NOOB here, would like a quality EDC blade

Indeed the tencious would perfect. Yes they will sharpen your blade but you need to pay shipping, and it takes a while. But they will put the factory edge on it...very sharp
 
Spyderedge is Spydercos fully serrated blades. I would suggest PE for your needs.

And there's no need to send knives back to the factory for sharpening. It's not hard to do it yourself. I suggest Lansky Croc sticks for you as a beginner. They are super easy and will keep your edge very sharp as long as you dont let the edge dull really bad. You can get them for like less than $15 at Academy or anywhere online.
 
I've always heard that Spyderco sharpens knives for free. You just have to pay postage (both ways). I've never done this myself so you will need to call them to make sure.

If you want to sharpen yourself, you might want to look into a sharpening set. I got the Spyderco Sharpmaker and am very happy with it. When I bought it, I had no clue about edge geometry or sharpening. Now I can keep all my knives sharp. Great kit. :)
 
+1 on the Sharpmaker. Easy to learn and use, will do recurves, plain and serrated edges, plus scissors.

Bill

Edited to add: Another vote for Delica or Endura, but I'd wait until you have some sharpening experience before springing for ZDP-189 blade steel. It would be frustrating to learn on that stuff.
 
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Tenacious is wonderful knife but for EDC at least I find it bit too big. Spyderco Persistance might be more suitable ( albeit nearly same price as its big brother Tenacious ) and Persistance has also blade length that makes it easier carry and legal in a lot more knifofobic states and urba areas which limit the knife blade length. Just my 2 cents.

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Kershaw Zing is wonderful knife, very speedy opening and secure lock. Kershaw Skyline is very slim and light. Perhaps one of the best EDC knives besides already named Delica's and Endura's.
 
If they sell any of the Spyderco Salt series (especially the yellow serrated Pacific Salt) I'd STRONGLY recommend a look. They're a little pricier, but they will outlast you. Do a little research on the rust-proof H1 alloy they are made of, it's pretty sweet.
 
Can't go wrong with Kershaw customer service, I had a pivot screw fall out, emailed the company, heard back in three hours that they had a replacement in the mail for me for free! That said, I've heard Spyderco has awesome service, as well, I just can't personally confirm it, though I have no reason at all to doubt it.

Actually, I would recommend against buying the Tenacious. I have, and I bought the smaller-yet-almost-the-same Persistence. The problem with these knives is they make it impossible to justify spending money on new knives. Unless it's a $100+ super-steel knife, I can't think of anything I would rather have on me than my Tenacious/Persistance. They're that good. And that frustrating. Yes, there are very good knives for under $100 that other people consider to be better, but for my personal value-per-dollar equation, nothing beats my "Wrecking Crew."
 
Endura or Delica! They are some of Spyderco's first knives that have seen many evolutions through the years! Great knives for the price and its a great stepping stone for higher quality blades.
 
Thumbs up to all the suggestions made so far. None of the suggested options would be a mistake. Here is my 2 cents: forget about the knife, and think about YOU, the user. Will you be carrying this knife a lot, but using it only occasionally for brief, simple tasks? Then get something that disappears in your pocket until you need it (Spydercos are great at this, so are the SOG Flash I and II, but there are other great options). Need something that you can use in hard work for extended periods? Then look at grip ergonomics, and choose the knife with a fat, rounded grip that melts into your hand (even though it will be just a little more bulky in your pocket). The Griptilian and Barrage series (full-size or mini) come to mind here, but they are only two of many good choices.

As for blade length, most NUBs make the mistake of choosing knives that are too big. If you are going to be building improvised shelters in the wilderness, or splitting wet wood to build a fire in an emergency, long, thick blades make sense. However, if you are only going to be opening boxes or doing simple camp chores, smaller is more convenient, lighter, and easier to use in most low-intensity situations. Truth be told, a two-inch blade will do 95% of what most urban users do very nicely. For outdoors, I kinda like 3 - 4 inches, but have little need for anything bigger.

Bottom line, it is about the user, NOT the tool! Start with yourself, and find the knife best adapted to your pocket, your hand, and your most likely use. Adapt the tool to YOU, do NOT adapt yourself to the tool just because someone else said it was a cool knife! And, don't forget to have fun. Choosing your first good knife is exciting and fun. Choose wisely, and you will have a companion for life that brings you confidence and pride every time you hold it. Enjoy!
 
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Benchmade grip or mini grip are great knives. I like Spyderco and Kershaw too. The Spyderco Tenacious and Persistance are great deals. I'd consider a Spyderco Sharpmaker also to keep your blades nice and sharp. Check web pricing at knifeworks.com to see how reasonable the pricing is at your local store.
 
I was in the same situation as you, xpawel18x. I had purchased the same Gerber Paraframe from Lowe's years ago for an EDC. I used it for the same purposes as you and while I found the quality to be lacking much like you do, I have to credit it for arousing my appetite for knife knowledge. I searched the internet for all the information I could (like almost anything I buy) in order to help me decide which knife to buy. I was overwhelmed with the choices and debates associated with them but finally decided with a Ritter Griptillian. 2.5 years later, this knife is still a joy to use and easy to sharpen.
I know this is not a knife you listed, but as I read your post (or did I post that?) I was compelled to share my ramblings.
Whatever you choose, I believe you may find this to be the start of an obsession if you are as much like me as I am imagining...or maybe it just happened to me.

Oh yeah, welcome to Bladeforums!
 
Thanks for all replies guys, I think I will either get the Delica or the Endura. But I can't find anywhere what locking mechanism these knives use. Is it a frame lock? How do I close it?

Also, if I was to get one, it would be the original one with the FRN handle and plain edge since I read that serrations are harder to sharpen. Any opinions on the FRN handle and plain edge vs partially serated?
 
xpawel18x said:
Thanks for all replies guys, I think I will either get the Delica or the Endura. But I can't find anywhere what locking mechanism these knives use. Is it a frame lock? How do I close it?

Also, if I was to get one, it would be the original one with the FRN handle and plain edge since I read that serrations are harder to sharpen. Any opinions on the FRN handle and plain edge vs partially serated?
Click to expand...

The type of locking mechanism is less important than the quality of that mechanism's construction. Anything from Spydy is going to lock up solid enough to handle any appropriate cutting task you put it to. Inappropriate tasks, like using a knife as a pry bar or ice pick? well, those are going to break your knife and leave you injured, but that is not because of anything deficient in the lock design!

Serrations are harder to sharpen, but they also need sharpening less frequently (I will spare you the technical details, unless you ask.) Again, it is not a matter of one being better than the other, but rather, different designs having advantages and disadvantages in different user scenarios. Expect to cut a lot of fabric and rope? Consider serrated. Want the most versatile all-purpose edge, buy a plain edge. Like compromise? Get a combo edge (the worst of both worlds). Think USER, not knife!

_____________________________________________

That which does not kill me, delays the inevitable.
 
Ok I think I'm set with the Delica 4 FRN in black. Does anyone know what website sells it for the cheapest price?
 
No matter which Spyderco you go for you're making the right choice. Cheers.

I like Grand Prairie Knives, New Graham, and Knifecenter.
 
Someone mentioned the Kershaw leek, I have them they are good knives but for cutting sticks and stuff I'd say no. Small knife not really up for those kind of tasks. Spyderco tenacious, persistence, or native.
 
xpawel18x said:
Ok I think I'm set with the Delica 4 FRN in black. Does anyone know what website sells it for the cheapest price?
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I would look at the dealers that were reccomended and compare prices shipping included. Then I would as I said earlier look on Ebay and see if I can get it cheaper. I don't know if you're familiar with Ebay but if you're not I can tell you the basic need to know stuff if buying from eBay.
 
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