Recommendations for new EDC

[theAntihero]

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.

Actually it was Wheeler80 that offered the knife, mine isnt for sale. I did get mine from the site like a river for 13 bucks though

 

[singularity35]

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

Seconded.

 

[dishcore]

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.

D'oh.

I forgot about Kershaw's newer release. The Thermite. It is spring assisted, not sure about de-assisting it though (I don't know if it has a detent or not.)

EDIT:

I forgot about ALOT of Kershaw's newer stuff.

The Thermite, Freefall, and Scrambler are all new offerings I believe. I haven't heard much about them, though I do know they are the budget friendly line.

The Scrambler has some good looks to it with the different bolster.
The Thermite has a lockbar stabilizer to prevent overtravel of the framelock - which is a pretty surprising for the price point (the scrambler doesn't offer this.)
The Freefall is the cheaper of the bunch, it does have a nice stonewash finish to the blade, but i'm not big on the "K" texturing on the handle scales.

Those 3 blades and the Cryo are Chinese built, the Shallot is USA built.

If it were me buying, id be in a battle between the Shallot / Thermite / Cryo

I wish you luck!

 

[chasewatmatters]

Kershaw skyline is great, unassisted, flipper, linerlock. Also a Kershaw leek. Is assisted by you can remove the torsion bar. Frame lock design. Crkt m16 is great, lot of different options and even blade lengths and designs.

 

[dishcore]

Seconded.

I like the looks of this one too, and the price seems really decent. The only thing that would hold me back from this one is the proprietary pivot hardware. I don't have one of those in my toolbox, and I don't really know if it's a common fastener or not.

Also, that only matters if you're ever planning on tightening or loosening the pivot, or disassembling the knife.

 

[Wheeler80]

For $15 buy the EL-01. Best $15 I ever spent, and I've only had it one day. It's big, stout, & smooth once you lube it up. It's damn near as nice as my Enzo Birk and it was $90 cheaper.

 

[Killtation]

I actually checked out the Thermite yesterday. I love Rick Hinderer designs but i hate having a framelock with a handle scale on one side. It doesn't affect functionality and may actually provide more traction but in my opinion it's an assault and confusion upon my eyes and i'd much prefer either 2 g-10 Handle scales or just a Stainless frame. The Freefall and Scrambler are much the same and a lot of Kershaw knives look alike with just plain beadblasted blades and black g-10 handles and speaking of which...
There's a knife I've been lusting over for months now but i've had no first-hand experience with it. The Kershaw Tremor. It's beautiful, big blade, g-10, flipper, speedsafe... only problem is the linerlock. I like big hefty EDC blades but i feel this one may just be too large for my state laws, though it matches the specifications perfectly i just don't wanna risk it. I'll buy it some other time, same for the cryo, chill, and Skyline.

I owned a limited edition red/black smoky leek for a while and loved the utility of it but i just didn't feel confident about the strength of the tip, the linerlock, and the damn safety always engaged in my pocket even after tightening it way down in the unlocked position to the point of almost breaking it. I regret it now and should have kept it for my collection but i ended up selling it.

 

[dishcore]

I actually checked out the Thermite yesterday. I love Rick Hinderer designs but i hate having a framelock with a handle scale on one side. It doesn't affect functionality and may actually provide more traction but in my opinion it's an assault and confusion upon my eyes and i'd much prefer either 2 g-10 Handle scales or just a Stainless frame. The Freefall and Scrambler are much the same and a lot of Kershaw knives look alike with just plain beadblasted blades and black g-10 handles and speaking of which...
There's a knife I've been lusting over for months now but i've had no first-hand experience with it. The Kershaw Tremor. It's beautiful, big blade, g-10, flipper, speedsafe... only problem is the linerlock. I like big hefty EDC blades but i feel this one may just be too large for my state laws, though it matches the specifications perfectly i just don't wanna risk it. I'll buy it some other time, same for the cryo, chill, and Skyline.

I owned a limited edition red/black smoky leek for a while and loved the utility of it but i just didn't feel confident about the strength of the tip, the linerlock, and the damn safety always engaged in my pocket even after tightening it way down in the unlocked position to the point of almost breaking it. I regret it now and should have kept it for my collection but i ended up selling it.

Hey man I hear you on the initial reaction to the G10/steel setup. I was fairly against it as well until I held a friend's ZT 0561. After that I was sold and eventually bought a ZT 0550. Still one of my favorite blades today. It has a G10 scale on one side, and then the titanium framelock on the opposite side. It may seem a bit asymmetrical at first (and it is!) but the G10 adds some much needed grip for when drawing the knife from your pocket.

I did get a ZT 0350 blem one time for about double your budget...and those you can de-assist... (do it...do it...)

 

[Cereal_killer]

I love my shallot but the thing eats torsion bars, 2 in 2 months and I barely use it, its also not that smooth de-assisted, not rough but it takes more effort than just pushing the flipper with your finer.

Still tho if you can live with having to flick your wrist to deploy it its a great knife- good ergo's and super pocket friendly. For you tho the Thermite is my suggestion, the G10 scale just gives you more options to customize it and its a great knife overall, you could even get/make a metal scale for it if you really wanted. Its also a heck of a lot easier to sharpen than the deep recurve on the shallot.

 

[ZDHart]

I handled a Volt II SS the other day and was really impressed by it. I'd say well worthy of serious consideration.