Suggest EDC for College Student

DoctaD

DoctaD

Joined
Apr 13, 2006
Messages
745
My second son is graduating from High School, and will be going out of state to college. I would like to send him with a good edc folder. I've been considering Spyderco, Benchmade, and Kershaw knives but can't decide which models would be best for him. His older brother has an Waved, Emerson CQC-7 Tanto which we got for him to use when he goes to Iraq (Marine). Of course, the younger brother wants a "tactical" like knife, but I'm not sure that would be best on campus.
I'm looking for opinions and suggestions regarding specific models and why. Esp, regarding blade shapes, edge (plane vs serrated),blade and handle materials, etc.
Thanks in advance.

Dean
 
as a student i'd say get him a sak.

most logical, plus campus security wont frown on it as much.
 
As JCA21 says, a Victorinox or Wenger SAK is always good. It won;t satisfy his hunger for a "tactical" knife though.

Being a Benchmade loyalist, that is of course what I'd recommend. The Griptilian and mini are nice. The mini-Skirmish (BM635) would be my preference, but I have no tolerance for "people who frown on knives". Any of the Axis locks, particularly the slimmer models like the 960 Osborne would be ok on campus. you couldn;t go wrong with a model 707 or 710.

All in plain-edge, in my opinion. The serrations seem to get in the way for me.

Better think of getting him a Spyderco Sharpmaker to go with his new knife :D

Good Luck
 
For under $100 I would say Benchmade Mini-Grip.

Or if you want to give a GREAT "going-to-college" gift to your son, give him a Small Sebenza.
 
check state laws as well.

in california, locking blades and most fixed are illegal on school campuses, including colleges/universities.
 
He'll need something with a corkscrew and bottle opener. :D

I wouldn't go to school with anything that looked like a weapon or military knife. Maybe something with a little class - natural handle materials, traditional design, and small enough to be unnoticed in a pants pocket.

-Bob
 
another vote for the 707 sequel. the 710 is pretty big for EDC campus use. I am a college student and carry a 707 with me every day and haven't really had any negative looks. 2.95" blade, a little under 7" overall, great size for edc. The handle's a bit short but they packed a lot of blade into it for the size. Black anodized aluminum scaled with g10 inserts, full steel liners, 154cm blade steel and the axis lock. The 707 can be found for a little over $100. If its something a little cheaper you're looking for, the MiniGrip can be had for around $60 and features a similar blade shape as the 707 with a cheaper (cheaper feeling as well) FRN handle.
 
Spyderco Delica 4 has satisfied all my needs for a campus edc. Throw in the wave for the tactical effect (also works well as a bottle opener, dont know how u feel about that but its there). Endura is also an option if he wants something a little bigger, if he can.
Although i have other knives the delica finds its way into my pocket on most days, no need on campus for anything over 3 inches or anything tactical.
For a little less profile but roughly the same size and kick i also rotate in a Kershaw leek when i feel its more appropriate.
 
People at the college will not be freaked out as easily by a lockback or a slipjoint. I'd go with a lockback.
 
At school, I used the heck out of my multi-tool. Give him two knives: a Swisstool Spirit and something cheaper and tactical-looking. If he wants a tactical knife, he wants a tactical knife. Over time he'll get tired of playing with the tactical, realize he can't carry it on campus, and that it isn't that useful compared to the multi-tool. He'll leave it at home second semester, his tactical craving satisfied, and you won't have to worry about him having a "weapon" in his dorm room. The multi-tool will become part of his body and he will reflect on your wisdom each time he uses it.
 
Another vote for SAK. There is way too much weirdness in the colleges right now for anything that even hints at "tactical" or "weapon". This is especially true if he will be going to an Eastern or ivy league school.

Do your son a favor and give him nothing more fearsome than a friendly looking SAK like a tinker or spartan.

If he complains about an SAK not being tactical, you can tell him that a whole lot of soldiers carry SAKs and find them bloody handy.
 
Depending on where he will be going to school, be damn sure you know what the laws are there, how strictly they are enforced, and where they use metal detectors! For example, in the small city where I live you must go through a full scale security checkpoint to get into a certain building containing federal offices including Social Security. I have an artificial hip joint. Try walking through a metal detector with one of those and see how far you get! And, yes, the guards took my small SAK and held it until I exited their building, like I was somehow going to attack somebody with my SAK. Welcome to our "brave new world."

For quite sometime now many places and institutions -- especially schools -- have been operating in this insane "ZERO TOLERANCE" mode. Just ask my wife. She's a teacher and knows whereof she speaks! (No, she didn't get busted. She knows better.) I don't see things getting any better in the future, either. It's only going to get worse. :jerkit:
 
Dean:

Some good advice is given already.

A folding tactical is handy to have, but I find I ALWAYS have a SAK.

Especially if he is living away from home, you can’t go wrong with a leatherman type multi tool
I have one in my school bag at all times.

I always carry a small liner lock tactical as well.
I keep the SAK & multi tool for the tools; use the tactical folder to cut stuff simply because it is so accessible and handy. (It is my staple remover too)

Depending on where I am going I leave the liner lock at home.
Some bars, pubs search everyone going in.

As far as which one, well that is personal preference.
One of each would do me fine:)


If your son tends to wear black jeans/pants. I would tend to black g10 handles.
It blends in hardly noticeable.
Many Benchmade models are nice and useful.
I prefer a half serrated blade.

Check your schools “weapon policy”

The policy at my school follows.
The liner lock I carry fits their policy and I use it in class everyday.


WEAPONS ON CAMPUS POLICY
________________________________________
No person, while on property controlled or owned by XXXXXX shall possess or carry any firearm, weapon, imitation of a weapon, ammunition, knife, prohibited device or dangerous chemicals including explosives and fireworks.
No person while on property controlled or owned by XXXXX shall use any object as a weapon or imitation thereof, for any unlawful purposes.
DEFINITIONS
Definitions and descriptions of firearms, ammunition, weapons, imitations and prohibited devices shall be in accordance with the Criminal Code of Canada.
EXCEPTIONS
Peace Officers and Licensed Guards carrying issue weapons for the purposes of their duties or employment are exempt.
Exemptions to the policy may be granted for bona fide administrative or educational purposes with written permission of the College Principal or appropriate Dean/Chair of the involved program.
In all cases where written permission has been obtained, the requestor shall present a copy to the Security Supervisor or designate prior to bringing the firearm/weapon(s) on campus. The Security Supervisor or designate shall have final decision on the matter of admittance. The appropriate Dean/Chair or College Principal will be advised of any refused entry by the Security Supervisor and the reasons for such refusal.
Small folding or utility knives or knives used for food preparation or legitimate course requirements are exempt provided they are used for a lawful purpose and not brandished or work in such a manner as to cause concern or alarm. The decision of the Security Supervisor or designate shall be final in cases of dispute.

My EDC and favorite since 2001

http://www.knifezone.ca/kabar/kabar4060.htm

the thin blade cuts well and D2 holds an edge really well.

I prefer a blade with some curve and half serrations. A tanto is not as good an all round choice for me as something with a rounded curve.-spear point

Before the Thorn I used a Benchmade mini AFCK ( replaced by ???)
Discontinued now gryptillion in same class


ATS34, D2, CPM s30,60 or 90 V are good steels among others

The “normal” Kershaw assisted openers are fun and I have a bunch, but the steel 440A? dosent hold an edge.

CRKT makes reasonable stuff for reasonable prices.
the m16 is available in the smaller size and choice of serrated or not, tanto, spear...
http://www.crkt.com/m16edc.html

maybe its better to give him something replaceable when it is “lost” rather than a high dollar custom.

the spyderco's mentioned are good too.
i stay away from the synthetic handled spyderco's
poor pivot pin, not smooth opening

is he a lefty ?
Benchmade’s axis lock is ambi &very smooth

Do not forget to give him sharpeners


Steven Penner
 
If you want to get him a very nice well built USA made knife that he'll grow to love and rely on for its ability and smoothness get him a BenchMade HK29 14210 axis lock. Its not so big that it will stand out in a crowd. Its smooth as silk for blade function and super strong for its size. Its also available in plain or combo edge 154CM steel with ever so slight of a recurve that is just enough to give a classy look but not be all curvy and has black G10 handle scales that are not the typical textured working finish you see all the time on everyone elses knives but a more unique finish all its own. It almost looks like its been embellished by a pimper with that handmade look to it. The knife is a very nice gentlemans tactical if you will ever see one. NewGraham has them for just over $106 after shipping. I sure love mine.


STR
 
Well did a search and it looks like NewGraham is out of plain edge ones but they had some combo and black blade HK29s there available and looks like some other dealers on the net have plain edge also.

Funny how the pics make this knife look more aggressive than it is in the hand. Its not that big. Just a 2.95" blade. http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=5126

I am not sure what you wish to spend for your son but there are several other choices from both the other companies you mentioned. Many folks have gone nuts over the looks and smoothness of the new Kershaw Groove flipper syle knife. Its an attention getter though that stands out. It kind of has that "wow" thing going for it. But the thing can be bought for around $50 so its not bad to consider.

The Spyderco small lockbacks are always good choices like the Native available at WalMart for around $40. I've had all these and they are all fine USA made products. You can't go wrong with any of them.

STR
 
I would get him a CQC-7 just like his brother's. Or a mini CQC-7 if you want to err on the side of caution. Truthfully, I don't see why campus security should have any say in what a person carries. If your son minds his own business and stays out of trouble, the knife in his pocket should be a non-issue. If the campus security is so over-the-top that they investigate every clip sticking out of every pocket, then IWB carry is an option. In which case, I would suggest a non-waved version.

I carried knives every day all through college and graduate school and nobody ever noticed or cared. I usually carried a Spyderco Endura while in college, and a Benchmade Stryker in grad school- no sweat. I would really have enjoyed an Emerson (which is what I carry now), especially if that's what my brother was carrying while serving in Iraq.
 
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