New to Knives and the Forum

J

jfondell

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May 5, 2015
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Hi all I am new to the Knife world and this forum. I have bought a few CRKT knives and a seal pup elite for my bug out bag. My question of the day is I would like a EDC knife but not sure what to get? Here is where it gets even more fun, a lot of my gun accessory suppliers also have knives so with that being said what brands should I be looking at? I can get about 100 different brands including spyderco and benchmade. I bought the CRKT knives for bugout bag and my fishing box and both are too large for EDC.

Thanks for your help

James
 
Welcome.

When asking for recommendations it helps to have a few more details. What you want to use it for and how much you want to spend is a good start.

That said, Benchmade and Spyderco are both solid.
 
BladeHQ and Knifecenter both have a pretty good search engine to narrow down your search by size, price, fixed or folding, etc... Both have a decent selection too.

Some basics; Are looking for an EDC folder or fixed blade?
What is "too big" in your mind? I don't really carry anything under 3", (incl. 2 crkt's i edc) whereas some people like their EDC's to be 3" or less.
Do you prefer thinner profile handles to EDC, or something you can really grab? What's your price range?

Those questions alone can really narrow it down and make suggestions easier and more specific for you. Otherwise you're about to get a thousand or more suggestions from 1" key chains to 5" Bowie's.
 
Thanks Shotgun, A folder, mostly need it for whatever comes up from cutting string or plastic to a backup weapon when I run out of ammo. I would like something between 3-4 inch blade. 100-200 price range
 
The Paramilitary 2 by Spyderco is extremely popular and a good knife. If you want bigger the Spyderco Military also has a strong following. I've owned both and still own the military. Lots of options really within those specs. I'm partial to Spyderco so someone will come along and give you some different makes/models to look at.
 
I don't have a spyderco so that might be my next one however all of my suppliers are out of stock.
 
welcome to the forum dude :D

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Welcome to the forum and the world of knives. BladeHQ has about 4 different flavors of paramilitary 2's in stock, that might be a great place to start.
 
If size is of importance check out cheap kabar dozier lockback, little pricier, Spyderco delica or boker kwaiken, boker urban trapper, benchmade sequel a little bit more than a delica. All winners in my book. Pricier is a small sebenza or sacha Thiel officer. For tradition slipjoints it's close your eyes and take your pick!
 
The thing about the Paramilitary 2 is that it has a special lock that is different from most other knives out there, so it's either a great knife or one that doesn't work at all, depending on how you like the lock. If you're going with Spyderco, I'd say get a Delica or a Native, simple and inexpensive knives that are less polarizing for sure (both closer to 3" blade-wise, but you really don't notice it when using them). If you want something a little bigger than the Native you can go with the Manix 2, it has a stiff lock but it otherwise a solid knife. I'd also recommend checking out Benchmade and their 950 rift or 810 contego for good solid cutters.
 
For what you seem to aiming at, an EDC with potential SHTF survival mode durability, you'll probably be best off looking for a sturdy frame lock;

Zero Tolerance Hinderer or something you like from Kizer ki400 series (4xx)
$135-175ish
(All higher end steels, s35v, Elmax, etc)

Then as a knife newb I'd suggest getting a similar blade design and size in a Schrade frame lock for under $20 to beat on, keep as a spare/throw away knife, but more importantly practice sharpening on. A lot of the steel snobs don't like 'em, but for the price Its a bargain; still cut something/stab something with it, but the point being it's a much easier "avg" steel to work with (9cr13mov) so you can abuse it a bit, use it for work, practice hacking away at stuff and cutting whatever, dulling it up and then bringing back that edge, holding the edge and angles, build muscle memory, without ruining your brand new "elite" blade.
 
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Also check out ZT and Benchmade. Towards the upper end of your spectrum you might be able to find a Reate.

Buy LNIB from the exchange to give knives a shot forr less then MSRP. While your at it, up your membership so you can sell what you dont like on there too.

Welcome aboard!
 
I'd recommend against frame-locks for SHTF survival scenarios when it involves cold, using a frame-lock in the cold sucks, the metal grip is very uncomfortable.
 
KingMC said:
I'd recommend against frame-locks for SHTF survival scenarios when it involves cold, using a frame-lock in the cold sucks, the metal grip is very uncomfortable.
Click to expand...

If his SHTF scenario has a cold influence he should look at a puuko, mora, or the like. Anything with a full tang that is exposed will get Frigid and stay that way.

If the knife is situational dependant, that should have been explained in the initial or subsequent posts. And I know he asked for a knife that is capable of fulfilling an EDC role, since he stated that in his initial post.
 
NJBillK said:
If his SHTF scenario has a cold influence he should look at a puuko, mora, or the like. Anything with a full tang that is exposed will get Frigid and stay that way.

If the knife is situational dependant, that should have been explained in the initial or subsequent posts. And I know he asked for a knife that is capable of fulfilling an EDC role, since he stated that in his initial post.
Click to expand...

Of course, I was just offering up some info I gathered from personal experience, just an opinion I felt needed to be voiced, to be done with as he (or you) saw fit.
 
what about the ZT Linerlock A/O? I am in SW Florida so our cold is 50 degrees so thats not an issue
 
Absolutely, that's why I wanted to expand on your point about exposed full tangs being no fun in cold weather. That's why we are here, right(?) to inform the uninformed?

I think he should answer a few questions first before spending Any money.
-Will its primary role be an EDC Blade that can be used in a SHTF situation?
-Will a Pocket Fixed blade work for his needs, ei JK Knives Mini Canadian Belt knife (pictured below)
-Does he want to replace any current knife, or add to his stable? If replacing one, which one and what does he want to improve upon?
-Are extended bouts of cold or heat a possibility?
-Stainless preferred or is Carbon Steel acceptable as well?


JK Knives Mini Canadian Belt knife in O1 tool steel and Large CRK 21 in S35vn
 
Primary role is EDC blade that can be used as SHTF situation
Pocket fixed blade would work as well as a folder
adding to the stable
extended bouts of heat and humidity
no steel preference

Thanks for the replies and welcomes. I hope this helps
 
Absolutely his "REAL" SHTF blades should be fixed and not folders at all. But a reliable "EDC" that can be used as a shtf knife until you can get to the bug out dug out, and equiptment proper, IMO a frame lock is the way to go because its "tougher" typically then your liner locks and lock backs in weapon mode. Don't get me wrong, you can ruin someone's day with a cheap dull knife if used appropriately, but I sturdy quality frame lock is IMO the best "tweener" for a folder in a weapon scenario.

And I'll reiterate, whatever you choose, a cheaper similar style blade IMO is imperitive to practice with, mainly your sharpening skills because in a shtf scenario you don't want to have a dull blade (and sharpening a blade can be very therapeutic in down time), but also the last thing you want to do is ruin a premium blade that you just invested into. Schrade, Boker, S&W (Taylor, same company that makes schrade these days makes s&w), or even a Buck would serve you well. I would just say look for the steel I mentioned above or 440c, unless its a Buck, then you can trust the 420hc... At least that way your "junk" blade isn't complete junk steel: Anything 440 (no c) or 420 or 7cr or less, "stainless steel" or "surgical steel" is all pretty much junk steel for durable knives.

Side note, an ESEE (or ka-bar Becker, or grindworx) fixed blade neck knife in 10 series carbon steel is about as rugged/raw as you can get. That's a great EDC and a great survival shtf knife to have; and easy to sharpen, and you still get one plus a cheaper schrade or condor version to practice with for right around $100 combined, and still have $100 left for a decent EDC folder...
 
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