Help me Bladeforums, you're my only hope! (to find the perfect edc)

burf151

burf151

Joined
Dec 29, 2005
Messages
370
Hello all,

I haven't been paying attention to the knife game for quite awhile. We just got autos legalized here, so I got sucked back in. I'm trying to find a pair of EDC knives that meet my desires. There is so much new stuff that my eyes are going crossed. I'm trying to replace my top EDC pair of all time. My Al Mar SERE 2000 and Mini SERE 2000. I foolishly let them go for newer and "better" 10 years ago or so, but nothing has gotten the pocket time those two did. The new Chinese SERE 2020's are ok beaters but they are meh and they are assisted. Help me fill my top tier manual folders slot! Here are my impossible criteria:

There must be a very similar large and small models with the large being around 3.5" and the small being around 3". Multiple sizes is my knife fetish lol.
Not assisted.
No front flipper only but front flipper is fine if it has studs or a hole or something to supplement.
One hand open and close without crazy gyrations.
G10 preferred, a frame lock with G10 show side would be very appealing but liner lock is fine. Maybe micarta would be ok too.
Beefy with some heft, but not crazy Medford heft. 5 oz for the big one is a nice spot.
Deep carry clip. The SERE2K was stout, but carried super well.
Under $300 for each would be nice, but the budget could be expanded for the right knives.

The hard part is the aesthetic. Simple and clean lines! Like:
S2K,
Terrain Invictus,
Hinderer XM-18,
Fallkniven PXL,
Emerson A-100,
Bradley Alias (yes I'm old),
Benchmade Stryker, Ares,
Bad Monkey/Spider Monkey,
Terzuola designs,
Laconico designs,
Harsey designs.
Petrified Fish Beluga
The old "regular" Sebenzas


That should give an idea of what I like. I should just buy a pair of XM-18's but dang they are hard to find and expensive! Help me out!!!
 
If you really want the XM you should just get it. Nothing else will scratch the itch if you have your heart set on something. You can find XM-18s on the Rick Hinderer website if you check now and again, also if you use Facebook you can follow the Rick Hinderer group there and watch when they say that there will be a drop. Another alternative would be to just buy one second hand and save some cash, you can find them for $400 on the exchange here. Sometimes you can find cheaper but that seems to be the average. If your budget is already at $300, maybe just sell a knife or something else, or just wait a bit longer to get the knife your really want.
 
I actually tracked down NOS S2K and Mini S2K, but they do have some quirks and no support any more. Plus the ones I bought in 2005 were way nicer F&F than the one I bought in 2013. Price had doubled and quality was dropping. Hunting around or waiting for the Hinderers is the reasonable answer lol. But gratification delayed is gratification denied, or something.
 
Check out Maverick Customs and 3LD (3LegDog), particularly on the secondary market (for a deal).
 
I have not found the perfect knife. That is why I keep buying more of them.
 
While not quite in your size parameters, the Spyderco Para 2 and 3 are a nice pair. I particularly prefer the lightweight version of the 3 in CPM-Spy27.

Spyderco has lots of "pairs" or similar. Native and lil native, etc.
 
Spyderco Para 3 + PM2, or PM2 + Military, or the coming Military 2 if you prefer the comp lock, I do, but the liner lock on my old 440V Military is super smooth. The compression lock is a very nifty, backwards, improved liner lock, if ya don't know. Safer and easier, you ask me. The backlock is all that competes for me. Speaking of backlocks...
20230104_121625.jpg

The Native 5 and Native Chief?
20230104_121706.jpg


And for your budget pair, RAT 1 and 2?
20221221_134246.jpg
 
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For the bigger one, how about a GB2 or Hogue Ritter? Then a Bugout or mini Bugout for the smaller?
 
Native Chief, Native 5, and Lil Native have been on my radar for awhile. Does the Native without liners feel too light? Or does it feel substantial? Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I had a couple of the original Paramilitary, including a green G10 with D2 when such things were state of the art. Great knives, but I just never loved the look. Doesn't mean they are out of the running though, especially with a comp lock Military coming. 3 different sizes is 50% better than 2 different sizes. Manix 2 and XL are on the radar as well, but backlock isn't ideal. I had an original Manix and a Manix 83MM. In the olden days lol.
 
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GB is nice but It looks kinda homely to me, and the bugout feels too light. I was really interested in the Redoubt, but it was too light.
 
There was an Emerson A-100 mini on the exchange very recently. Snap that up and then look for a regular. The price is right.

I like the Kizer Begleiter Mini. Here is mine (ignore the other stuff in the photo): M390 and Ti frag liner lock. $139. The full size may be frame lock, not sure. Fantastic knife.

607411F5-3A90-4F5C-8FC9-9E5967CB57B5.jpg
 
I had a couple A-100's and a Mini all decked out with the optional skull clips and beads. I liked them quite well except for the chisel grind. I gave the Mini to a friend in 2010 and he still carries it regularly. The Kizer with the frag pattern is SHARP LOOKING! I'll have to take a look at those. I'm kinda fascinated by the high end Chinese brands. That really wasn't a thing yet when I was buying a lot of knives.
 
Buff151, I have had a few knives in my life and can tell you there is no such thing as a PERFECT KNIFE unless you describe in great detail what the purpose of the knife is intended for. My current EDC is a Gayle Bradley #1 which replaced an older Spyderco K2 and is great for work around my shop and home. For me based on what I use it for it is my perfect knife. But that's just me!Spyderco Gayle Bradley C134CFP CPM-M4 (3).JPGSpyderco Gayle Bradley C134CFP CPM-M4 (3).JPGSpyderco Gayle Bradley C134CFP CPM-M4 (12).JPG
 
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