before you drop a few bills on something.

I know guys who hate the FRN spydies, simply because they "feel cheap". I love the FRN because it keeps it thin and light in my pocket. You never can really tell until you carry and use one for awhile.
 
MartinQ said:
So I'm looking for a good EDC folder...I'm not partial to any one company or design, just need something that cuts well consistently and isn't a pain in the a*s to sharpen (I'm a complete noob), which means good steel. Actually, I don't really know exactly what I want...So tell me!

I've been looking at the Benchmade MPR - M390 "super"(?) steel, 2.9" blade, 5.5 ounces, G10/titanium handle, $200. Would that be too small to be functional?
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The MPR is not small. It's short, but it's a fat, beefy knife. But if you're looking for a knife that you can learn to sharpen with, look elsewhere. 60-62Rc is very hard for a steel, and for a "complete noob", a softer steel is best to learn with. Whatever knife you get, also get a Spyderco Sharpmaker.

Take a look at Spyderco's Byrd line. The 8Cr13MoV steel is easy to sharpen to a razor edge, yet hold it respectably well. They're solid and well built, with good materials. Yet very inexpensive. Or, as others have mentioned, a Spyderco Delica or Endura are good starter knives (and good for seasoned knife knuts as well). More people on this forum have started with one of those 2 knives than any others except perhaps a Swiss Army knife or a Buck 110. Available in FRN for a very reasonable price, or G10 for a bit more. The VG-10 steel is excellent, one of my favorites. It holds an edge very well, yet isn't a bitch to sharpen. Both the FRN and G10 versions can be positioned tip-up or tip-down.
 
I'm hearing two things here:

1. As a relative beginner, choose something less expensive. Options=Byrd Catbyrd, Spyderco Endura/Delica.

2. You have $350. Just get a sebenza.


Right now I am liking option #1 much more, just because I don't want to spend extra money, for the sake of spending money, on something I might not be able to use fully/correctly.
 
MartinQ said:
I'm hearing two things here:

1. As a relative beginner, choose something less expensive. Options=Byrd Catbyrd, Spyderco Endura/Delica.

2. You have $350. Just get a sebenza.


Right now I am liking option #1 much more, just because I don't want to spend extra money, for the sake of spending money, on something I might not be able to use fully/correctly.
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Don't let the cheaper price of the Spyderco Endura or Delica fool you...these are quality knives :thumbup: & the SharpMaker is one of the best/easy knife sharpining systems going:thumbup:
 
I would go with a Benchmade griptillian or maybe a 710. If you really want to spend more money, then look at the Sebenza. Ignore the Benchmade bashing above that makes it sound like you will always get a bad grind that will require rework. Of my hundreds of knife purchases, Benchmades have never disappointed me.
 
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Chris Reeve Sebenza, forget about all the rest. Because this is the standard that all others are measured by.

I want one but "no mun, no fun" Besides I have to many knives now.
 
Right now I think I'll get an Endura. Just knowing so many others here have that knife says a lot. And it's had 20 years of development.

About the SOG criticisms:
Have any of you tried the Seki-made SOG folders? Arcitech, Stingray, Fatcat, Tomcat 3, Bluto, Vulcan? I've heard many praise their overall quality and claim that they feel and work like custom knives. :eek:
 
MartinQ said:
Right now I think I'll get an Endura. Just knowing so many others here have that knife says a lot. And it's had 20 years of development.

About the SOG criticisms:
Have any of you tried the Seki-made SOG folders? Arcitech, Stingray, Fatcat, Tomcat 3, Bluto, Vulcan? I've heard many praise their overall quality and claim that they feel and work like custom knives. :eek:
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The two brands of folders I own are spydercos and one crk sebenza.both are great:thumbup:

you definetly got the message about pricepoint. The Endura and the delica are great all around blades. if you like that style def. check out the Police3 it is Vg10 steel and is seki made...this is another model that has been around for ever....also if you are partial to the leaf blade the manix is a hell of a knife!!
 
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inexpensive, good around "sheeple", a cutting monster and hard to NOT get sharp as hell- Opinel

with 350$ it seems youre trying to bite off more than you know what you wanna be chewing.

as mentioned, youve got ALOT of blades in that price bracket.

the thicker the blade, the harder it is going to be to sharpen if youre new to sharpening.

that opinel will outcut MANY others, including sebenzas.

edge retention is another story. this will give you the opportunity to try sharpening on very inexpensive, but still very functional knife.

for your first, you really should pick up an opinel or two just because of their price.
 
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