Recommendation? First time EDC

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GimmeZell

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Hello, name is Jeremy and I've been lurking for a week or so and I am ready to purchase my first knife. With reading forum posts here and watching YouTube video reviews, to say I'm overwhelmed would be an understatement.

I recent bought my 16 year old son a Civivi Ortis and now I need one.

I would like to keep the out-the-door price to under $100. I originally wanted to get the Ferrum Forge Stinger but it is not in stock anywhere.

So that leaves the Civivi Elementum. The brass one looks nice but is bit heavier than that of the marble carbon fiber version. As a first time EDC and knife user would I notice the difference?

I'm also open to other sub-$100 knife recommendations.

Thanks for reading,

Jeremy
 
The Elementum is a great EDC choice. I own the brass one because I like brass and don't need it as an EDC, but it's impractically heavy for the size of the knife; I'd recommend one of the S35VN versions with G10 scales, which are well under $100. It's a useful size, it won't scare anyone, the blade profile is great for a wide range of tasks, it's a well-made knife, and it's a lot of knife for the money. Solid choice all around. :thumbsup:

The two you mentioned considering, the Elementum and the Stinger, are both pretty svelte knives, so I'm avoiding recommendations I might otherwise make (Cold Steel Rajah III for a surprisingly practical tactical knife; CS Recon 1 if you want a big bruiser; etc.). Let's sneak in one Cold Steel, though: the Code 4, which boasts a beefy lock but pairs it with a sleek, streamlined frame; it's incredibly thin.

My favorite CIVIVI, the Exarch, is well inside your price range, but I'm not sure I'd recommend a front flipper for a first-time EDC (although it's a great knife!). The "back flipper" version is the Chronic, which offers the same streamlined look and feel.

I EDCed a Spyderco Delica for a couple of years and was thrilled with it, but as my tastes have changed over the years I've found I generally prefer other knives that do what I like about the Delica better (for me). It's a light, capable, people-friendly all-rounder, though; definitely worth considering.

Your price point is kind of a squishy space, IMO. Around $50 there's a ton of competition, but between $50 and $100 I tend to want to recommend stuff that's in the $50 range or the >$100 range. Stretch to ~$130 and you've got the Bugout, which is my all-time favorite lightweight knife in its size. At ~$140, you've got knives like the Hogue Deka, another awesome lightweight with fantastic scales. And then you're into Spyderco mainstays like the Para Military 2 or Para 3, and lost down that rabbit hole. ;)
 
I'm a huge fan of the Kershaw Link (with the aluminum handle), and you can find it for well under a hundred. The Civivi Elementum is also a good choice, though I prefer the Gent. The Gent is a little bit more than your price point and is harder to find though.
 
lieferung said:
I suggest trying the Spyderco Delica. Best to convert you early ;)

When I was a newbie I didn't notice things like weight in the hand, I was just amazed that I had a cutting tool and how useful it could be.
Click to expand...

Completely agree
 
Don't know much about Civi knives but some people seem to like them. Spyderco delica is a good choice but if you get one and like it no doubt you'll end up with a pm2.
 
Pound for pound, the Spyderco Delica is one of the finest EDC's made, and I'm not much of a Spyderco guy. The flat ground VG-10 is magical.

The Benchmade Mini Grip is an excellent EDC as well. You might just find yourself enamored with the famed Axis Lock and be on your way to more.

The Kershaw Leek is a great choice. Ton of versions to it so you can get features and colors you like. Even carbon fiber and CPM-154 steel which is my fave, although there is a limited run of these with carbon fiber and CPM-D2 composite blade that I have to get my hands on. The Leek is really a handy piece.

Civivi sure has a neat lineup of knives though, and if you are hankering for one, it seems like there are a lot of folks who are happy with them.
 
The marbled cf on the elementum was done very well

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That said, if you have a tiny bit more to throw into the price, imo the Buck Sprint is done much better in many ways

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If you ever needed a warranty Buck has the best service. Also, I prefer the s30v to the d2, materials have a nicer finish, the cf handles are proud to the liners, and the full edge with no finger choil all give it the lead over the elementum.
 
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Are you set on wanting a knife with a flipper or are you OK with thumbstuds/holes?

A lot of good recommendations already and I agree that the under $100 mark is strange just because of how the market is.

The Rat 2 is a fantastic budget thumbstud knife. Great action and I like the Aus8 blade better than D2 as I can get a finer edge and it's cheaper.

Also if you search this forum for budget there may be a couple of threads with other suggestions for you to browse.
 
Spyderco para 2
Cold steel 4 Max Scout (best bang for the buck)
Spyderco delica
Benchmade 940

These 4 are a good way to start.

Probably will be the best knives you will ever buy. Even whe getting $400-$500. knives later on you will look back at those 4

PS
Stay away from anything with D2 steel. It rusts.
 
Kershaw Bareknuckle
Para 3 lightweight
Aforementioned Buck Sprint
Lightweight Spyderco's as well
Civivi are nice as well, I have a McKenna Damascus.

I would also suggest a sharpening system like the Spyderco sharpmaker.
 
The Civivi Elementum is a solid choice. If you grab one, you'll have enough left over for a Victorinox alox Cadet and still come in under $100
 
colubrid said:
Spyderco para 2
Cold steel 4 Max Scout (best bang for the buck)
Spyderco delica
Benchmade 940

These 4 are a good way to start.

Probably will be the best knives you will ever buy. Even whe getting $400-$500. knives later on you will look back at those 4

PS
Stay away from anything with D2 steel. It rusts.
Click to expand...

I have a few d2 blades, never had an issue with rust. It's just near stainless as you can get.

That said, I live in a warm dry climate.
 
Every D2 blade I have had has rusted. They rust pretty quick from just the humidity in my pants pocket and then leaving them out without wiping them off every night.
 
Thank you all for posting your recommendations and your input. A few things that I came away with after reading the reply's.

-I may have increase my budget to $130 or decrease it to $50 and below as many of you mentioned that my original budget of $100 is kind of in a weird spot.
-There are a lot of options I have not considered or even heard of
-D2 steel may rust
-The Para 2 and the Para 3 lightweight have been recommended numerous times.
-Take my time
- I am open to more than just flippers

Keep the recommendations coming!
 
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