Need a good recommendation for a solid EDC knife.

B

bonesthedog

Joined
Feb 14, 2005
Messages
68
My EDC knife history is this thus far: Started with a Camillus Heat, great knife but the pocket clip broke and I retired it as it's pretty beat up and I have had no luck finding a replacement clip due to the lack of Camillus as a company.

Then I carried a Typhoon for a while, but it's weight and lack of pocket clip (and the fact that co-workers would faint when I used it) caused me to retire it.

I had a Kershaw Spec Bump with aluminum handles and Sandvik steel, and I loved it, although it was heavy it's interesting blade lock, great AO mechanism, and quality blade steel made it a great knife. It was also comfortable in the hand. However, it literally fell into a tank of molten glass. Game over.

So, I'm looking for a new knife.

Price: 75-200
Steel: Hard and edge retaining
Blade Profile: Interesting styling would be a plus, uncoated plain edge. Not a fan of tanto. I'm a fan of a wider blade.
Handle: G10 or something equally grippy, but not cheap feeling like zytel. Steel liners would be nice as well.
Locking mechanism: Axis Lock preferred, but I can deal with a liner, as long as it's strong.
Opening: Something easily opened fast with one hand. It would be really nice if it was waved, and I like blade holes over thumbstuds, unless the stud is large and easy to manipulate.
Length: At least 3.75, bigger is better but no longer than 5. I really liked Camillus's CUDA Maxx, but it was pretty damn big.

Edited whole list.

I like the 710, and some of the ZT line. SOG seems cheap and gimmicky to me, and Cold Steel is along the same lines (mall ninja-y). I don't know what to think about Emerson, but I like the look of the wave feature and thumbstud-substitues on thier knives. As for Spyderco, I would really like a waved endura 4, but the fiberglass handle material kills it for me.

I revised my whole post now that I know what I'm looking for. Thanks for the suggestions so far, I'm having a hard time figuring out what I want.
 
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Get a Benchmade Griptilian. With the Axis lock you can flip that sucker open real fast. At your price range you can get the Ritter grip with S30v steel. It is a great knife with a comfortable handle.
 
Kershaw Composite JYDII:
1725cb.jpg
 
If you want assisted opening, Kershaw is the way to go. For what you want to pay, they have a lot to offer. A Blur might take care of your needs at low bucks. Comfortable in the hand,nice geometry and almost jumps out of your hand when you open it.
 
Zero Tolerance ZT0200
Kershaw Boa
Kershaw Junk Yard Dog II TIT/SG2
all in your price range all great knives.
 
Although I normally won't recommend a knife that I don't have, I think that a Kershaw Offset G-10 would suit you well. It would be a logical upgrade to the Spec Bump also.

Of course I really like the Kershaw JYD II Ti/SG2 as well.

Dave
 
Kershaw Tyrade and Kershaw Junkyard Dog II with Titanium handle would be two great options with the Tyrade being assisted and the Junkyard being a non-assisted flipper. The Tyrade has a really cool composite blade with CPM154 spine with a CPM D2 edge, while the Titanium Junkyard Dog II has a great SG2 blade. Great quality for the price and a great company behind it that will stand behind their product 110%. They both meet all of your requirements and are Made in the USA.

Although smaller than yours my favorate current knife is a Kershaw, a Mini-Cyclone with Titanium handles and a coated ZDP189 blade.
 
That Kershaw Junkyard Dog II with Titanium handle and SG2 steel is perfect: I love the different grind of the blade.

I can't really see what kind of locking system it is, it says frame lock but I've not sure how that works.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, really appreciate the help. Between this and a new balisong, looks like I'm gonna satisfy my knife budget for the........year. :)
 
1) Emerson CQC8 or 13. I can't speak too highly of the 8. There is a new smaller version of it available called the Horseman, which looks awesome.

2) Spyderco Military.

3) Spyderco Para-Military.

Never been one for assisted opening myself, but the Emersons are easy to open, even easier if you use the Wave feature.

The Millie and PM are very easy to open too, with XL size Spyder holes.

They are all top quality in terms of fit and finish. The Spydies use S30V which is a great steel with excellent edge retention IMO. Emerson uses 154CM and it holds an edge real well.
 
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The frame lock was pioneered by Chris Reeve and is widely considered to be one of the best locking systems around. It uses one of the handle slabs to hold the knife open, so it is almost impossible for the lock to fail (gripping the knife tighter only makes the lock even more secure).

Most knives with frame locks tend to feature titanium slabs, which is a high end material, so unfortunately the selection is limited. One exception is the Spyderco ATR, which is available in stainless steel.

bonesthedog said:
That Kershaw Junkyard Dog II with Titanium handle and SG2 steel is perfect: I love the different grind of the blade.

I can't really see what kind of locking system it is, it says frame lock but I've not sure how that works.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, really appreciate the help. Between this and a new balisong, looks like I'm gonna satisfy my knife budget for the........year. :)
Click to expand...
 
mmarkh said:
Get a Benchmade Griptilian. With the Axis lock you can flip that sucker open real fast. At your price range you can get the Ritter grip with S30v steel. It is a great knife with a comfortable handle.
Click to expand...

+1:thumbup: as well as BM 710D2 & BM/HK 14205,SOG Vulcan...although not AO,they're just as fast with practice.

.....other suggestions with AO...A lot of Kershaws,take your pick,CRK&T M4-03,CRK&T Triumph,Kershaw JYDII(not AO,but the flipper is just as fast),SOG Trident Folder(AO w/arc lock)ZT MUDD,ZT301(AO+Ti framelock)built like a tank!

There are many more.Shop around.

Good Luck:)
 
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If you don't mind a really well made liner lock (I stess well made!); give the Spyderco Military a try. The Military also comes in a great selection of steels.
 
mmarkh said:
Get a Benchmade Griptilian. With the Axis lock you can flip that sucker open real fast. At your price range you can get the Ritter grip with S30v steel. It is a great knife with a comfortable handle.
Click to expand...

+1 for the Griptilian series. Just great all-around, plenty tough users.

Ritter2.jpg

(not my photo)

The HK 14205 is nice too, and somewhat of an upgrade version of the Griptilian with the handle materials and construction:
HK14205.jpg
 
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