I'm on a hunt for a new EDC

J

jmflem

Joined
Feb 1, 2014
Messages
373
EDIT:
My gosh this is getting on my nerves :p. I just can't decide which one. It's a battle among the Sage 1, Sage 3, Caly 3, Chaparral CF, Dragonfly G10, and the Lum Chinese. Here's what I've been thinking:

Sage 1: Most practical out of the bunch. Really good ergos. Just a little boring though.
Sage 3: Funnest out of the bunch. Don't like the backspacer.
Caly 3: Really good looking and good ergos. I don't like how it's pinned together. With such a nice knife I'd want to take it apart to keep it clean, especially if I got something sticky in the pivot while cutting fruit or something. It's also so beautiful I'd be afraid to use it :p.
Chapparal: IDK I kinda like it, don't know why though. It's a nice size. Near the bottom of the list though.
Dragonfly G10: Really good looking and practical. I really like it, but like I said, I feel like it's too small.
Lum Chinese: Pure good looks and elegance. Least practical obviously. I'd get one if it were cheaper.

I really want to buy all of them, but I can only afford one. This is getting really annoying. Help me!



ORIGINAL POST:

I need your guys' advice and opinions. I'm looking for a new everyday carry knife: something small, classy, modern and friendly. I'd prefer a premium blade steel, but not something that's going to be a real pain to sharpen (I'm a complete newb at sharpening :p). I've been looking at some Spydercos, partly because I've never owned one, but mostly because they seem to be a very good knife. The thumbhole appeals to me because I really like how it looks and I'm kind of bored with thumbstuds. I looked into the Dragonfly G10 for a while and it really appealed to me. It's a beautiful knife, and the G10 and steel liners make it built like a tank, but it's still nice and not "tactical." I liked what I was hearing about VG10 (easy to sharpen :D), and everyone seemed to like it. But personally, it's a little too small. I have very small hands, and most of my cutting chores are light duty. So it should be perfect for me right? It should be, but something about it's size doesn't appeal to me. It's like I feel like I need a bigger knife, when I really don't. But if I'm not going to enjoy carrying it because of it's size, I'd rather just pass and keep looking.

Recently I've been looking at the Sage series. I was really liking the Sage 3 in carbon fiber (the carbon fiber is both modern and classy), but the pattern was a little weird to me. I didn't like the look of the blue G10 either (I thought about getting one and dying it black, but I still don't think I would really like it). What drew me to the Sage 3 was the lock. There are three uses for an EDC for me: actually using it to cut stuff, enjoying it, and fiddling (playing) with it. I like the bolt action lock on the Sage 3 because it would be very enjoyable to fiddle around with, since it's so smooth. The main thing that turns me off about the Sage 3 is the full backspacer. I'm sure it would be fine, but I prefer a flow through design. Like with the Dragonfly's size, it would work fine for my purposes, but if I'm not gonna like something about it, I'd rather keep on searching. With something cheaper, I'd probably just live with it; but if I'm gonna be spending over $100, I want to like every part of it. I've looked at the Sage 2 and I like it, but I don't really like it, making me hesitant to spend $140 on it. I own an Ontario RAT 1 and I love it. the Sage 1 is the most similar to that, but for some reason it doesn't turn me on either.

So I need your guys' help finding a new EDC.

Here's what it has to have:

Full flat grind
Uncoated (Satin or stonewashed, no bead blasted)
Drop point, spear point, or leaf shape (I own a SOG Aegis and I absolutely love the blade shape. It has a very acute point which I love, while still not sacrificing any belly. That's partly why I'm interested in the Sages, because their blade shapes are similar.)
Blade length of 2" min. 3" max. Nothing bigger.

Here's what I prefer:
Flow through construction
Good or premium steel (I'm looking for rust resistance, sharpenability, wear resistance, and edge retention.)
Tip up carry
Not "tactical"
I really like the feel of G10, but other handle materials also appeal to me (like carbon fiber :D).

My budget is about $150, but I'd only spend that much if I absolutely love the knife. Otherwise I'd like to keep it around $100.

So, let the hunt begin!
Thanks guys!
 
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jmflem said:
I forgot to say that I don't really like Spyderco's FRN :(. I am flexible with a lock back, depending on the knife though.
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The native 5 is not frn it's G-10. I'm not a huge fan of frn either. If flow through is a deal breaker it won't be what you want.
 
The Native 5 is g10 with steel liners.

You could look at the chaparral but same issue as native 5 (back lock and steel back spacer). Also the yojimbo 2 is pretty close too, but wharncliffe blade. And finally the pm2 is also close but a little long on blade length.
 
I don't know the Native5 isn't very classy looking IMO and I'm not a fan of the pocket clip, especially compared to the wire clip on the Sage series. The Chaparral is nice but I think I'd rather just get the Sage 1 for around the same price, which I said I'm not too crazy about, but now I've been watching reviews and I'm liking it (in my price range too).
 
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Sage 1 sounds perfect for you. FFG, flow through, friendly, tip up, un-coated, 2"-3", S30V, you can find em near $100. Sage 1 was my first Spyderco and I loved it.

C123CF_L.jpg
 
Handwrecker said:
Sage 1 sounds perfect for you. FFG, flow through, friendly, tip up, un-coated, 2"-3", S30V, you can find em near $100. Sage 1 was my first Spyderco and I loved it.
Click to expand...

I heard that the grinding marks are very rough on the blade of the Sage 1 and it affects it's cutting performance. Have you had this problem? And how is the texture of the carbon fiber?
 
The sage 1 is my knife that I can carry to work everyday or with my dress clothes,and I use the hell out of and it. It stays In rotation when others seem to come and go. Maybe I got lucky, but mine came absolutely perfect in every way, and makes an unmistakable shwack when it locks open. It was my first spyderco and got my attention to what all the buzz was about.
 
I will strongly second the Gayle Bradley. It's not a full flat grind, but it's such a thin hollow grind that it works just as well, it not better. I would also like to add the Domino to the suggestion list - you may be able to find one for around your price range lightly used here - overall just a really great little knife.
 
Look at the Spyderco Cat. It was made for you. Don't disrespect the 440C blade, either. It's a great choice for daily carry and fits your budget comfortably. If you have to have better steel (and you don't really) you can look for one of the first editions in S30V, but that's gonna cost ya.
 
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jmflem said:
I heard that the grinding marks are very rough on the blade of the Sage 1 and it affects it's cutting performance. Have you had this problem? And how is the texture of the carbon fiber?
Click to expand...


Not in the slightest. I've never heard, seen, or even thought about that with the Sage. A brand new one will cut like a laser. The carbon fiber is grippier (and better IMO) than the Japanese Spydies. Combined with the ergos and that knife isn't slipping anywhere.
 
I think your initial instincts were good.
The G10 Dragonfly is a spectacular discrete EDC. So much is right with that knife.
If you want to go bigger and treat yourself without going overboard, the G10/S35VN Native-5 is also fantastic, but not quite as discrete.
Since you started thinking Spyderco, I'd say pick one.
 
You might check out the Kershaw Injection 3.0. It doesn't feature a "premium" blade steel, but the 8Cr13MoV is very serviceable for most urban EDC applications and is easy to sharpen back to a very keen edge. The blade profile is also similar to the Aegis, which you mentioned liking. The Injection has 3-D contoured G10 scales on both sides and reasonably stout liner lock. It's not completely flow-through, but the backspacer only covers the bottom 1/3rd of the knife (the rest is open/flow-through). It is also relatively inexpensive (you can get both the 3.0 and the 3.5 for well under $100).

Here is a pic of my Injection 3.5. The Injection 3.0 is the same design, but scaled down to a 3" blade (instead of 3.5").

Injection_2_800x418.jpg


Injection_2_closed_800x368.jpg
 
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