Recommendation? Help me decide on a reliable EDC folder around the house

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YakYak

Joined
Nov 8, 2021
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Hey everyone!

So, first things first, I’m not exactly a knife person, I do own a couple, but I wouldn’t call myself a knife Person.

However, I’m looking for a decent and reliable EDC knife around the house and after watching countless YouTube videos and reviews I’m kind of stuck and even more confused than I was in the beginning.
Now, what I’m looking for in a knife is:

1. Easy one hand opening and closing
Especially the closing part is important to me. The reason I don’t want to use my current EDC the Civivi Elementum anymore is the liner lock and that I always have to pay attention to it when closing the blade. I haven’t really cut myself yet but there have been minor cuts right on the fingernail. Therefore I was considering an Axis Lock or Compression Lock. I know there is an Elementum button lock, however it doesn’t have a thumb stud or hole for controlled opening.

2. Good for cutting cardboard boxes
So my main use for the EDC folder around the house is cutting amazon boxes. This point also ties in with the next one, as I need a blade that stays sharp after cutting cardboard. Also ergonomics might come into play here; I’m usually using a pinch grip when cutting, if that matters. I know there are box cutters out there and I've used one for a while but didn't like it.

3. Good edge retention
The Civivi Elementum has D2 and I’m happy with it, but I’m also ready to upgrade steel if necessary. I don’t like to sharpen blades often, usually every 3 months or so, when I sharpen my kitchen knives.

So far I’ve narrowed it down to the following knives, but I’m open to other suggestions:

1. Bugout 535 160€ (good dimensions and looks; handles look cheap, omega spring reliable?)
2. PM 2 180€ (good blade length; overall a bit big and heavy for EDC)
3. Para 3 170€ (maybe cutting edge to short?)
4. Sage 5 LW 150€ (also maybe cutting edge too short)
5. Para 3 LW 120€ (only 1 washer, inferior steel?)

I hope this wasn’t too long, but I thought I’d write everything down to better highlight my use case and preferences. But this will be my only EDC knife around the house for the next 5-10 years, so I want to get it right. Also considering I’m not a knife person, would I notice certain details in everyday use, like having just 1 washer, or different steel (S30V / S45VN / BD1N)?
 
Solid shortlist, except the P3 LW. If you wear gloves, some locks are better than others and larger handle is also better. I use 3" folders in the summer and 4" ones in the winter.

I didn't like the comp lock on my Sage 5 and went with the Sage 1. I also suggest the Native Salt in LC200N with a serrated edge or the Tasman Salt 2 SE is even better for yard work. For cardboard I favor the Chaparral and the Caribbean sheepfoot SE.
 
My most used knives around the house, and my wife loves to use them too, are a Hinderer Halftrack Wharncliffe for boxes, and a Para 3 for everything else.

And I generally like longer blades. But for some reason the above are perfect.
 
Elementium seems like a good choice for the tasks listed. However, Para 3 and Sage seems to me better choice because of the opening system.
No offence, really, I give the issue with closing the linear lock of the Civivi to the lack of experience and nothing else,
I have a hard time to believe someone will have problem closing a linear lock but I could be mistaking. More practice will eliminate the issue IMO.

My vote goes to Para 3 in some good steel as their S45VN simply because I think it gives more comfortable grip than the Sage ( also good choice).
 
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A Ritter/Hogue RSK (140€)or Mini RSK(120€) would seem to fit all of your criteria. I have the mini RSK and a Civivi Elementum, and the footprint is pretty much the same. It's got the same type lock as the Bugout, only Hogue calls theirs ABLE. Mine had perfect centering out of the box, and a smooth action that I usually have to work for on a BM. CPM-20CV is as good or better than any of the knife steels you listed, while still in the lower end of your price range.
 
Don't be discouraged by liner or frame locks. There are different techniques for closing. A common method for for closing knives with a flipper tab is to drop the blade so that tab (not the blade) stops on your thumb (often on the back of the nail). Whether and how well this method works on a particular model depends on the exact geometry of the tab, the lock-bar access, detent position, and of course the shape of your thumb.

I just got out my Elementum to check. It is one of the thinner special editions in S35VN but it works well. Just practice engaging the lock-bar high enough with your thumb. Really pay attention as you do it and do it a bunch of times. Even if you can't make it work with your Elementum, I wouldn't rule out other liner or frame locks.

Otherwise, I've explored other locking mechanisms. I like my Sage 5 but only after modifying it. (The Spyderco models with the choil don't always line up right for my hand.) One thing I've noticed is that some of the other locking mechanisms don't offer as crisp of a break as a good liner or frame lock, and sometimes require more travel to disengage.
 
Trawlerman said:
Highly recommend the Sage 5 LW with S30V steel. The compression lock is strong and easy to open/close one-handed and very comfortable ergos. The blade stays nicely centered because of the pivot bearing they use.

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Thanks for posting this, I've been thinking about a Manix 2 but this is a contender.

Any of the sage 5's usa made by chance?
 
Of the ones listed. The Bugout or the PM2. Both are solid choices.

I have probably 10 to 15 Axis Benchmades and have never had an omega spring break. Ever. My earliest axis lock is a Benchmade HK 14205 from about 2005. Never have had any issues or broken springs period. The Bugout is my favorite BM design and it has a ton of configurations. Either straight from BM or with aftermarket upgrades. My current Bugout is S30V with Flytanium G10 scales. If I get another one I will build it with 20CV and G10.

The PM2 is solid. Plain and simple. Just a strong kknife. I have an original PM with D2. The only reason I have not picked up a PM2 is because after over 10 years my PM is still going strong. If you can find one in stocks then you can't go wrong with it.

I have/had a Para 3 and the LW. I like them both. The BD1N on the LW is perfectly fine for EDC. It's easy to sharpen and has stood up just fine. I prefer the G10 of the regular Para 3 so I sold the LW to a coworker.

FWIW I prefer heavier blades so my current EDC is a ZT 0562CF.

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US made: Manix 2, PM2, Para3, Hogue Deka, Bugout.
Taiwan made in Taichung factory: Sage.

Made in Taiwan means nothing bad, top quality for Spyderco,
I wouldn't worry at all about the quality of manufacturing.
 
I’ve owned all the knives you listed, but I’ll have to agree with a few others you’re better off with a Hogue Deka or Hogue Ritter. The Hogue Deka is basically an exponentially better version of the bugout, with higher quality materials at right around the same cost. That would be my pick for anyone looking for a great all around EDC folder.
 
How about the Spyderco Manix? You can get it with some excellent steels...
 
Ron Sabbagh said:
If you think your choice was difficult before posting, just wait until you read all the responses! We are a well intentioned group - but we don’t necessarily make anyone’s decisions any easier…
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Thank you everyone for helping me out and yes it‘s gotten a bit more difficult now.

I‘ve just tried the liner lock on my Elementum again and I don’t particularly have a problem with it, I’m just not comfortable enough with my fingers possibly in the way so I’m going to stick with either compression lock or axis lock. Same goes for other types of locks that are not as easy to work with. That also rules out the Spyderco Salt, really like the dimensions an the design though.

The Hogue Deka has become a serious contender as it looks like an upgraded Bugout. Also the Manix 2 LW has entered the race, however I’m still unsure about it’s size in my pocket, it looks like it’s taking up quite some real estate. The Sage 5 pretty much looks like a smaller version of the Manix, therefore also with a smaller footprint I assume.
So currently the list looks like this in order of most likely to buy:

1. Hogue Deka
2. Sage 5 LW
3. Para 3
4. Manix 2 LW
5. Para 3 LW
 
RousingRabbles said:
I’ve owned all the knives you listed, but I’ll have to agree with a few others you’re better off with a Hogue Deka or Hogue Ritter. The Hogue Deka is basically an exponentially better version of the bugout, with higher quality materials at right around the same cost. That would be my pick for anyone looking for a great all around EDC folder.
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I've had several Hogue products over the years, from knives to stocks. The quality has always been excellent. For this and other reasons, I'd take them over Benchmade any day of the week.
 
Either the Manix 2 LW, or Para 3 LW would be good choices.
 
Hogue Deka - great knife and will do perfectly fine, as others brought it up, quality probably better than BM.
Very good purchase on the grip and AXIS, one of the best and easy to operate locks in the industry.

With all this said, I still think any of the other 3 are slightly better slicers than Deka simply because of the blade thickness behind the edge.
If Op have good sharpening skills, Deka can be a sharp beast, but we don't know this ? Maintaining good edge on the Ritter is very important IMO.
Another thing to consider is the blade length - is Deka legal in this part of EU the OP is ? Because the MP3 and Sage are as far as I'm aware...
 
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