Finally ready to pull the trigger, which of these 3 would best suit the EDC role?

J

JDX

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Mar 2, 2014
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I've asked a couple questions lately trying to gather as much info as possible on what would be the best for me. So far it's between:
-Spyderco Delica 4 FFG w/ FRN scales
-Cold Steel American Lawman
-Benchmade Griptillian / Mini Grip
-Buck 110 (more for the novelty factor, not to downplay its abilities)

I'm absolutely aware these knives arent very similar or comparable, but if it was up to one knife to carry, which would you carry? Why would you carry that knife over the others? The more information you provide, the more helpful it'll be for me. Thanks guys! I appreciate you taking the time to read this.
 
If they were free, I'd go with a hollow ground full-size grip. However, if I was paying, I'd go with the Delica. The Delica is a little smaller than I would like, but the cutting performance and edge retention are fantastic. The CS Lawman... It has a lot of love around here, but I couldn't get into it either time I owned one. It just didn't do it for me.

I think it might be that the Delica and Grip can be "flicked" with my middle finger, whereas the Lawman takes a more deliberate action. Also, the lawman's G10 scales are too aggressive for my tastes.

It really comes down to size and price - Grips cost anywhere from $60-90 on average, and Delicas can be had for $35-45. The Delica is a lockback and potentially more difficult to operate one-handed, but is half the price and a bit smaller. The Grips are easily actuated using the axis lock, but are certainly more massive by comparison.

I wouldn't even consider the 110 because of the lack of a pocket clip.
 
Comeuppance said:
If they were free, I'd go with a hollow ground full-size grip. However, if I was paying, I'd go with the Delica. The Delica is a little smaller than I would like, but the cutting performance and edge retention are fantastic. The CS Lawman... It has a lot of love around here, but I couldn't get into it either time I owned one. It just didn't do it for me.

I think it might be that the Delica and Grip can be "flicked" with my middle finger, whereas the Lawman takes a more deliberate action. Also, the lawman's G10 scales are too aggressive for my tastes.

It really comes down to size and price - Grips cost anywhere from $60-90 on average, and Delicas can be had for $35-45. The Delica is a lockback and potentially more difficult to operate one-handed, but is half the price and a bit smaller. The Grips are easily actuated using the axis lock, but are certainly more massive by comparison.

I wouldn't even consider the 110 because of the lack of a pocket clip.
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Not sure where you are, in Connecticut, the prices are much closer. Within $20 if each other give or take. But I I didn't intend for this to be a comparison, more as, picking one knife out of the selection I provided, which would be the best in terms of lock strength, ergos and action. Blade steel surprisingly isn't too important. The only difference I really notice is how often I have to sharpen the blade.
 
I'll echo what Comeuppance said...the full size grip 550HG is sturdy, carries well, has in my opinion what is probably one of the top three most useful and versatile blade shapes on the market, is ground thin for good slicing and is fun to play with because there's like, four different ways to open it. :D
 
I own a buck 112, the 110 is far heavier than the 112, but the 112 is still heafty in pocket and you'll know it's there.

i'd recommend the benchmade if you want a lighter edc.
 
Out of those four I only have the Buck 110 and I can tell you it never gets carried. Way too heavy and its just not as practical for EDC. If you like Buck I strongly recommend you look at their Vantage series. Those are awesome knives and I have one in my rotation. I've never been a Cold Steel fan but I know some people love them. I would narrow it down to the Benchmade and Spyderco. Can't go wrong with either.
 
I'd pick the Delica or Mini-Grip. The Mini-Grip has the Axis lock though, which is really awesome. Spyderco does the back lock better than any others in my opinion, and the Delica is a fine example of their execution on the design. Mini-Grip carries more comfortably in pocket (smaller footprint), but the Delica is more comfortable in hand. If you prefer tip-down carry, the Delica offers that and Mini-Grip doesn't. Both VG-10 and 154CM are great blade steels, and Spyderco and Benchmade do them both very well. The FFG on the Delica is a fantastic slicer, and the MDP Mini-Grip (556) does feel a bit more robust while still slicing very well. There is no wrong choice between these two.

Buck 110 is an iconic knife for sure, but it's too bulky to carry clipless in pocket (at least for me), and I'm not big on carrying it on a belt sheath. It's a great knife, but really wasn't suited to my EDC preferences.

I can't in good conscience recommend any Cold Steel purchases at this point.
 
It depends on what you're using your knife for, how much weight you want to carry, and what kind of environment you are using your knife in. With dirty, moist environments I would avoid the Grip. The Buck 110 weighs a lot. If 'hard use' is not your concern then the Cold Steel's additional lock strength is probably not necessary. If you do a lot of light prying or heavy tip use the Delica might not be the best option. And so on.
 
For edc the two obvious choices would be either the spyderco or the mini grip. Can't go wrong with either really, I'd choose the spyderco just because.

Mike
 
For full size carry, the new Lawman with xhp steel is lighter and has a smoother handle. My first Cold Steel. Very impressive. The Griptilian is a great all around user. The comparable Spyderco choice to these two is the Endura which is one of my favorites. I m currently liking the Lawman the most, despite the black blade.
 
Both the Delica and the mini-G are too small for me to carry as a general purpose knife. Their blades just aren't long enough to do some of the things I do without making unnecessary multiple cuts. The CS AmLaw is fine for blade length but the handle is too thin to be comfortable in my hand. As I've gotten older and Arthur has come to live with me, I've found that a thicker contoured handle is much more comfortable and secure. I'd go with the full sized Grip out of your list.
 
If you have a big hand, the Grip will probably be the most comfortable to hold and use. If you have an average to small hand, I'd choose the Delica over the mini. I have both the Delica and mini and the Delica fits my hand better. I'd stick with the 154cm from BM or vg10 from Spyderco before going after the CS and Aus8.
 
I pick my DC (note the absence of the "E" for Every") based upon the pants I will be wearing that day and the day's anticipated activities.

I am in a suit and tie most days but enjoy Casual Fridays - and sometimes Tuesdays or Wednesdays or Thursdays depending on my schedule for a particular day. I can wear lightweight chinos, jeans or heavier duty "tactical" cargo pants. Bigger pockets and stronger pants more readily support bigger, stronger, heavier knives.

Will I be opening my mail, slicing an apple, cutting a thread or scraping gasket material, carving, cutting hose, cardboard, gutting a deer, food prep??

I generally try to carry the biggest, heaviest and most rugged folder that I can given the garb and intended activities but that sometimes gets me down to an Ontario RAT-2 or smaller.

All of that said, if you were to limit yourself to one EDC (note the presence of the "E" for Every) then I suggest evaluating the pants that you typically wear and the tasks you generally will ask the knife to perform.

For enough money, you can get light weight, thin dimension and ruggedness.

Keep in mind that i believe the number one threat to a folder is loss - may your purchase be guided accordingly.

Happy hunting.
 
Bucklite, in a belt pouch.
Delica- You can't go wrong.
CRKT Journeyer- A modern slip-joint, little bulldog.
 
Another vote for delica here. Comeuppance pretty much summed up my opinion. I think it is the most well rounded knife on your list, and you don't seem to mind backlocks so you can't miss with the delica. Plus, you have many color options. I did not like how the handles in the grips feel and they also lack a nice acute tip which I like, but may me a minus for others.
 
The Delica, for sure. I'd carry an Endura every day if the grip were the old style.
 
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