Looking for the knife to complete my EDC

Starfish

Starfish

Joined
Jun 14, 2001
Messages
1,256
Hi all,

In my previous job (and previous state of residence), I tended to carry just one knife, always a folder, and usually between 3.5 and 4 inches blade length. However, I have recently switched jobs (and states), and as a result I have modified my carry strategy somewhat.

I am currently carrying a small Classic sebenza as the everyday, everywhere knife (excepting airplanes and courthouses, of course!). I also keep a Leatherman micra in my pockets as I like the idea of having a pair of scissors as well as other tools in a compact package.

Now what I would like to do is find that larger folder to complete the EDC setup. I envision this knife to serve three roles:

(1) This will be the knife I will use when doing outdoorsy stuff (hiking, biking, other outdoor activities)
(2) This will be the knife I use if I find myself in a survival situation. Anything from my car conking out in the middle of nowhere with no ability to call for help, to another terrorist attack.
(3) This will be the knife I use if I should ever find myself up against a BG with nowhere for me to run (or nowhere for my family to run).

I know that those roles (2) and (3) make me sound a bit paranoid, but I feel that I need to be prepared for those things, especially given recent events. And the fact that concealed carry of a firearm is not practical for me at the moment :(

Would appreciate any and all suggestions for a folding knife to fit those roles. Please give some justification for your choices though!

Also, would these roles be better served with a plain, serrated, or combo edge? I prefer to carry plain edge, but that is because my normal knife usage does not require serrations...and the roles outlined above are outside the realm of my experience (thankfully!)

Thanks all!
 
What kind of price range are we talking? Custom or production?
 
Well, I would like to keep the price under $150 (talking street value here, not MSRP), so I am pretty sure that would exclude customs from the discussion. Of course, the lower it is, the easier it is for me to procure it without having to spend a couple o' days in the dawghouse, if you know what I mean :D

In addition to generating specific suggestions for the knife I'm looking for, another goal of this thread was to generate some discussion on the particular properties required of a knife that is to meet these goals. For example, is there a blade shape that provides a good balance of utility and "tactical"? Is a serrated edge better than a plain edge for utility-survival and "tactical" uses?

To get the discussion started, here were some knives that I think might do the job, but would be interested in hearing other's opinions, especially with respect to the roles outlined above.

(1) Spyderco Wegner
(2) Spyderco Military
(3) TOPS Magnum (Spearpoint, maybe Tanto)

But please, do not let the discussion be limited to these 3 - I really want some fresh ideas!

Thanks,

Matthew
 
I get those Shomer-Tec catalogs. And it burns me to see them selling those non-metallic covert carry knives, one made completely out of
G-10 for 200 bucks!!! But they are very bold to add, no X-ray detection, no "printing" no knife "signature" on even the finest airport security. They also have all that BIO-CRAP that cause the runs, cramps, naseau, and some spy-type gadgets that at this time in the USA really needs NOT be an open to the world type of sales item. Great EDC for Covert terrorist carry. a 200 dollar plastic scalpel sharp knife@!!!!! wolf:mad:
 
I don't like serrated edges for most jobs.Spyderco Military or Benchmade 710 plain edge both are a good choice.
 
A good, solid knife for "practical/tactical" use is the Spyderco Chinook. Either plain or semi-serrated will work. Mine is plain-bladed and keeps a good edge. The blade has a lot of "belly" for long cuts but the tip is very pointed and sharp which allows fine, precise cutting. It is a bit heavy but it is rock solid! Furthermore the handle has a nice curved pommel that allows light chopping or skull-crushing! :p Anyways, mine smoothed up nicely after opening and closing it a few hundred times. A little toothpaste on the lock mechanism didn't hurt either to help smooth it out. Just be sure to remove all the toothpaste from the knife when you are done. It was originally designed as a combat knife but it is very handy. I think of it as a short Bowie.
 
I suggest a pure self defense folder because IMO you are well prepared with your small Sebeneza for most cutting tasks (and additionally the Leatherman Micra for other urban “survival” tasks).

R.E.K.A.T.: Pocket Hobbit

Hobbit.jpg


Weight : 7.5 ounces/212 grams
Handle length : approx 5 1/16 inches/ 12.8cm
Blade length : 3.75 inches from center of handle / 9.5cm 4 inches from bottom of handle / 10.1cm
Cutting edge : approx 3.3inches/8.4cm
Serrations : 2inches/5cm
Blade thickness : 1/8inch / 3.2mm
Handle thickness : 17/32inch / 13.5mm
G10 thickness : 4.5/32inch / 3.5mm
 
I'll add another vote for the BM 710 if you must have a folder, but I think you would be much better served (criteria 1&2) by a good fixed blade.
 
Here is a short list of knives I'd look at:

MOD CQD MKII: Fit and finish on this knife is superb, the blade style lends itself well to both tactical and utilitarian usage, and the button lock is very secure especially if you enable the secondary lock. Also, ofr a good secure grip it's hard to beat the "sandpaper" style inserts MOD uses on this knife. There are many many other features that lend this knife to being tactical in nature but the ergonomics of it make it well suited for utility as well.

Spyderco Chinook: IMHO this is a great utility knife as well as a fighter, one of the strongest locks going and if you need to pry open a door (:)) you got the tool (just jokeing of course..). I don't think it makes a very good EDC if you wear anything other than jeans because it is a heavy knife. But man is it awesome!!

CS large Voyager: This would be on the less expensive side but I've got the full set of Voyager clip points and I love them. I think in lower end production stuff CS got it right in the Voyager line.

Some others worth mentioning (but I don't have time to type all of it...) would be;

SOG Vision
Buck Strider
MOD Ladyhawk (I love hawkbills and this one is wickedbad:))
CS XL Voyager

Have fun choosing!!
 
I'll toss out another suggestion:

Al Mar SERE 2000

It's really a folding survival knife with good ergonomics and excellent fit and finish. Made of good materials and priced under $150 on the internet.
 
Two good choices:

If blade-length isn't a problem, get a REKAT Sifu.

If you are legally limited to 4" or under, get a REKAT Carnivour.
 
The Spyderco Chinook is an awesome knife. But for something a little different I'll suggest the Victorinox Ruck Sack. Great blade for #s 1 and 2 on your list. As for #3, V-nox has stepped into the world of one handers. Maybe more models will be in the near future.

Paul
 
Thanks all for the really good suggestions. I'm getting exactly the kind of fresh ideas (at least to me :)) I was looking for - please keep them coming!

Feedback:
(1) Horus - are you of the opinion that the Sebenza is good for most cutting tasks? Others have expressed the belief that the Sebenza, with it's deep hollow grind (I hope I've used the correct term) would not be an excellent survival folder. However, the pocket Hobbit looks like it could do both survival and defensive roles quite well. Are the serrations on the back of the blade useful for other than self-defense? And further, (this is to the American readers), is the pocket Hobbit considered a "dagger" since it has cutting ability on both sides?

(2) The Chinook looks to be a pretty mean knife with a lot of utility as well! Plus it has the MBC rating I think. I've heard, however, that lockbacks shouldn't be used for self-defense. Is this the exception to that rule?

(3) A fixed blade is something I'm considering as well, either in addition to the folder (to be carried in the briefcase or car), or in place of the folder (so it would have to be a bit shorter, and I would need some system to carry it concealed in my typical attire (slacks, button-down shirt, no jacket).

(4) I found out my length limitations today (ok ok get your minds out of the gutter :D) - apparently common law in South Carolina is that a blade less than 6 inches is NOT considered to be a deadly weapon, and can therefore be concealed. However, local municipalities may differ, and in the case of Charleston, the legal length is 4 inches or less. Standard disclaimer applies - I'm not a lawyer, I haven't directly researched the statutes, etc. etc. This is the information I heard from various LEOs and AGs in my area...

(5) MOD CQD MKII - Chad, do you have a link to this knife? I couldn't find it on the MOD website....

(6) REKAT in general - is anybody still selling these knives? I admit I didn't do a thorough search, but I'm having a hard time finding the Carnivour and the PH...

Thanks,

Matthew

Thanks again,

Matthew
 
Starfish,

I have no experiences or knowledge concerning outdoor survival but I have learned that the result of work is far better (and also the working expenditure) if you use the intended tool and not a multi-functional tool.
The Sebeneza is a excellent cutting tool yet not a axe or a machete for example.
I think if you need a chopping tool use an axe not a knife but this is probably a controversial opinion.
Regarding the serrations on the back of the blade I am sure that they unsuitable for saw work.

http://www.bladeart.com/production/rekat/rekat.htm
 
Hi Starfish.

I never mentioned the Sebenza because it was not in your price range butI think it is well suited at any job you would throw it's way. Would it be the best survival folder... no. Would it be the best fighter... no. But it is one of the best all around knives going, I've got 4 and love every one of them. Besides, the best survival knife you own is the one with you when you need it.

I really think that you will be impressed with the CQD given your requirements. It may break the budget a little but I think you'd be really impressed. You can get more info on it here or here.

The second place is really high priced but has some nice info and a nice picture. I think you should be able to find one on the web for $150 - $170. Drop me a note and I may have a few people you could contact for pricing. 1SKS is $184 and I always support them when I can.

Good luck!
 
my recommendation would be either the BM 710 or the REKAT carnivore and if you jump to the price range of the Sebenza but we are talking about a more tactical leaning knife then for $375 you can get a new custom Crawford KFF and recently on the forums there have been used crawford KFF's for $300. Although I'm no longer a fan of liner locks, Pat Crawford not only has a very beefy liner and recesses it in the handle to eliminate unintentional releases from twisting your hand on the handle but he also puts a concave cut in the end of the liner lock and then welds carbide on the tip of the liner lock so it will stand up to the incessant flipping open in draw and strike drills done by guys in Bob Kaspers training groups.

Also you can get Rekat products at 1sks, Knife Outlet, Knife Center and Discount Knives all on line. I've got several REKAT knives and they've got great ergonomics are built like a tank and I love the rolling lock. That's my .02 cents worth.
 
Here's another recommendation for the BM 710. In your price range, I think it's the knife that will come closest to doing everything you need it to do. I've found it to be the jack - of - all - trades in my blade collection. It's not perfect, but it's the one I keep coming back, especially when I have a variety of chores to do and need a versatile knife.
 
Whoa guys, sorry for the misunderstanding. I already have the small Classic sebenza, and this will definitely be part of the EDC. (Chad - you should know better - you helped me pick this one out on the CRK forum! :D)

Horus - I agree with you on using the right tool for the job. My problem is that I haven't experienced any survival situations (only self-defense scenarios), and so I have no idea what I might need a folder for. Therefore, I'm approaching this search from the perspective that the right tool for the job is the one I have on me :)

Question about REKAT: have heard that they are going out of business - any truth to those rumors?

Gonna go check out the REKAT and MODs now...

Matthew
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top