Input on choice of small frame EDC, please

K

KochieMonster

Joined
Apr 15, 2012
Messages
16
I am a new member, and this is my first posting, so I hope that I don’t screw up too badly.

Well, after 40+ years of service to the greatest nation on earth, beginning with 3 tours in wonderful SE Asia, I am finally ready (actually being forced) to retire, hang up my well-worn 226, and enjoy the country life with my wife and kids. As a result of my last government paid adventure, I was hospitalized for a week, and during that time, while my ‘issued’ hardware was secured; two of my personal back-up pieces, a Dalton Scorpion and Spyderco Lava seemingly grew legs and disappeared!

In my new profession as a farmer/rancher, I will be carrying an iconic old Case Stockman, but would still like to have a tactical piece, perhaps an upgrade from Chad’s Lava to his newer Boker Subcom. Any thoughts or inputs as to a small frame tactical EDC would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Thank you for all the years of service, hope you love the new civilian life. What are some of the things you really liked about the Lava and maybe some you didn't like?
 
:eek:40+years of service,you definately have my respect!Anything made by Spyderco would be a good bet,maybe the Paramilitary.
 
The overall size of the Lava, fit well in my medium shape hand. It rode well in my pocket or where else I secured it. It would stay hidden in my hand, until it was ready to 'dance'. On the negative side, it would not seem to hold a razor edge, as I wanted it to do; and I had to dull buff it, to keep it from flashing.

I do want to stay with a less than 2" blade.
 
Thanks for your service.
Gosh, you really do want a small-frame knife, don't you?

I prefer BenchMade or Spyderco knives in general, but I like folders with pocket-clips. You don't know it's there until you need it.

I would reco the BenchMade Bone Collector in D2 blade-steel (just less than 3" blade) if you want less than 3" blade. Go for the Benchmade model 710 in D2, blade-length 3.90", also extremely popular folding carry knife if you want the longer blade. The model 710 is thin and easy to carry with 0.480" handle thickness and a handy pocket clip. I've carried for ten yrs or more; never lost a knife with a pocket-clip.

The Spyderco Paramilitary 2, also with pocket clip, comes in many good blade-steels, but would prefer M390 (Bento Box Shop), CTS 20CP, CTS-XHP, S35Vn or S30V blade-steel, in that order of steels. The Paramilitary 2 is a thin knife, about 0.450" thick and is enormously popular.

Here's a listing of Spyderco's "Little Big Knives" if that's what you're after... http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/list.php?category=9
I would suggest ZDP-189 blade-steel as one which would seldom need resharpening.

best regards and retire happy,
Sonnydaze
 
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With a 2" blade, have you looked at the Kershaw Chive ? Plenty of options in color & steel type.
 
Here's a pic I've posted previously of some of my favorite Little Big knives...

shortknives_800x600.jpg


KochieMonster -- you'll recognize the Lava in the middle of the line-up. It is flanked (from L to R) by the Navigator, Mouse, Meerkat, and Dodo, with the Cricket in front. Unfortunately, all of the knives mentioned are discontinued except the Dodo (with an orange grip) and the Cricket. The Cricket is considerably thinner than the Lava, and doesn't have the same heft or snug balance. The Dodo grips nicely, but has significantly larger slabs.

I have to agree with you that the Lava excels in sitting securely in the hand for its size -- it was an absolutely brilliant design by Chad Los Banos. I can't personally speak to Chad's Boker Subcom -- I've read a couple of user opinions on this forum criticizing its QC. Hopefully, there's a current production knife out there that performs on a par with the Lava. You might also want to see if you can pick up a Lava on the Used/Trade market.

Best of luck, and congratulations on your second "career"... :)
 
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