looking for advice on a new EDC folder

C

chloral

Joined
Jun 28, 2013
Messages
6
Hello, I am looking for a new mid-size folder for my EDC and I would love to know what other people think is best. I am new to bladeforums and internet knife discussion in general, so I will try to keep everything as detailed as possible. I recently moved to Seattle where the legal blade length for carry is 3 1/2" so I can no longer rep my Benchmade Sentinel. I will be using this knife for everything I can't do with a box cutter and will be giving it medium to heavy use.

I am looking for:
folder
factory production
3.5" blade
liner lock or back lock
$100-$200
tip-up carry with option of switching pocket clip to other side for left-handed carry
no blade serration

Thanks in advance guys, I have heard good things about bladeforums so if this thread goes well I intend on using it often
 
Go to BladeHQ or any large dealer and sort by price then skip along to the $100-200 pages and browse through there. Once you see something you like, come back here and do a search and see if it is a good knife.

At that price range I'm sure you will find a great knife.
 
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The Spyderco R Nishijin fits your criteria (3.45" VG-10 blade) and is a highly underrated folder, imo...

r01_zps70af140d.jpg


(My crappy pic doesn't begin to do the knife justice...:o )

Good luck! :)

-Timber
 
Thanks, what type of pocket clip does it come with? I haven't had very good experiences with the wire clips.

edit: just found pictures, will definitely consider this knife

edit2: how well has the carbon fiber held up for you?
 
I know the lock is not what you have listed but how about a Spyderco Para Mil 2 or a Benchmade 940? There is also the Spyderco Native 5 that just has a little shorter blade than 3.5 inches. Good Luck! Kevin :D
 
chloral said:
Thanks, what type of pocket clip does it come with? I haven't had very good experiences with the wire clips.

edit: just found pictures, will definitely consider this knife

edit2: how well has the carbon fiber held up for you?
Click to expand...

Yep, the R has the standard Spyderco hourglass pocket clip that is swappable to all four positions. The scales aren't actually carbon fibre but rather a glass fibre weave. It's completely smooth, durable and has a cool holographic effect. The ergos and jimping make scale traction a non-issue, imo...
 
kda89508, do you own these knives? I'm interested in the paramili 2 and would love to know how easy the compression lock is to use.
 
chloral said:
kda89508, do you own these knives? I'm interested in the paramili 2 and would love to know how easy the compression lock is to use.
Click to expand...

I have the Para 2 and the 940. Both are very easy to close. With the Para 2 I just use 2 fingers and pinch the compression lock closed and the blade starts to fall. With my fingers out of the way I just finish closing the blade. You can do it easy one handed. The Benchmade 940 is also VERY EASY to close with one hand and VERY SMOOTH! I have also handled the Native 5 and it is a regular lockback but would make a nice edc. Good Luck! Kevin :D
 
Para 2 is a great choice. I'm also going to suggest the Endura and Griptilian for sub-$100 options
 
The compression lock requires a different technique to close the knife, I personally pinch the tab with my thumb and then push the blade closed with a finger on the spine.
With practice you can do this without getting any fingers in the path of the blade.
The compression lock is very reliable and will give many years of solid service.
You'll have to try one out to see if you like the lock.
 
In the lower price range I also like the Buck Vantage Pro. If you can tolerate the funky handles they also have the Vantage Force Pro, but I don't own one of them.
They are nice simply designed knives with liner locks and a smooth flipper and they come in S30V if you buy the "Pro" versions.
 
kda89508 said:
I have the Para 2 and the 940. Both are very easy to close. With the Para 2 I just use 2 fingers and pinch the compression lock closed and the blade starts to fall. With my fingers out of the way I just finish closing the blade. You can do it easy one handed. The Benchmade 940 is also VERY EASY to close with one hand and VERY SMOOTH! I have also handled the Native 5 and it is a regular lockback but would make a nice edc. Good Luck! Kevin :D
Click to expand...

NateReed said:
Para 2 is a great choice. I'm also going to suggest the Endura and Griptilian for sub-$100 options
Click to expand...

Fancier said:
The compression lock requires a different technique to close the knife, I personally pinch the tab with my thumb and then push the blade closed with a finger on the spine.
With practice you can do this without getting any fingers in the path of the blade.
The compression lock is very reliable and will give many years of solid service.
You'll have to try one out to see if you like the lock.
Click to expand...

Seems like you guys like the Para 2. Will most likely go with that if I can find the version with coated blade in stock anywhere on the planet.
 
I'm actually more fond of the Manix2 but you wanted a liner or back lock. I just jumped on the Para 2 bandwagon because you asked about the compression lock.
 
Fancier said:
I'm actually more fond of the Manix2 but you wanted a liner or back lock. I just jumped on the Para 2 bandwagon because you asked about the compression lock.
Click to expand...

Very cool looking knife, I just cannot get used to those ball-bearing locks.
 
A Para 2 is a good choice, but if you are in a hurry to get the knife, you will end up overpaying. The Para 2 (non sprint model) is a $120 knife brand new when you can find it. They go for more than that on the secondary market currently because demand is greater than supply. I assume you know how that works, and I'm not trying to be condescending at all.

My suggestion to you, based on your criteria and the fact that you specified medium to heavy use, look at the Zero Tolerance (ZT) 0350. It fits your criteria perfectly, can be had for $120 or less brand new, is always in stock, there are multiple versions to choose from, and it is a beast, albeit in a sub-beast sized package. I have had one for many years, and I have had a lot of knives come and go since then, but I've always held on to my 0350, it is a hell of a knife for the price.
 
I agree with Accelerator about the ZT 350, it's a very well thought out knife. It's my most used ZT.

Another option could be the HEST 2.0, the blade is quite thick, though. The Al Mar Mini-SERE and Nomad aren't mentioned often, but they are both great linerlocks (I like the blade on the Nomad better than the SERE).
 
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