Suggest EDC for College Student

Campus security at my university is not an issue. I edc a manix most days, and have had no problems. I would suggest a plain edge, because college kids don't have to cut rope very often. I would go with the bm grip, or maybe a spyderco endura or military, or a kershaw speed bump, but get him a firebyrd also - college kids often need lighters AND bottle openers. Of course a leatherman wave or an sak is the most handy, but I don't carry one very often and the looks factor is usually important, especially if he wants a cqc-7. The first serious knife I bought for myself was a crkt m16 13sf. It's a little more tactical looking.
 
What school will he be attending? You'll probably want to check the laws in that state to determine what sort of knife would be acceptable. After that, it will be easier to make some recommendations.
 
I recommend a smallish (2 or 3 layer) Swiss Army Knife, preferably with friendly red scales. He'll get a lot of utility, and a very sheeple friendly package. The other important thing, is to make sure he understands not to brandish it unnecesarily.
 
How about a Mcusta basic folder?
It opens very fast, good lock-up,has nice scales-quincewood,ebony,white micarta and others.
Good steel too and is an interesting mix of tradition and tactic.
Something different, but of course, if you are ultra patriotic it won't do as it's Japanese. Excellent knife on all levels:thumbup:
 
I would say get him a BM mini-grip. Its not tactical but it is small enough for EDC and if hes on campus, he can just unclip it and place it into the pocket. Also, I would suggest looking at the BM HK14210. The same size as the mini-grip but is built to HK specs with G-10. Im sure if he wants tactical he would like to have the HK name behind it.

Also, maybe have him look into the delica/delica waves. If hes a college student like myself, he will like the wave feature.
 
At my University it's fine to carry a knife, and the rules probably won't make a difference between a SAK and another knife. Most rules seem to say "you aren't allowed to carry a weapon" then make an exception for a pocketknife with "less than X inch blade." I am good as long as it isn't over 4 inches, which is to much for EDC anyway. As long as he doesn't wave it around and treat is like a weapon there should be no problem.

The suggestion for the firebird is a good one, or else a small SAK to go with the other knife, if he doesn't already have one. But as long as it isn't specifically against the rules something like a griptillian should be no problem.
 
In regards to laws...if you dont do anything stupid to draw attention, and you use decent discretion when choosing the knife, most campus police wont give you a blink.

I carried a knife, pocket clip in plain view, for my entire college career.

This is the USA, and unless you are asking for trouble, most anyone will accept a young man carrying a knife as a tool...assuming he doesnt look like trouble. :)
 
He does not need a tactical knife on campus ... what are you thinking .....
get him a Leatherman at most......
 
JGarth, I disagree. Why shouldn't he need a "tactical" knife any less than anyone else? It's a knife, it's to cut things, just like any other knife. Just because it looks "tactical" doesn't mean it's only a weapon. Any knife can be used as a weapon. Besides, just because someone is in college doesn't mean they have no use for an SD weapon. Why SHOULDN'T he have a "tactical" knife?
 
Forget the SAKs, they are fine knives but he won't like it as much as a one hand opener like a Benchmade or Spyderco.

There is a lot of value in both company's mid range knives. Spyderco has the Centofante 4 which I have found to be a Delica beater and one of the best knives for the money I have owned. Great design all the way.

The Benchmade Vex is also a nice knife and they can be found for about $40 or less.
 
Having carried a knife since high school (though not TO high school), I have an eye for whos carrying. Up here in Houghton, maybe not the majority but at least a significant number of people have some type of pocket clip locking folder. Mostly just CCC's and the like. But its definately a different atmosphere up here...

Having said that, I wish I didn't love carrying my Native, because my SAK or vic Spirit would be much more useful, but then if I was questioned as to why I have my Native, I couldn't really use the "to cut stuff" arguement (as weak as it is), now could I?

I'm also of the school of thought SAK with can/bottle opener and cork screw. I recently bought a corkscrew for my swisstool spirit because I had an ordeal trying to open a bottle of wine for my gf over christmas break and I'm not going through that again!
 
the school i am going to attend in the fall says no knives in the dorms, so im going to take my junkier knives with me, see how strickly enforced it is then go from there. i cant really argue that its a tool for class because the rules state even tools used in class that can be weapons cant be in the dorms.

but since the blades are both small enough to keep consealed legaly as long as im not stupid i dhould be good... and lock box storage.

-matt
 
WOW! Thanks for all the replies! He already has a Leatherman Multi-tool that he'll take with him. I often carry a Leatherman Wave, and LOVE it. Regarding the pure knife, I probably will go with a plain edge as most have suggested, and I guess its time for him to learn how to sharpen a knife for himself. I sometimes however really like to use the serrated blade on my Wave, and thought that maybe a Spyderco with serrated blade would be functional for him, and something he wouldn't need to sharpen often (but when time, would really challenge him). I would like him to have a blade that would be a useful SD knife in a crisis, but its main purpose would be for the everyday kind of stuff that we all encounter. He is a very responsible kid, and not prone to violence or stupid indescretions (flashing a knife to impress the crowd, etc.). He plans to go to the University of Arkansas, where I believe there is a 4" fixed, or locking folder restriction, so I definitely want to keep it below 4".
Maybe I can buy one of each knife and let him do an article on "EDC Knives on College Campuses", for his english class :-). ...but that would probably bring the fire down on his head, huh?
Again, thats for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming.
 
I live in the dorms currently and carry my Large Sebenza along with many others all the time and no one bats an eye. In my room I also keep much bugger knives for camp chores as I often go back packing and camping, but I don't give anyone the chance to see them so it doesn't make a difference...As long as your not an idiot with your tools their should be no trouble carrying what ever you want.
 
my school says no knives but the RAs just walk past the kitchen knives so i dunno. anyways i carry a browning ice storm
 
a mini-grip with a colored handle will seem less threatening to onlookers. The Kershaw Splinter is the same size, a very nice knife with quincewood handles that always gets favorable responses when I'm using it. or any Mcusta with a damascus blade, that way it's an "art" knife (and they're great knives, love my "take" model!).
 
BenchMade Benchmite. Good construction, nice cutting, you can carry it in the smallest of pockets, and it will cut anything you need to cut at college. Also a keychain-sized SAK (I use a Wenger Pocket Tech) with a bottle opener. The Pocket Tech has a small screwdriver that is handy for glasses, computers, iPods, etc.
 
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