Need a good, affordable EDC knife

...and not to hurt feelings, but benchmade is prolly out. my knives cut wires, pry, loosen screws, and when i get bored take flakes off a block of wood. i'd rather not spend an arm and a leg on a knife that will eventually be replaced.
 
ph.s2dent said:
...and not to hurt feelings, but benchmade is prolly out. my knives cut wires, pry, loosen screws, and when i get bored take flakes off a block of wood. i'd rather not spend an arm and a leg on a knife that will eventually be replaced.
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Spyderco Tenacious or a Byrd knife. :thumbup:
 
Haakon said:
Ka-Bar Dozier, blade is 3" long, it runs around $22 online. I'm a lefty so I moved the thumb stud and clip to the other side:
DSC_2541.JPG
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What does this blade not have that a Benchmade 556 has? I'm wondering why I should pay $60 when there is a nice looking knife like that for $25.

I'm a noob to knives.
 
Spyderco Dragonfly (might be a bit small handle wise) or the Salt 1. It's my favorite EDC and practically all I care now. If you don't like the sheepsfoot type blade shape, then I'd suggestion the Delica or the Native for that price range. Good knives.
I suggested all spyderco's cuz that's what i own. Have fun and let us know what you get.
Gray
 
chickeneye said:
tenacious, benchmade grip or mini grip, endura/delica
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I was gonna say same thing, Tenacious or Delica. I have both and they
are great.

Also you say you cut wires and stuff. You may want to consider something
like a leatherman with wire cutters.
 
Well, while I love a Tenacious and Byrd knives, my recommendation is not really inline with your requirements list. But it's a knife/tool that will be appreciated in your IT department, you can cut wires with it, and it offers really incredible value for money. I am referring to the Victorinox Cybertool. Not the biggest one, the Cybertool 34 should cover your needs and your colleagues will lust after it:

1607470C.jpg
 
I'm sure the Tenacious, Delica, and w/e are great...but I've never really liked the feel of Spyderco, as stated prior. I've got a couple of friends that use them, but I've never felt the need for one.

I've got a couple leatherman's and a tool kit (for serious work)...but since most of my day is spent staring at code, I'm looking for a nice little knife that'll be able to cut what I need, clean my finger nails before a client meeting, and be in my hand and ready for use w/o having to think about it.

Mostly, I would like some info from ppl who use the knives I mentioned earlier...I could look at steel charts, but in the end it comes down to the manufacturer. I would trust Buck or Schrade 420 steels for a great knife...but in many other brands, it's scrap. Gerber does a fair job w/ 440 (-A unfortunately) but I'm looking for 440C from a legit maker.

Probably the reason so many people buy and recommend Benchmade is that they guarantee quality.
 
I still think that the Cybertool would be a good choice, and you wouldn't be perceived as strange in your environment.
 
I had a Kershaw Skyline, and will vouch that it's an excellent knife for the money. I ended up giving it to my nephew.

I've had a couple of mini-Griptilians, and currently own one, and would not hesitate to recommend that knife as well.

I don't have experience with the other knives you listed.

Using a knife as a screwdriver is a bad idea, unless it's a Swiss Army Knife ("SAK") with a screwdriver. Sears makes a tiny 4-way pocket screwdiver that fits on a keychain. Also, seriously consider a SAK. I carried my Cadet to my office job today and used the file and the knife blade.
 
ph.s2dent said:
- straight edge (i whittle when bored and away from my precious electronics)
- stainless (better than 420hc cuz that rusts in my pocket...though I do love my buck knives)
- good knife, but not expensive. ($30 - $60 seems fair)
- not 'assisted open'
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Straight edge? - get this one and disable the AO if it bothers you that much but I think you'll prefer it - not intimidating if you don't flash it about.

http://www.kershaw-knives.net/Kershaw-Ken-Onion-Needs-Work-KS1820.htm
 
Ok, if not for the cybertool, for a high quality knife in your budget, there is an insider tip: the Browning Ice Storm with curved handle is made by the high quality company Mcusta, and it is in essence the same as their Stingray series folders, only the front of the handle is different. I know this for sure, it's no myth: I gvae the Mcusta stingray as a present to my dad and later bought the Ice Storm. They are indeed twins (again, except the front of the handle), and there is no difference in quality at all, and the price is THREE TIMES LESS if you shop wisely. The blade is splendid VG10 btw, and it is very smooth. In the past there were some more colours, but the golden one (which I have as well) is still available for the very low price of $26.99 at CDNN . (this is not meant as deal spotting, just being helpful here). This knife is a true quality bargain. Check here for a discussion, including a good picture of a red one.

If this isn't to your liking, here's another great one: the Boker Plus Trance. Perfectly sized, a strong framelock and reasonable AUS8 steel (the VG10 is better though). Very slender hence ultracomfy in the pocket. There was a slightly prettier drop point version (which I have), but that one is discontinued - perhaps you can still find it. The Trance is near perfect at the price in my not so humble opinion, and I think that many agree!
 
Thanks for all the opinions so far...it's good to hear from unpaid solicitors =) And I agree that the proper tool should be used when available. I love the Swiss Army and Leatherman knives I've carried, but right now I'm looking strictly for an easy to use blade.

I found some mini-griptilians at a favorable price and the more I read about the company, the sweeter they sound. I believe they have a full liner, though I have yet to use this sort of locking mechanism.

As for the Skyline, it looks like the flip stud would inhibit maneuverability. Same goes for the CRKT m16.

Are there any brands folks swear by that run around $30? Otherwise I'll prolly cave and get the benchmade. Right size, right specs, backed up w/ good reviews all over...
 
Gerber Truss 2.0 or any gerber knife really, most of them are nice looking, you could even try a paraframe, or if its too big get a mini paraframe.. They are inexpensive and are reliable knives imo
 
another vote for a Benchmade.

mini griptilians and regular griptilians.
 
Spyderco Byrd Flight G-10, or Raven G-10
Victorinox Cadet
Gerber LST Magnum Jr.
CRKT Drifter G-10
 
ph.s2dent said:
Probably the reason so many people buy and recommend Benchmade is that they guarantee quality.
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Lots of knife companies guarantee quality......

If prying is on your list, you should try to get an Endura. It has a much thicker tip which will aid in prying. Taking the tip off any knife will throw it's warranty and your hopes of a replacement right out the window.
 
Go to the Spyderco website take a look. The spec's are all there, weight, materials, everything. There are alot of good knives by different manufacturers out there but starting out with a Spyderco I think is a very wise choice I would think few would regret.
 
Hi,

I have been thinking about your question and my answer isn't perfect but here it goes. I have never used this knife, so I am not talking from experience. With that said I think you should try a buck strider sbmf. However it isn't sheeple friendly, and it is 3.5 inches.

Other ideas of mine are the:

Buck Pilot
Buck Vantage Avid
Buck Sirus
Crkt Drifter
Benchmade Monochrome
Kershaw Blur
Kershaw Blackout
Kershaw Leek

For the AO knives I mentioned just remove the torsion bar.

Hope this helps,

Ben
 
Every (well, most every) brand has fans... and for a variety of good reasons. I won't take anything away from any of them, but there's nothing that'll please you (and impress you) as much as your first axis lock knife... that is - if you've never owned one before. There are better knives than a Benchmade Grip (regular or mini) but for the price they're hard to beat. Once you hold it and play with it, the premium price you'll pay relative to less expensive offerings will seem meaningless. Watch a few Youtube videos if you haven't already... and fwiw, if you do pull the trigger on one, go for the 550 or 555 (thumbhole style) they do permit more precise control.

Rob
 
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