First Higher Quality EDC Knife

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peepskp

Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
9
Hi guys,

I am new to the forum. I was hoping to get your opinions on a few knives I have been looking at and maybe you can recommend some in the same price range (150ish). I currently have a kershaw scallion that I want to upgrade from. I like knives with great f&f and classy styling. I have high end japanese kitchen knives and would like an EDC knife with similar quality.

Very interested in AXIS lock:
BM 707 Sequel
BM 903 Mini Styker
BM 484
BM Ritter Grip M390

High ratings everywhere:
Spiderco Paramilitary 2
 
Spyderco Techno. Don't let it's unique looks confuse you, it's an awesome piece of cutlery.

Or the mini Ritter grip. :)
 
If you can find one, then I would say the pm2. I hate the looks of spyderco, yet I still carry mine all the time. It's that nice.
 
You like Japanese steel? Here is their best, and Spyderco is also best...IMO.
I've owned all of these models, and have gifted them to close relatives, in addition to carrying one for office EDC.
The 3" and 3.5" in ZDP is a great blade-steel. Or, you could opt for SuperBlue steel and work with the patina aspect.
The Caly models are light, slim, easy to pocket-clip carry and very attractive in their carbon fiber grips.

All of these are in your general price range.
It is also available in VG-10, but that steel is lesser quality than ZDP or SuperBlue, IMO.

This pic shows my 3" Caly 3 and the Caly 3.5 (obviously in 3.5")...both in (laminated) ZDP-189


http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercocaly35c144cfpelaminatezdp-189w4202j2blade.aspx#.VKMm414AA
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP1...DP-189-420J2-Plain-Blade-Carbon-Fiber-Handles
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Caly-3-Aogami-Super-Blue--14470
 
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Mcusta might be worth a look. Most of their knives fall into the 150 range and they're a Japanese company.
 
If you want a classy, gentleman's folder how about the Spyderco Chaparral 1? It's fairly handsome and has excellent cutting geometry.
 
Thanks for the great responses already! The spyderco caly in the zdp or Super Blue sound very interesting. I also like the techno recommendation. These are all knives I haven't looked at yet.

Does anyone know how the quality of mcusta knives are? I love japanese steel/ styling and some of these look pretty cool.
 
peepskp said:
Hi guys,

I am new to the forum. I was hoping to get your opinions on a few knives I have been looking at and maybe you can recommend some in the same price range (150ish). I currently have a kershaw scallion that I want to upgrade from. I like knives with great f&f and classy styling. I have high end japanese kitchen knives and would like an EDC knife with similar quality.

Very interested in AXIS lock:
BM 707 Sequel
BM 903 Mini Styker
BM 484
BM Ritter Grip M390

High ratings everywhere:
Spiderco Paramilitary 2
Click to expand...

Of those you mentioned, the 707 is a great knife, well made, and very size efficient. It could be the only knife you ever need. The PM2 is also great. It is a fairly large knife and if you want a knife to use with gloves on outdoors, this is a good choice. These two knives are almost like custom in quality. The Ritter is pretty nice for the steel choice.

You mentioned the Caly3 and I think it is wonderful. I slightly prefer the ergos on the Delica and Endura, but really do like my Caly3. It is slimmer than it looks. The handle is exactly the same size and nearly the same shape as the much vaunted EDC knife, the Kershaw Leek. I would not hesitate to buy another one.
 
I think you're on the right track, I really think the axis lock is a great system, and a lot of fun.

I am going to stick with your list and say the 707 would be my pick from it....

One more thing, not sure what you're using to sharpen or how far a long you are with that skill, but I would suggest BM's 154CM (it's on the 707) if you are still working on your sharpening skill.
It's a very good all around steel, that's not very difficult to maintain.
 
I recently held a BM 903 Mini Striker and really liked the overall design. I like the way the 707 looks, but the handle feels a bit too short for me. The 903 is probably going to be the next Benchmade I buy. I've been carrying a Paramilitary for years and think it's one of the best EDC designs out there in any price range. And if you like the Axis lock, you may like the Compression lock since you can open and close it in a way similar to the Axis. Though the Axis feels a bit more natural to disengage. My vote goes to the 903 or Paramilitary 2.
 
Have you ever considered Spyderco Sage series? Great FnF, good ergo, EDC size. Couldn't go wrong with that 😊

(Still would vote for a Techno~)
 
I started with a Spyderco Caly 3 carbon fiber and the rest is history, my first real high quality knife and the addiction began. Paramilitary 2 is my all time favorite and I would highly recommend at that price, both are awesome in both practical use and knife geek bling factor.
 
I know you wanted to stay around $150 but if you can muster up some extra cash take a look at the Benchmade 940 Osborne. Its a design that could be used formally or for every day use. In my opinion its one of the best edc knives, ive never had a knife as smooth as this that locks up as tight. This will run around $180.

Now if you really want to go broke look at the 940-1. Itll run you about $230 but it has a carbon fiber handle in place of the original 940s anodized aluminum and the blade is s90v steel upgraded from the original s30v.

Give them a look, you wont be disappointed!
 
Off of your list: The BM 707 is one of my favorite knives. Just a perfect all-around knife. I'm not super fond of the AXIS lock, but I have almost obsurd lay small hands so you may not have the same issues I do with it.

Other recommendations: The Spyderco Native 5 IS my favorite knife. Beautifully made, S35VN blade, nice heft, ambidextrous (I carry lefty) with the lockback which by the way WILL still allow one handed closing and I think it's the best looking Spyderco. As if it had much competition.

As far as the Mcusta mention, I'd also be curious to hear some reviews or thoughts. I've been pretty seriously considering one of their Damascus blades myself. Love the look of them, but never had the pleasure of handling one and I can't find any locally.
 
I looked at knives for three hours last night, I am starting to get addicted. You guys really know your stuff. After all these great suggestions I have narrowed it down to three knives. I have medium thin hands so the Spyderco techno, sage 2, and bm 940. I am sure I will buy almost every knife that was recommended so far since they are all unique.
 
The Techno feels so much better in hand than it looks, if that makes any sense.

I also have the 940, and it's probably my all time favorite. Gun to my head, if I had to sell off my collection and live with 1 knife for the rest of my life, the 940 would be it. It does everything right in my opinion.
 
I also know where you can get a spyderco in s110v but mine is a manix 2 g10 Not the frn model, take a look at my sig.

For the 3 you have just listed, I would think the sage 2 or 940.

In regards to the sage 2, I havent heard much negative about them and quite a lot of the contrary. Along the lines of a more inexpensive version of a sebenza. Keep in mind, I dont own one yet, but just letting you know what I had heard. Looks to be the better slicer, but has a shorter blade, so that might be a hindrance, you also get TITANIUM! That alone will make you a man! :rolleyes: you can also look into getting the Ti ano'd or do it yourself for a project.

And the 940 is an iconic pocket carry edc. Great blade length in a seemingly small package, strong tip, nimble and disappears in your pocket due to the thin nature of it. The s30v takes and holds a really good edge, they did their HT right.
I have had one and I loved it. Though I sold it to buy a bm 710-1401. That isnt a knock on the 940, I also would have sold the sage 2 or the techno for the 710-1401 if I had them.

Now you are down to two, lol. Good luck.
 
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