small edc blade recommendation

K

knifekid13

Joined
Jul 29, 2009
Messages
27
Hi! I'm new to the forums and hoped that you could give me some advice on a new edc blade. I'm trying to decide between the buck rush, crkt mini my tighe, kershaw leek, and benchmade aphid. Could you please share wich one you think is best and/or give some other options for a blade that is light, 3 inches or smaller, and preferably assisted opening. Thanks!
 
For a knife that size you could consider a small fixed blade such as Rat Cutlery's Izula.

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/images/IZULAKO.jpg

The sheath allows many carry methods including pocket carry. If you are interested check out the Rat Cutlery section in the Manufacturer's Forums on this board. Fixed blades offer many advantages over folders. I edc an Izula on my belt and am very impressed with this extremely tough little blade.
 
Welcome to the forums!

Another vote for the Leek. 3" S30V blade and G-10 goodness! 4 ounces, but it doesn't feel that heavy. If you don't want AO, then the ENER-G. 14C28N steel under 3" (2 13/16"), fine textured G-10 scales, 2.2 ounces and a wicked flipper!
 
For EDC I would not go for a blade shape without belly, like the Leek. BTW, S30V has quite some reports of having been chipped. Ideal in my opinion is a flat ground blade with belly, which is the most versatile for cutting tasks.

You might consider the SOG flash I:
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SOG7FSA

... or II:
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SOG8FSA

Personally, I EDC the Onterio RAT I, but that knife, although great value IMHO, may be too big for you:
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=ON8848
 
DD, the chipping issues were with the first runs of S30V. They were being run a little too hard. Most manufacturers have already corrected this problem.

I've beat on a S30V knife for a while, and haven't experienced any chipping.

And as a personal opinion I'd avoid SOG for many reasons.
 
My spyderco delica is a handy little blade that I like a lot.
 
I had the Buck RUSH. It was a neat knife, I enjoyed it while I had it. I wouldn't recommend it for EDC though. The skeletonized handles make it uncomfortable for long cutting tasks and if you put anything else in the pocket (i.e keys, change, etc) it is likely to get hung up in the handle.
 
SPXTrader said:
DD, the chipping issues were with the first runs of S30V. They were being run a little too hard. Most manufacturers have already corrected this problem.

I've beat on a S30V knife for a while, and haven't experienced any chipping.

And as a personal opinion I'd avoid SOG for many reasons.
Click to expand...

SPXTrader,

Good to know the chipping problem could be remedied. I have been eyeing one or two S30V knives, so maybe I'll pull the trigger some day.

I have no personal experience with the SOG folders, I just go by the blade form. I'm curious why you would stay away from them, though. Is it something in the quality of the knives, or the form factor?
 
SOG knives have a bad reputation around here for having poor customer service and a lot of blade play. I usually don't go off of reputation alone, and you shouldn't. Go try it yourself and see. I did this with my first SOG, and let me say damn were they right. The knife was $165 and had blade play right out of the box. 3 days later it got worse.
 
DoubleDutch said:
SPXTrader,

Good to know the chipping problem could be remedied. I have been eyeing one or two S30V knives, so maybe I'll pull the trigger some day.

I have no personal experience with the SOG folders, I just go by the blade form. I'm curious why you would stay away from them, though. Is it something in the quality of the knives, or the form factor?
Click to expand...

IGotStabbed said:
SOG knives have a bad reputation around here for having poor customer service and a lot of blade play. I usually don't go off of reputation alone, and you shouldn't. Go try it yourself and see. I did this with my first SOG, and let me say damn were they right. The knife was $165 and had blade play right out of the box. 3 days later it got worse.
Click to expand...

Some of the older SOG fixed blades were fairly decent, but still overpriced for what you received. As for the folders, see stabbed's post. I think that describes the majority of people's experiences with them.
 
Economical would be Spyderco Delica (my EDC) and Native. Somewhat more expensive is the Benchmade 525 Mini-Presidio.
 
for what my two cents are worth there are alot of good choices, but I will second or third or...the Leek.
 
IGotStabbed said:
SOG knives have a bad reputation around here for having poor customer service and a lot of blade play. I usually don't go off of reputation alone, and you shouldn't. Go try it yourself and see. I did this with my first SOG, and let me say damn were they right. The knife was $165 and had blade play right out of the box. 3 days later it got worse.
Click to expand...

Well, blade play is a big dealbreaker, especially in such expensive blades. So far I've been lucky in that respect; my CS, Spyderco, RAT, Buck blades: no play at all.

At first, I was unimpressed with the solidity of the lock on my Delica 4, but I grew to like it nevertheless for its versatility, lightness and smooth action, and good edge holding.

Off topic:
I agree there is no better information source than first hand experience. My collection is somewhat limited compared to many other forum members. I only recently changed my interest from flashlight to knives. The knives I have now, fulfil my needs for the time being (mmm, said that before...:D)

I also want to see which way the new legislation in the Netherlands is going. It may well be that all one-hand opening knives become illegal. In that case, I'll have to get rid of the thumbstuds, and dremel a groove into all my blades. The Spydie will have to stay indoors...

So, definitely no assisted opening knife in the works.
 
Going back to the original question, the leek wood be my choice. It's great for light work and as is the case with most Kershaw's ,issues with blade play,lock reliability,and keeping an edge are pretty much non existent. My personal recommendation would be to broaden your choices. I've had great results with the KA-BAR folders,(my personal favorite being the mule :) but for a smaller EDC I would recommend either the K2 series or the warthogs. The mule is a great knife but is a little big and heavy for a light EDC. link for warthogs: https://www.kabar.com/product_search.jsp?searchString=warthog&mode=search Link for K2's: https://www.kabar.com/product_search.jsp?searchString=k2&mode=search
I'm not trying to push KA-BAR's on you but they've worked great for me.
 
andrewporter110 said:
...as is the case with most Kershaw's ,issues with blade play,lock reliability,and keeping an edge are pretty much non existent.
Click to expand...
Please elaborate, I think you are mistaken. I've never heard of these being chronic problems with Kershaw knives
EDIT: I read it differently than you meant to post it, it sounded like you said it had lock issues and blade play, and no edge retention. My bad, sorry.
 
Last edited:
I EDC a Kershaw OD-1 which comes in at 3" according to my ruler. It's not an assist but the way the Overdrive flipper mechanism functions the difference comes down to semantics.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top