Need help on finding my next EDC

S

SkrufKnifer

Joined
Oct 27, 2012
Messages
203
Hey guys. I am trying to find my next EDC. Curent EDC liner lock is worn and has some fore and aft movement. I am looking at the CS Recon1. The only thing I dont like is the G10 non metal lined handle.Altho I did have a Voyager back in the day, and remember it was a tuff SOB, but cant remember if it had metal liners.
I do have a Buck 110,have had it along time.Absolulty love the lockback design, clip point is ok.Just dont want a belt knife, not the most pocket friendly.Not very sunday slacks friendly.
I need something tuff,not affraid to abuse if need be.Want to stick in my pocket and go.Self defense is not the primary use, but If need be.
I have a list of personal requirments/prefrences.
1.No serrations
2.Lockback design
3.drop or clip point
4.4" or very close to it
5.One hand opening/Quick deployment
6.A black/OD blade/non reflective low visability. Just to not draw attention when in use
7.Must be a folder
8.Pocket clip/pocket friendly-just don't want another belt knife
9.$100 is my budget. Would like to go lower, If I could find a good deal on something.

Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. I plan on using this everyday. From work stuff, urban fishing/hunting,urban camping,kitchen,and anything else. basicly a lighter version of my SpecPlus fixed blade. I know you cant get fixed blade in a folder, but want something close.
 
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How about a Spyderco Endura? I think it fits the bill except for maybe the coloration. But since your goal is to avoid drawing attention, I would question your desire to go with black or OD. I find that those 'tactical' colors tend to make non-knife people more uneasy and end up drawing more attention.
 
So I checked out that Spyder co. To be Honest I have never realy liked that blade shape.Made me think of those cheepies you pick up in that plastic bin on the check out counter. No ofense. About the color. My thinking was black objects look smaller than what they are, and having that flash of light off of steal might draw your attention from the corner of your eye, and at a distance black might look like a stick or some thing organic atleast to the passer byer
 
Mabey you should take a look at the Spyderco Military. It's a liner lock and its about $110(give or take a little)
But it's a sweet knife.
 
That Gerber Gator looks like a good fit other than the 400 series stainless, dosnt seem to have a pocket clip either
 
TheSharpLife74 said:
Mabey you should take a look at the Spyderco Military. It's a liner lock and its about $110(give or take a little)
But it's a sweet knife.
Click to expand...

I realy dont want another liner lock, the lock always seems to wear out before the blade, atleast has been my experience,also I realy dislike that blade profile, I have tried knives in that configuration, ergonomics are a bit weird to me. Thank you tho.
 
Another +1 on the Endura, the only other larger lockback I can personally recommend, which is a bit out of your budget would be a Spyderco Police3 G-10 but it's 4"+ and about $30 above your budget.
 
No offense taken. And I understand completely about thinking it looks a bit cheap. In fact, that's why I've never owned one. ;) But I've heard enough from other users to vouch for its quality. And if you can get past the looks, it does fit your needs well.

Past that, I'm sure you could find a large lockback on Cold Steel's website. Unfortunately, the quality will be nowhere near anything made by Spyderco. Ultimately, it might come down to form vs function. I'd suggest function, but do what makes you happy. :thumbup:
 
I have tried buddy's Spyderco's The ergonomics didnt mesh well with me, That bump on the back didnt feel right, also were the blade sits in refernce to the center of the hand is a bit weird to me, not from an looks point of veiw but from usage. I was checking out the Ka-Bar mule, looks like it might fit, but couldnt find it in a drop point. If I was going to get a linner lock I'd get a CRKT, but I realy dont want a liner lock.

Yeah teflon on a knife blade dont make much sense to me. I supose I could always powder coat a blade. I have used that camo paint on an old beater pick up, help up well. I did use some Grill/BBQ paint on pistol and 22 rifle parts. If you stick it in the oven at 250 realy hardens the paint on/in to the metal. The ceramic based is the best.
 
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SkrufKnifer said:
I have tried buddy's Spyderco's The ergonomics didnt mesh well with me, That bump on the back didnt feel right, also were the blade sits in refernce to the center of the hand is a bit weird to me, not from an looks point of veiw but from usage. I was checking out the Ka-Bar mule, looks like it might fit, but couldnt find it in a drop point. If I was going to get a linner lock I'd get a CRKT, but I realy dont want a liner lock.

Yeah teflon on a knife blade dont make much sense to me. I supose I could always powder coat a blade. I have used that camo paint on an old beater pick up, help up well. I did use some Grill/BBQ paint on pistol and 22 rifle parts. If you stick it in the oven at 250 realy hardens the paint on/in to the metal. The ceramic based is the best.
Click to expand...

Any reason you'd go with crkt for a liner lock? Most crkt knives are pretty low end and their liner locks don't really instill confidence...their pretty flimsy comparatively.

As for lock types, are you open to other options besides the back lock that are not liner locks? There are several alternative options that in my opinion are far superior to both back and liner locks. The big one that comes to mind is benchmade's axis lock which is stronger and typically far more solid than any non triad back lock and easily stronger than most liner locks, not to mention its slick action and easy one hand opening/closing make it a very nice lock for edc use.

In your price range with an axis lock you're looking at the benchmade griptilian and the presidio ultra, which both have frn handle scales. Yes, they feel and look cheap, but they're extremely tough and durable and are a very practical material for a user knife. Step up your price range to about $150 and your options for a benchmade with an axis lock and higher end materials are vast. The one I would particularly recommend for you based on your needs would be the 710. Its a classic and just an all around excellent knife that has made many fans over the years.

I know you said you weren't too keen on spyderco's designs, but truthfully, you really owe it to yourself to try one out. There's a reason they are as popular as they are, and in general, looks have nothing to do with it. As Sal Glesser (owner of spyderco) says, "they're designed in the dark". Spyderco's designs are pure function over form, and with any real use (not just handling one from your buddy) their design philosophy is quickly apparent. Spydercos just perform extremely well. They are typically excellent cutters with top notch steel than are extremely comfortable to use for extended hard cutting. They might not be the prettiest things out there, but they are really really good knives.

In terms if spyderco options in your price range without liner locks you're looking at the endura and the manix2 light weight. The manix2 is a great knife and features a locking mechanism similar to benchmade's axis lock called the caged ball bearing lock. Like the axis lock, the cbbl offers extremely smooth action and easy one hand operation. For a few more bucks you can snag a paramilitary 2 (a BladeForums favorite) with the absolutely spectacular compression lock. At the surface it appears to be a backwards liner lock, but is actually more similar to the axis or triad locks in terms of the physics involved. The compression lock wedges a steel tab between the blade tang and a steel stop pin. It is extremely strong (one of, if not the strongest lock out there), its action is almost unparalleled in smoothness, and its just flat out fun to use.

Really though, there's nothing wrong with a liner lock as long as its a good one (and again, I wouldn't exactly use crkt as an example of a good one...). Truthfully, if you weren't so against spydercos and liner locks, it sounds like a spyderco military is EXACTLY what you're looking for.
 
I have tried a few Spyderco's. I didnt like the ergonomics of the blade it self, the thumb ramp was weird. the blade in relation to my hand was of the knife was far from comfortable.Not to keen on using a knife that dosnt feel comfortable in my hand.
 
Well Cold steel voyager clip point in large or Xl would fit if you're ok with sanding the handle under the clip. thats the only one i can think of that is lock back. A benchmade Griptilian is is budget and i love the axis lock, some of their other blades are not to far above 100 and would fit the size requirement... that all i got if you don't want spyderco and want a lock back (even though benchmade isn't a lockback). oh, if you are willing to try another spyderco , the police is much bigger that the endura and a slightly different design and you can find it in black g 10.
Good luck
 
Thanks, I'm gona hit the knife shop I wana take a look at that Griptilian, MULE, and Recon1 maybe a Voyager. I had a Voyager a good 10-15years ago and I remember it being pretty tuff. I will check out some spyderco's aswell. Some of the Boker line up looks nice to, but I dont think I've seen any thing but kitchen cutlery in the shops.
Do they make a folding Becker? I think I'm gona try to hold off on buying anything until blackfriday, its only a few weeks away!
 
Thanks again guys for your in put. I thought I should let you all know I got to "play" with a few knives at the shop. I checked out a few difrent Spyderco's. I will say the handles are very well constructed, I didnt care for the thumb ramp, and the price was a bit more than I wanted to spend.They were of better quality than I remember. Looked at thhe Griptilian, was nice, felt very simular to the Spyderco's I was looking at. I did like the Mule, very robust handle, maybe a bit much for the pocket,exspecialy if you wana throw on some slacks. I looked at a few Cold Steels, the Voyager, Espada were very large and there handles felt a mile long, checked out the Lawman, thats a cool knife, but decided on the Recon1, seemed to have more of a guard, I like that. The shop didnt have the drop/spear point plain edge, so I had to order it, saved about 60bucks. Again thanks to all you guys, and once I get it and use it for a bit I'll let you know what I think;)
 
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