Let's see your EDC evolution

[elkins45]

My EDC evolution.​

This is a pictorial timeline of (almost) every knife that has been my EDC since I was old enough to own or carry a knife. I thought it would be interesting to line them all up and see how my tastes/needs/finances have changed over time. To be included in this picture the knife had to have been my EDC for at least six months, otherwise it would be crazy big because of all the knives I carried for a week or two and decided I just didn’t love. These were my go-to knives.

The three along the bottom were my second knives that were carried in a back or left pocket while also carrying my EDC. They are primarily weapon retention knives intended to fight off grab attempts. They are a Spyderco Rescue, Dalton automatic (don’t remember the model name) and a waved Spyderco Delica.

Two knives are missing from this picture because they have been lost: a big $6 lockback with metal scales labeled ‘Protector” that I bought in Gatlinburg when I was in HS and a very small Frost lockback that I carried in the late 80’s when I started teaching science in a public school.

From left to right:

1. Case stainless medium stockman- given to me by my Grandfather in the early 70’s when I was in middle school. Retired after he died in 1977.

2. Schrade Old Timer large stockman- purchased from a souvenir shop in Cherokee, NC during a family trip to the Smokies in 1979.

3. Gerber magnum folding hunter- bought at The Acorn shop in Gatlinburg in 1980. My first major knife purchase (paid $40 when I was a senior in HS). I carried this knife in high school, often times openly on a belt sheath! Things were different back then, especially in eastern KY.

4. Gerber zytel folder- bought it at Wal-Mart in the very early 90’s to replace my lost EDC. I was teaching by then and I wanted something without any sentimental value in case it was stolen at school.

5. SOG Air Sog serrated- bought it at a cutlery store in the mall (way overpriced) around 1994 because I had read something about how serrated blades were the best thing since sliced bread.

6. Benchmade Panther- my first truly ‘tactical’ knife. I bought it in 95 or so because my SOG didn’t have a pocket clip. This is the knife that really started me on my quest or the perfect EDC. This is when I started reading knife magazines.

7. Spyderco G10 standard- bought at a gun show so I could have a smaller knife for school/air travel. Remember when you could take knives on planes? It mostly went to school and stayed at home on the weekends.

8. Benchmade Stryker- bought soon after they were released based on stuff I had read in knife magazines. I carried it for probably two years in the late 90’s.

9. Benchmade 750 Pinnacle- also carried for quite a while, at least two years. If it had a round hole opener it would still be my EDC. It still gets use almost daily because I keep it clipped to my working pants that I wear when I’m home.

10. Benchmade AFCK (fully serrated)- I bought it in 2001 and carried it for a year or so, though it often alternated with the Pinnacle because serrations make a better weapon than working blade.

11. Benchmade AFCK 806D2- I carried this knife from sometime in 2003 when I bought it until just a few weeks ago. This knife has been in 20 different states and has climbed out of the Grand Canyon with me. My longest carried EDC to date.

12. Wilkins GRIP variation of the Benchmade 550 Griptilian- became my EDC just after Christmas when I bought the G10 scales from Gary Moore. There’s a lot about this knife to love.

Well, there it is: my life history as reflected in the knives I’ve carried. I would love to see other BF members post their own knife evolution timelines.

 

[Kaizen1]

This is a great topic. I'll post some pics later.

My first edc knives were:
Camillus Heat
Spyderco Pacific Salt
Cold Steel Recon Scout

My current:
XM-18
DDR Madd Maxx
Busse BATAC

 

[batosai117]

Wow, very interesting thread :thumbup:

I'll see what I can remember later

 

[Vivi]

I rotate knives a lot, but here were my most frequent EDC's in rough chronological order. No pictures, I typically trade off knives I no longer use.

Victorinox Classic
Opinel #8
Victorinox Farmer
Byrd Cara Cara
Spyderco 440V Military
Spyderco UK Pen Knife
Queen #26 stockman, always paired with some sort of spyderco
Spyderco Spin, also paired with a larger Spyderco
Spyderco Calypso 3
Spyderco Centofante 3
Spyderco BG42 Military tip down
Spyderco Endura 4 ZDP189 scandi ground by me
Spyderco Police 3
Spyderco BG42 Military tip up
Spyderco Tasman Salt SE, paired with Military
Spyderco Cricket, paired with the above two

Recently received a Phoenix, that might make me divide up my pocket time with the Military. Super comfortable, feels like a tank....but just seems too pretty for someone like me. That's a knife I'd feel real guilty using in the woods with dirt or soot on my hands for example.

 

[Charlie Mike]

I take shots of my EDC changes from time to time (usually when I score another knife).

Spring 05

Spring 07

12-11-08

1-16-09

 

[gazz98]

Not sure how much I'll remember about specifics..

Early teens (late 80s) = Case given to me by my Grandpa

Late teens/early 20s/college (90s) = SAKs. I cycled thru a lot of models as I kept finding new ones.

First job post college (1999) = SAK + Leatherman MT + MiniMagLite. Worked as a computer tech/IT.

Since 2001 until I got "downsized" last Dec, I've carried a SAK + Multi-tool + knife + flashlight as a EDC. It started as tools needed for my job (computer/IT stuff). The knives have changed from Gerber, Buck, BM, Spyderco, Kershaw, and Bokers as I have experimented with various makers, models, and features.

Current rotation is Delica 4, BM Mini Grip 556, Boker Trance, and Kabar Dozier. Gerber Crux MT + Fenix L1D + Vic CyberTool lite.

 

[Reeek]

I started out with some Boker Magnums and Buck DA converted 110's as gifts
Then I bought a Remington Swift-Lok AO (looks like Camillus may have made it)
Meanwhile I was still gung ho on the tacticals, Autos and AO so I bought dozens of Boker Kalishnikovs and a ton of cheap OTF and side opening autos - bladeplay type stuff

Then I started moving up with Kershaw AO's, Boas, Cyclones, Spec Bumps, ZT's (AO and Manual)

Then I started buying a few BM's, 710, Skirmish, 913D2

Then it became Spyderco (thirteen now) and Mcustas and Seki Cut (around 15 of the Mcustas and Seki Cuts.

Now I'm looking more at the $600 and under customs and semi customs

All of this in a two year period - I'll never look back now . . .

 

[Jake Bauer]

hmm:

Elementary school age: Wenger SAK

Middle school: S&W SWAT
Kershaw Blackout

Early High School: Kershaw Blackout, Scallion, Leek

Late High School: (same kershaws)
BM Griptillian, 710, 12800 Gaucho, random red classers
Spyderco Endura4, Native

College: Spyderco Endura4, Endura4 waved, Delica4, Tenacious, Native
SAK Fieldmaster
Becker BK11 (IWB)
BM Griptillian, 710, and gaucho still see pocket time every now and then

 

[Masteroffajitas]

My EDC is my first set up.

Little LED Key
Zippo
Flint
Spyderco native
vik or a wen on me always
mora clipper
ipod
verizon juke
and a random light

 

[Foilist]

Cool thread; sort of a knife-ography.

Ages 12-30: SAK (Vic Huntsman) that I saved for and bought at an army surplus store. It was my only edc knife for most of these years. I still have it and use it from time to time. I'd like to give it to my daughter when she's old enough.

Ages 25-30: Leatherman Supertool became my edc, but I still carried the SAK regularly. I replaced the Supertool with an old style Wave at some point. The Supertool stays stashed in the car now.

Ages 30-38 (the present): I've developed an interest in traditional slipjoints, which are constantly coming and going (I like to trade them). When I'm on my own time, a Vic Spirit has become my edc, paired with either a Buck Smidgen or a Bark River Mini Canadian. At work, my dress clothes edc is a Case peanut, but I'll be trying a GEC #25 Barlow as soon as the mailman brings it.

 

[longbow]

Youth including High School years-BUCK 110 religously
Biker 1%'r days-BUCK110 religously, sometimes a kabar iwb along with a shoulder holstered Dan Wesson .357
After 1%'r days-.45acp of some variation, and a CS Voyager or XL Voyager
Middle aged bagger rider/steelhead fisherman/family man-any one of a doz or so folders but still a .45acp(Colt CCO LF serial# as these were the first ones issued) keeepm sharp

 

[biggerjon]

-buck 110
-schrade (with the detachable lanyard)
-gerber gator
-various kershaws
-various spydercos
-various chris reeve knives
-various custom slippies
-now i am on a benchmade kick.

 

[Tripton]

What a cool thread!


I am only 27, and I cannot remember many of mine....

Of the ones I do recall, (In VERY rough approx order, certainly not inclusive...)

First one was a promotional knife that some company gave to my Dad (Loooooong gone...)
SAKs that I got from selling popcorn in Boy Scouts. (Still have one...)
Gerber Multitool(Gone)
Schrade Cliphanger when they first came out
One of the early Kershaw Speedsafes (gone.)
Camilus Lev-R-Lok
Beretta Airlight with alum. scales (stolen)
Then back to some SAKs...Tinker mostly.
Then I went to the university and usually carried a Tinker so I could scratch rocks...
I got a 110 as a hunting knife somewhere in there as a deer hunting blade too.(Gone, but have always replaced them when lost...) Oh, and my Grandma gave me a Buck Mentor one year for Xmas.

First "nice" knife? Bought a Leek a few years ago, and caught the bug.


Today I mostly carry an Izula, Swisschamp, and a SAK classic on all of my keychains. (Tomorrow...maybe a Blur, 710, 940, 0500, 943, Cyclone....who knows??)




I really wish I knew what that old Speedsafe of mine was. I remember having it with me on a family vacation about 10 years ago, and when we stopped in St. Louis to go into the Arch, I had a bunch of security folks come over and ask me about it...they thought it was the coolest thing ever.

 

[bradpierson26]

Gerber Evo
CRKT M16-13SF
Benchmade Presidio Pardue
Benchmade Griptilian
Emerson CQC7B

and i just turned 19 too!!

and i have always carried a leatheman blast too

 

[neocon]

In grade school , highschool and college I carried whatever wasn't lost at the time. My senior year in college I saw this little knife with a plastic clip on it. I bought that Delica in 1998 it is still in my pocket today. For a couple years I carried a Bladetech Lite Hunter but I lost two of them. For some reason this cheap little Delica stays with me.

 

[Masteroffajitas]

I like the delicas with frn clip, my sportsmans still has a few, but for a crazy price.

 

[amroc]

Hmmm, I'm only 20 and I have a list.

Buck Crosslock. I got this when I was around 14 or 15 from a friend. I was afraid to carry this thing most places because I wasn't sure what the knife laws were and thought I would be arrested.

When I turned 16, I bought myself a Benchmade Benchmite 3100 Auto. I love the hell out of that thing still. One of my favorite knives to date.

Around 17, I bought a 551 Plain edge Grip. I used that for awhile doing everything from opening boxes, to cutting through concrete bags. I lost one and quickly bought another just like it as soon as I had the funds.

Freshman year in the dorms I got a Kershaw 1660ST from my roommate when he broke the safety. He was paranoid, and I just didn't care. It sits in my change pocket and is used for opening clam-shell packages mainly.

For my 19th bday (seven months late albeit), my friend bought me a BM 930 Kulgera. I still wear this thing. One of my best knives IMO.

And, most recently, I carried a Keen Edge Karambit on my belt (sideways carry in back) for a few weeks, before being replaced by a Takach. I love having a fixed blade on me, and it sees a lot of work.

All but my 551 are pictured, because my younger brother now uses it as his EDC. I'm guessing you all know what it looks like though.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

Carried a Buck Cross-lock for more years than I can remember and an old scout knife.

about 6 -7 years ago , switched to Emersons : Commander , Mini Comm , Karambit.

about 5 years ago EDC was Strider SnG , Strider SMF and a BM 210

about 3 years ago I switched to carrying daily :
a Trace Rinaldi fixed blade , Strider PT , some slipjoint ( case , remington or winchester ) , Strider AR ( when not at work ).

My daily carry for the last 9 months or so:
Rinaldi Matrix , Strider PT CC ( replaced the standard PT ) , Ken Erickson slipjoint , Case Sodbuster.
In a few weeks I have something special that will replace the sodbuster.

Nice thread.

 

[SIFU1A]

i went from a buck 110, to a gerber FS11, to a spyderco endura, to a BM 800S, to a REKAT sifu, to a emerson SOCFK, to a emerson production CQC8, to a custom CQC8, to a spyderco ti ATR, to a CQC12 to a custom CQC13 with a helluva lotta stuff in between lol, nowadays its either a custom CQC13, a production CQC12 or a spydie ti ATR, its been several yrs since it was anything else FWIW.

 

[enderwiggin]

I originally started with a Gerber SLR 3.25 Carbon Fiber handled knife.

Later, I carried a 555 Mini Griptilian, based on the forum reviews of the knife, and because at the time I thought a Tanto blade was the ultimate in durability.

This progressed to a 556 Mini Grip, for the more usable blade shape, which got me interested in the rest of the Benchmade line.

I started carrying an HK 14210, which I loved, but I decided the slight recurve wasn't for me.

I ended up with another Griptilian, the Doug Ritter Mini Griptilian. But then with the (justified) hype surrounding the Spyderco hole-opener instead of a thumbstud...

I tried out the 555 HG Mini Griptilian.

Feeling a little guilty, and deciding that I needed to branch out a little, not to mention avoid making every recommendation to a knife question "Mini Griptilian!" I started looking for a Spyderco that was attractive to me. At the time, I thought a lot Spyderco knives were odd, if not downright goofy looking.

I settled on a Caly 3, based on the reviews and the appealing aesthetics of the knife... And was just blown away. It's still among my favorites for ergos and usability.

A while later, I was given a Delica 4 by a family friend. An unusually high quality knife gift, and just perfect because I was getting around to buying one at the time.

Then along came the Sage--which was at first a low-cost Native IV replacement until I could talk myself into ordering one.

And then the Native.

These are not all the knives I've owned, but they're the ones that have seen the most consistent pocket time, and the ones I keep coming back to again and again. The 555HG Mini Grip stays in my EDC bag, even while I carry other knives daily.



Not pictured are the 556 Mini Griptilian that came right after the 555, and has since become a work beater (still love it), or the Spyderco Tenacious that's also become a work knife. Which surprises me, since I'm pretty wary of linerlocks in general, but Spyderco does them really well.