Please help this giant man choose a new EDC blade..

S

statesevens

Joined
Mar 7, 2016
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52
Okay I'll try and keep this brief. I'm 7ft tall, and therefore have HUGE hands. I recently picked up a Vanquest Mobius 2 to lug around my EDC kit, and I'd like the christen the setup with a new primary blade. I have a few parameters I'll list below, and I welcome all feedback. Thanks in advance guys!

-Must be one handed opening with a locking blade. (One handed closing would be a bonus).
-As lightweight as possible.
-Budget of ~$80 USD.
-Sturdy, reliable materials and build quality by a reputable brand.
-8-9 inches open.
-Clip point or Tanto would be preferred.

As for locking mechanism and handle scales, I have most experience with lockback and liner lock, and G-10 and Alox. I'm not too fussy about these variables though. And in regards to blade steel, I'll take the best my budget will allow.

Any thoughts?
 
You should be able to pick up a Spyderco Manix II LW for around $80
Cold Steel has a few offerings.
Broken Skull, Code 4, or Voyager XL. Recon 1 also comes to mind as well. Would have to be an older model to fit within you price range.
 
Benchmade Griptillian one hand open and easy one hand close with axis lock. Would have to prob buy one just slightly used tho for under $80.
 
It's designed by a reputable company, and I have one and love it.
ZKC D-01 designed by Steadmon
4" blade, 9.25" open length, flipper, clip point, 5.15 Oz but feels lighter in hand IMO.
It's on bearing washers and has a perfect detent so it's impossible to overcome the detent and not have the blade lock open. Easy to close with one hand too.
Only negative is 440c blade steel but the rest of the knife is so nice it doesn't bother me.
Lots of color options too.
70$
http://www.bladehq.com/?search=stedemon+zkc+d-01
 
HUGE hands beg for a HUGE knife I'd think. And when I hear huge folder, I think Cold Steel. Plenty of high quality, high value options.

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Hold Out 2

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Talwar

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Broken Skull

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Counter Point XL

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Code 4 Clip Point

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Voyager XL

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Recon Clip Point

The Recon and Talwar are my favorites. Nice solid g10 handles, CTS-XHP Steel and fantastic ergos. The Recon is a little out of your price range though so I'd get the Talwar at $79.99. Despite the vault like tri-ad lock, they generally fall closed freely once broken in. It's really amazing how much value you get with these.

The Code 4 and the Broken Skull are both very slim and very lightweight. The Voyager and the Counter Point are oversized beasts and fantastic values.

The Hold out has the same basic stats as the Talwar and Recon, but has never done anything for me. They have a bit of a cult following though.
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
You should be able to pick up a Spyderco Manix II LW for around $80
Cold Steel has a few offerings.
Broken Skull, Code 4, or Voyager XL. Recon 1 also comes to mind as well. Would have to be an older model to fit within you price range.
Click to expand...

The Recon is really the only one that's outside the range and it's not much of a stretch. They also pop up on the for sale forum frequently for $80 or less.
 
Ide say the Cold Steel offerings are right up your alley.

If you decide to spend more, the Spyderco Military is a great option. So is their Police 4
 
I'd recommend a Spyderco Endura. It pretty much matches all of your requirments. One of the best performing blades for the price IMO.

I'm sure the VG-10 steel models are great. I have a ZDP-189 steel model, basically the steel is harder and will hold an edge longer than VG10. The ZDP is more expensive though but I think totally worth it!
 
Blues Bender said:
I'd recommend a Spyderco Endura. It pretty much matches all of your requirments. One of the best performing blades for the price IMO.

I'm sure the VG-10 steel models are great. I have a ZDP-189 steel model, basically the steel is harder and will hold an edge longer than VG10. The ZDP is more expensive though but I think totally worth it!
Click to expand...

I have to agree! I wonder if it is still too small though?
 
I'm not 7' but I am 6'4" and wear XXL work gloves. My work knife which is nearly my EDC because I swear I work every damn day is a CRKT M16-14SFG. I've been abusing this knife daily for 3 years and counting. I generally hate serrated blades but these VEFF serrations are something else, they are simple incredible. Nice flipper, handle feels good even wet or covered in oil, double lock is secure and able to be closed singled handed. At a price of $60 it should be a contender.

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Next to its little brother.

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Sent via telegraph with the same fingers I use to sip whiskey.
 
^^^ for 80 bucks there are a few CRKT that would suit you. I have had several. I worked off shore and had a couple stolen traveling in and out of the country (pesky baggage handlers in unsavory countries...). I replaced them each time because the were easy to maintain, held an edge OK (not great, but easy to get back to "really sharp"). But the primary reason I bought them in the first place was they are easy to open one handed and close one handed, even with the silly autolawks.

I have one in my edc bag now.
 
I never used to be a Cold Steel fan but they have really impressed me since switching to CTS-XHP steel. They also make some big knives. I was gifted a large Talwar and it a great knife that would go head to head with knives costing twice as much. It doesn't have steel liners so it's fairly light yet strong with the Triad lock and I have been really impressed with the blade steel so far and it seems to have a great heat treat.

I wear large gloves (size 10-11) so not small but not huge hands, and the large Talwar just barely fits my hand. If my hand was any bigger it wouldn't work so you probably want to go XL which is a big knife.

For your budget, it's what I would be looking at which I never thought I would be saying a few years ago. Also, the Cold Steel website has a sale going right now that's called a Christmas sale so not sure how much longer it will last, but has prices better than I can find anywhere else.

Good luck with your decision and once you buy something you may not want to come back here. Otherwise there is a good chance you will have a couple dozen nice knives by this time next year.
 
I can't imagine the Talwar not being large enough for your hands, but in the event that it is you can always exchange it for the Voyager XL which is big enough for a grizzly.
 
OK, it doesn't fit your criteria at all, but how about an Opinel 13?

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Dont you want to know how it looks and feels in your giant paws? I know I do.
 
Definitely begging for a Cold Steel in the L or XL size. Talwar, Recon and Hold Out for the great 4" blades that made the brand big, all can be had for $80 and accommodate many hand sizes and grips.

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Steel and lock are superb, can be closed one handed with ease after some use.

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Look at Mr. Austin too, he is a big guy with large hands and he carries and uses the Broken Skull, it's a deceivingly thin and light knife. The blade is long, sharp and clip point, lock is tank vault like and I can easily use mine one handed.
Most CS Folders in CTS-XHP just tick all your boxes.

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Give them a try!
 
Stedemon zkc, or Ontario Rat1 in d2 (available in cf) have sizeable handles also, 5"+, just to throw a few more options into the hat along with what was already mentioned.

Viper Start is a bit above your price range, but boasts a 5.25" handle, (4" blade) and has a bit of a more unique look going for it.
 
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