Recommendation? looking for a non-threatening EDC knife

I like the Kershaw Dividend and Leek for non threatening EDC. The Dividend is coming out in M390 steel soon too. Both can trash a box in a heartbeat.
A little larger is the Kershaw Link or the Ontario Rat Model 1. The Link is available with S35VN and the RAT is available with D2 steel.
Smooth aluminum handles slide into your pocket much easier than G-10 too.
 
rotwhip3 said:
what is your opinions on the Spiderco Manix 2?
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I absolutely love the M2. I think it's one of the best pocket knife designs ever made. That said, Jaseman is spot on. Most non knife people are going to look at it as a threatening "rambo knife."
If you are looking more in the direction of a multi tool, I can't possibly say enough good things about a Leatherman Skeletool CX. You'll pay more than the standard, but you get the 154cm blade which is nice, and i think it's rather fetching, as MTs go (which doesn't exactly set a high bar...)
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That said, you also mentioned liking the Delica. I think that's a solid choice as well if you just want a knife without the other tools. I'd get one in a fun color like purple, or light blue so that it looks as non-weapony as possible. For straight up slicing tasks it's darn near impossible to beat the Delica.
 
yeah i think that's what i'm going to go with (the delica) it seems what i need, and it looks a very reasonable price, i appreciate all of your help, but since i believe i've made my decision, i may go ahead and turn notifications off for this thread. you all have been very pleasant and i love all the help i've been given! thank you all for your time :)
 
What you want is something like this Chinese made traditional Stockman pattern. This cost $7.99, so you can use it and not worry about the cost. The sheepfoot blades straight edge is perfect for boxes, the punch will come in handy, and the long clip is very useful also. It's never going to have people running for cover, it's classy enough you can carry it anywhere, and it's retro enough to actually be cool. Made by Ruko. If you can't find it online PM me and I'll send you a link. It's a great deal, and perfect for situations like yours.
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Go for a Spyderco Delica, especially one with a colored handle. They’re small, light, and goofy-looking...
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I’ve never come across anyone who finds them in any way threatening. Yet, they’re genuinely useful for day-to-day cutting tasks. Well made. Good steels. Not very expensive, either.
 
Pretty much any of the Buck 500 series. If it needs to be locking, check out Silver Knight blade. He has some cool Buck limited runs.
 
Hands down if you're not fancied by using a box-cutter, Cold Steel Tuff Lite mini gets a bump from me and would be my top choice for non-scary EDC use around the average NKP folk. Just over an inch of cutting edge and small enough to practically be inconspicuous in use, it's a no-brainer... unless you're infected with the steel snobbery virus, which can't be tamed once you're bitten BTW. Setting functional use aside for a moment, while the Cold Steel HT of AUS8 has been the best I've used, I will admit that I suffer the need (want) for a higher end steel for my daily carry. That being said, it still sees its way into my pocket for use relatively often. The only gripe I have is that darn sharpening choil can get caught up when running through a cardboard box. If you don't mind touching up the blade after daily use (not to mention a cleaning!) then you really cannot go wrong here.
 
I'd recommend a Dragonfly over the Delica for a few reasons.

1. It's smaller. Not that the Delica is big, but the smaller knife will always be less threatening than one that's larger.

2. Despite being smaller, it'll feel bigger in the hand. The finger choil, which the Delica lacks, gives you a more comfortable and controllable grip. I have a Kopa that's even smaller than the Dragonfly and it's more comfortable in my hand than the Delica.

3. Less obvious clip. The wire clip is harder to notice and looks less like a knife clip than typical ones.

Whatever knife you end up getting, get one that's brightly colored. Yellow or orange is probably the best. People associate these colors with tools rather than weapons. Most box cutters I see used by employees are brightly colored. If you go with a yellow Spyderco it'll be part of their Salt line which have blades that are impervious to rust.

I would also recommend getting an Opinel for use on boxes when you don't need a one-handed knife. The most common Opinel is the no.8, but IMO it's just a bit large for "professional" use. I'd get a 6 or 7. I prefer the 6 myself for its small size (smallest Opinel with the locking ring), but the 7 is more comfortable for me to use because I can get a full grip on it. The blades and handles on Opinels are proportional to their size. Meaning that they don't just make the handles and blades the same across the sizes. Handle diameter increases by number, as does the thickness of the blade. That's why I like the 6 so much for cardboard - it just goes through it like butter. Regardless of size Opinels are great with cardboard because they're all "scandi" ground; instead of a flat grind it curves from spine to edge giving it great blade geometry for slicing. And since they're ground so thinly to the edge the blade will still eviscerate cardboard (or whatever) even when the actual edge is dulled.

I prefer the Carbone (non stainless) as does the majority, but they're available with INOX (stainless) blades too if you're worried about rust. The low price (under $15) also makes them practically disposable. I prefer an Opinel over the disposable blade utility knives. The ubiquitous Stanly style utility knife is unnecessarily large and heavy and they rattle obnoxiously. The snap-off blade knives are too flimsily made. Opinels are solid.
 
When I was a teenager I worked at the grocery store. Sometimes I would have to cut through really thick cardboard crates (like for holding a pallet of watermelons). Sometimes I had to cut up half a bail worth of boxes. I had a MT, but promptly switched to a $1 box cutter... The plain one with the slide out blade... Worth it's weight in gold.

I have a box full of knives I love. If I knew I would have to go back in and cut boxes now, I would grab my plain Jane Stanley box cutter in a heart beat.
 
Are you sure your employer allows you to pick the blade? Most companies have strict rules about what is allowed to be used at work. I worked at Home Depot 20 years ago, people got fired for using their own knives.

1. Box cutter. Yep, boring but easily replaceable blades and people expect to see them at supermarket or retail stores. Cheap to replace if you lose it or co-worker steals it.
2. Cold Steel Mini Tuff or Micro Recon. Both under $30
3. Spyderco Byrd Robin 2 or Meadowlard 2. Both under $20
4. Kabar Dozier. $20

I'd be hesitant to use anything too expensive. It is easy to cut something, place it on the shelf, move, and forget where you left it.
 
The Delica is a good choice and one of my favorites. I would get a non-black handle personally. Hope you enjoy using it.

The Colt Steel Tuff Lite was a good suggestion also.
 
For a college student working in a supermarket I would recommend the CRKT squid or Kershaw Cryo. For most non knife people (muggles) Blades under 3 inches are usually socially acceptable. Both of these models would not raise very many eyebrows or offend most folks. Also SAKs (Swiss Army Knives) like the Spartan, Climber or even the Alox Cadet would be good as well. My first two recommendations would be good smaller one hand operated. But truthfully SAK's are probably the most recognized non threatening (common) knives you could use.
 
Valyrian steel said:
Cold Steel Gunsite Tanto folder. They'll love it
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YEAH! Cold Steel Recon 1, a nice smaller folder that will keep our liberal anti-knife friends from peeing in their pants. :)

Seriously, my favorites for non-intimidating smaller folders are:
  1. Spyderco Native 5
  2. Ontario Rat 2 (this one looks even more mundane and non-threatening, but it's a great light carry knife, and you can get it for under $30)
 
For a folding knife that locks i would second the delica in one of the fun colors. I would also suggest the benchmade valet. It is just a small knife but it has beautiful smooth g10 scales with a wood grain like texture and a knife with a 2.96 inch cutting edge. It is totally non threatening and can be used as "gentelman's knife"
 
what is threatening or non-threatening is something very personal
Here after some reactions to different knives I have
ZT0350 = weapon
ZT0562 = fighting knife
PM2 = weapon
Delica 4 = military knife
Large Inkosi = cutlass
Keshaw CQC4K = weapon

The only EDCs that have been OK are Opinels, SAKs and traditional non locking knives.
 
SAK classic is about as nonthreatening as they come.

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Kershaw Scallion is a smart looking flipper, fun and nonthreatening.

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Spyderco Dragonfly 2 with the fully serrated edge will destroy boxes, cord, twine, and most other everyday items while carrying nicely in the pocket. Prefer a steel upgrade and different color? Pick one in ZDP-189.

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