EDC limits

[eveled]

I do that too. Have wiha & knipex, but only use the harbor freight stuff.

I haven’t even opened my knipex pliers. I keep them in the original packaging and have them in a pelican case under my bed.

Harbor freight for using, the others are collected.

 

[ErikMB]

Opinel Inox olive wood #8. Absolute perfection for my needs. I have at least 300 knives collected and none are better. It's amazing.

 

[Rufus1949]

I will SLICE food,cordage,cardboard and an occasional finger with my folders. Fixed blade for the rest of my jobs.

 

[vinprom]

To me EDC means a small pocket knife in the bottom of my pocket. This knife is a small slip joint for now, my two Higonokami are a little scary to not open accidentally in the pocket . The reason for carrying a pocket knife is because I like to have it with me.

Cutting tasks seldom are necessary in occasions when there are no proper knives already available in a close distance. When somebody needs to cut something, there is a place nearby with "the right tool for the right job": in the kitchen drawer, toolbox, work bench, in the car, somewhere in the garage, or in the backpack. Oh, and I can not imagine to use a knife for a self-defense even in a dire situation - so there is no way for me to carry anything tactical. The biggest knifes I sometimes carry are the small Douk Douk with about 3" blade or Opinel #6, but the similar with blade size Case Copperhead is too bulky/heavier to be in my pocket. And, when have a Spiderco (anticipated soon), it will be a small slip joint with the clip removed.

Within days my Case Swell Center Jack will arrive, can't wait to re-sharpen it and to put it in my pocket to carry it around.

 

[Another Shepherd]

When I think ‘beater’, I think of a knife that I don’t mind using for doing things like cutting tape (not a fan of tape residue on a fresh edge on an expensive knife), opening bags of bird seed (getting dust in the action if it has bearings), dog/cat food (inside of the bags are kind of greasy or waxy or something and need to be thoroughly wiped), opening bags of rocks/gravel (obvious), prying off zip ties that are really tight on a metal railing or something

That's a pretty good list of things that I do use my EDC folders for. Opening blister packs would be another. Also prying out staples, although I keep a $2 pry bar in my pocket.

For cutting carpet, I would prefer a utility knife. For seriously sticky, gooey, dirty stuff that might get in the handle, I would prefer a fixed blade.

 

[DangerZone98]

No not serious. Lol.

Just my effort to point out the absurdity of owning nice things and not using them.

Watch guys probably have it worse than knife guys. Some super nice Rolexes and Pateks out there will spend 99% of their functional lives in a safe, 0.5% in transport, and 0.5% on some guy’s wrist.

 

[Malty Falcon]

Boy, does everyone have such different opinions of what a knife can do!

For me, a knife should be able to cut through an extension cord without damage. If the edge isn't tough enough for that, it will be gone. I don't want a knife that can't do it's job! Nobody cares about a knife in my safe that can't pull on it's pants and go to work! Do you care?

For the folks who worry about resale value, I just hope it doesn't cause you any stress. Too many real threats in the world today for me to worry about a knife.

 

[irsh]

Once I'm a bit more proficient at sharpening I could see all my knives being more firmly in the "user" category.
I'd be afraid to try repairing a chip in my 110PM2 with my current meager skills.

 

[tiguy7]

Boy, does everyone have such different opinions of what a knife can do!

For me, a knife should be able to cut through an extension cord without damage. If the edge isn't tough enough for that, it will be gone. I don't want a knife that can't do it's job! Nobody cares about a knife in my safe that can't pull on it's pants and go to work! Do you care?

For the folks who worry about resale value, I just hope it doesn't cause you any stress. Too many real threats in the world today for me to worry about a knife.

That extension cord can be cut faster if it’s plugged in.

 

[justjed]

That is true, but it plays hell with the heat-treatment, and leaves divots in what's left of your edge that won't sharpen out....

 

[ErikMB]

That extension cord can be cut faster if it’s plugged in.

Just make sure you wet the area first.

 

[kobold]

Just make sure you wet the area first.

With lighter fluid.

 

[luethge]

This little monster handles 95% of what I need an edc to do. I don’t use it on food due to the coating, everything else is good though. I’m not worried about snapping the tip, blade play, or chipped edge. 5/32 stock 1095 with 3.25 blade. Pocket sized sharpened prybar.

 

[Shorttime]

In case nobody has suggested it:

As for what I'm willing to do with it?

It's kind of "I know it when I see it". There's no figuring out torque or lateral force limits before hand, because I'm not that organized. I have this combination

Which goes with me, pretty much everywhere, and other, larger, tools with striking faces on them. If I take a moment to look at the job, and experience tells me some other tool would do it better than the knife, I go get that other tool.

 

[Shorttime]

Now, if you really want an everyday-sized knife that will stand up to a thumping, I have a suggestion.

The problem is that it's not a folding knife.