EDC For Tropical Enviornment

J

John_0917

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Apr 15, 2014
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So I will be spending roughly 10 days in the Florida Keys soon and am trying to decide what knife to take as an all around EDC. I have a Tasman Salt, which is going, but the blade shape isn't really suited to generalized EDC use. I will be in and around the water a lot so corrosion resistance is the main concern along with utility suitableness. I will be in shorts/bathing suit most of the time so I want to keep it light for obvious reasons. I'm looking at the following as the options (I'm not buying a new knife, I already own these):

-Manix 2 LW
-Blur S30V
-Blur Sandvik combo edge (yea, I know, my only combo edge I swear)
-Tremor
-Griptillian D2 w/BK1 coated blade
-Knockout
-Recon 1 clip point AUS8
-Buck Marksman 154CM

Thanks for the input.
 
With very minimal maintenance, any of those will be more than fine. I don't think Hemingway toted a stainless knife when he lived in Key West.
 
Humidity can be brutal on blades. No matter what knife you take (unless it's H1) I'd recommend flushing the knife with degreaser every day and a fresh coat of Remoil on the blade and a drop in the pivot area, especially if the knife or blade will be submerged during use or carry.
 
I'd say the Manix Lightweight

Also D2 is a poor choice for a tropical environment imho
 
I had a manix lw and I live in Florida its decently rust resistant H1 is the way to go down here.Humidity here is brutal and no matter the steel (besides H1) it rusts so I say the Spyderco Pacific Salt it's great as it is essentially a endura :D
 
FWIW: I was born and raised in south Florida and, for a good number of years there, I carried an old PE Endura with ATS-55 steel. I carried it to the beach and on many a fishing trips and never had a problem with corrosion. Any decent modern stainless steel will be fine.
 
The Tasman Salt is the only one that I would bring anywhere near saltwater. Anything with springs, and anything that's not very stain resistant will pay for exposure to saltwater, and sometimes even just the air around the ocean.

I especially would not take the Griptillian to the beach, those tiny wire springs are exposed. Same with the Spyderco, although I wouldn't worry nearly as much because it is a coil spring, and much thicker.

The only folders I'll bring to the beach are Emersons, really any will do as they're all made from the same materials and all are very resistant to corrosion, or something from Spyderco's Salt series.

For fixed blades, I really like my Gryphon M10 (coated VG10 in a kydex sheath that drains) but this year Sypderco is re-releasing their Aqua Salt fixed blades all blacked out, I'll be buying a couple as I really regretted not having one after they were available previously.
 
FWIW I wouldn't worry too much salt water wise with any blade. I've carried carbon steel blades to Tybee Island for almost 15 years and never had any problems. Always rinse well with fresh water when it is exposed to salt water, and it'll go a long ways to preventing corrosion. I'd also suggest a Marine Tuff Cloth or wax as a preventative. Also, rust freckles on stainless varieties will usually wipe off with any of the various blade cleaners out there. Or if you're adventurous, leave any small corrosion marks as a reminder of the fun that you had while in the Keys!

A bigger concern with folders is sand. It WILL work it's way into the pivot area, so rinsing under running water is a must.

I'd say take what ya want, and any scars that happen to whatever you take will just be a souvenir of a fun time. Use them and have fun!:)

Also, don't forget about your watch. Rinse it well after being in salt water and sand when you can. Especially if it has a rotating bezel or bracelet.
 
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