I need the colective knowledge of a big forum to find an EDC knife that meed my needs

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Leogomezj

Joined
May 15, 2016
Messages
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Good evening guys, I am new to this forum (also english is far from my mother tongue) and have a very specific list of requirements for my EDC knife, it just has been imposible for me to find one that attends to al my needs.

It is actually a very basic list and i am amazed that i haven't been able to find this features on a single blade.

I need a folding blade.
Arround 4".
Slim.
Full flat ground.
One handed opening.
Locking mecanism.
Traditional look and feel.

My budget is around $100 but i am willing to spend a maximum of $200 if it is imposible to find a cheaper option.

I have owned a cuple of knives that have come very close, but still lack a feature or two.

The case trapperlock is the one im using now and is the closest i have owned to my perfect knife, but lacks in the full flat grund area.

The opinel No.8 great knife, but lacks the one handes opening, the handles are not as long lasting as I would want and is a little to light (also some blade play).

The Mercator, lacks the one hand opening, and the handle is not very comfortable, also has some blade play and is quite lighter than i like.

The case slimline trapper, lacks the locking mecanism, and the one hand opening.


I have been since, looking online at the al mar options, I haven't seen them in person though. The classic eagle feels perfect, but I have to chose between the full flat grund and the one handed opening. The eagle ultralight seems to solve the issue, offering a model that is both flat ground and has one hand opening, But i do not feel confident about the no liners construction of the handle, also as I said previously, I do not like very light knives.

I hope you guys can help me find the knife I am looking for, thank you very much, and thanks for reading the long post.
 
From what I know, I would say the Cold Steel Hold Out II.

1. It is a folding blade
2. It has a 4" blade
3. It is very slim (And yet quite strong due to the G10 handle)
4. It is full flat ground
5. It has one handed opening
6. It has a locking mechanism (In my opinion, the BEST locking system, the TriAd. All of mine have absolutely zero blade play and rock solid lockup every time.)

7. However, the look and feel are not quite traditional. It is also decently light at 4.2 oz, so if you really want something with a bit of weight, it might not be for you.
 
I can give the Cold Steel Holdout knives two firm thumbs up
but

I would suggest that the simplest and least expensive solution might be to have the Case Trapperlock reground to be full flat.

I like the larger Case knives quite a lot.

Or maybe yours is hollow ground, come to think of it. Still might be possible to improve it some.
 
The Spyderco Pattada is a new release with a 3.9" blade and an intentionally traditional design.
 
4 inches
one hand opening & locking blade
slim

Select two. You could get all 3 but it would not be traditional looking.
 
How traditional?

These two come to mind right away (okay, only Lone Star, in thumbstud version, not shown)

ColdSteelLonestarHuntermackinacHunter.jpg


If you add custom scales (should be simple) it looks quite traditional. If you consider Buck 110 "traditional". Mackinac Hunter is not FFG but just there for example.

csmack12.jpg




Broken Skull is similar but less "traditional".
 
Thankyou guys for the very fast response and feed back, in just a cuple of hours you guys came up with better sugestions function wise than what i have been able to com up with in several months.

That spyderco pattada is just great, finally i can enjoy spyderco quality with a different asthetics.

The victorinox is a great option also a very cheap one, i just dis not know that victorinox built such blades.

The cold steel ones, also look great, both the hold out and the lone star with the thumbstud, i might preffer the lone star, because looks closer to what i want in an edc. The issue is that i have never owned a coldsteel knife before, nor handled one before (at least not knowinglly) what can you tell me about the quality of their products? I just looked at their website, and the fact that they have so many toy like knives scaes me a little, but i trus you guys with your opinions.

You guys have certainlly broaden my possible choices a lot, thank you very much, but if anyone knows of a blade that is even slimmer, i havent handled your sugestions yet, but in the pictures they look wider than i would like.

Also the re grinding of the trapperlock sounds great, i just dont know of any knife maker in my area, i would have to send it to some industrial work shop and they might just make a mess of it.
 
For an even slimmer option, take a look at the Al Mar Eagle. They have multiple options for scales, grinds, and opening methods, along with a very slim, traditional design. I've not handled one, but I've had one on my list for some time.
 
tchapman414 said:
For an even slimmer option, take a look at the Al Mar Eagle. They have multiple options for scales, grinds, and opening methods, along with a very slim, traditional design. I've not handled one, but I've had one on my list for some time.
Click to expand...

I agree completely, i think the al mar eagle is exactly what you might be looking for. I used to have a micarta version, its a great knife.
 
Sigsog226 said:
I agree completely, i think the al mar eagle is exactly what you might be looking for. I used to have a micarta version, its a great knife.
Click to expand...

Not intended to sidetrack too far, but how is the F&F? I like a nice lockback, and this knife has tempted me many times.
 
Tchapman414, when it comes to production knives, Al Mar is truly top notch in F&F. I've got a full sized SERE folder and it's utterly awesome in action, sharpness and fit/finish. Can't go wrong.
 
Leogomezj said:
The opinel No.8 great knife, but lacks the one handes opening, the handles are not as long lasting as I would want and is a little to light (also some blade play).
Click to expand...

Opinel's are rarely perfect out of the box. Some tips to help with the issues you've run into.

The only time I've seen blade play on an Opinel it's been due a lock ring that needs to be tuned up. Lock the blade open and carefully move the blade open and closed while inspecting the interface between the lock ring and wooden rim of the handle at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. You are looking for a high spot on the bottom edge of the lock ring. Mark it with a Sharpie, remove the ring and sand or file down the high spot on the bottom edge of the ring. I've never seen side to side play on an Opinel, but if you have it, repeen the rivets. Just go slow and don't over do it.

Opinel's are very easy to one hand open and close. They just don't open quickly. Pinch the blade open (hold the knife against your thigh if you need to), hook the heel of the handle on your thigh to fully open. Some guys use a rasp (or sand paper on a dowel) to form an easy-open notch back by the nail nick. Practice this on long drives or while watching TV. It's easy when you get the hang of it.

I have no idea what you mean by the handle not being long lasting. If you mean that the finish wears off, some people like that look. But if you don't, sand it with 80 grit paper, apply stain of choice (I like Minwax English Chestnut) and apply your top coat of choice (I use Formbys Tung Oil Finish). You can also sand the handles flat on the sides for a thinner carry.

Opinel by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
Leogomezj said:
I have been since, looking online at the al mar options, I haven't seen them in person though. The classic eagle feels perfect, but I have to chose between the full flat grund and the one handed opening. The eagle ultralight seems to solve the issue, offering a model that is both flat ground and has one hand opening, But i do not feel confident about the no liners construction of the handle, also as I said previously, I do not like very light knives.

I hope you guys can help me find the knife I am looking for, thank you very much, and thanks for reading the long post.
Click to expand...

Others have already suggested the options I might have suggested, but I did want to mention that Al Mar makes an Eagle HD (heavy duty) as well. It is heavier and has liners, thumbstuds, etc... but as far as I know is not offered in full flat, just the talon grind.
 
tchapman414 said:
Not intended to sidetrack too far, but how is the F&F? I like a nice lockback, and this knife has tempted me many times.
Click to expand...

Yeah like WadeWilson said, top notch. F&F is definatly Al mars specialty. I picked up that eagle and an olive green sere folder used at the same time, and both are excellent knives. I think the vg10 and the price scares alot of people away from them, but its one of those companies that you gotta handle one to appreciate them. I also have a Shiva and its every bit as nice as a custom piece.
 
What about a boker urban trapper with a set of wood scales?
 
Til recently I didn't own a Cold Steel but now I have a few Cold Steel broken skull's they are really nice knife -one of the best locking mechanisms in the industry,lightweight,super nice xhp steel,various colors ~80.00......you really almost can't get a better value knife than that
 
What about a boker urban trapper with a set of wood scales?
Click to expand...
That Boker was in my mind as well but I wasn't thinking about changing the scales. Thats the ticket.
Does any one offer replacement scales ?
 
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