Help Selecting EDC and Fixed camp

B

Brewmaster

Joined
Jan 7, 2007
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5
I have been looking at purchasing a few knives, I wanted to purchase a new EDC , I have been looking at a variety of different folding knives including the BM 710 and Spyderco Endura, For fixed knives I was looking at the Benchmade rant DPT or the Fixed Griptillian (for use camping hiking, etc), I was also considering a sharpening system since I no longer own anything to sharpen my knives. I am willing to spend around 150, although I could go up to 250. I would like knives with a high value to dollar ratio, quality knives for a reasonable price. Any input would be appreciated I am curious what people think of the B.M. Rant DPT.
 
i have got a BM710 but do not use at as EDC, as i found it a bit to "big" (3"9) as far as i remember.
But it's a nice knife.
 
The Endura is a great folder with a great price tag, a great advantage if you're going to buy a folder, a fixed blade and a sharpening system and need to stay within a budget. I've used mine a lot and I'm very pleased with it, it doesn't have sexy looks, but it works like a charm.

The Rant DPT is a great value as well, but I don't think a hollow grind is the best option for an outdoors knife. I would go with your other option, the fixed blade Griptilian (which also has better steel).

There are a gazillion sharpening systems available. I like free hand sharpening, you only need some good stones in different grits and a leather strop. I occasionaly use a Lansky sharpener (the one with the clamp, don't know the model) and find it quite handy as well.
 
Best price/performance ratio combo

Mora
Opinel

Higher grade

Spyderco Moran (droppoint)
Spyderco endura/delica4

alternative

Benchmade fixed griptilian
Benchmade (mini) griptilian

S30V

Ritter fixed griptilian
Ritter (mini) griptilian

These combos are very versitale but not intended to pry, batton,...
If this is the case I would recommend some ticker knives with a convex grind.
A "tick" blade with a convex grind is very strong but can be very sharp at the same time.
The fallkniven and the BRK line are very good

I use japanese waterstones.

Another combo comes to mind.

"Ontario" RAT-3 (or TAK1 or RAT-5)
"Ontario" RAT folder
 
I am not very skilled at sharpening knives and I have very little experience using stones with freehand sharpening. so I was looking at the Spyderco TRI-ANGLE system.
 
It's very easy to learn, there are a lot of tutorials on these sites.

I also have the Spyderco scharpmaker.
It helps to keep the same angle.

My moras have a scandi grind and are sharpened freehand, the convex blades also of course.
In fact it's even easier to sharp those knives.
 
I'm looking at the Rat-5, Spyderco endura 4 and the spyderco sharpening system right now, I like the shape of the BM griptillian DP blade though. Also considering the BM Outbounder in D2.
 
Check out AGRUSSELL.COM , He has scads of knives in this range and a good selection of sharpeners. His site has excellent pictures of the knives also and you see what they actually look like. Have your significant other hide your credit card while you browse...you can spend a lot in a hurry. Good Luck
 
I like my outbounder.
Most people find the handle to short and slippery.
I've medium to small hands and I like it.
It has a lot of blade for its size, but by it's size it's less universal as the others.
D2 can be more difficult to sharpen (so is S30V by the way)
 
My favorite E.D.C. is the mini-griptillian, I like the benchmade steel and the spyderco sharpmaker, great compination and best $ to performance ratio I found so far.
AGRussell doesn't carry the sharpmaker, New Graham and Knifecenter do.
Have fun.
 
I have an Endura 4 that I have been using as an EDC for almost a year now. I feel that it would be very difficult to buy a better knife for the same price as an Endura 4. I also own a full size BM Griptillian folder, and I like it just as much, but it cost more. Since they are both such good knives, I almost always have the Griptillian in my right pocket and the Endura 4 in my left. Neither knife has ever disappointed me or failed to perform to my expectations. The Endura 4 does have an advantage over the Griptillian in that the Endura 4 has a four position pocket clip for tip up or tip down carry on either the right or left hand side, while the Griptillian's clip does not allow for tip down carry. But I never carry tip down, so that does not bother me.
 
I would go with a three pronged approach ;

Spyderco Moran , Spyderco Delica or Endura to taste , and a Alox SAK -Victorinox farmer , or soldier .

All that said , you wouldnt go wrong with a Benchmade fixed and folding grip combo .

Chris
 
I exchanged e-mails with Mike Perrin from Jungletraining and with Bill Horn from Cumberland Knives and ordered from Bill a Rat-3 with 1095 steel.

Being that I wanted a strong and sharp fixed blade for deep backcountry, I went with the 1095 due to its ability to be sharpened on a rock or similar when a sharpening rig is not available.

I could also take a small stone or rod with me to sharpen the steel and I might.

D2 was considered but 1095 is 'easier' to sharpen so I went with it.

Thanks Mike and Bill!

www.jungletraining.com
www.cumberlandknifeworks.com
 
I also would take a RAT in 1095 over D2 for the same raison.
Maybe you should also consider a Coldsteel master hunter in carbon V
Also a decent knife for a good price.
 
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