Recommendation? Lost EDC of ~8 years, in the market again.

O

ocnLogan

Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
3,488
Last week my EDC of nearly 8 years up and disappeared, making it the first knife I've lost in ~20 of using and carrying knives. There is some chance I'll find it again (based on my "detective work" so far), but I'm not counting on it.

So I'm "in the market" again. I'm reaching out for help because while I love good knives, they aren't really my "hobby" at the moment. I did my research to find what I wanted 8 years ago, bought it, and haven't paid tons of attention to what else is available that is similar, and don't want to limit myself to only stuff that I've heard about in passing/etc.

What I had before for reference: Boker Exskelimoor II. Bought it because it was under the legal limit of blade length everywhere I could reasonably travel within a few hours. I also work in an office, and the wooden handle and more sedate opening method never drew any comments. The fit and finish, and overall quality weren't perfect, but it wasn't ever a deal breaker.

Ground Rules:
  • Budget: $0 - 70(ish). For sure under $100, with a preference for under $50-60.
  • Must be able to be configured for tip down, right hand carry (I carry RR pocket).
  • 2.75-3.25in blade length. I moved, so I no longer "need" <3in blade length. I just grew to appreciate how easy to carry smaller knives are.
  • Not all my knives have locks, but this one must. No preference on lock type other than must be able to close with one hand.
  • No Spyderco (most are too wide to carry comfortably in the rear pocket without feeling like you're sitting on them all the time).
  • No blade steel < ~AUS8, but otherwise not too picky.
  • No Finger choils (a sharpening choil/spanish notch is fine though).
  • Must be straight edged (not full/half-serrated).
  • Don't really care about color.
  • Don't need it to be "hard use".
My first thought after losing it was to grab an Ontario RAT 2. What stopped me from snap ordering one is that even though the knife is larger than my Boker in blade length, the handles usable length is actually slightly smaller. The finger groove that works fine on the RAT 1 doesn't work well for me when its scaled down, leaving my fingers a good 1/2 - 3/4in from the cutting edge. I'm used to smaller knives, but I have a L - XL hand.

Is the ESEE Zancudo any better in the handle department than the RAT 2? Are there any other great budget knives out there that fit my criteria better?

Thanks for the help everyone :).
 
Last edited:
ocnLogan said:
Last week my EDC of nearly 8 years up and disappeared, making it the first knife I've lost in ~20 of using and carrying knives. There is some chance I'll find it again (based on my "detective work" so far), but I'm not counting on it.

So I'm "in the market" again. I'm reaching out for help because while I love good knives, they aren't really my "hobby" at the moment. I did my research to find what I wanted 8 years ago, bought it, and haven't paid tons of attention to what else is available that is similar, and don't want to limit myself to only stuff that I've heard about in passing/etc.

What I had before for reference: Boker Exskelimoor II. Bought it because it was under the legal limit of blade length everywhere I could reasonably travel within a few hours. I also work in an office, and the wooden handle and more sedate opening method never drew any comments. The fit and finish, and overall quality weren't perfect, but it wasn't ever a deal breaker.

Ground Rules:
  • Budget: $0 - 70(ish). For sure under $100, with a preference for under $50-60.
  • Must be able to be configured for tip down, right hand carry (I carry RR pocket).
  • 2.75-3.25in blade length. I moved, so I no longer "need" <3in blade length. I just grew to appreciate how easy to carry smaller knives are.
  • Not all my knives have locks, but this one must. No preference on lock type other than must be able to close with one hand.
  • No Spyderco (most are too wide to carry comfortably in the rear pocket without feeling like you're sitting on them all the time).
  • No blade steel < ~AUS8, but otherwise not too picky.
  • No Finger choils (a sharpening choil/spanish notch is fine though).
  • Must be straight edged (not full/half-serrated).
  • Don't really care about color.
  • Don't need it to be "hard use".
My first thought after losing it was to grab an Ontario RAT 2. What stopped me from snap ordering one is that even though the knife is larger than my Boker in blade length, the handles usable length is actually slightly smaller. The finger groove that works fine on the RAT 1 doesn't work well for me when its scaled down, leaving my fingers a good 1/2 - 3/4in from the cutting edge. I'm used to smaller knives, but I have a L - XL hand.

Is the ESEE Zancudo any better in the handle department than the RAT 2? Are there any other great budget knives out there that fit my criteria better?

Thanks for the help everyone :).
Click to expand...

Man I seriously urge you to save an extra $30 to bring your maximum up to 130$. Then I would tell you that if you liked the Exskelimoor that you should check out the Boker Exskelibur 1 titanium framelock. The knife may be the ultimate edc knife. It is thinner and more pocket friendly than the exskelimoor and comes with s35vn steel. Even though it is thin the contoured îtitanium handles make the knife more thab strong enough for any EDC task.

I cannot recommend this knife enough.

Exskelibur 1.
wRbSyjS.jpg

Look how thin it is compared to a large Sebenza 21.
pCH23T6.jpg

It has a great thin grind that makes it a slicing demon.
Z15rhV7.jpg
 
Last edited:
ocnLogan said:
  • Budget: $0 - 70(ish). For sure under $100, with a preference for under $50-60.
  • Must be able to be configured for tip down, right hand carry (I carry RR pocket).
  • 2.75-3.25in blade length. I moved, so I no longer "need" <3in blade length. I just grew to appreciate how easy to carry smaller knives are.
  • Not all my knives have locks, but this one must. No preference on lock type other than must be able to close with one hand.
  • No Spyderco (most are too wide to carry comfortably in the rear pocket without feeling like you're sitting on them all the time).
  • No blade steel < ~AUS8, but otherwise not too picky.
  • No Finger choils (a sharpening choil/spanish notch is fine though).
  • Must be straight edged (not full/half-serrated).
  • Don't really care about color.
  • Don't need it to be "hard use".
Click to expand...
Kershaw Blur checks every single box. You can even get it in S30v at the high end of your budget. (well, not at $70, but at $80, and you did give $100 as the realistic upper limit)
 
Benchmade Bugout is the ultimate EDC in my opinion but a bit above your stated budget at ~$114.
 
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I would also recommend the bugout. It’s one of the best edc Knives on the market right now.
 
Looks like there are still a few Massdrop Gents still available in black. Titanium frame, 3" S35VN blade, g10 onlay. Thin, light (2.4 oz) framelock. Very easy to close one handed. Would look nice in an office. Bottom in pic. Oh, and deep carry clip.

2dvu4p4.jpg


2uz7xpf.jpg
 
BM mini-grip with the sheepsfoot blade is my favorite EDC, many pass through the forum's knife exchange for a decent price.

The rat 2 is a great knife, I recommend up'ing to the D2 version as I think D2 works better as an EDC steel simply because it holds an edge better but AUS8 certainly works well. I didn't like the zancudo much as it loses too much width near the pivot and felt too slim in hand compared to the rest of the knife. I also didn't like how the frame lock was hard to get and I ended up taking out some material from the plastic scale to make the lock easier to operate.

I believe there are a few kizer models in that size, I actually think the begleiter is a great EDC but it has a longer blade, even though it carries very well.

Kershaw leek may be a good option. If you don't like the assist it should be easy to remove.

SOG aegis mini is a very slim carrying knife if the look is okay for you. I don't like the lock but the carry and blade geometry were great for the short while I had it.
 
As touched on previously, I think it's worth noting if you are willing to buy slightly used, have some patience, and a little flexibility on time frame you can find some nice deals on the Exchange here. I've seen a Benchmade Mini Grip go for as little as $40 and a Benchmade Bugout go for as little as $80. It's definitely a good option for the cost conscious.
 
Thanks for the replies so far everyone.

I should clarify a bit. When I got my boker, I was wearing business casual, working in offices all the time, and living in a small apartment. Right now I'm in an office, but it's more a shorts/jeans and a t shirt style place, and I now own a home with a good sized yard.

So any recommendations don't necessarily need to be a gentleman style knife, even though I do still appreciate those.

It's looking like the "limiting factor" on this may end up being my tip down preference. Unless I'm mistaken, none of the benchmade, or cold steel models offer tip down.

The boker exskelibur titanium is interesting, if a bit rich for my blood. Looks like they have a cf+ ti version for the smaller model i had.

The blur I'd completely forgotten about, as well as the skyline. I had briefly looked at the link, but discounted it because it is tip up only. I'll have to look closer at Kershaw's other options again.

I've only looked at the exchange a few times, and from what I recall everything seemed to be way over my budget (at the time anyway). Maybe I should start lurking there a bit more and see if anything comes up.
 
Buck 110LT.
It may "only" have 420HC for the blade, but with Buck's BOS heat treat it performs outside it's class.
I've used a 110 to dress three deer without having to sharpen or touch up the edge.
(All Buck knives have the BOS heat treat. They only mark the optional steels though.)
 
If you definitely want to stay on the lower end of your budget, look at the dealer exclusive s30v Buck 722 at copper & clad...

(Silver knights has an s90v Buck 722 for 99.99)
 
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