New guy - help me choose a knife for EDC

I'd recommend the Benchmade Griptillian 550 or a spyderco endura. No way I'd buy a SOG over those two.
 
I have had about a dozen SOG folders, never a seconds trouble with any of them. There is far to much politicking in this forum and hard to get a decent recommendation. Decided how much you want to spend and check for reviews. There are some great folders in the high dollar range but there are good knives for a lot less.
 
There is far to much politicking in this forum and hard to get a decent recommendation
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I disagree udtjim. I'm glad you've had luck with your SOG's. I bought three last year and sent every one back as the ones I got were junk, had blade wobble, the locks would stick and one blade wouldn't even deploy w/o getting stuck.

That's a "personal" experience and maybe I just had bad luck.

I've never heard anything but great reviews of the BM Griptilians, they're a pleasure to hold and deploy. Benchmade and Spyderco folders are hard to beat at their price point.

The OP should heft them at the PX, if possible, and then make his choice.
 
I had a SOG that was junk. Every Bench Made or Spyderco I have got has been good and I have had a lot of them.
 
eneyman said:
thanks for bolding the words "lot" and "long" sambo, that truly does counter the 20 year history of SOG and the several good knives worthy of edc they have put out not including new items for this years catalog.
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I don't think anyone will question the general quality of SOG's products (yes, like everyone else they can make some duds). What is killing them is their design/marketing strategy. I would definitively not buy a clone from them, but I wouldn't throw away one of the original designs since they are good knives.
 
I carry a Casexx for small jobs and a Kershaw 1550 tactical with a poket clip and it has a black blade that is around 3 1/2" long. I've carried it for around 5 years. I had a Benchmade, but gave it to a Marine. The benchmade folder is a good knife. It comes down to what you might use the knife for and your life style. Your taste will be different from others, but listen to these people on this site for some good info. I would recommend these knives for most jobs.
 
I picked up a SOG Flash 2 couple weeks ago. I really like it. Big blade,light weight,decent steel. I really ,really like the pocket clip.
 
How to pick a EDC.
1) Set an upper limit on the spending - You did that with $70
2) Pocket Carry or Clipped Carry or Belt Carry - You seem to be leaning to clipped Carry
3) Ask yourself if you know how to sharpen a knife???? - You didn't say. If you can go for a premium steel. If you don't know how then a lesser steel might be good for you.

My top recommends: a) The Buck Vantage Pro is an extreme value with a S30V blade and contoured G10 for under $60. b) Grips are super users at your price point. c) Spyderco Tenacious/Persistence is an excellent value and easy to sharpen with OK to better edge retention. Also consider a Spyderco Native III.

The stockman is a personal favored pattern for pocket carry. The Buck 110 for sheathed belt carry is an absolute classic and no knife collection is complete without it.

Today I'm carrying a Benchmade 710 in ATS-34 and a Spyderco Sage II (titanium framelock) and S30V.

Welcome to the world of knives...its a wonderful hobby (obsession for some). :)
Good Luck
 
No guys, not military any more. I'm retired.

Knife uses would be mostly mundane cutting tasks, including opening the occasional STUPID, PLASTIC SHRINKY PACKAGE THINGS:D that everything seems to come wrapped in these days. I'll skin a coyote if the opportunity presents itself (I promised the wife I'd put a hide on the wall for her if I shoot one at our place). An Applegate/Fairbairn folding dagger would be really cool but I don't know that the design is versatile.

Looks like I'll have to go shopping again...aw, shucks.
 
azmark said:
STUPID, PLASTIC SHRINKY PACKAGE THINGS
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Don't ya just hate those dang blister packs!:mad: I mean really...I've seen safes that didn't offer as much protection.

For those I tend to use scissors or a razor utility knife.
 
(I promised the wife I'd put a hide on the wall for her if I shoot one at our place).
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I wonder how thrilled she was to hear that announcement! :(
 
Cut-n-paste.
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I'll post my usual recommendations:

  • Kershaw Skyline - $35 : US made, good Sandvik steel, nice the blade shape, G-10 handles, liner lock, hollow ground blade, bead blasted finish, 2 position clip for right handed tip up or tip down carry, phosphor bronze washers, light weight, smooth and fast flipper w/ thumbstuds also, stonewashed finish now available (non-AO)
  • Spyderco Tenacious - $30-35 : Chinese made, high quality, high value, very good fit & finish, decent steel, G-10, handles, liner lock, 4 position clip for tip up/down/left/right carry, phosphor bronze washers, fast & smooth deployment, open construction, full-flat grind, Spyder Hole (non-AO), great thumb jimping
  • Buck Vantage Pro - $40-45 : US made, S30V "premium" steel, G-10 handles, liner lock, very high value considering the Paul Bos treated S30V premium steel, great clip design that rides very low in pocket, hollow ground blade, 2 position clip for left or right tip up carry, open construction, flipper and thumbslot (non-AO), no jimping
  • Kershaw Leek - $35-50+ depending on steel and handle options : US made, steel handles, frame lock, good Sandvik steel (other steel choices include S30V, ZDP-189/Sandvik composite blade), hollow grind blade 2 position clip for right hand tip up or tip down, thumbstud and flipper w/ AO
  • Spyderco Native - $50-100 : US made, great S30V steel (other steel options available), FRN handles, linerless, pinned construction on the cheaper models, spear/leaf shaped hollow ground blade, 2 position clip for right or left handed tip up carry, light weight, linerless Spyder Hole (non-AO), great thumb jimping
All are 3 - 3 1/2". All are in my EDC rotation. You can get the Kershaws from Walmart. The Skyline is my favorite and gets the most carry but the Vantage Pro gets almost as much love.

I agree with others that say avoid SOG. Average knives at best at above average prices for what you get. Also, they are "design ripper-offers" :mad:. And THAT is my own opinion!
 
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