Looking for EDC - Specifications

T

TopDog

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Oct 6, 2006
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I'm looking for a new EDC. Asking the brain trust here for recommendations. I have read threads on this and other forums where someone is asking for knife recommendations and they dont give a lot of information about what they are looking for. I hope I have provided enough information so that you guys can help me out. If its too verbose, I apologize in advance.

I have been carrying a Kershaw Leek for years (440 steel). Because I like the feel of it, that gives you an idea of what I tend to like. Its not the highest quality knife so I'm looking to upgrade. Looking for EDC recommendations with some specific parameters and general preferences.


Cost: under $150

Blade: around 3.5 inches give or take, a 3 inch might work if the cutting edge was right at 3 inches. Steel preference VG-10 but any quality steel will work, example no 8Cr13MoV, not a fan of ZDP-189, find it hard to sharpen. I prefer VG-10 because its easy to sharpen and wears fairly well. As for shape as an example I like the blade on the Spyderco Military. I like the flat grind blades. Not crazy about the Spyderco leaf-shaped blades.

Handle: Like G10, dont like the hollow plastic feel of FRN handles on Spyderco's. If the Spyderco has liners then the FRN handle would work.

Locking mechanism: The Kershaw I have been carrying has a liner lock its never failed but I dont really like it. I prefer a lock back, boyd dent optional.


Some examples of knives I like and dont like:

Really like that Spyderco gives you a lot for your dollar.

Spyderco Endura 4 G10, this would work very well but unfortunately they are not around anymore. So I'm liking the Spyderco Endura 4 with the FRN handles, its not exactly what I want so still looking.

Really like the features on the Spyderco Police 3 G10, but its to big for EDC.

Bought a Benchmade Osborne 940, loved the design, liked the feel, the quality but it came brand new out of the box dull, no edge. So please not to offend any Benchmade fans but I dont want anything to do with any Benchmade's. It was like buying a brand new car with not a drop of gas in it, costs a lot, looks good but you cant do a whole lot with it right off the bat. The old saying fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

I know most of you here have experience with a wide variety of knives. If I could kindly get some recommendations it would be greatly appreciated.
 
A little short, at 2 7/8" - but VG-10 - the Kershaw 1993-2 - long gone but the K-guy found some - you could get two! Lockback with linen Micarta scales - beautiful. Even shorter at 2.6"... Spyderco Native 5 - S35VN blade/G10 handles/lockback ~$125-135.

Stainz
 
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Both the Delica and Endura 4 have nested steel liners. While you might still be able to find either in G-10, I agree with Singularity35: for around the same price as a G-10 Endura/Delica, you could get a Para-Military 2. Fantastic knife. :thumbup:

trio01.jpg
 
Al mar sere 2000 hits all the points you mentioned, but it does have a liner lock. Out of all the liner lock knives i have owned, the only 3 I trust unconditionally are the sere, zt0200, and emerson cqc8
 
Definitely sounds like you're looking for a Para 2. Leek is a great knife though. There's a guy on here who swears by them, and collects them.
 
If you like lockbacks then Spyderco has a lot of them, and they are relatively inexpensive. Spyderco has their own styling with fat wide blades so you have to buy into that.

The Para2 is very popular here, but also crazy expensive for what you get. I've been watching the prices thinking I might buy one to see what all the fuss is about but even when they are listed at high prices they get snatched up immediately. A lot of them sell used for much more than they sold for new. Fortunately for you the more expensive ones have lock types that you might not like.

You said you didn't like Benchmade but yours must have been a fluke, I've never seen one like that. And Benchmade has the Axis lock that you might like. I own 6 Benchmades and no problem with sharpness of any of them, one axis lock and 5 liner locks.

I like the Kershaw Leek but it is relatively thin and sometimes I think it is too thin for my hands. The Spyderco Delica is enough larger that it is easy to hold and use. Kershaw has a wide variety of quality models in all price ranges but I think most of them are liner locks. I have a Blur on order right now to try for EDC.
 
singularity35 said:
Take a look at the Spyderco Para-Military 2.
Click to expand...

Thanks that might be the ticket right there. I thought both the Military and the Para Military didn't have liners. But since you listed I did some research and that looks like the Para Military might just be the ticket. Besides the G10 handles how does the Endura 4 compare to the Para Military 2?

As for Benchmade, it seemed to be a common problem in early 2011. There was a lot of chatter about it on the net. Search for Benchmade Dull or words to the effect and you should find some threads about it. Like I said I dont want to offend any Benchmade fans but I will never buy another Benchmade. There are far too many knife manufacturers out there to take chance on getting another dull knife, especially at Benchmade prices.

I appreciate all the information so far. Still pondering which one to replace my old Kershaw.
 
Go with the para2. In my opinion it is arguably the best knife under $200. The standard s30v version can be had for about $100-110 but if you spend a bit more you can get a blue one with m390 steel for $175. The sage series is also very good but you said you don't like leaf shaped blades. If you like the blade shape of the Millie but want something a bit more reasonable to carry on a day to day basis, the para 2 is definitely your best bet. Just an all around spectacular edc knife.
 
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