New guy, First EDC in different $ ranges

Perhaps I missed it, but I haven't seen the Spyderco Native mentioned.

You owe it to yourself to check out the Kershaw Lahar, the Kershaw Random Leek, the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, the Byrd Cara Cara, the Benchmade Monochrome (N690 steel - love it) and the Benchmade Griptilian and Mini-Griptilian.

I could go on, but there are so many excellent quality knives out there, that the hunt is half the fun.
 
are ya into more modern or more traditional?
I have first hand knowledge of the following:
Modern:
Buck Nobleman, excellent knife for around 20 bucks, its china made but a really nice knife that stays sharp and is easy to sharpen, nice ergonomics and looks pretty nice too, think they offer a couple finishes on this one
Traditional:
Case Sodbuster Jr
excellent knife around 20 bucks, made in the usa available in Stainless and Carbon steel, easy to sharpen and gets scary sharp available in Yeller and Black
Buy the best quality you can afford and enjoy it!
good luck and welcome to blade forums
ivan
 
Sub 50 dollar range - Spyderco Dragonfly or Kershaw Chive or Boker Trance.

Sub 100 dollar range - Spyderco Sage or Kershaw Shallot

I own all of the above expect the Sage. I love the Stainless Steel handled Dragonfly. Its my favorite. Lately , I have been carrying it the most.
 
I guess before I can answer this question, I need to know where exactly you are in California, as a lot of places, e.g., San Francisco, Los Angeles, have local ordinances that limit the blade size.
 
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onikage01 said:
San bernardino county. I frequently am in SB city and Redlands.
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Can't seem to find any local ordinances that limit blade size, so I guess it's just default to the standard California laws. With that said,

Inexpensive folder: Opinel #8 - Everybody should own one, at the very least. Cuts and slices better than any knife I've owned, and I find myself constantly coming back to it.

<$50: Case Yellow-Handle Peanut with CV blades - The peanut is such a wonderful pattern and carries so well in the pocket. I've only got a Steel Warrior, which has stainless blades. The CV would be so much easier to sharpen and take a better edge.

$100: Spyderco Caly 3 - I loved this knife and gave it to my "brother-in-law." It's used often and is so unbelievably smooth. The lock-up on it is superb and the leaf-shaped blade is very functional, while being less than three inches. Excellent user with a thin profile.
 
ziptrickhead said:
Take a look at the Kabar Dozier designed folders. I got a clip point hunter and its become my new EDC since I got it. Around $20 too. They're super light since the handles are don't have liners.
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IMHO, this used to be THE choice under $20 (got mine for $11 shipped! :eek:). Now that the Byrds are out, however, there is some real competition in the "cheap but not crappy" category.

In the middle category, I'm surprised that the Spyderco Delica and Native have not been mentioned yet. With some looking around, these can be had for $40-$50. I kept my D4 (and 2 Enduras), but the Native was just not for me. The Kershaw Zing is a lot of fun for a first "good" knife, and is rare at this price point for being USA made. The Leek is just fun.

In the upper end of the "first EDC" category ( <$100), there are lots of good choices. At that point, many of the Benchmade Axis locks are possible. In this bracket, I'm going to throw out Mcusta for something classy -- the first time a noob spends $100 on a knife, they might as well get something that is blatantly "nice".

When I was in that same situation about 4 years ago, I spent close to $100 on a modifed BM707 as my first "good" knife. While it is still one of my favorites, I should have started with an "entry-level" good knife, carried and used the knife for a few weeks, then gradually made larger and better-informed purchases. It is inevitable for me to try to research "the best under $xxx" when I first get into a new hobby, but so far with guns, knives, headphones, flashlights, watches, etc, I should just learn to start with the consensus entry-level choice and grow/learn from there.

Of course, you can never go wrong with a Victorinox or Wenger at any stage in your knife collecting journey. The Victorinox Tinker is one of my all-time favorites. Most of my EDC needs are still probably better served by this SAK than by the fancy single-blade locking folders I carry.

oinkage01, get a Byrd, a Benchmade Monochrome, a Kershaw Blackout, any Victorinox, or a Spyderco Tenacious. Carry it, use it often. By the time you have another $50-$100 saved up, you will have a much better idea of what you want.
 
1) Opinels are great. Depends on what size you want with that. My edc for the past couple of years, literally every day, has been a gerber ripstop I. I've opened cans with it and it is still going strong. Costs $20 or so.

2) Under $50 is tough since there are so many out there. You can get a used benchmade griptilian for around $50 and it'd make a great edc. Though may be a little big for your likings. Though something a little different may be a Case company knife. I got a sodbuster jr and the thing was SUPER sharp. Looks pretty cool for a old school slip joint, though not going to be a great SD knife lol.

3) A spyderdco caly 3 may be a little more than $100, but if I could get it I would. I think it is an amazing edc knife.


Overall, just check out the companies mentioned and see what you like. There are few bad knives out there in quality from those companies, so it really comes down to what you like.


EDIT:

Be sure to tell us what you get.
 
Well I was at Sport Chalet checking out what they had a few hours ago. They had a few Gerbers, Victorinox, and Spydercos. Good stuff overall, it doesn't seem like I could really go wrong with any of the Spydercos. They do seem a bit big though as far as folded size in the pocket. They did not have the Tenacious unfortunately.

Still looking :)
 
onikage01 said:
Well I was at Sport Chalet checking out what they had a few hours ago. They had a few Gerbers, Victorinox, and Spydercos. Good stuff overall, it doesn't seem like I could really go wrong with any of the Spydercos. They do seem a bit big though as far as folded size in the pocket. They did not have the Tenacious unfortunately.

Still looking :)
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Good for you for going to check them out in person. There's no other way to know for sure. It can be tough to test drive a lot of the knives we talk about here.

For an affordable Spyderco that carries a bit smaller in the pocket but still cuts like a medium knife, check out the Dragonfly. It's a sleeper awesome EDC.
 
onikage, lemme recommend one last thing. Get a Byrd or Spyderco and a Kershaw whatever you choose. They've been listed over and over, so try some brand diversity, carry and use them, and see what you like. From there, forge your own ideas about your next choice.

Good luck man, you found a kickass hobby.
 
So I saw the Centofante III by Spyderco and I really like it. The fact that it's lighter than the Tenacious and a better steel makes me smile. I like the blade shape better and I think the price is fair at about $20 more. I seem to appreciate a sleeker knife a little more.

If you guys have any comments on the Centofante III let me know.

I'll let you guys know what I decide.
 
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My 3 choices would be:

Cheap- Byrd cara cara
50$-ish Benchmade Minigrip (I got mine for 56)
100$-ish Going to have to go with Benchmade 940, again that's a little over though.
 
onikage01 said:
So I saw the Centofante III by Spyderco and I really like it. The fact that it's lighter than the Tenacious and a better steel makes me smile. I like the blade shape better and I think the price is fair at about $20 more. I seem to appreciate a sleeker knife a little more.

If you guys have any comments on the Centofante III let me know.
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That would be a great choice, especially at the price. I prefer a sleeker knife too. My wife likes stubbier proportions like her Spyderco Meerkat.


onikage01 said:
I'll let you guys know what I decide.
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Please do, and don't forget pics! You know, there are a lot of these "Please help pick my first EDC" threads. Everyone is always glad to help, but the original poster seldom follows up. It would be very instructive to the thread participants and other readers with the same question if the OP posted about their eventual decision, purchase, and early carrying experiences.
 
I can&#8217;t really add to the great recommendations already suggested. I have carried a knife about 50 years, 15 years or so ago I started carrying two. I have never been without the basic Victoinox, starting with the Spartan, most like my first Boy Scout knife, and then the Climber, which I still carry today. I also carry a knife that opens with one hand, a Kershaw Skyline I got at Wal-Mart for about $35.00. I own much more expensive knives but these inexpensive knives are my favorite EDCs, I carried the Kershaw Leek for 5 or 6 years but actually prefer the less expensive Skyline. These knives cover my needs.

Think about what you expect from a knife, what you think you&#8217;ll do with it. How will you sharpen it. I do everything from whittling to cutting steak and spreading peanut butter with mine or opening cans of tuna or bottles of wine. Just a few things to think about.
 
Onika, I'd recommend you go with a Spyderco Delica - I'm unsure on California's knife laws, but you should read into them. The Kershaws mentioned are great knives, with really well made Assisted Opening devices, but the AO's may not be a good idea in California.

Welcome! A great resource. In a few years, it will be, "What knife can I buy <i> over </i> $300? :D
 
Cheap (but not too crappy): Opinel or some basic Victorinox;
Below 50$: Spyderco Tenacious or Benchmade Vex;
Below 100$: Spyderco Sage (around 95$+shipping) or Benchmade Lum Dejavoo (either the small 745 or the larger 740, their street prices have plummeted recently, bought a 740 NIB for 93+shipping last week).
Remember to check all the good online retailers mentioned on this Forum and also look for bargains on eBay (they exist, just don't get burned).
And welcome to the Forum.
 
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