Looking for a 3.5" / 4" EDC - suggestions?

J

JJalenak

Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Messages
6
Hey everyone,

New to the forum, although I've been lurking around for awhile. I've been in the market for a 3.5" / 4" EDC without breaking the bank. I like the DDR AXD with the tanto blade (yeah, I saw The Expendables :), but don't relish the idea of spending upwards of $700 bucks or more. What I'd like to find is something similar (with a spring assisted opener) but more in the $150 range. Does such a thing exist? I've been looking for about 6 months without finding anything that I like. The closest I found is the Wilson Combat StarLight, but it's still $230 - $250. Any recommendations?

Thanks!
 
JJalenak said:
Hey everyone,

New to the forum, although I've been lurking around for awhile. I've been in the market for a 3.5" / 4" EDC without breaking the bank. I like the DDR AXD with the tanto blade (yeah, I saw The Expendables :), but don't relish the idea of spending upwards of $700 bucks or more. What I'd like to find is something similar (with a spring assisted opener) but more in the $150 range. Does such a thing exist? I've been looking for about 6 months without finding anything that I like. The closest I found is the Wilson Combat StarLight, but it's still $230 - $250. Any recommendations?

Thanks!
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what exactly are you looking for? I know you said similar to the DDR, but what features are you trying to get specifically?
 
In the specifications that you gave the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is great! I personally don't have one, but i have used my friends and it is one sweet blade. Its not spring assisted but it is such a smooth knife that it comes out just as fast as one.
 
res1cue said:
what exactly are you looking for? I know you said similar to the DDR, but what features are you trying to get specifically?
Click to expand...

Sorry for not getting back sooner - slammed at work for the past few days. Basically what I'm looking is what was in the OP - 3.5 - 4" tanto blade (folder), preferably with spring assisted opening. I'm also open to something like a 'wave' opener, although I've never tried one to see how well it works. I like the look of the DDR AXD tanto blade (as opposed to a more 'traditional' tanto), but could also go with a clip-point if needed. And I don't want to spend a small fortune, but want an EDC that's going to last for a few years or more.
 
You could look into a zt 400. They are discontinued but some dealers have them in stock. I've got one and it is a pretty stout blade.
 
JJalenak said:
Hey everyone,

New to the forum, although I've been lurking around for awhile. I've been in the market for a 3.5" / 4" EDC without breaking the bank. I like the DDR AXD with the tanto blade (yeah, I saw The Expendables :), but don't relish the idea of spending upwards of $700 bucks or more. What I'd like to find is something similar (with a spring assisted opener) but more in the $150 range. Does such a thing exist? I've been looking for about 6 months without finding anything that I like. The closest I found is the Wilson Combat StarLight, but it's still $230 - $250. Any recommendations?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

how about the kershaw RJI?

ks1985.png
 
In the 4" blade length, assisted opening aside, I have found the Spyderco Military to be my favorite. I have drawers full of folders and this model gets the most carry time. The light weight, 4" blade, slim profile and above all the ergonomics of the Military make it a true winner. Also, I can flick them open faster than any model assisted or not. The liner lock combined with the blade length lets the blade truly rocket out. The Para 2 is also a fine blade, as is the Kershaw ZT line. If I'm being honest however - nothing to this day has been able to touch the OG Spyderco Military by a margin.
 
Just a heads up OP, but the same AXD model used in The Expendables movie is up for grabs in a contest at the HTM subforum. Laymen terms: enter the contest and win this knife!

Link to contest.

Only thing is that you need to be a paid forum member (pretty cheap honestly) or you must be a member for 3 months to win. Do yourself a favor and enter, you could win the knife of your dreams (and my dreams).

Also my suggestion relevant to your post is an HTM Gunhammer designed by DDR, they are a bit out of your price range, but very cool and very stout.
 
Miketbass said:
In the 4" blade length, assisted opening aside, I have found the Spyderco Military to be my favorite. I have drawers full of folders and this model gets the most carry time. The light weight, 4" blade, slim profile and above all the ergonomics of the Military make it a true winner. Also, I can flick them open faster than any model assisted or not. The liner lock combined with the blade length lets the blade truly rocket out. The Para 2 is also a fine blade, as is the Kershaw ZT line. If I'm being honest however - nothing to this day has been able to touch the OG Spyderco Military by a margin.
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I agree. assisted aside, in the 4" range the spyderco military is a truly awesome knife.
 
ZT 0400 comes to mind. Pretty much everything you're looking for.
Assisted, 3.75in blade, tanto, and you can pick it up for under $150.
It's also discontinued and becoming harder to find, so you'll have a sweet knife that people(except us knife nuts now) in a year won't even know existed.
 
The OP hasn't responded in awhile, I hope he does. He has a very real chance to win the EXACT knife he wants, a $1,400 DDR Custom AXD model identical to the one in the movie The Expendables.
 
The Contego is in his price range. A 4 inch reverse tanto that can get some attention. Opens/closes real easy. The excessive jimping is gone --- they fixed that.

M4 steel is icing on the cake.
 
If you can deal with an auto look at the Benchmade HK Entourage. 440c blade with a DLC coating I think. 90 Bucks on blade hq
 
Flipper98 said:
In the specifications that you gave the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is great! I personally don't have one, but i have used my friends and it is one sweet blade. Its not spring assisted but it is such a smooth knife that it comes out just as fast as one.
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...and you could get the Spyderco Military with a 4" blade. Very nice folder!
Sonny
 
Definitely like the ZT 0400 PE, but like everyone's said, they're getting hard to find. The Kershaw RJI looks remarkably similar, so that's also now an option, along with the Benchmade Entourage. So, based on these three, how would everyone 'rank' them?

I'll also check out the the DDR AXD contest - that would be oh so nice to win that badboy!!

Jerry
 
Get an Ontario Rat-1, under 30 bucks, definitely doesn't break the bank, excellent edc. If you wanna spend more, paramilitary 2 is another great option.
 
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EarthboundV1 said:
Get an Ontario Rat-1, under 30 bucks, definitely doesn't break the bank, excellent edc. If you wanna spend more, paramilitary 2 is another great option.
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The quality on the one I purchased is excellent and it is sharp. Excellent choice and a good "beater" too. Black handles are fine but you can get several colors just like the tenacious.
 
I came across Dave 'Kershawguy' Anderson while researching the Kershaw RJI. He's got a couple of 'blems' that have caught my eye -

Zing Tanto Black 1735TCKT Blem (http://www.kershawguy.com/products-page/kershaw-blems/zing-tanto-black-1735tblk-blem/)
RAM Black 1910CKT Blem (http://www.kershawguy.com/products-page/kershaw-blems/ram-black-1910ckt-blem/)

RJ1 1985 (http://www.kershawguy.com/products-page/low-priced-imported-items/rj1-1985/) - this is in the low-priced section of his web store. Is this the same as the RJI mentioned above?

Thoughts on these? I've read on the forum that Dave's reputation is spotless, and that the blems can't be beat on value. Does anyone have any experience with either of these Kershaw's?

Thanks.
 
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