Recommendation? Slicey, larger EDC with good action, high edge retention / reasonable toughness?

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billzona

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Dec 25, 2022
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Asking for advice on a knife and / or general pointers in the right direction. Thank you all in advance.

What I plan to use it for: packages / zip ties / clamshell wrap, slicing apples / veggies, cutting boxes into smaller pieces than necessary, cutting pieces of printer paper way to often to check the edge, occasional workshop marking knife. Love being able to slice off paper thin pieces of apple.

What size am I thinking?: ~3.5"-4". Just want to make sure the functional edge is >3.3"ish. I mainly carry this around the house, so upper size isn't really an issue. That being said, much bigger and it would not be comfy to carry. Weight isn't a big concern.

Price range: <$250-$300... I'm a-ok with well kept lightly used if it falls under or around that range, but for some of the Spydercos out there that fit the bill (ex: Kapara 20CV, s90v military), prices are very hiked.

Blade steel: something that can support a reasonably fine apex; good fine edge retention; not too brittle; stainless does not matter: k390, m4, 10v, s90v. 20cv and equivalents have been OK, but I'd love to try one of the higher edge retention steels that don't sacrifice toughness OR that are comparable in edge retention but amazing toughness. I haven't tried many steels other than 20cv, so feel free to tell me there is another steel I should consider.

I have enjoyed how quickly I can close the pm2 one handed, so a compression lock is great. If the axis or equivalent locks fit the same bill, I'm sure I'd like them. That being said, frame or liner locks are also great, if the blade is right.

I've been eyeing something like an endura or endela in k390, but have heard mixed reviews on the build quality, and they don't seem to fit the quick one hand open / close bill. I've also looked at the TRM Atom (and may get one if I can pre-order from BHQ)... but I'd love to try a different steel.
 
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My native chief M4 has been an amazing slicer. The bevels were off a bit new out of the box so I adjusted it to 15 dps.

My David Mary riverhawk in aeb-l is showing a lot of promise. Though the blade is to short on this one to meet your specs his work fits the bill. It is not as pretty as my Arno Bernard but the fit and function give up nothing to anything in my collection. And a big nod to the only knife I've bought this year that had an even grind.
 
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DrubieG said:
The type of knife you are describing is my favorite! And I think that build quality and action on the Japanese spydercos are way underrated by those that have more higher aesthetic standards than functional standards in mind. My favorites in this category ur looking into are all spydercos… police, Endura, endela, native chief. For the Endura and endela I would go k390 wharncliffe version… they are the best utility slicers in my opinion. Even a g10 police k390 or native chief in super steel can be had for under 300 easy. 4v Manix xls and various militaries can be had for under 300 on the forum. I heard 4v military Is coming… but don’t underestimate a good seki city Spyderco backlock, once you get used to the action and master it… it is the best!
But this all is just my preferences so take it or leave it! Spyderco GB2 is a great .
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I was dubious about the backlock, but this is tipping me towards trying out the endura in k390. Between the endura vs police vs chief, any major pros to the police or chief that warrant consideration over the endura?
 
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billzona said:
I was dubious about the backlock, but this is tipping me towards trying out the endura in k390. Between the endura vs police vs chief, any major pros to the police or chief that warrant consideration over the endura?
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I've had all 3. For me the endura is a regular knife. The police is a long knife (I carried a stainless for a decade). The native chief is a long knife I can choke up on. I like the feel of the chief best and the ability to choke up on it. I dislike the standard frn scales. So if it's the endura it needs Boomer scales. Police is in stainless and native chief is g10. I guess as I work through my feelings on this my final opinion is:
Native chief for a plain blade.
Police in stainless for a full serrated
Endura because I left everything else at home. Unless it's a matriarch.
 
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ferider said:
Try to get the currently running Stretch 2XL sprint in Cruwear. Size and blade shape of a Military with back-lock, and even thinner/slicier than a Military. I love mine. Around $280. Better built than - say - Endura.
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What's been your experience with cruwear? I was a bit turned off seeing that it had a d2-ish retention rating per Larrin, and figured for my uses, that extra toughness would go to waste.
 
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My cruwear is limited to a pm2 but it has held up well to mechanic use (very little maintenance but easy to resharpen) I like to rate my steels in the cost benefit of edge retention vs resharpening ease. Cruwear is a very good balance as well as M4, 3v, n690, and a few others. I enjoy sharpening and have bought more than one knife just to have a project. One of my favorite work knife steels has been n690. Nothing great about it but takes a great edge and is really easy to put back when it gets dull. Obviously not what you're after by the op but is a helpful reference. Do you enjoy sharpening?
 
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Since there is a bit of a Spyderco roll going on I will suggest the Kapara. 3.0mm S30V blade stock, full height grind, fair bit of distal taper. Very nice CF handle slabs, metal liners, very reliable compression lock, best pocket clip in the business. 3.58" blade that has excellent (like BM 940 level) cutting edge to blade / handle length ratio. 3.3 ounces.

I find it much slicier than the PM2 but obviously not as tough given the thinner stock. There is a sprint version out there on 20CV if S30V doesn't suit but short of chopping bones or significant prying I have never had an issue with mine. Probably my most carried knife in 2022.
 
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billzona said:
CruWear has cropped up a couple times so far. I had previously discounted it -- but probably should not have. What has been amazing about it for you?
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I've found the edge retention on my mini-adamas cruwear to be very good for the purposes you mentioned in your original post. I've also found it very easy to sharpen to a really sharp edge using my diamond stones. I usually stop at 600-800 grit to keep it a little toothy which helps with cable ties, nylon rope and other "slick" material.
 
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el gigantor said:
Not to be a son-of-a-bitch-bastard here but I don’t believe this knife is a sprint. I’m pretty sure that’s one reason it made such a splash when it was first announced. Also, I still need to pick one up! Haha!

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and yours Ferider!
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Maybe not a sprint, but the initial run went quick and I haven’t seen them in stock anywhere since. I wanted to pick one up, but it’s awful pricey compared to the CruWear PM2s.
Edit: checked a few places, one site says “coming soon” so I guess they are coming back!
 
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Between the Endura, chief and police it’s hard to say which is best… they all bring diff things to the table. K390 is my fav steel for my uses. Endura you can get in serrated or wharncliffe, police and chief you can both choke up on, but with no hump on the chief it makes it a great one to bear down on. The chief has more options of steel and colors and the Endura has the most aftermarket scales and parts. I’d say the size of the police can sometimes be unwieldy in certain situations. I love them all so I have them all lol
 
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tony281sc2 said:
Maybe not a sprint, but the initial run went quick and I haven’t seen them in stock anywhere since. I wanted to pick one up, but it’s awful pricey compared to the CruWear PM2s.
Edit: checked a few places, one site says “coming soon” so I guess they are coming back!
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BHQ has them in the pre-order bucket... so I think you can actually reserve them.
 
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BlindMouse2of3 said:
My cruwear is limited to a pm2 but it has held up well to mechanic use (very little maintenance but easy to resharpen) I like to rate my steels in the cost benefit of edge retention vs resharpening ease. Cruwear is a very good balance as well as M4, 3v, n690, and a few others. I enjoy sharpening and have bought more than one knife just to have a project. One of my favorite work knife steels has been n690. Nothing great about it but takes a great edge and is really easy to put back when it gets dull. Obviously not what you're after by the op but is a helpful reference. Do you enjoy sharpening?
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I sharpen way more than I need to... love keeping that sticky edge on a knife (and keeping it sticky longer). Like sharpening the microbevel, hate larger edge reprofiling. I cheated a bit though and made my own jig that can take lapping film and super low dps, then just strop by hand -- so it's fairly easy to touch up.
 
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