Having a hard time deciding on my next EDC, please help...

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gillmanjr

Joined
Jul 27, 2017
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So I'm looking to add another EDC to the rotation, I have a few knives in mind but I'm really struggling with this one. This is my current rotation:

Benchmade Barrage 580
Spyderco PM2
Spyderco Tenacious
Microtech UTX-85
Bradford Guardian3

As you can see most of my EDCs are $150+ knives. In fact the only reason I have the Tenacious is because I got it for free (long story). Anyway I want to add another EDC under $100. Here are some that I've been looking at:

Boker Kalashnikov (because I'd like an auto in the rotation)
CRKT Pilar (Large) or Kizer Sheepdog (because I'd like a Sheepsfoot in the rotation)
Kershaw Skyline (or some other Kershaw)
Benchmade Bugout (just over $100, probably my favorite of this bunch, but I'm not a huge fan of the axis lock system)

Which would you guys pick and can you give me some other recommendations. Again, I want to keep the cost down on this one. Thanks!
 
Tops Mini Scandi Folder? Just a little over the $100 but an great little knife. I see you don't currently have a flipper.
 
gillmanjr said:
So I'm looking to add another EDC to the rotation, I have a few knives in mind but I'm really struggling with this one. This is my current rotation:

Benchmade Barrage 580
Spyderco PM2
Spyderco Tenacious
Microtech UTX-85
Bradford Guardian3

As you can see most of my EDCs are $150+ knives. In fact the only reason I have the Tenacious is because I got it for free (long story). Anyway I want to add another EDC under $100. Here are some that I've been looking at:

Boker Kalashnikov (because I'd like an auto in the rotation)
CRKT Pilar (Large) or Kizer Sheepdog (because I'd like a Sheepsfoot in the rotation)
Kershaw Skyline (or some other Kershaw)
Benchmade Bugout (just over $100, probably my favorite of this bunch, but I'm not a huge fan of the axis lock system)

Which would you guys pick and can you give me some other recommendations. Again, I want to keep the cost down on this one. Thanks!
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I would go with the bugout. I wouldn't choose any of the others. Had a Skyline and it's great light weight option for jogging pants and suits. But the bugout is better.
I really don't like Pilar quality and materials nor the sheepdog design, weight or designer and I really don't like Kizer overall. And while the boker is a nice affordable auto, it's pretty low quality. But for a first auto at its price, it's hard to beat. They come in different steel too.
 
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aleforme said:
Tops Mini Scandi Folder? Just a little over the $100 but an great little knife. I see you don't currently have a flipper.
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I actually do have a flipper, an old Buck that I've had for more than a decade. The tip broke off so I don't carry it anymore.
 
I recently bought a Buck Ranger. Buck has a new light-weight slimmed-down version with micarta scales. $79.99

Hey, look at me. New to the forum today and already handing out wise knife advice. <sarc/> <wiseacre/>
 
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I checked out the Kershaw Bareknuckle based on your recommendations and I don't like it. Thats a ZT style knife, I don't like ZTs at all. I think they are overpriced and too busy. The only ZT I've ever seen that I like is the 0801Ti and I think its massively overpriced. You could have a small Sebenza for that money and you'd be loony toon crazy to buy a ZT over a Sebenza. Go ahead and argue if you disagree, it won't change my mind.

I prefer my knives to be simple, functional, and light weight when possible. I know the Pilar is a heavy knife for its size but I'm willing to compromise with that because of the blade shape.
 
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I suggest the bugout from your list. Another option from Benchmade is the 531.
 
Sometimes the only way to find out how well you like a knife is to just jump in and buy one and if it doesn’t do it for you then sell it and try another. I’ve tried some that were reviewed and recommended but just didn’t work for me so I sold them or gifted them to friends that liked them. Each person has their own preference and/or expectations that can be very different from one to another. And sometimes the unexpected ends up being your favorite.
 
Bugout hands down from that list.

I suppose you have some reason for not being a fan of the Axis Lock... but honestly it is one of the things I like best about mine.

You might be able to grab one here on the Exchange for under your $100 setpoint.
 
Velitrius said:
Bugout hands down from that list.

I suppose you have some reason for not being a fan of the Axis Lock... but honestly it is one of the things I like best about mine.

You might be able to grab one here on the Exchange for under your $100 setpoint.
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Because it requires two fingers to unlock comfortably. Yes it can be done with one or just your thumb on one side of it, but its difficult. Just not my favorite thats all. It certainly works better than most other systems in terms of locking the blade in place, I just don't like how it unlocks.
 
gillmanjr said:
Thats a ZT style knife, I don't like ZTs at all. I think they are overpriced and too busy. The only ZT I've ever seen that I like is the 0801Ti and I think its massively overpriced. You could have a small Sebenza for that money and you'd be loony toon crazy to buy a ZT over a Sebenza. Go ahead and argue if you disagree, it won't change my mind.
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The 0801ti is only 240 a sebenza is 375. I don't buy anymore zt's, I don't like them anymore. At 240 I don't think it's that over priced tbo. Granted at less than map it would be more idea. It's a bit heavy and has no internal milling. And iirc no stainless hardened washers behind the bearings. It's also too thick behind the edge for any slicing tasks.

The Pilar is a chunky monkey. Too thick behind the edge. You may not like that. The general shape is nice but it needs to be a better slicer especially at that size. Of which it's not even close. For edc I guess it's not that bad, cause most people just use the tip of the apex to cut something quick and pop it back in. But anything requiring more time cutting or slicing into stuff just defeats the purpose.
 
Mo2 said:
The Pilar is a chunky monkey. Too thick behind the edge. You may not like that. The general shape is nice but it needs to be a better slicer especially at that size. Of which it's not even close. For edc I guess it's not that bad, cause most people just use the tip of the apex to cut something quick and pop it back in. But anything requiring more time cutting or slicing into stuff just defeats the purpose.
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You've owned or own the Pilar? You are saying its not a good slicer? If thats the case I'll take it off my list. The whole purpose of a sheepsfoot blade is slicing, nothing else. They are supposed to be superior slicers.

FYI I am actually interested in the new large Pilar. It isn't that much larger than the original but it is actually lighter.
 
gillmanjr said:
So I'm looking to add another EDC to the rotation, I have a few knives in mind but I'm really struggling with this one. This is my current rotation:

Benchmade Barrage 580
Spyderco PM2
Spyderco Tenacious
Microtech UTX-85
Bradford Guardian3

As you can see most of my EDCs are $150+ knives. In fact the only reason I have the Tenacious is because I got it for free (long story). Anyway I want to add another EDC under $100. Here are some that I've been looking at:

Boker Kalashnikov (because I'd like an auto in the rotation)
CRKT Pilar (Large) or Kizer Sheepdog (because I'd like a Sheepsfoot in the rotation)
Kershaw Skyline (or some other Kershaw)
Benchmade Bugout (just over $100, probably my favorite of this bunch, but I'm not a huge fan of the axis lock system)

Which would you guys pick and can you give me some other recommendations. Again, I want to keep the cost down on this one. Thanks!
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You could combine two bullet points and get one of the Kershaw Launch series. They're nice little autos at a more than reasonable price. I like the Launch 2.
 
gillmanjr said:
You've owned or own the Pilar? You are saying its not a good slicer? If thats the case I'll take it off my list. The whole purpose of a sheepsfoot blade is slicing, nothing else. They are supposed to be superior slicers.

FYI I am actually interested in the new large Pilar. It isn't that much larger than the original but it is actually lighter.
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it doesnt matter if its a sheepsfoot or full flat grind etc, if its too thick behind the edge and has too thick of geometry. Geometry is what cuts. they are not serious slicers by any stretch. not sure who convinced you of that. a bugout would be a good slicer.
 
Mo2 said:
it doesnt matter if its a sheepsfoot or full flat grind etc, if its too thick behind the edge and has too thick of geometry. Geometry is what cuts. they are not serious slicers by any stretch. not sure who convinced you of that. a bugout would be a good slicer.
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You're conflating two different things in your first sentence here. "Sheepsfoot" decribes a blade shape. "Full Flat Grind" is an edge grind. These are two different things. Traditionally sheepsfoot blades are better for slicing and they also allow you to slice without fear of accidental stabbing because they don't really have a tip. They were created specifically for whittling but they are good slicers.

I understand what you are saying. You are saying that the blade stock is too thick on the Pilar for it to be a good slicer and I would tend to agree. I own a Ka-Bar BK2 which has pretty much the thickest blade you will ever see on a knife and as a result it is NOT a good slicer, at all. They are probably intended for more rigorous tasks like chopping and whittling.
 
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