Recommendations for new EDC

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Killtation

Joined
Apr 3, 2013
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So my EDC gave out and I was pretty certain on getting a Kershaw Chill to replace it but i would really appreciate some suggestions as the Chill doesn't fit all of my needs.

3-4 inch blade, can't be over 4 inches due to state laws
Tip-up carry
Flipper (must)
Preferrably a framelock (Just no backlocks)
Good blade steel
No assisted unless i can remove the torsion bar
30ish dollar limit

I know those are some strict guidelines... and that's why i'm having problems finding knives that fit it, a lot of you know way more knives than me so that's why I'm asking.

As i said, all help and suggestions is/are appreciated.
 
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How about an Enlan el01? Very cheap and can handle the hard use you mentioned in your previous post.

Ive got one and im pretty impressed by it
 
Great suggestion, thank you. It's basically the same as the Kershaw Chill but i can definitely see grabbing the dremel and wave modding the thumb ramp. I also noticed a Sanrenmu that would be nice. (The GB-763) but i've never had an Axis lock knife aside from a utility knife of low quality, how are these locks?

EDIT: Just noticed how low the pocket clip is. I'm not a deep carry guy but with the El-01 You've got a lot of knife sticking out. I'm not too concerned about people seeing it but i could see this as just being uncomfortable when sitting down, my shirt or headphones getting caught on it, etc.
 
The EL-01 is a pretty big and hefty knife. It's very different from the Chill, which is very slim and lightweight. Both are nice knives though.

The Sanrenmu 763 is a much smaller knife than the EL-01. 2.5" blade (vs. the nearly 4" blade on the EL-01), and it's not a flipper. I like the 763 as a small, lightweight EDC knife. The lock is a copy of Benchmade's Axis lock, but the spring is noticeably stiffer (compared to my Benchmades). They copied the design, but I don't know if they made it to the same specs.
 
Yeah the el01 is like 4 times the weight of the chill, its massively overbuilt.

I dont notice how much sticks out of my pocket really.
 
I meant primarily in the looks and deployment department. I did my research and many people say it's grossly overweight for it's size... and on the topic of overweight... I'm not ashamed to admit that i'm a fat guy and knives that stick out that far tend to stab me in the gut when i sit in certain positions and chairs. I also didn't notice there was no flipper, that eliminates the 763 altogether. I did not look at specs on the EL-01 aside from pictures and videos in which they did not open the knife. that eliminates that.

I'm back to the Chill but i'd really prefer a framelock if there are any out there that are 30 dollars or under, framelock, tip-up, with a flipper and 3-4 inch blade. I was looking at the Sanrenmu 710, a knockoff Chris Reeves, or so it seems. I wish it had a flipper.

Any other suggestions, please?

EDIT: I know you guys are helping and I'm sorry to be overly picky but as i stated, this is going to be my main knife for a long time and i'm going to have it literally all the time. Day, night, sleeping, walking my dog, etc. etc. It's always going to be with me.
 
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Someone mentioned the Volt SS in my other thread, and that's perfect for me, everything about it.

Flipper, stainless handles, decent blade steel, nice blade shape, tip-up. And there are few going for 20 bucks on ebay. Perfect. Only thing i don't like about it is the Gimping but to gripe about that would just make me way too picky.
Thanks for all the help, guys. I've decided upon the Volt SS unless there's something better out there.
 
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I had a crkt blitz big and heavy,but I loved that knife,my dad wanted it more,been carrying a cheap barlow and got a Kershaw needs work,really liked it but was showing my buddy and he loved the blade shape,i said merry Christmas,lol. now I found a Kershaw vapor by ken onion in the stainless ,reminds me of my blitz,kinda.to small though,thinking of a cryo 2.looked at all the knife dealers around here no luck,wish I could find a enlen 01 everyones talking about. birthdays coming up in a couple weeks. good luck on your search.
 
Killtation said:
Someone mentioned the Volt SS in my other thread, and that's perfect for me, everything about it.

Flipper, stainless handles, decent blade steel, nice blade shape, tip-up. And there are few going for 20 bucks on ebay. Perfect. Only thing i don't like about it is the Gimping but to gripe about that would just make me way too picky.
Thanks for all the help, guys. I've decided upon the Volt SS unless there's something better out there.
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I thought you said no assisted knives? You should not remove the torsion bar on the Volt SS, as it does not have a regular detent to keep it closed.
 
The Blitz is definitely nice, i'm just not too down with the thumb disc style of deployment. It's awesome that you'd give your Kershaw to your friend. I had a nice fixed blade copy of the KA1283. Though it was a clone it had great quality. Good blade steel, full tang, nice grips, nice guards. Beautiful knife, i loved it but on my best friends 18th birthday we needed sometime to cut the cake with... I'm sure you can guess what we used. It was his after that.

I've actually done A LOT of research on the skyline and i was torn between it and the Chill before posting here but it came back to the looks mostly. Everybody says the Skyline is the perfect EDC. Not sure if you guys check out NutNFancy but he raves about it, i honestly don't see it. It's an ugly knife that looks like a very very short step up from the Chill as far as quality goes.
 
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I prefer assisted knives over manual but when you take one out and it flies open people look at you like you just pulled out an AR15 and shot up a school. Also i live in Florida where the knife laws are pretty vague. Basically a "common pocket knife" (Whatever the definition of that is by law enforcement standards) with a blade length of less than 4 inches. No automatics and no stilettos, no concealed weapons unless you carry a permit, and no fixedblades unless open carried.

Bottom line is that it falls into the laws for my state but many common people would see it as an automatic and freak or a police officer having a bad day may just wish to confiscate it for no good reason and we all know you can't argue with that. Given that this knife fits all my other specs i'll definitely risk it as i can get one for 20-25 bucks on Ebay.
 
I am in Love with the ZT 801 or the BM 520 OR 525 depending on the blade length one desires.
 
I just picked up an EL-01 on eBay for $15. It probably won't kick the mini BC out as my main edc so if you're interested it's yours IF I don't like it.
 
Yeah the enlan is super overbuilt, the liners are as thick as most pocket knife blades.

I have one of the srm 710 you mentioned as well. Its an ok knife but its nothing really spectacular IMO
 
How about a Kershaw Shallot (blem) from Kershawguy? Right in your budget! USA Made if that floats your boat. Torsion bar can be removed.


Edit: Plus, if you get one of these puppies and really like them... you could have a fun time trying to hunt down an S110V blade version someday. :D
 
Zero Tolerance would be nice but it is considerable more than i've to spent.... about 170 dollars more.

theAntihero I'm definitely interested in the Enlan. If you don't like it let me know if we can work something out over paypal.

The shallot, Zing, and Volt SS are some of my top favorites. I love the all stainless framelocks.
 
Given any thought to the Buck Vantage series? Blades are about 3 and a quarter, different steels and handle materials to choose from, and they're flippers. You're looking at the Chill so I know it doesn't NEED to be a framelock. The price is what you're looking to spend for the basic models, and they're made in the USA
 
Now that I've discovered more framelocks in this price range i'm definitely raising this to a must. I've found the Kershawk Shallot, Kershaw Volt SS, and the Kershaw Cryo. It doesn't need to be a Kershaw but they do give the best quality for price in my opinion as far as budget EDCs go.
 
Killtation said:
Now that I've discovered more framelocks in this price range i'm definitely raising this to a must. I've found the Kershawk Shallot, Kershaw Volt SS, and the Kershaw Cryo. It doesn't need to be a Kershaw but they do give the best quality for price in my opinion as far as budget EDCs go.
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Totally agree, man. In fact, I love my Cryo to death.
 
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