Questions about the EDC

Starfish

Starfish

Joined
Jun 14, 2001
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Based on some responses to a question I posed in the General forum, I'm doing some research on the EDC. Here's some questions I've got regarding the EDC:

1) How big is it really? It is hard for me to gauge handle size, blade size, etc. from specs alone, and I haven't seen any pics showing the EDC next to a standard reference object, such as a ruler, can of coke, etc.

2) Related to #1: How do the handles feel? For comparison, I like the handles of the small Sebbie, but the 705 feels too small for me. Where does the EDC fit in?

3) 154CM or Talonite or D2? Which of these steels has the broadest range of applications? I need to do more research on Talonite, but would appreciate any opinions given here.

4) D2: does the D2 version offered by A.G. Russell have the extra etching on the reverse side of the blade ("A.G. Russell, D2 60-62 RC")? If so, how hard is it to remove?

5) Anniversary edition: collectible, or user piece? It sure looks sweet!

And a general question about Camillus:

6) What kind of warranty and customer service does Camillus offer?

Thanks!

Matthew
 
Starfish,
I'll see what I can answer for you, and if I miss anything, lemme know and I'll try again.....

1)The EDC is approx. the same size as a small Sebenza[since you mentioned that you are familar with that knife]. It is however somwhat thinner overall. I've included a quick snapshot below with objects for reference.

2)What can I say....I like the way the EDC feels, but that is very subjective. The only way to tell if YOU will like the way it feels in comparison to other knives is for you to handle one. I would say that I think it feels MORE like a small Sebenza than a BM 705.

3)Which blade materials has the broadest range of applications? Pardon the pun, but that is a pretty broad question;) I guess that I would say that the 154cm blade is probally the better ALL AROUND blade than the D2 or the TALONITE. It offers more corrosion resistance[but not by "alot"] than the D2, and is tougher than the TALONITE, if you need a 3 " blade folder to be "tough". My personal fav is the TALONITE version. I use a folder this size alot for skinning animals and cutting food....both of which benefit for a very corrosion restiant blade material. I also like how easy TALONITE is to resharpen. But hey, that is why they make chocolate and vanilla...different folks like different qualities:p

4)The etch on the EDC[including the D2 etch] is electro-chem etched into the steel. I guess you could sand the etch off, but you sure would mess up you nice tumble/stonewash finish. I think that you will find the etch tasteful, and it does mark the knife as a special run, with special blade material.

5)The anniversary model can go either way. I've got 1 that I use as a user 'cause it does look sooooo good.

6)Warranty and customer service. CAMILLUS offers a lifetime warranty on our products. The only thing that is not covered is coatings[ as in the Anniversary model], as they are subject to wear during use. I think that if you ask around the forums, you will find that we have worked hard toward a reputation of making our customers very happy.

If you have anymore questions, especially any specific issues, feel free to ask away! I hope that some of the members of the forums will be better suited to answer some of your inquiries better, as I am a bit biased:rolleyes:
 
:eek: :D :eek:

Thanks for the terrific, in-depth reply...and a good picture as a bonus! It turns out that I later ran into a picture of a small Sebbie and the EDC side-by-side, and had the same conclusion as you.

I'm pretty much sold on this - now all I need to do is figure out which blade steel to go with. I must admit that I don't skin animals often (read: not at all!). Most of what I use a knife for is relatively light duty (envelopes, cardboard, food, etc.), but I would take comfort in knowing that the blade could handle harder use if necessary. Obviously, chopping wood with a 3" folder is a bit out of the question, but if I needed to, say, cut through a small bit of wood and whittle to make a walking stick, would Talonite be up to the job and still stay sharp?

I guess you can probably tell I'm just looking for a reason to buy the Talonite or D2 version (since I have not used these steels yet), but I know I'll never be happy with it if it doesn't satisfy that "desert-island" scenario that's always playing in the back of my mind :rolleyes:

Thanks again,

Matthew
 
Matthew,
TALONITE is plenty tough enough for cardboard[its especially good at that] and cutting walking sticks. I think some folks want to think of ceramic type qualities when you think about TALONITE.....its not brittle at all. I think you will be pleased with its performance.

One thing for sure, if you were stranded on your desert island, you would stand ALOT better chance of resharpening a TALONITE EDC, than a D2 EDC.

Oh hell, just get both:p
 
Originally posted by Will Fennell
Matthew,
TALONITE is plenty tough enough for cardboard[its especially good at that] and cutting walking sticks. I think some folks want to think of ceramic type qualities when you think about TALONITE.....its not brittle at all. I think you will be pleased with its performance.

One thing for sure, if you were stranded on your desert island, you would stand ALOT better chance of resharpening a TALONITE EDC, than a D2 EDC.

Oh hell, just get both:p
Click to expand...

Of course, why didn't I think of that? :p

The impression I got from reading past reviews was not one of brittleness, but "softness", if that makes sense. The thing is, if it can whittle wood (and in one case I think somebody mentioned being able to whittle out hardwood), that doesn't seem very "soft" to me. Perhaps I'm just not understanding what "soft" means in a folding knife steel, or perhaps they're asking for nuclear-hardened steel? :)

Matthew
 
Starfish,

one of the things the ever humble Will didn't tell you is that he is THE MAN!
If you ever have any problem with any Camillus product contact him and he will hook you up promptly, clearly, and with 110% satisfaction - every Camillus/BK&T I buy I buy with a confidence that I simply don't have for any other factory brand name in knife production.
I just sent my 154CM EDC out today for repairs and I know it's gonna be just great when it rolls back to me.

As for your steel question - the 154CM version I have has never let me down, but has also never pleasantly surprised me (The way the 0170-6C of new BK7 has), i've never had anything in D2 or Talonite.
 
Will (and others)-

A little more research shows that one common complaint - valid or not - is that Talonite blades are thicker behind the edge (is that the correct terminology) than blades made from traditional steels.

Is that correct? What is the thickness behind the edge of a "typical" Talonite EDC?

I understand that the ultimate comparison is between use issues, i.e., sharpening, push-cutting and slicing performance, etc., and so comparison of thicknesses may be misleading?

Thanks,

Matthew
 
I’ll throw in my cents here, as far as talonite goes. It’s great for whittling sticks, but I’d have some concern over whether to use it when cutting through a knot in the wood. I wouldn’t have this concern when using something like D2 at my standard EDC 40-degree angle of edge bevel. Then again, I prefer a much straighter blade when whittling, so the recurved EDC would never be my preference in the outdoors. Grab a Camillus slipjoint for those occasions. :)

But…. When it comes to most everyday cutting chores (like cardboard, paper, food, my thumb, leather and blister plastic) I really like the talonite EDC. It just rocks the house down. It may not stay scary scalpel sharp as long as either D2 or 154CM, but the edge will stay generally aggressive for far longer. It’s also a snap to sharpen or strop, and the corrosion resistance is awesome.

D2 is great stuff. Get it if you want to KNOW that you have a very tough blade. In my humble opinion though, I’m not sure that normal usage of a folder the size of the EDC warrants a steel as tough as D2. It is nice to know that you have your bases well-covered though. :D
 
I picked up an EDC in 154CM just this last week. Since I typically carry a small Sebenza Classic I really wanted to put the CUDA EDC to work. First off, the orginal edge was pretty dull but really came to life after about 10min on my Sharpmaker. This weekend I was able to try it out on large bubble wrap, cardboard, and even pruning my small maple tree. The handle proved to be very comfortable even while doing some "minor hacking" on the maple tree. After all the pruning abuse the edge would still shave hair off my arm. The cardboard cutting dulled the blade a bit more but it was still cutting very well even after breaking down six boxes. Very good edge holding, overall and very easy to touch up afterwards.

Compared to my small Sebenza Classic the handle is very comfortable. No hot spots on the hand after about 15-20mins of pruning. Opening was easy, great clip design, and the slim profile makes front pocket clip carry work very well. The blade profile took some getting used to. The forward belly results in very little tip compared to the Sebenza Classic. Despite not having a pointy tip the blade configuration works for most applications. The recurve also does a fine job at locking in what you are cutting.

Overall this is an amazing knife for the price. It's going to ride around in my front pocket for the next few months.
 
I just ordered a Camillus EDC.

It looks great and I have heard great things about it...

I have a VERY old slip-joint 2 bladed knife that my GRANDPA carried as his EDC, before the term 'EDC' even existed. I am convinced that Camillus knives are great just by whittling with it. (and this little sumbitch has not been sharpened since I got it, It has pits from age and rust, but I used an old T-shirt and some spit on it to make it look a little better, and it is still sharp as hell)

I take it with me every time I go camping/fishing/hunting. I am not a slipjoint fan, but this particular knife just does it for me.

OK... back to the point. I must say that I have all confidence in this company today because of what I have seen on this post from Will Fennell. Seems like damn good customer service to me... I think it is great that he took the time to answer all of the questions that were presented here.

If it were not for this type of attention to customers, I probably would have looked elsewhere for a good inexpensive knife...


For those of you who took the time to read this particular post, I have noticed a few other companies that offer great customer service....

The fellas at Strider Knives, Mick and Duane: Chris and Anne Reeve: Tom Mayo: And the moderator of the Buck Knives forum... they are all great.

But Will Fennell, In my opinion, has made me want to purchase knives from Camillus, now that I have read this thread, I'm impressed with their business practices as well as the quality of their knives!

-Dave
 
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