Not My Style - EDC Challenge

gastonian

gastonian

Joined
May 20, 2012
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Not My Style - EDC Challenge

After around 15 years in this knife collecting hobby I’ve developed a very narrow style of knife that I buy, basically over and over again with minimal variation. So the other day I was pursuing the sites for a new knife when I came across this Socom. I think it looks awesome, but I’m not into tanto blades, tip down, bright colors, bearings instead of washers, anodized aluminum scales, and most polarizing a fully serrated edge. Those things are not my edc style at all.





I don’t really know why but I felt like this would be the perfect time (and knife) to challenge the opinions that I have formed early on in the hobby. I decided that I wanted to challenge myself to carry this knife every day for a month to see if the lists of things that usually make me pass on a blade were still valid. (This knife just so happens to have all those things that usually turn me away.) So, I plan on carrying this knife every day in June to see if some of those deal breakers aren’t really hurting my use case. I am mainly concerned about the tanto blade shape and the fully serrated edge. We’ll see if they make this knife useless or annoying to carry. I will also be carrying my true edc, the Victorinox Midnight Manager, but I rarely use its tiny blade for anything.



If you'd like to challenge your own style preferences, feel free to join in on this challenge and share your thoughts. I’d love to see what you come up with and if they were actually deal breakers after carrying the knife. I will be posting an update at the beginning of July to share my experience.

Care to join me?
Not My Style-EDC Challenge Format

Pick a knife that has at least one deal breaker that just isn’t your style and carry it as your edc for a month and let us know the knife and what about it that doesn't fit your edc style.
Then, follow up and post an update after a month (or whatever time you choose) and let us know whether you changed your opinion, or if it’s still not your style.
 
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After fifty+ years of carrying knives I like to think I’ve already pretty much sorted out what I like and don’t like - which is why I carry what I carry.

* Edited to add that this isn’t meant as a dig towards you or your post. Just making a statement on a personal note and don’t want it misconstrued as such.
 
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I, like many here I expect, have already done this with a few different "Not my style" knives over the years. Mainly having to do with blade/handle length and overall width in the pocket. My current rotation would look pretty boring by many standards having curated knives of a pretty narrow selection of dimensions.

I don't think I have anything laying around that would be a good candidate for this... Actually I think I have one that fits. I'll dig it out and post back.

Big Knives = never carried, too bulky in the pocket
small knives = never carried, harder to manipulate and handle one handed.
Partially serrated, there were a couple of these I actually liked, and I have a couple pawn shop beaters that are partially serrated. Not a deal breaker, but not something I want on anything over $150.
Opening holes "gasp" = not my favorite, makes the knife too wide in the pocket. There are a scant few sypderco's that have stuck around, though there are 2 more on my wish list, so it has to be the exact right design for me.

My most surprising "bad" knife that I really liked was a BM mini-grip tanto, serrated, black blade. Pretty much the trifecta of ick on the blade style, but dang I just connected with that knife. Traded it long ago, but if I saw a used one at a shop somewhere, I'd jump on it.
 
TL;DR: I've found that I can pretty much become accustomed to anything and make it work.



After challenging myself to carry a knife that is not my style at all compared to what I typically carry, here are my thoughts.

Going into this challenge, this was my ranking of the top five characteristics that were most outside my usual carry preferences, ranked from least concerning to most concerning:

  1. Anodized aluminum scales
  2. Liner lock
  3. Tip-down carry only
  4. Tanto blade shape
  5. Fully serrated edge
Anodized Aluminum Scales


The anodizing held up great, and I love the color of the scales. I was worried they would scratch easily, but after a month of daily carry, I do not see any scratches on the scales.

Liner Lock

The only locking mechanism I have ever had fail on me, which caused me to cut myself, was a liner lock. I was worried going in that it would feel flimsy, but that is not the case with this model at all. In fact, when slow-rolling the opening, it locks into place with an authoritative thwack that rivals CRK levels of lockup. I love that sound, as it is very confidence-inspiring.

Tip-Down Carry Only


Every single folder I own is tip-up, so I was worried this would be awkward to carry and open. I was also worried about the blade coming open while carrying it, but thankfully, I did not experience that issue.

Tanto Blade Shape


I’ve always liked the tanto blade shape, but I had always heard that it was not ideal for EDC. My experience with this tanto has been a non-issue. The tip is in a similar position to your typical drop-point blade shape, which made opening packages and handling other EDC tasks a breeze.

Fully Serrated Edge


This was the aspect I was most skeptical about. I have carried Emerson knives in the past, so I am familiar with using chisel edges and know how to compensate my cut angle. Having said that, I had zero issues with the razor-sharp serrations.

When opening packages, cutting zip ties, or handling many other EDC tasks, I don’t need the cut to be laser straight. I just need it cut, and for that, the fully serrated edge has been awesome. I also want to mention that after a month of carry, I haven’t even needed to touch it up at all. The serrations are just as sharp as they were when I received the knife.

Final Thoughts

After 15 years or so in the hobby, it was fun to try new things again. Everyone’s needs are different, but for me, most of the things I had been avoiding were not much of an issue at all once I spent some time getting used to the knife.

In fact, I have decided this will be my dedicated hiking knife. I like the serrated edge for situations where I might need to cut my dog’s harness, collar, or leash in an emergency.
 
gastonian said:
TL;DR: I've found that I can pretty much become accustomed to anything and make it work.



After challenging myself to carry a knife that is not my style at all compared to what I typically carry, here are my thoughts.

Going into this challenge, this was my ranking of the top five characteristics that were most outside my usual carry preferences, ranked from least concerning to most concerning:

  1. Anodized aluminum scales
  2. Liner lock
  3. Tip-down carry only
  4. Tanto blade shape
  5. Fully serrated edge
Anodized Aluminum Scales


The anodizing held up great, and I love the color of the scales. I was worried they would scratch easily, but after a month of daily carry, I do not see any scratches on the scales.

Liner Lock

The only locking mechanism I have ever had fail on me, which caused me to cut myself, was a liner lock. I was worried going in that it would feel flimsy, but that is not the case with this model at all. In fact, when slow-rolling the opening, it locks into place with an authoritative thwack that rivals CRK levels of lockup. I love that sound, as it is very confidence-inspiring.

Tip-Down Carry Only


Every single folder I own is tip-up, so I was worried this would be awkward to carry and open. I was also worried about the blade coming open while carrying it, but thankfully, I did not experience that issue.

Tanto Blade Shape


I’ve always liked the tanto blade shape, but I had always heard that it was not ideal for EDC. My experience with this tanto has been a non-issue. The tip is in a similar position to your typical drop-point blade shape, which made opening packages and handling other EDC tasks a breeze.

Fully Serrated Edge


This was the aspect I was most skeptical about. I have carried Emerson knives in the past, so I am familiar with using chisel edges and know how to compensate my cut angle. Having said that, I had zero issues with the razor-sharp serrations.

When opening packages, cutting zip ties, or handling many other EDC tasks, I don’t need the cut to be laser straight. I just need it cut, and for that, the fully serrated edge has been awesome. I also want to mention that after a month of carry, I haven’t even needed to touch it up at all. The serrations are just as sharp as they were when I received the knife.

Final Thoughts

After 15 years or so in the hobby, it was fun to try new things again. Everyone’s needs are different, but for me, most of the things I had been avoiding were not much of an issue at all once I spent some time getting used to the knife.

In fact, I have decided this will be my dedicated hiking knife. I like the serrated edge for situations where I might need to cut my dog’s harness, collar, or leash in an emergency.
Click to expand...
Congrats.....👍👍👍........Now just think of all the knives that are now in your wheelhouse...😉.....Go get em!!!!😜....
 
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