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

[billzona]

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.

 

[Danke42]

 

[billzona]

If you don't mind spending less money, I'd recommend checking out Kunwu Knives. They have some very fidgety knives in well-done M390, Elmax, and Vanax, all-titanium construction, cross-bar locks and frame locks, and most of them come in around $210. I have the Zen model and it's absolutely a high quality piece. Note that their mm-to-inches conversion is wrong in many cases (I just sent them a note about it). The mm dimensions are correct.

I was seriously considering the Zen -- spending less is always nice -- was just a little weirded out that you had to go directly to their website and the conversions were off. Almost seems like they just copied the "inch" conversion from the smaller size model.

The front flipper is goofy, but I suppose I could just grind that down if it really bothers me.

Two ?s on the Zen:
- cutting edge length?
- thickness behind the edge is pretty good?

 

[Blade Lab]

I was seriously considering the Zen -- spending less is always nice -- was just a little weirded out that you had to go directly to their website and the conversions were off. Almost seems like they just copied the "inch" conversion from the smaller size model.

The front flipper is goofy, but I suppose I could just grind that down if it really bothers me.

Two ?s on the Zen:
- cutting edge length?
- thickness behind the edge is pretty good?

It's a matter of taste, but I like the front flipper. The cutting edge is 3 3/8". Mine was 0.016" behind the edge before sharpening, and it came with one of the better factory edges I've ever received. It's impressive for the money. So much so that I got in on their Kickstarter for their new Pulsar model.