Looking for an upgrade EDC, suggestions needed.

D

Druthu

Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
9
I have a few knives and I am looking for an upgrade for my current EDC. I am in NYC so smaller blade lengths prefered.

I currently EDC a SOG Flash I. I really like the knife. But I am looking for the next step up for me. I have a few other knives that I don't really EDC, so I will state what I like and dislike about them. I am looking for a smaller EDC that I can carry in NYC. I was originally looking to spend about $60, but after some reading I want to open it up to about $120 or so; maybe a tiny bit more. I would like to buy a better quality knife. I am looking for tip down carry. I like assited open like the SOG, but nothing that will get me arrested. I am open to Kershaw, Spyderco, Benchmade and other brands.

SOG Flash I
What I like about the SOG Flash I:
I like the assisted opening. Very smooth.
I like the deep pocket clip. Rides comfortable in my right front pocket.
The small blade has served me well, but I have big hands. So I am looking for a bigger blade.

What I don't like:
Small blade, could be larger.
The clip breaks pretty easily, I have replace it like once a year.
Handles feels a bit cheap. I played with a friends SOG Flash II, and I expected a little more, but the handles felt cheap.

Other knives I own:
Kershaw Leek...
Like:
The smooth opening of the blade. I like the opening system of the Kershaws.
I do like the blade shape, but see below.
One sharp knife.
Great quality product.

Dislike:
The shape of the blade feels a little aggressive to me. The point doesn't scream, let me peel that apple for you.
The clip is not really deep enough in the pocket. It doesn't really ride all that great in the pocket. A little bulky to me.

Spyderco Tenacious...
Like:
Very affordable knife, a real bang for the buck.
I like the blade opening style.
I do like the clip on the Tenacious. It rides pretty well in the pocket.
Nice blade (except I chipped mine being an idiot).
Fits really well in my hand.

Dislikes:
Still a little large for an EDC for me and what I normally do.

RAT 1
Ok I just got this knife, and it is really great, but too big for EDC for me.

Spyderco Morpho 51
Yea, I really can't EDC that in NYC LOL.

Anyway. I hope this gives a little insight to what I might want to take a look at. I am open for suggestions, and appreciate the help.

Thanks,
Dru
 
Spyderco Sage series.

Spyderco Caly 3

Benchmade Ritter mini grip

Lionsteel Opera, 2.91 inch version.
 
Hard to go wrong with a spyderco paramilitary 2 in this price range. The sage 1 or Gayle Bradley would also be excellent choices. Benchmade has the Ritter griptilians also in this range which feature a better (slicier) blade shape and better steel than the standard griptilians. You may still be able to snag one of the green or purple aluminum cpm154 kershaw blurs as well.
 
Do you prefer the smaller knives or is it because you're in NYC?

Anyways, I would suggest looking at the Spyderco Persistence if you want cheap. It's basically the Tenacious but smaller.

Other knives I'd Recommend(some seem too small until in the hand):
Spyderco Sage 1 or 3(tip up only though)
Spyderco Chaparral - One of my personal favorite small blades - Excellent for EDC(Tip Up Only)
Spyderco Caly 3 CF - Tip up
Spyderco Dragonfly(tip up only)
Spyderco UKPK - Slip joint - Tip up only
Spyderco Squeak - Slip Joint - Tip up only

I know you want tip down but tip up works well with those knives because of the low riding clips. Unless someone is looking for your knife they aren't likely to see it. They're beautiful and wonderful knives.

Spyderco Native 5 - Small but tough, nice looking, 4 way clip.
Spyderco Delica - Very nice little EDC. 4 way clip.
 
I like the smaller knives because if I need something larger, I keep my Tenacious in my bag. I would rather stay in the legal limit of my area. Plus from my job position, I think a smaller size is better. I got a promotion for my job, so I am not out in the field as much as I was before. So I went from needing to have a Tenacious in my pocket as I walk around the "great scenic neighborhoods" of the Bronx & Manhattan, to I just need an EDC blade. I like having a knife on me. Right now I have a Victorinox Horticulture knife on me. To check dead plant branches and EDC type stuff. I don't feel like snapping another SOG clip.

I don't think I am opposed to tip up carry, just what I have been used to with the Tenacious. The Flash has a lock so the blade doesn't open, I keep mine locked at all times. So I don't think about it. I guess I would just get used to tip up.

The Benchmade Ritter mini grip....is this the: Doug Ritter MINI RSK MK1 knives? I have seen a lot of people post using this knife. I am not familiar with all the Benchmade products and how Doug Ritter is associated.
/FailMe

I appreciate all the suggestions. It is a little tough to look at all of the Spyderco knives side by side for comparrison and not be confused.
 
It might be at the top end of your price range but how about a Benchmade 940/943?
 
Druthu said:
The Benchmade Ritter mini grip....is this the: Doug Ritter MINI RSK MK1 knives? I have seen a lot of people post using this knife. I am not familiar with all the Benchmade products and how Doug Ritter is associated.
/FailMe
Click to expand...
That's the one, it also comes in a full size (3.4in blade) version. Its an excellent edc knife. The only downfall is the noryl gtx handle scales, the feel a bit plastic-y, but are extremely tough and durable. The Ritter grip is basically an upgraded griptilian designed by Doug Ritter. Ritter himself is a survival expert and apparently, like a few other noteworthy people (Kevin Wilkins), thought the griptilian platform was a great one on which to build a knife. Ritter redesigned the blade shape and decided on s30v blade steel (there are also versions in m2 and m4, but they are rare and expensive) as an upgrade to 154cm. All in all Ritter's changes did exactly what he set out to do, improve upon an already great knife. The shear popularity of the Ritter knives on these forums says a lot.

Additionally, there are several makers like Kevin Wilkins and Cuscadi who make custom scales for the griptilians. Adding custom scales to a Ritter grip makes it, in my opinion, one of the greatest edc knives of all time.

Here is my m4 Ritter mini with custom Cuscadi carbon fiber micarta scales.

IMG_20120829_130533.jpgIMG_20120829_130801.jpg
 
May I suggest a Kershaw Knockout or a Cryo? Maybe the Echelon? All are assisted. I think they all have deep carry clips as well.
 
I am really fascinated with the Doug Ritter. I just don't see the Mini MK1 in black in stock. :(
That and I am leaning towards the Spyderco stuff. The Kershaw Knockout looks a little big to me....the Cryo looks much better.
 
Why not try the Spyderco Persistence, I've been using it as an EDC for a year now, I like it because I picked mine up for 27$, so i really don't mind if it gets beat up or broken.
 
When carrying in NYC, I recommend you stay away from:
1. Assisted knives
2. Knives with blades 4" or larger
3. Knives that you can easily swing open (with just the weight of the blade)

That being said, the para2 is one of my favorite EDC's.
 
I too live in Bloomberg's kingdom, I EDC 'd a para 2 for a long time, it great and you cant go wrong. Currently I EDC a Srider SnG with the pivot SLIGHTLY tighter than how it came.

Id go with a para 2, and remember, always in the pocket, never clipped.
 
"Id go with a para 2, and remember, always in the pocket, never clipped."

I need to take a look at that one as well...
Never clipped ? Just afraid of getting called out from a cop?
 
Druthu said:
"Id go with a para 2, and remember, always in the pocket, never clipped."

I need to take a look at that one as well...
Never clipped ? Just afraid of getting called out from a cop?
Click to expand...

NYC law states that the knife MUST be concealed, not even the clip can be showing.

Manhattan is the strictest of the boroughs. If I'm hanging out in manhattan all day and/or taking the train in manhattan, I carry In my pocket either a para2, opinel #8 or my Byrd cara cara G10 (that I tightened the pivot on).
 
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The Para2 is an excellent knife, I'm carrying mine right now.
But, yeah, Spyderco has some excellent knives. I really love my Chaparral as a small folder.
 
I have just about every knive you can think about even a couple Hinderer xm-18 but for the money you can't beet a Doug Ritter. RSK MK1 I bought a mini Ritter than turned around and bought the full size and another mini just love them best knive on market that money can buy right now.
 
Another vote for the Chaparral. I have large hands and get a good four-finger grip with it (using the finger choil) but the blade has about the same cutting length as the Flash I.

I really like the Sage 1 as well which has a very smooth action, a larger blade and a four-finger grip when not using the choil. Both these knives have great ergos and I love the carbon fiber scales.

Dan
 
I live in NY too and like a small blade for EDC as well, I love my Spyderco PPT and I got it for $115 after some searching, it has a 3.15" blade. Great blade shape, good blade steel (S30V), great ergos, not A/O but opens quickly and easily with large Spydie hole and good detent, low ride pocket clip, nice handle scales, basically a titanium frame lock ( but the lock bar is stainless and therefore wont wear out as easily as titanium and the overlaid scale acts like an overtravel preventer) and a tank. The only real knock on it is that it is heavy which bothers me none, zero, zip. Good luck on your search.
 
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