Good assisted EDC

J

jackstraw42

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Mar 2, 2009
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Hey everyone...this is my first post, so please go easy on me! :D

I'm looking for a good EDC folder, that I'd also like to use on fishing/camping trips. I know I want assisted open, a thin profile, about a 3" blade, good edge retention, ease of sharpening, enough corrosion resistance to use it in outdoor situations, good toughness, and partial serrations (negotiable). price range is $50-60, street.

Now...Ive pretty much narrowed it down to four that I found:
SOG twitch XL (AUS 8 - plain)
Kershaw Random Leek (14C28N - plain tanto)
Kershaw Shallot (13C26 - combo)
Kershaw Damascus Shallot, blemish (L6/15N20, 52100, 5160, 203E - Plain)

So I did my HW but I'm very indecisive and I lack the experience to make the final educated decision so PLEASE help! Thanks!
 
Shallot is about 3.5 inches IIRC, VERY slim, and locks up well. Why the DAM? Prefer the look of it? Also consider the ZDP or S110V blade versions. I love my 110V.

The Twitch XL has a very thin hollow-ground blade, which makes it a good cutter, but always felt way too heavy for what it is. The AO isn't all that spectacular either, nor does the quite thin "lockback" fill me with confidence.

Random Leek - great choice, but definitely more of a small EDC/gentleman's folder.

How about... the Kershaw RAM? Not assisted... but one of the best ~40-50 USD folders out there, especially with the new steel, though the lock takes some getting used to. Other non-assisted include the Zing, Groove, and Skyline (~25).

IIRC, Benchmade just released a budget A/O based off of the Monochrome profile.
 
The super-steel shallots are a little pricey...plus i heard they are very difficult to sharpen. Seems like it wouldn't be worth it for me. I happened to find a good deal on the blemished dam blades. Also, i heard that the non-stainless carbon steels are harder, tougher and easier to sharpen...i'm just concerned about the lack of corrosion resistance.

Thanks for the info on the SOG...looks like it's off my list.

I like the random leek too, better shape than the standard leek, IMO. Still not as much belly as I'd prefer & it's plain edge, but it's pretty sweet. Small for some, but 3"-3.5" is what i'm looking for.

Benchmades are good, but I've found that the $$ to knife ratio is a little high...plus I like the flipper style openers.

So thanks...essentially I'm not any closer to a decision, but I'm at least confident that I can't make the wrong one with these choices.
 
want an ao knife with belly? did you look at the kershaw packrat? g10, good ergo's, 14c28n, and a solid liner lock (you have to see it to understand, there was a thread in the kershaw forum)
 
I've been carrying a SOG Flash 2 for quite some time now and just picked up a Flash 1. They're both very light and I almost never notice them when they're in my pocket.

They're both in your price range and IMO its a great EDC knife.
 
Kershaw seems to make make AOs that are quite simple, one long wire type spring with a couple of bends, and reliable. They are said to quickly provide spring replacements when requested and the spring is so simple it can probably be easily fabricated if need be.

Your typical Kershaw AO has no more or less part to deal with than your typical lockback except for the safety equipped models like the mini mojo/mojito and the speed bump neither of which is of any consequence.

Fit and finish on the Kershaws I find to be astounding for knives in that price range (I am not kidding)
 
The now discontinued speed bump with aluminum over stainless handles is quite a good buy. I would get it before old stock runs out. The newer Kershaw speed bump has synthetic over stainless which is still good. The bumps have the strong thumb stud locks.
 
The other posters make some good points, but considering your requirements (EDC+Outdoor) and your list of pre-researched options, I would go with the regular Shallot.
The Twitch XL and the Leek (Random or any other format) are gentleman's folders; they're both plenty strong for city carry but a little dainty when it comes to outdoor work and woods carry. The damascus Shallot, while functional, is more of a collector's knife, and may be considered too pretty to beat up. (Also there's the carbon steel issue.)

The regular, plain edge Shallot is probably your best bet. AO is authoritative and reliable, the knife is of the slim-n-strong variety, my personal favorite, and the fine-grained Scandinavian steel is one of the best compromises between edge retention and ease-of-sharpening that you're likely to find in a production knife. Way better than AUS8. (The RAM uses the same steel, and frankly, I'd listen to what the other posters have to say about it, but if your heart is set on an AO then the Shallot is your best bet.)
I've played with the Shallot and the RAM extensively before, and I plan to buy one of each in the near future. My experience with the steel comes from my Leek, which is an EDC of mine but only in the city; outdoors I carry a 710 or a Seb.
 
jackstraw42 said:
Also, i heard that the non-stainless carbon steels are harder, tougher and easier to sharpen...i'm just concerned about the lack of corrosion resistance.
Click to expand...

D2 is so close to stainless that as long as you keep it clean you won't have any trouble. Wipe it off and run a dab of gun oil over it and you'll be straight.
 
Stick with kershaw if you want the best materials for the $.. Plus I find all of kershaws AO knives work better than Sog and a few others...
 
So...I just managed to snag a brand spankin' new S110V Shallot for $66 shipped. I'm a little scared of trying to sharpen it myself, but I'm pumped! Thanks for all your advice :D
 
Look no further than the Kershaw Shallot. It really is all that. Slim, sturdy, good-looking and comfortable. The Speed-Safe is modified on this model to be safer to carry while still being easy to deploy. I love mine.
 
jackstraw42 said:
So...I just managed to snag a brand spankin' new S110V Shallot for $66 shipped. I'm a little scared of trying to sharpen it myself, but I'm pumped! Thanks for all your advice :D
Click to expand...

Well you are good to go then. I was gonna say get that or the skyline...strange thing is happening to me lately. I am recomending Kershaw Knives more then any other...strange.......
 
jackstraw42 said:
So...I just managed to snag a brand spankin' new S110V Shallot for $66 shipped. I'm a little scared of trying to sharpen it myself, but I'm pumped! Thanks for all your advice :D
Click to expand...

I saw the thread, nice score! If you have proper sharpening tools, use the correct methods, and use elbow grease, you'll do fine. :thumbup:
 
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