I'm on a hunt for a new EDC

flarp said:
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).
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It looks nice, but I'm kind of on a Spyderco buzz right now :p. And it looks like a bead blasted finish, am I right? Sorry but I hate bead blasted finishes :(.
 
tchapman414 said:
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.
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I strongly third this suggestion. In my opinion the Gayle Bradley is the best available knife built by Spyderco.
 
I really like the Caly3 CF. It fits all your criteria except the flow-through design. It is a lockback design. A bit over 2.6" blade, carbon fiber handles, discrete deep-carry wire clip, FFG blade w/ ZDP-189 cutting edge. It carries comfortably in pocket and has good ergos in hand. It's currently my favorite Spydie.
 
jmflem said:
What do you guys think of the Bob Lum Chinese Folder?
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Lum Chinese rules. Most likely the thinnest Spyderco I've ever owned. I had a ZDP one I sold a while back and that's one of the only knives I regret selling. I really like the simplicity and smooth lines.
 
I was real iffy about buying a sage 3 cf too. Took me a long time to pull the trigger, because i also like the flow through design. But i bought one and its now my favorite knife, so smooth fun to play with cant put the thing down. Its worth every penny in my eyes. I would get one if i were you. Its an awsome knife. Bolt action lock is now my favorite lock after having a sage 3 its awsome. Spydercos most underrated knife in my opionion, it seems everyone looks past the 3 and goes for the 1 or 2. But in my eyes its one of the best spydercos out and deff the best of the sage family. You will not be disappointed!!
 
Ill also add the g10 native 5 is great too. The sage 3 and native 5 are my 2 favorite edc knives.
 
deskil said:
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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+1
I have a Spyderco Cat (it was my second Spyderco), and it fits your criteria. Liner lock, flow through design, just under 2.5" blade, decent steel (440C should hold an edge fairly well, and is a good steel to learn on), and G10 scales. Also uses a nice wire clip. You could go with a Sage 1 or 2 (very good knives), but when it comes time to sharpen the S30V - you've got quite a task ahead of you if you haven't done much sharpening before.

The Cat is certainly not my favorite Spyderco - but it is quite serviceable and not too expensive. It has found a permanent home in my Mazda's center console, and it is my "go to" Chicago knife.
 
danthaman1980 said:
+1
I have a Spyderco Cat (it was my second Spyderco), and it fits your criteria. Liner lock, flow through design, just under 2.5" blade, decent steel (440C should hold an edge fairly well, and is a good steel to learn on), and G10 scales. Also uses a nice wire clip. You could go with a Sage 1 or 2 (very good knives), but when it comes time to sharpen the S30V - you've got quite a task ahead of you if you haven't done much sharpening before.

The Cat is certainly not my favorite Spyderco - but it is quite serviceable and not too expensive. It has found a permanent home in my Mazda's center console, and it is my "go to" Chicago knife.
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I've looked at the Cat before and I must say the looks aren't very appealing to me :(.
 
As for now I've come down to three Spydercos: Sage 1, Caly 3, and Lum Chinese. They all have different blade steels, so how is sharpenabiltiy (my next knife related purchase will be a Sharpmaker, so consider sharpenabilty with the use of a Sharpmaker), edge retention, rust resistance? How are the ergos? The Lum Chinese is probably the bottom of the list right now. I've heard the texture of the carbon fiber is better on the Sage than the Caly. The Caly3 is beautiful, but I feel like I'd be afraid to use it because of that. So what's your guys' opinion?
 
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Ergos on the Caly 3 or Sage 1 will be better than the Lum. I really like the Lum Chinese, but it does have a small, sleek handle. Both Caly and Sage are great knives and would be great choices. Caly carbon fiber is smoother and glossier while the Sage has a bit more texture.

Sage will be a little bit tougher due to the all S30V blade while the Caly has the bonded ZDP/420J blade. S30V is slightly more rust resistant while ZDP will have a higher hardness rating. With the Sharpmaker neither will be too hard to keep sharp. Best not to let either get too dull. Both are awesome steels that have always worked great for me.

Caly is a a little thinner and you can hardly notice it while carrying. Sage will be easier to clean with the open design and liner lock.

You won't go wrong with either, you'll just have to decide which one would fit your needs better.
 
I don't have a Sage 1, but I do have a 2 and 3. I much prefer the Caly3 to either of the Sages I have. That's not to say the Sages aren't great knives (they are), but the Caly3 is just that good. The Caly3 is noticeably slimmer than the Sage but actually has a slightly longer blade (maybe by 1/8"). The Sage handles are quite a bit larger, so they will fill the hand a bit better. The Caly3 ergos are still fantastic though.

Here's my Caly3 CF next to a Sage 2. All the Sages are the same size, although I think the Sage 2 is the thinnest (Ti framelock, so no need for liners and handle scales on top of those).

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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!
 
Have you ever taken a look at your local pawn shops? You might find some knives within your budget or sometimes you can snag a real beauty for a song.
 
Aight, I've been a knife guy for quite a while, but--what is flow through design?

And just to add in to the convo, I really like my Native5.
 
If you're worried about using a pricier knife and worried about sharpening a premium steel. IMHO, just go with any of the value line, persistence or tenacious particularly based on your criteria. They are 8cr and Chinese made but well worth the money. Going this route will also leave you room to pick up a lovingly used sharp maker and buy yourself a 12 pack.
 
Fish30114 said:
Aight, I've been a knife guy for quite a while, but--what is flow through design?

And just to add in to the convo, I really like my Native5.
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Flow through means no backspacer; the scales are held apart by standoffs or pillars. The handle isn't closed on one side, instead air and dust can "flow through." The Kershaw Blur, Ontario RAT1, the Spyderco Tenacious, etc. are all flow through designs.
 
Guest5160 said:
If you're worried about using a pricier knife and worried about sharpening a premium steel. IMHO, just go with any of the value line, persistence or tenacious particularly based on your criteria. They are 8cr and Chinese made but well worth the money. Going this route will also leave you room to pick up a lovingly used sharp maker and buy yourself a 12 pack.
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The reason I'm looking at high end Spydercos is because I love high quality stuff. The fit and finish of a quality knife really adds enjoyment. With a Sage 1 I wouldn't be afraid to use it, but with something as nice as a Caly 3 a single scratch on the blade would kinda mess up it's beauty IMO. And yes I do want to buy a Sharpmaker, but I'll have to pass on the 12 pack since I'm a minor :p.
 
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