New EDC knife

C

CBennett

Joined
Oct 14, 2008
Messages
86
I am looking for a quality knife(pocket folder) for EDC. I want something decent in the $80-90 range. So far I am looking at the following

Ontario Knife Apache TAC-1

Benchmade Griptillian

ZT 700 extra wide Tanto

ZT 350 tiger stripe(Blem)

All are in the range im looking at, all have been recomended by more than 1 person. I just dont know which one to get. All also meet the quality made in the USA also
 
I do personally have to say the ZT350 I have the tiger stripe as well and it is a top notch knife super fast deployment great blade steel and ergos are nice. I have a mini grip and it is a nice knife I love benchmade but it doesn't compare to the ZT in my books. As for the Ontario apache I haven't seen many people talk about it. I have been looking at getting one for my own collection, I love the look of it and button locks are great, but the 440c blade doesn't compare to the s30v on the ZT.
 
I had someone else talk about the 440C...I never thought it was that bad a steel ? I know some of the newer high speed steel are "better" but in the past id never hesitated to buy something(nor ever wrecked nor damaged) a 440 blade that could just not be fixed by a resharpening(id have to admitt I dont use my blades hard normally) I think(and its too old I cant remember I bought it way back in the 80's when 440C was prevealnt) my Gerber Parabellum is 440C and I really used that pretty hard and never killed it :) (i could be wrong maybe its not 440C i just remember 440C was the in steel back in the mid 80's)
 
I own a 0700 and I've handled a grip/350, never held a TAC-1....out of the ones I've handled the winner would be the 0700 it's a great knife, the ergonomics are excellent, the g10 has the perfect amount of traction, and the tolerances are amazing for a knife that costs $85-$100...the griptilan would be second in line though; ) (its only second in line because the handles aren't g10 lol)

*EDIT*
440C isn't a bad steel, but S30V is a better steel....honestly I love 440C, decent edge retention, stain resistant, easy to sharpen, ect.
 
Im not saying 440c is bad at all, Im just saying that when given the option of s30v I go for that instead
 
I would go for the griptilian, my mini grip gets the most pocket time out of all my knives. No experience with the Ontario, but those ZTs are definitely not my style. Way too fat for my kind of EDC.
 
Right now my EDC rotation is a Kershaw Leek, a Ontario Knife Utilitac, and a cheapie S&W tanto blade that i found out last weekend is WAY too soft so im gonna retire it(got it as a present from parents for Christmas)...I also have a Gerber Parabellum thats just too big to carry(pocket carry) and a old Ontario Knife folder(looks just like a old buck knife). so I was looking for a bit more of a quality piece or at least a bit higher end than my Leek....Ontario Knife was in my home town my dad worked there for a bit...thus thats why that Blade made the list(i could honestly say it was probably made by someone I personally knew as its a SMALL town and thats the ONLY "bigger business" in the whole town.

I dont want to go "too big" I did a quick non accurate measure(went close not exact) the Leek and Utilitac were 3" blades and they are fine, the S&W one tanto blade was about as big as id ever EDC and that was 3.5 about but on the thinner side(not a thick 3.5 blade) on the other side the blade on the Gerber Parabellum was 4.25" and thick thats just WAY too big to EDC.

I normally pocket carry with a clip. I just use the clip as is ive never changed them around on the Multi position clips just always wore them as they came from the factory and its always been fine for me.

So 3" is just right 3.5 is as big as id go for a blade. Anything in between would also be just fine.
 
one of my personal favourites for EDC is benchmades 707 sequel its nicely compact yet has a blade that looks almost to big for the handle lol they are one of the smoothest opening/closing knives I liked it so much I bought it in satin blade and all black

benchmade_707.jpgBM707BK.jpg
 
My $.02

The ZT0350 is a great knife. I have two of them. They do take up a lot of pocket real-estate. The tiger strip is cool though. I have it. As an EDC I would choose the grip. Either the mini or full size. I have both. Even the full size grip takes up less space than the 0350. I prefer the Ritter S30V version of the Griptillian. The feel of the 0350 is a little better than the Grip I think. The Griptillian is a little thicker but a little narrower.

Maybe start with a nice Ritter version of the mini grip. Small but yet sturdy.

Good luck either way you can't go wrong. I don't have an 0700 but they look nice.
 
I completely forgot about the s30v Ritter grip that is definitely a great, great choice if knifeworks ever gets some in stock again Im totally buying one of the full sized. Blade style is much better looking then the regular grips.
 
I dont think I can afford the Ritter version cheapest ive seen was around $150 im more like $80-90 give or take shipping.
 
^^^^

If you Google the phrase "Doug Ritter MINI RSK MK1", you'll turn up a reputable knife dealer (at the top of the page) that has them for far less than $150, and they have free shipping too...

I hope it all works out for you.. ;)
 
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What size of knife are you looking for? Something closer to the Utilitac or the Leek? If you want something larger, I'd pick up a carbon fiber Blur blem ($75). If you want something smaller, any of the Skyline, Delica, or Mini-Griptilian would be great.

I don't have a Utilitac, but the RAT-1 is somewhat close in size. The handle on the RAT-1 is about 0.5" longer, and the blade is 0.1" longer.

Left to right: Mini-Griptilian, Leek, Delica, Skyline, 0350, Blur, Griptilian, RAT-1. All are US-made except the Delica (Japan) and RAT-1 (Taiwan).
1064123_comparison_800x497.jpg
 
I own two ZT350s and they are great. It carries beautifully IWB and I hardly know it's there. People do rave about the Grip/Mini-Grip but I've never had the chance to play with one. I agree with flarp in suggesting the Spyderco Delica. It's a great EDC, small, unobtrusive, but highly functional and the VG-10 (or ZDP-189) steel is fantastic.
 
I know they are not 'tactical' blades, but you can't do much better for an EDC knife, than the Ontario RAT 1 and the smaller RAT 2.
Cost is less than $30
 
Oh something in the 3-3.5" max range. for size I like both the Utilitac and the Leek I dont consider either "too big". I had a guy at work recommend the Emerson CQC7 ?? said it was made in the USA and a good knife and MAY come in around $99 at the lowest...Im also open to suggestions of something decent and made in the USA preferably of good quality.
 
I personally would recommend a griptilian or mini griptilian. The reasons:
1. relatively cheap
2. Light
3. 154 cm steel
4. fast deployment
5. Axis lock

Con: texturing can fray your pockets

Overall, one of the knives I carry the most often.
 
I've only had experience with the griptillian. It is a fine knife but I prefer the Spyderco Para 2. I will input that in my experience, tanto blades are not very good EDCs unless your EDC tasks involve stabbing lots of things.
 
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