My Last EDC

Peter_E_Ryt

Peter_E_Ryt

Joined
Oct 26, 2005
Messages
1,179
^Yeah right, but hopefully my last for a few years. I've decided that since I'm starting college soon that I should go ahead and consolidate everything. That goes for knives too. I've got my polite carry knife (a forum knife- Canoe in mammoth ivory), my hunting/camp knife (another great forum knife), and now I need my EDC. I've been looking around for about a week now, and as hard as I try to be unbiased and look elsewhere, I've decided to simply accept the fact that I'm a Spyderco guy.

Background: I've had a ZDP Delica which my little brother borrowed and lost (hopefully somewhere around the house)- it was a bit too small. I've had a Wal-Mart Native in S30V which was stolen on the job site, which was great for work, but chunky, and the "double edge" drew uncomfortable looks. I also had a manix, which was HUGE, and way too much knife for EDC for me. I borrowed an Endura which was a bit too large. I checked out a Military, which is too large (I don't think that the general population would be very happy with me running around with the Spydersword, and it doesn't seem very practical to my purposes either).

As far as I know, that leaves me three choices, all of which are very tempting: The Caly 3, Paramili, and UKPK. I figure that a lock is bit more practical, but the UKPK comes in orange*, which I've recently started to really like. I've heard rumors that the Paramili is getting the orange treatment too though.

I'd appreciate yall's thoughts or suggestions.

*Also, do yall think that the orange says "Hey, look at my big knife", or "Hey, I'm not a knife designed for stealth killing" to NKPs?
 
I've EDC'd all 3 of those and have been sticking with the CF ZDP Caly3 mainly for it's slim size and wire clip but if you want more "filled out in your hands" feeling then go with the Para. The UKPK is nice and the same shape as the Caly3, the slip-it design works welll butl I like the added insurance of a lock
 
I like all three of your choices. However, if I had only one to carry I would chose the UKPK.
Para-Military: While being very nice and comfortable, does tend to get the non-knife people's heart rate up. Of your three it has my favorite lock, but as a everyday carry on a college campus it will not make you popular.

Caly 3: Again great knife. It is well accepted by the general public (especially the ZDP-189 in CF). Only problem I have with it is that I do not like lock backs.

UKPK: Love the knife. It carries well, has a useful blade shape, and it is generally accepted by the non-knife public. I have one in OD and carry it when the length or lock of my Umnumzaan are in question.

Hope it helps.
 
The orange can be eye-catching but also somewhat disarming. Reaction can vary from person to person. It's hard to make a blanket statement on it.

If you can somehow get the chance to handle a UKPK before you choose I'd highly recommend it. For some folks the lack of a lock in an EDC may be an issue, but if not then the UKPK is a hell of a great knife. It's all a knife needs to be, nothing less and nothing more. Total economy and function.

The Paramilitary is nice and a great user but I didn't like the handle to blade ratio.
 
I've carried a UKPK for a while and I liked it so much that I recently purchased a ZDP Caly 3. Since then it's been all Caly 3. It's such a great knife. I love everything about it. I want a G-10 VG10 version now as well. I really think you can't go wrong with the Caly 3.
 
bah.. you will find ways to get money for new knives in college. I have :) I carry Enduras and my Tenacious the most on campus. Getting scary looks from sheeple doesn't put me off on what i want to carry. I usually carry an SAK as well and I swap between an RC Izula and a Becker BK11 on the belt or IWB.

From your choices, I'd get the Caly3. UKPK is nice but I don't like the fact that the blade doesnt lock in a knife that size.
 
Hmmm... I think a Centofante would be good, but if you liked the ZDP Delica... and like the thicker saber grinds, get the ZDP Endura?

If you got the scratch, very little beats out the ZDP Stretch (soon in FRN).

I carry a Paramillie with a custom tip-up wire-clip, and it is awesome :D.

The Caly 3 is just about the best slicer in its size and weight class, and it carries very well.
 
This thread has me wanting both an orange UKPK and a Paramili now... I don't know what I'm supposed to do. The utilitarian aspect of the Paramili is great, but it's still scary, but I don't foresee an EDC situation where the UKPK wouldn't do a fine job as well, while being more socially acceptable. @ Jake Bauer- I'm afraid that I'm a bit concerned about making people feel uncomfortable. I want knives to be friendly useful things in sheeples' eyes.

I'm probably going to have to hold both, and end up buying both... now it's just a matter of which comes first. My wallet wishes that Spydercos wouldn't be so tempting in general.
 
Peter_E_Ryt said:
^Yeah right, but hopefully my last for a few years. I've decided that since I'm starting college soon that I should go ahead and consolidate everything. That goes for knives too. I've got my polite carry knife (a forum knife- Canoe in mammoth ivory), my hunting/camp knife (another great forum knife), and now I need my EDC. I've been looking around for about a week now, and as hard as I try to be unbiased and look elsewhere, I've decided to simply accept the fact that I'm a Spyderco guy.

Background: I've had a ZDP Delica which my little brother borrowed and lost (hopefully somewhere around the house)- it was a bit too small. I've had a Wal-Mart Native in S30V which was stolen on the job site, which was great for work, but chunky, and the "double edge" drew uncomfortable looks. I also had a manix, which was HUGE, and way too much knife for EDC for me. I borrowed an Endura which was a bit too large. I checked out a Military, which is too large (I don't think that the general population would be very happy with me running around with the Spydersword, and it doesn't seem very practical to my purposes either).

As far as I know, that leaves me three choices, all of which are very tempting: The Caly 3, Paramili, and UKPK. I figure that a lock is bit more practical, but the UKPK comes in orange*, which I've recently started to really like. I've heard rumors that the Paramili is getting the orange treatment too though.

I'd appreciate yall's thoughts or suggestions.

*Also, do yall think that the orange says "Hey, look at my big knife", or "Hey, I'm not a knife designed for stealth killing" to NKPs?
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I would suggest the paramilitary, the handle is large and you will not run out of room, and the blade is not very large and will suit you.

IMO a orange handle says to people you don't know "hey everybody, look I got a knife", I think that people you know especially women would like to see a orange knife though, I would prefer to go discreet and go with a black handle.
 
I'd look at the Centofante 3 and the Sage too.

Trying to narrow down to just one Spyderco to use is nigh-impossible! Especially in the 3 inches or so EDC category. There's just so many attractive choices...

If I had to have just one, out of the knives I have (Which don't include any of your three... yet. My next purchase is going to be a Para or Sage.), it'd be the Centofante.
 
Caly3 or even better the Sage in carbon fiber:D.

I have both and prefer the Sage.

The UKPK is lighter than the Caly3, but opening and closing isn't as smooth.
 
I think for a college student the UKPK is the way to go. I think it will cut what needs to be cut and is unassuming enough for campus.
 
I, unsurprisingly, EDC a UKPK and it really is a great knife. Honestly, while I don't miss a lock in most day-to-day tasks, I would prefer a lock for the added versatility (but here it's a legal issue rather than a choice :mad:). The Caly 3 and Sage have both caught my eye, being almost the same blade in different handles (especially the Sage; a CF knife I can actually afford :D) but I haven't handled either yet so can't really compare :( I find that around 3" is my perfect blade length for most things (actually with a preference to slightly shorter over slightly longer), and that blade-shape is so great I imagine the Sage and Caly 3 would be even better than my UKPK.

As for the colouration; here you will find some people (although rare, they exist) who recoil in horror as you reveal the deadly weapon that is a Victorinox Classic. To those people a knife is a weapon. It doesn't matter how big, what colour, or what you're doing with it, you're just a murder waiting to happen. I think most people though will see orange and unconsciously think along the lines of "weapons aren't orange", "bad guys don't bring attention to themselves" etc.

Personally I stopped caring what they think ages ago; not that people where I live at the moment are that bothered. I walk past the police station most days going to/from work and not one of them has ever asked about the shiny clips and exposed handles (and blade in the case of my Crossbill :p) in my pockets. The only comments I've had are when someone saw me using my Vic Farmer to cut a pie into manageable pieces in the public picnic area: along the lines of "that's nice, I've never seen a metal handled Swiss Army knife before... I want one" :D
 
[/QUOTE=
Background: I've had a ZDP Delica which my little brother borrowed and lost (hopefully somewhere around the house)- it was a bit too small. I've had a Wal-Mart Native in S30V which was stolen on the job site, which was great for work, but chunky, and the "double edge" drew uncomfortable looks. I also had a manix, which was HUGE, and way too much knife for EDC for me. I borrowed an Endura which was a bit too large. I checked out a Military, which is too large (I don't think that the general population would be very happy with me running around with the Spydersword, and it doesn't seem very practical to my purposes either).

/QUOTE]

Peter,

If you like the Native, but have issues with bulk and the "double edge", check out the Native4 CF. It is very thin, the "double edge" is toned way down (it is basically a full flat grind now with a small swedge grind), fits the hand great and is real solid. I have both the Native 4 and the Caly3 CF/ZDP189 and for sheeple reactions, I think the Caly3 is the best. Also the perfect EDC for me, and holy crap one 'ell of a slicer :thumbup:.

Good luck in your quest.

Mike
 
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Have you thought about one of the Salt knives in yellow (Tasman Salt, Atlantic Salt, Pacific Salt)?

Most people just don't look at a yellow knife as a threat.

Each of these can be had in either a serrated or a non-serrated version.

While I don't have one yet, from what I've read on the Spyderco forums, they make great EDC knives.

Just a thought.
 
I just looked at the Native4 in Carbon Fiber.... wow! It's a pretty much fixes every issue that I had with mine (except for the Spyderhole being partially covered), and it looks gorgeous too. If it came in an S30V or ZDP, it would probably be on it's way home right now.

About the Salt- I'm not quite feeling the look, and I don't have enough experience with H1 either.

As of this point, it's down to the UKPK and Paramili. I shall continue to deliberate, and hopefully I'll get a chance to handle them both.
 
Caly 3 CF is an exceptional cutter from the factory with a super thin cutting edge and great steel. Being so thin it is extremely easy to sharpen compared to a factory Delica ZDP. The Para in CPM D2 (I like CPM D2 way better than S30V for sharpness and edge retention) would be my second choice of the knives mentioned, as it will cut well while being extremely strong. I have one coming to me next week, my only problem with it is the bump at the rear makes my large size hands use the choil to grip it, which I don't like on a HD knife like the Para. I will sand down the rear of the handle so I can grip it without the choil, so if you have larger hands that is something to consider. The Paramilitary is a good cutter but won't be nearly as good a cutter or have near the edge retention as the Caly 3, but will be much tougher. The Para is also larger in your pocket and shows more, where a Caly 3 is barely noticeable. Both are excellent knives, but very different. Truthfully 99% of the time my Krein reground Caly Jr handles my EDC tasks, and only once every so often do I need to pull out my Millie (though I do enjoy using it), so for all practical purposes the Caly 3 CF would be the winner. But the Para still cuts excellent, has a great lock, and is a tough as nails knife if you ever need it.

I personally would recommend the Superhawk if you were going to go for a Para, as it has the same lock, a great cutting relaxed hawkbill blade (but it is 3.5"), and the absolute best ergonomics on any knife I have ever used. That knife is just superb in every aspect, and is easily sharpened on the sharpmaker. I can't recommend it enough.

Mike
 
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