Opinion Poll: Top 3 Manufacturers

ESEE
Becker\Ka-Bar
Condor

Because I'd rather use them than admire how pretty they are.
 
Since we're purely talking EDC use here, and not occasional use, I'll say Spyderco, Kershaw, and Victorinox.
For occasional use, since that wasn't excluded (just not requested), I'd include at least a half dozen other manufacturers.

And I think ZT and Kershaw should have to be separate. :p
 
I'd rather do an open review of my picks based on usability and price-point. I know a Sebenza or Strider will probably out-"fit and finish" a Spyderco or Kershaw knife but for the average user, they may never buy a CRK blade... ever, just because they can't put $450 and a knife in the same sentence without throwing up. So for us normal, average Joes, here's some good manufacturers for your bottom dollar.

1. Kershaw

Kershaw does things other companies don't. That one thing, is that they put good, amazing, brilliant blades in the hands of those who aren't fortunate enough to afford a $50+ blade. They put as much if not more thought into their cheaper lines of knives than they do their higher-end ones. My $18 OSO Sweet is built so freaking good, if the materials were more high-end, I wouldn't know the fit and finish from any $100-$200 blade. It's amazing and Kershaw is amazing.

2. Spyderco

I love Spyderco and I love the work they do in Taiwan and the USA, although I have had fit and finish beefs about their Japanese produced works and the Chinese productions are understandable, but uniform either way. They make good knives and their middle-end knives are at an extremely nice pricepoint. I think it's a good thing when you can get a similar knife to any Benchmade via materials and fit and finish, but pay $50-$80 less.

3. Victorinox

This company runs the same gambit as Kershaw as far as I'm concerned but my only beef with them is the neglect to upgrade any of their knife steels to anything other than "their steel", whatever it may be. I'd love to have a Swisschamp with a Sandvik, S30V or VG-10 blade. It would be awesome but Victorinox does things with their current steel that make them more than usable. The knives hold up well over a short period of time before needing to be sharpened, and when they need to be sharpened, it's quick and easy and trust me, these things get razor sharp. I can always get a hair-cutting edge on my saks rather easily. Don't discount them for being cheap knives, these are built extremely well. I can't find a flaw or missed point on any of my sak knives. They're all gems.
 
What a criterion is? I personally like fixed working blades: ESEE, Fehrman, Swamp Rat. If folders – than Kershaw, Spyderco, Victorinox. In alphabetic order.
 
Zero Tolerance/Kershaw, Spyderco, Victorinox. Not really in to fixed blades yet.
 
There are only 3 knives I edc so it's easy for me. Listed in order of frequency of carry.
3)Spyderco Military
2)ESEE Izula
1)Victorinox Soldier. Pretty much everyday. The other two would be in addition to this one.
 
Spyderco, Emerson, and Cold Steel. I like Spyderco the best because they offer so many great products at such a reasonable price point.
 
CRK
Benchmade
Fehrman

I gotta look into this Spyderco thing. I only owned one about 15 years ago. I don't trust liner locks, but the ball bearing locks I'll have to look into.
 
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