New gentleman's EDC carry, have a few options but need help deciding!

W

worshipNtribute

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Jan 12, 2012
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I've got 2 emersons that I carry as my EDC and a paramilitary 2 that I carry when I know I'm going to be cutting a lot, but now I'm looking for a gentleman's edc that I can carry with a suit / nice clothing when I just need a small thin knife. I also want this to be 'pretty', something to truly look at and admire, and use from time to time. I don't need it for hard use...at all.

I originally settled on the mnandi, but they don't pop up too often on the exchange and I'm really waiting for an inlay that tickles my fancy. But then I stumbled on the william henry e6. These both look beautiful and just as 'nice' as the mnandi, plus, they look like they can be flicked open. Then I found a gold class benchmade 482, which also looks nice, but doesn't have a clip (this will bother me). The last on the list is the gayle bradley air. I like it, but I don't like the fact that it doesn't have a pocket clip.

My options:
CRK mnandi,
William Henry E6,
Benchmade 482,
Gayle Bradley Air.


Pictures:

CRK-MNA-Coco1-Chris-Reeve-Cocobolo-Mnandi.jpg


WHE6-AG2.jpg


benchmade-482-megumi.jpg


photobucket-25600-1346214332102.jpg


I'm open to other options as well!
All help is appreciated, and max price range is about $400-500, but preferably more around $350 or less.
 
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My wife got me a WH E6 last Christmas. It's been a great edc.....and a lot less expensive than their regular line of pocket knives. I don't think William Henry gets much attention here because they are "pretty" knives, but mine has held up extremely well...and I do use it. I think it is just as good as my mnandi, and better than my shoki. I don't think you will be disappointed with any of your choices though.
 
Does every E6 come with black coating on the blade? Just searched around and didn't see any without it. Black blade = automatically not a gent's knife, IMO anyway, which would rule that one out. The GBAir and 482 sound like they wouldn't suit you, leaving the Mnandi by default.
 
double man said:
My wife got me a WH E6 last Christmas. It's been a great edc.....and a lot less expensive than their regular line of pocket knives. I don't think William Henry gets much attention here because they are "pretty" knives, but mine has held up extremely well...and I do use it. I think it is just as good as my mnandi, and better than my shoki. I don't think you will be disappointed with any of your choices though.
Click to expand...

Would you mind posting a comparison? If you have a camera I'd love to see the two side to side. It seems as though you're right about the WH, I've been googling for an hour and it's tough to find information on it. Doesn't seem to be very well known / popular. I'd love to hear your opinion on it though, so if you do have time I'd really appreciate it!

kreole said:
Does every E6 come with black coating on the blade? Just searched around and didn't see any without it. Black blade = automatically not a gent's knife, IMO anyway, which would rule that one out. The GBAir and 482 sound like they wouldn't suit you, leaving the Mnandi by default.
Click to expand...

Nope, there is actually a mammoth ivory inlayed version with a satin blade thats at the top of my list, followed by the original picture in the OP (desert ironwood).
WHE6-AG1.jpg
 
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I would go with the WH, personally. I've had a WH before and it was an asolutlely fantastic knife. Very capable and very "attractive" as pocket jewelry. Another one to consider is the Ti Chaparral from Spyderco.
 
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I have a custom T.A.Davison slip joint, WH and a GB Air. They are all great, and it depends on what you want to spend. I think WH are under-rated on this site--they are extremely well-made, solid, beautiful and sharp little knives. But now that I own the Davison slip joint, I prefer the custom traditional option. They are just so nice and so solid.

DJK
 
Consider a nice slippie. They don't freak people out as much as one handed openers, there's nothing bad about them and you can have multiple blades.
Out of the ones you've mentioned I'd go with the WH. I have an Air and it has already opened in my pocket, just like its big brother has. Its the only beef I have with the Bradley designed Spydercos. It seems a decent fart could open 'em... I'd personally like a bit of resistance.
Haven't gotten one yet, but a lot of folks seem to like McCusta knives here.
I have an A.G. Russell stockman that tickles me quite a bit.
 
Jeremy Robertson's 3.25" El Patron or Jason B. Stout's new Ti frame lock would be on my list. If your willing to spend $400 give or take.
 
You know a chris reeve sebenza never was something i thought much about, then i saw one on the exchange and picked it up to see what all the hoopla was about. I can't stop admiring its feel, thinness, attention to detail and classy looks. It really is a gentleman's folder. Go handle one in a store, and for more than thirty seconds. When folded up it looks least like a knife than all of my other ones.
 
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