How do you choose your EDC knife?

TBL

TBL

Joined
Dec 26, 2013
Messages
6,067
So today I decided to give my EDC bag a clean out and was re-evaluating some of the items I have in it. Upon removing the contents of my bag I realized I carry way too many knives. Now don't get me wrong, as somebody that shares in this wonderful hobby that brings us all here; there are never too many knives. But I think the look I got from my wife (for the first time in a long time) kinda translated to "are you turning into a psycho?". She assured me she didn't think that way, and my logical explanation for why I had so many made sense. I love bladed tools and each one is different! size, geometry, materials, ect... All can be used for the same tasks but as we all know some are better then others for certain things, and variety keeps things interesting!

My OCD has not permitted me from removing any of my usual EDC's but I've just kept adding more :rolleyes: While most people head out the door with their 1 maybe 2 in the pocket. I tend to leave the house with 4 or 5. I know there are others like me and that's not the problem (or a problem at all!). What I'm interested in is; for those of you who have a nice collection of knives: how do you decided which ones to take that day?

For me, I look to look at function and functionality in the tasks that I may come up against in my daily travels. I think my major downfall is that when I think of these things I also envision a SHTF senario, there by adding a few more then I need to (hence the start of me carrying an EDC bag a long time ago). I like to have at the very least one folder and one fixed on me at all times, but then I like my task specific knives too (for example I like tanto blades for cutting cardboard).

So, how do you choose your EDC?
 
I have very casual carry needs. I have carried the same Umnumzaan for several yrs. It has proven to be capable of withstanding severe abuse, when I used it as a pry-bar during a "water-main" emergency at home. Generally, it is much more "knife" than I need, but it's nice to have the flexibility when it's needed.
 
I have about 10 knives and I used to rotate daily but since I got the spyderco lum tanto folder it's been in my pocket for months now.
 
My typical EDC consists of two folders (one in my right pocket, one in my left), which usually have some sort of connection because I'm weird like that (for instance, I like to carry an old school Manix coupled with a Mini Manix, an Endura and a Delica, stuff like that) and a SAK (more often than not, a yellow Wenger S18). There's a multitool in my backpack.

Sometimes (actually, whenever I can) I switch the two folders for a single fixed blade knife. I've got different bags and backpacks prepared for my different activities, with multitools and other stuff. The type of multitool in my backpack dictates which SAK I'll choose for the day. For instance, I've got a Leatherman Charge Tti in my range bag, it has everything I need except for a decent awl, so I carry a Farmer or Electrician with it. My small EDC backpack has a Leatherman Rebar, so I pair it with a SAK with scissors, and so on.

My main knife (or knives) is chosen taking into account my clothes for the day, where I'll be going and what I expect to be doing (as well as my mood, of course). For instance tomorrow I'll be wearing very light summer pants (it's getting hot down here!), I'll spend the day with some friends in a nice neighbourhood baking pizzas and playing cards and boardgames. I'll probably go for something like my Protech Monaco.
 
for me it depends on what im wearing... i dont mean that i match my knife to my clothes, but if my shirt hangs passed my jean pockets, if im wearing a coat, if im dressed up, the size of my pockets, etc. i have jeans that the zippo pocket on the side can fit some decent sized folders, while other jeans zippo pocket isnt deep enough for anything but a mini
 
I use a few different factors. If I'm going to work, I'll carry one of my larger Emersons in the RFP and a mini Emerson in one of my cargo pockets. If I'm wearing gym shorts or pants made of a similar material, I'll carry a late 1990's or early 2000's Emerson that has smoother G10. As far as choosing the specific knife I'll be carrying that day, I'll usually just go down the line choosing a different one every few days.
 
Franciscomv said:
My typical EDC consists of two folders (one in my right pocket, one in my left), which usually have some sort of connection because I'm weird like that (for instance, I like to carry an old school Manix coupled with a Mini Manix, an Endura and a Delica, stuff like that) and a SAK (more often than not, a yellow Wenger S18). There's a multitool in my backpack.

Sometimes (actually, whenever I can) I switch the two folders for a single fixed blade knife. I've got different bags and backpacks prepared for my different activities, with multitools and other stuff. The type of multitool in my backpack dictates which SAK I'll choose for the day. For instance, I've got a Leatherman Charge Tti in my range bag, it has everything I need except for a decent awl, so I carry a Farmer or Electrician with it. My small EDC backpack has a Leatherman Rebar, so I pair it with a SAK with scissors, and so on.

My main knife (or knives) is chosen taking into account my clothes for the day, where I'll be going and what I expect to be doing (as well as my mood, of course). For instance tomorrow I'll be wearing very light summer pants (it's getting hot down here!), I'll spend the day with some friends in a nice neighbourhood baking pizzas and playing cards and boardgames. I'll probably go for something like my Protech Monaco.
Click to expand...


I do things very similar! One folder in each front pocket, my fixed in a cross draw on my belt, and a third folder in my back pocket (normally). But instead of letting my clothes dictate my EDC, my EDC dictates my clothes (on a regular day).

I need to get a full sized multi tool for my EDC bag funny you mention the Charge as it was the one I was looking at :thumbup:
 
Unless I am specifically headed outdoors, I typically carry one single handed opening folder of around 3.5 inches (these days almost exclusively Emersons) and a SAK Pioneer. Sometimes I will add another folder for the fun of it - usually a slightly smaller one.

I love the options but the two or three have all cutting tasks covered for me...

Cheers,

Ben
 
I have way too much other stuff to carry to make room for that many knives on my person. My daily knife carry is a Victorinox Farmer. Sometimes I add another knife or tool to that if I am doing something might require a plier based tool or a fixed blade knife, but most days my Farmer does everything I need.
 
Easy. I carry a folder at all times no matter what then i usually have a fixed blade and a multi tool. I usually carry an emerson horseman because i love it and its amazing quality. I pair it with an esee 4 but if I'm wearing a suit or a blazer i just toss on a kershaw military in a shoulder rig. Its all about what i find most convenient. I don't necisarilly need a fixed blade but i like it so i don't gunk up the folder and i keep the folder razor sharp and the fixed blade has a utility edge on it, not too sharp but it gets the job done
 
I rotate through the knives in my EDC rotation almost without fail. All of the knives in the rotation get carried almost the same amount.

Periodically I lay out the knives and arrange them in an order that mixes them up somewhat, alternating brands, styles, whatever. Then I put them in a box in order and each Monday morning I pick out the next one in the rotation and carry it through Friday.
 
In my edc bag (a vanquest mobius) I carry a leatherman supertool 300. On my person at work I carry a ZT 0562 in my right pocket as a utility blade for hard use and getting to quickly. In my left pocket I carry a victorinox tinker for light cutting and food

Off duty I carry a ZT 0562
 
I always carry my VIC Farmer in my BRP an in my FRP it's either a Delica 4, Gayle Bradley, or Military. I also try to think of SHTF scenarios and sometimes feel the need to have a fixed blade. So sometimes I carry my izula horizontal on my belt cross draw.

Lately I have been carrying the military and GB a lot. I feel that those would be adequate in a SHTF scenario to he me by enough to make it home.
 
I rotate my EDCs but more often than not have the Umnumzaan in my right front pocket.
Sometimes I will add a fixed blade in the horizontal position in the small of my back but that depends on whether the heater is IWB or OWB that particular day.
 
In addition to my standard EDC (medium-to-large folder, small fixed blade, and medium-to-large multi-tool), I like to carry my latest coolest acquisition... until I get the next latest coolest acquisition.
 
Since I started out EDCing inexpensive folders, that really hasn't changed. Over the past couple of years, I've decided that a blade length of between 3" and 3.5" and an overall thin profile are the starting criteria for me. I'll always take a flipper over a thumb hole or thumb studs, but prefer manual opening over assisted, so a lot of flippers get sidelined. Locking mechanism isn't much of a factor, but the handle material must be rigid and not flex. Given the "thin profile" requirement, that can be tough to achieve. I carry mostly Kershaws, and the One Ton has become my favorite. Even though there isn't a steel liner on the G10 side, it doesn't flex, and the combination of beefy blade and hand-filling grip (front to back) while still being easily thin enough for pocket carry in slacks equals a perfect EDC choice for me. I also like the Kershaw Vapor III if I have a LOT of stuff in my pockets, as it practically disappears. If a G10 version was offered, that would be better yet, but if that day doesn't come, the One Ton will still win out over the Vapor III most days. A few knives with G10 or Zytel scales over steel also see quite a bit of pocket time. In all of this, the actual steel isn't much of a factor, as my daily routine rarely puts a blade in contact with water or even much humidity. I've never found any rust on any of my EDC knives, so anything in the AUS8/8Cr13MoV/440C range suits me fine.

Meanwhile, some knives I thought would be great EDC knives haven't really earned a place in my rotation, even if materials and workmanship should automatically make them superior to anything I normally carry. If I was subjecting my EDC knives to harder use, the decision would be tougher. Do I ruin some cheaper knives first before opting to carry something better but more expensive? I haven't had to make that choice so far.
 
For me it's been easy. When I get a new EDC candidate I carry it for a day or two. I know within a few hours if i'm keeping it or not. I don't change my pocket EDC very often. I carried a Blur for years and now I EDC a Byrd Cara Cara 2. I have other more expensive options, but I really like this Byrd. It rides perfectly in my pocket- it sharpens easily and even stays crunchy in milk!! :D All kidding aside- for the $20 the CC2 cost I don't worry about loosing it either.

Fixed blade EDC- My RAT 3 has had the title belt now for 2 years and will be hard to beat. I carry it horizontal in front. It is undetectable from the eye and pretty quick to draw (not that I carry it for that). It is easy to take out and use when I need to be more discreet and not cause alarm.
 
I pretty much just carry whatever I want.
Now, if I KNOW I'm going to be running or biking or going up and down ladders, I don't carry something too heavy.
Lately, I've been carrying some stuff I usually don't. Today I have my Leek. I bought it a year or so ago and carried it like 3 times.
 
Daily grind (M-F 9-5) at the office:

TSF Beast
Spyderco Dragonfly
LionSteel Opera (when I wear a suit)
Brous Bionic
ZT0770CF

The rest of time (wearing jeans etc)
ZT 0801 and 0561
Spyderco PM2, Manix 2 XHP, and Gayle Bradley.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top