Help in choosing EDC

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xcbike72

Joined
Dec 12, 2007
Messages
3
Hi,

I'm new to this forum so fist I want to say hello to all of you!

I've been looking at getting an EDC, I guess it will be used for random cutting tasks around the house ie opening boxes etc.

It should be:

- easy to carry in jeanspockets
- bladelength 3" or less
- Price not more than $60

I'm not sure if I want a serrated edge, pros/cons of this?

I've been thinking about the following knifes:

- Spyderco Calypso Jr zdp steel
- Benchmade Griptilian 556
- Crkt Mo'skeeter
- Crkt M16 series

or is there other models that you would recommend?

btw, I have a Cold steel Clip Mate Large today, and I think this is a little to big for carrying around in my pocket.


- regards
Bjørn Erik
 
Greetings...

Welcome to the forums. 3" is a good size for EDC, IMAO. That's the size that I try to hit when I'm looking for an EDC folder, I find it just works best for my most common chores.

The ZDP Caly 3 is a great choice if you like lightweight knives. They are fantastic slicers with their flat ground blades. Their backlock is good and strong for a 3" folder.

The 556 (in any configuration and blade steel) will be a bit thicker and weigh slightly more. It's also a good cutter, but 154CM does not have the edge holding ability of ZDP189. OTOH, 154CM is a bit tougher stainless and it's somewhat easier to sharpen back up than ZDP. The Grips are AXIS lock knives and are very smooth and easy to operate.

Don't know anyting about the CRKTs you mentioned.

As far as the edge on the blade goes, that's kinda personal. Some folks like combo edges. I don't find that a combo edge has any advantage for me, especially in a 3" blade. There's not enough of either the serrated or the straigt portion to be useful.

A fully serrated edge might be more useful, but the Grips don't come that way. Combo is the best you can do with them. Personally, I've never had a use for a serrated blade. I've used them some and I just don't feel like I'm missing out on anything by not having one for EDC. They are somewhat more difficult to resharpen because of the serrations, but from what I've read, they don't need to be resharpened or touched up as often as a PE blade. Anyway, all of my EDC knives are PE and they work fine that way for me.

HTH... let us know what you decide to get.
 
I would recommend a Mini Griptilian. Axis is a nice lock and also very comfortable to use.
Also take a look at Fallkniven U2, maybe you'll like it.
 
xcbike72 said:
I'm not sure if I want a serrated edge, pros/cons of this?
Click to expand...

Serrated edges are better for cutting stiff or fibrous materials. Plain edges are good for most other tasks.

For small edc knives spyderco is hard to beat.
 
Welcome XCbike72! I would like this opportunity to tell you that this is the beginning of many which knife to choose questions you are now going to have joining up with Bladeforums!!! The decisions from here on out only get tougher and not easier with many great reviews and blades to choose from. Next you will be looking into custom knives then all hell will break lose!!

Seriously though, I think your choices are good. I like spyderco's. But you cannot go wrong with the griptillian either. I would opt for a spyderco and here is why, the prices are a little better without sacrificing quality, they have different steel choices to chose from, and they are an outstanding hands on customer driven company. They are not disconnected from hearing what people want. I fancy the spyderco native in spearpoint, plain edge. It is a wickedly sharp knife and can be found for around $40. Light weight and has a clip for pocket/pant carry, also one handed opening. Good luck in choosing and chime in when you get your new knife!
 
If you're dead-set on a small knive, the Kershaw/Ken Onion Leek is a great little folder. Personally, I find that anything under 3.5", the handle is going to be too small for my hand. Try a Kershaw Blur on for size, I bet you'll love it. Another knife I like is the Benchmade 530 Pardue. I think it's 3.25", but it's extremely thin and lightweight, a little bit more than $60 though.

As for serrated/plain, a good combo edge is perfect for EDC, since you always have a small serrated edge when you need it (which is more often than you might think), however, as has been said, a 3" blade doesn't have enough real estate for an effective combo edge.
 
I personally like the H&K Benchmade Ally partially serrated blade about 2.8 inches with a glass breaker as a added benefit. AUS8 steel sharpens easily course that means you will have to sharpen it once a week but for a EDC that shouldn't be a problem.
 
I'd say Mini Griptilian, Plain blade (combo won't make a difference really other than become annoying).
 
Spyderco Delica or Kershaw LEEK. For the $ you pay for these ($50.00) you can also get yourself a SAK to go with it for your EDC combo :D
 
Thanks to all of you for the nice replays,

I forgot to mention that i live in Norway, and I'm not completely sure the Kershaw Leek is legal her, if I'd been I'd probably bought one as it seems like a cool knife.

I'm kind of glad that it's down to Benchmade and Spyderco as both is knifemakers that seems to make great blades.

Since the most mention the 556 Griptilian and not the 555 or the 557 models I guess we are muchon the same level there, I've always wanted to try a tanto blade, but I'm not sure that I want to try it on a "small scale" knife.

Nice feedback on serrated egdes on small blades, I've thought about that for a while.

So there it hangs, either a Spyderco or a mini-griptilian 556, or maybe both?


-regards
Bjørn Erik
 
I went through this recently. I got a bunch of knives: Kershaws, Spydercos, Benchmades. I kept the Kershaw Splinter, but was VERY VERY sad to send the Mini-Grip back to the store for a refund. Felt like a fantastic quality workhorse of a knife. Great size, great weight, great opening and locking mechanism. I think you can go test drive them at REI.
 
thanks for all your help,
I've ordered a Spyderco Calypso Jr, but I think I might order a mini-Grip after Christmas just to try the axis lock.

Anyhow thank you very much for your advise&experiences.


- best regards
Bjørn Erik
 
Welcome! Don't get a headache! You've been given great choices. Boker Trance. That little knife covers all the bases. Good Luck!
Lycosa
Oh, be good to the Earf!
 
Wow.

Go to a Knife shop and fondle everything, whatever feels the best, buy or make a downpayment. A knife like a gun is more about the man that carries it than the steel its made from.

Billy the Kid carried Colt Lightnings in .41 Colt a caliber hated throughout, but he made a fine choice as they suited his needs.

Good luck.
 
My vote is for the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian. Just got one myself. The action on the knife is very smooth. Not an assisted opener like many of the Kershaws which may not be legal where you are, but it opens very easily with a push of the thumbstud and a flick of the wrist. The build quality is excellent. I'm also new to knives and though I like many of them..if I had to keep only one it would be between that mini grip or my kershaw scallion. Those are best for my purposes. Collecting knives is like having many girlfriends...there's always something redeeming about each one of them...don't want to get rid of any of them.
 
Serrations tear more than cut. I was never really able to cut smoothly with serrated edges. I use tissue paper to test for edge sharpness, a serrated knife will tear, not cut. I have a few serrated knives gathering dust in boxes, more or less the same story for partial serrations. Plain edge so easy to sharpen. I sit at my desk at work and sharpen PE during meetings, in a few minutes, and that is S30V or some such good steel. Just try doing that with serrations.
Get that Benchmade Grip. You won't regret it.:thumbup:
 
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