I Challenge Thee (to an EDC Challenge)

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bobnery

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The recent Southard threads got me thinking of a challenge that I think would be interesting for people to try, and see if they can do it, and to see if it changes their views on their carry needs.

Here's the challenge' Put all your nice folders and fixed blades up, and carry a cheapo EDC for a week

I'd like to keep the carry to one knife for everyone, but that would be hard, so just grab a Opinel, Stripped down SAK, Case, or other low tech blade and see if you can make it through your EDC needs.

The idea with the knife you choose is, not easily opened with one hand (or not at all with one). No exotic steel, a simple carbon blade, no fancy locks, and nothing that costs more than 20 bucks.

I'd say if your work like mine requires something special like a dedicated box cutter, its fine to use that at work, but try and use your cheap EDC for everything else.

Whose in?
 
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already do this, so i would be in. i just use a sanrenmu. i maintain the edge and use it for everything. cost me $12
 
sorry i know its not carbon steel. i also own an opinel no8, so i will trade up to that and try it out.
 
same here, I have a couple of small SRMs that are part of my EDC selection when I go into NYC. As far as Opinels, SAKs, Multitools, Moras...I dont like knives like those.
 
Why would I deprive myself of the pleasure of carrying high quality, overbuilt knives for EDC? Sorry, but no thank you. Interesting thread and idea, though.
 
I like your challenge. But it's something I've already done. I've EDCed Sebenzas, Striders, ZTs, etc. I've traded them all away. What did I keep? My Opinel no. 8 Carbone.....and my Emersons :) Point being, Opinels make excellent EDC knives.
 
My Opinel #8 makes me feel as classy as my CRK does, happy with either in my pocket
 
I lose; I don't have anything cheap to carry. But that doesn't really bother me. I'll use my Stretch in the kitchen.
 
My Opinel #8 is scary sharp but the round shape is kind of annoying in my pocket so I don't carry it very often. My Vic Farmer or Tourist would easily handle my EDC tasks, and Victorinox steel is silly easy to get sharp so touchups are no problem. I do carry my SAKs on occasion but I tend to carry a Queen or GEC traditional most days.
 
bobnery said:
The recent Southard threads got me thinking of a challenge that I think would be interesting for people to try, and see if they can do it, and to see if it changes their views on their carry needs.

Here's the challenge' Put all your nice folders and fixed blades up, and carry a cheapo EDC for a week

I'd like to keep the carry to one knife for everyone, but that would be hard, so just grab a Opinel, Stripped down SAK, Case, or other low tech blade and see if you can make it through your EDC needs.

The idea with the knife you choose is, not easily opened with one hand (or not at all with one). No exotic steel, a simple carbon blade, no fancy locks, and nothing that costs more than 20 bucks.

I'd say if your work like mine requires something special like a dedicated box cutter, its fine to use that at work, but try and use your cheap EDC for everything else.

Whose in?
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Thats like asking me to spend a week with some gal (s) that I on occasion(s) would pick up at closing time:)

Great idea.. but I have upgraded my standards in both knives and the opposite sex...
 
matgarsmi said:
I like your challenge. But it's something I've already done. I've EDCed Sebenzas, Striders, ZTs, etc. I've traded them all away. What did I keep? My Opinel no. 8 Carbone.....and my Emersons :) Point being, Opinels make excellent EDC knives.
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Emerson and Opinel. I would say that you have things covered. ;)
 
That sounds pretty silly to me. I didn't upgrade from cheap crap to quality steel because I had too much money and needed something to spend it on. But I suppose if your most demanding task is opening an envelope, this might sound interesting. Or you could just try going for a week without a knife and prove to yourself you don't really need one.
 
The cheapest knife I have is a Leek, which I carry as a secondary anyway. Yes, it does 90% of the cutting I need to do. No, I'm not going to stop carrying something bigger/more expensive with it, that would be stupid. I already know I don't need a $400 pocket knife. But I want them, I can afford them, and that's all the justification I require.
 
Did that for a couple of weeks in Mexico. Didn't want to take anything nice. Found an Opinel #6 in a little store in Tulum (paid about $7US for it) and was quite happy with it. Did make a mistake and jumped into the ocean with it. Did get it hosed off and dried out afterward with no problems. As we were leaving, I gave it to the hotel porter helping with our bags as part of his tip.
 
I guess I'm obligated to do that since there's gonna be a 6 month gun(and dangerous weapons) ban here because of the coming elections. If I carry my usual blue or gray para and my ZT 301, I run the risk of some cops stealing them so here's what I'm gonna be carrying. It is a pretty silly challenge though.

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hmm, all the people in here that are declining intrigue me. Your missing the point of the post. Bobnery is trying to get you to see that most, not all of you, don't need a strider or overbuilt super tank of a knife. And that an opinel or a SRM will do you just fine. Sure the step down in steels might be painful for those feel the need to get the best of everything, but you don't really need it. Chances are you go home everynight, that means you can touch up your blade every night. I personally don't see the point in spending over $100 on a blade, after that amount it seems useless to me. My para 2 handles everything I need it to and will go above and beyond. I touch it up once every three weeks probly and re sharpen it once every other month if my hand sharpening has boogered up the edge or I chipped the very thin edge mine has prying something.

I carry a SAK as a secondary all the time. It actually gets used more than my primary blade no matter what it is, and a SRM finds its way in my pocket often too, they're dirt cheap and I'm not afraid to destroy them. There is no loss to it in my opinion. Even with these 10 dollar bargain blades I only touch them up once a week with my daily use. S35VN or M390 or S30V and others of the like are not needed, they are wanted and preferred. Millions of people made a living and supported families and all they ever had was their daddy's used case with a broken scale and worn down blade.

This is a very good idea for a thread I think, and I believe more people should do this. There is nothing wrong with the high end knives, but at the same time, do you REALLY need it? Or do you just want it as a status symbol to show off on here and to all your friends, something to make you feel better than others?
 
Swoop03 said:
hmm, all the people in here that are declining intrigue me. Your missing the point of the post. Bobnery is trying to get you to see that most, not all of you, don't need a strider or overbuilt super tank of a knife.And that an opinel or a SRM will do you just fine. Sure the step down in steels might be painful for those feel the need to get the best of everything, but you don't really need it. Chances are you go home everynight, that means you can touch up your blade every night. I personally don't see the point in spending over $100 on a blade, after that amount it seems useless to me. My para 2 handles everything I need it to and will go above and beyond. I touch it up once every three weeks probly and re sharpen it once every other month if my hand sharpening has boogered up the edge or I chipped the very thin edge mine has prying something.

I carry a SAK as a secondary all the time. It actually gets used more than my primary blade no matter what it is, and a SRM finds its way in my pocket often too, they're dirt cheap and I'm not afraid to destroy them. There is no loss to it in my opinion. Even with these 10 dollar bargain blades I only touch them up once a week with my daily use. S35VN or M390 or S30V and others of the like are not needed, they are wanted and preferred. Millions of people made a living and supported families and all they ever had was their daddy's used case with a broken scale and worn down blade.

This is a very good idea for a thread I think, and I believe more people should do this. There is nothing wrong with the high end knives, but at the same time, do you REALLY need it? Or do you just want it as a status symbol to show off on here and to all your friends, something to make you feel better than others?
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and you're missing the point of why people are declining, at least in my case, I already know I could get by with a SAK but I choose not too.
 
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