Need help with 2.5" - 3" EDC - please read :)

matus

matus

Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
662
Hi,

before I get stoned for starting a thread on this topic (these seem to appear at least about once a month), please let me say that I have read several of similar threads, but did not quite find what I am looking for. So please give me a little benefit of the doubt :)

Current Status:
- I have since recently small Sebenza 21 and while it is superbly made knife, I am finding that the blade is little too thick behind the edge for my taste (even after putting 30deg inclusive on the edge) and it has a little too much belly. I did consider the Insigno, but the tip is too abrupt for my taste.
- I have briefly checked Delica and while I liked the blade shape the thickness behind the edge is still little too much for my taste. The handle is comfortable, but I would prefer Ti or Alu - frame.
- I have tested the Sebenza and Delica on cardboard and while both did OK (none of them particularly great), the Delica was a little better. I have got the same impression cutting a hard pear.

What I am looking for:
- blade size 2.5" - 3"
- steel: something that holds the edge reasonably well.
- thin grind - preferably convex, but that seems to be rare in pocket knives, so flat would be OK too. I would try to avoid concave grind if possible,
- blade profile roughly comparable to Delica (continuous slight curve along the blade) - in other words some medium belly with still usable tip. For comparison - tip of the Sebenza is a bit too far up to be used easily.
- handle should allow for usable 4 finger grip (comparable to small Sebenza, not necessarily as long as the one on Delica)
- the handle should be able to "fill" the hand a bit - I tried Mnandi and it was just too thin to hold safely (and I do not have large hands). Small Sebenza is OK, Delica is better.
- need a pocket clip, ideally deep carry, but not a deal breaker if not.
- not too heavy - up to about the weight of the small Sebenza (3oz or 85g)
- not too "tactical" - I do not want to intimidate people when I need to use the knife for some normal stuff.
- price up to $400 possible, but less is fine too :)

thanks :)
 
A William Henry B12 Atlas is within ballpark of your criteria, Matus. 3.06" ZDP-189 thinly hollow ground blade, more handle room than a Delica, handsome 2oz titanium package, around $450. Well worth your consideration, imo...

atlas01_zpsykuwwi7n.jpg


Size comparison:

gent01_zps5tjgiidr.jpg


Good luck! :)

-Brett
 
I like the umfaan much better the sebenza, but they can be kinda hard to find.. not impossible though.

maybe have your sebenza re-ground?
 
The Umfaan would be a tad on the small side and has blade shape of the sebenza, but it does look nice. What makes is different (apart from size) from small Sebenza?

Yes - I had a look at William Henry knives, but was more thinkink of the E6 model (cheaper), but the B12 looks nice as well. I will have a closer look
 
matus said:
The Umfaan would be a tad on the small side and has blade shape of the sebenza, but it does look nice. What makes is different (apart from size) from small Sebenza?
Click to expand...

it's a lot thinner behind the edge, cuts much better IMO
 
Just for consideration, here's my custom Resolza knife that I recently got in from Italy. It is close to meeting your expectations, but it doesn't have a pocket clip. (or a lock! it's a friction folder after all.) But it's got a very good grind, with a very thin taper towards the tip, but nice thick stock at the base, to allow harder cutting without blade flex. The thickness behind the edge is very good as well, it's FAR thinner than any modern knife I've seen (which isn't many, but I have seen a delica, and this is definitely thinner)
The rams horn handle is hafted very well, and gives me a VERY comfortable 4 finger grip. Towards the but of the knife, the cross section starts becoming thinner and diagonal which fits into the slots at the base of your fingers and helps make the grip secure, especially with the knob on the end stopping the knife sliding from your hand.

_7230090_zpstpcbel0a.jpg



Even though it might be unlikely for you to pick this option, I just thought a bit of variety in one of these "new EDC" threads would be nice. :)
 
Thanks Ryan, that is a beautiful knife. I am definitely open to new EDC ideas. But indeed the shape of the blade would not quite fit what I am looking for et the moment. And I definitely need a lock of some sorts.
 
Currently my favorite that meets most of your criteria is the Emerson micro-Commander. Amazing knife with a blade size that performs and seems bigger than it is.
 
I would think the Spyderco Sage II fits your criteria pretty well. I was about to recommend the Kahr Delica
which is a very nice knife (if pricey for a Delica - shop around no need to spend more than $ 80.00), but the Sage II seems a better fit.
 
This is all great guys, please keep it coming :)

I have had a look at Sage and Chaparral numerous times (I do find the design of both a little optically "thick"). I am wondering whether Sage is going to be thinner behind the edge than a delica. On the other hanthe Chaparral has only 2mm thick blade (I noticed that only now!) with rather cool carbon scales (the very cool blue Ti is just too much $$$ for my taste) - how does it compare to Delica in normal use?

P.S. I am particularly curios about non-Spyderco options ;)
 
Check out Sacha Thiel Citizen. This one I have is a full custom; now he is making them available in mid-tech versions. Well within your budget with RWL-34 blade, the blade is thin and slightly convex; pictured with a small Sebenza Insingo for size. You can find him on Facebook under the same name.

thiel_citizen_05s_zps3e68d2fd.jpg


thiel_citizen_02s_zps93f0ef9f.jpg


thiel_citizen_04s_zps9d4d3418.jpg
 
I am glad to hear about the Citizen - I noticed them recently as they can be bought directly in Germany. Your custom looks great! How does it cut compared to sebenza? The blades have similar thickness, but very different grind.

EDIT: Just visited webpage of Sascha Thiel and this one really looks great:
 
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Thin, not tactical looking, titanium, full grip handle (for my hands)....sounds like you just described the ZT0450. But, it sounds like it's got a little more belly than you like. So, the ZT0808 has the blade you want, but it's thicker. Everything has trade offs. But both are pretty amazing performers.

0450_profile_1020x400.png


0808-profile_1020x400.png
 
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orixa said:
Check out Sacha Thiel Citizen. This one I have is a full custom; now he is making them available in mid-tech versions. Well within your budget with RWL-34 blade, the blade is thin and slightly convex; pictured with a small Sebenza Insingo for size. You can find him on Facebook under the same name.

thiel_citizen_05s_zps3e68d2fd.jpg


thiel_citizen_02s_zps93f0ef9f.jpg


thiel_citizen_04s_zps9d4d3418.jpg
Click to expand...
That Citizen is a damn fine looking knife. The midtech says it's N690Co steel though? Don't know much about that one. What's the blade length and handle length?
 
Sebenza small insingo instead of the 21? Sell one to buy the other? Blade profile seems better suited to your desires.

Strider PT or Boker Jim Burke Thorn? Both give you a nice meaty grip for a small knife.

Spyderco chaparral is much thinner handle then Sebenza or Delica so you may not like the grip.
 
Guys your are fast :)

ZT0450 actually does not have too much belly - bot how is the blade thickness and grind?

I think I will drop Sascha Thiel an email. This one looks great too:


I was/em indeed considering small Insigno, but I am not sure I like the blade shape AND it will slice the same as conventional Sebenza 21 does.

Good point about the thickness of the handle on the Chaparal, thanks!

I keep looking at the Strider PT, but I have read elsewhere that it is not a very good slicer (at least not better than a small sebenza)
 
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