Suggest me a good edc knife

Another vote for the Benchmade H&K 14715. D2 steel, full liners, G10, Axis lock, ~$100. Very robust folder.


Re: PM2:
mccoppinb said:
You say rugged but I've seen many stories where the knife has been dropped and the tip broke off would this be something covered under warranty?
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No, the PM2 tip breaking would not be covered under warranty and Spyderco does not offer blade replacement. You could pay them $20-25 + shipping to have them re-profile it, I think.
 
My kershaw zing has probably been one of my favorite knives although China made its robust and thin with a good blade shape the only thing I hate is the pocket clip

Can anyone think of something similar to it
 
Re reading this thread made me want to get out and fondle my HK Axis again. The blade really has great broad use geometry. Nothing delicate about it, even at the tip. I'm a little ashamed to say that I did use it to pry off the dashboard on the wife's minivan (needed bulb behind clock and had to go deep to get to it). The D2 on mine has taken an absolute laser edge, and holds the edge really well. Smooth flipper, solid axis lock, and the non-plastic looks with G10. Also fairly thick, but extensively milled steel liners. Thinking I need to start carrying it again, at least for a while. Although I'm still a super fan on ZT and Spyderco, this is a great one. Oh, and it now has a Mini version, just like the Grip, as well as available in brown G10. Here's a couple current pics.

34in0hj.jpg


zoia0z.jpg


124vx3p.jpg
 
So far I'm really stuck between these 4

Benchmade ritter grip or regular grip

Spyderco Manix 2

Hk 14715

And a nicer kershaw similar to my zing
 
Between those, and if you can swing it $ wise. Go with a Ritter grip with M4 or m390 as they are steel "upgrades" over s30v (some see the lack of corrosion resistance as negating the edge that M4 has over s30v. That being said, I Love M4!)
M390 is an overall increase over s30v.

Or go with a Sprint Manix 2 in your choice of upgraded steels, my preference would be Cru-wear, M4 or M390.

The problem is that aside from the stock offerings, just about all of these will likely be over your cap. Whether it is worth it or not is subjective. Only you can answer that, and only after using said steels.

Stock form:
ergos go to the manix 2 (I wear large bordering on XL gloves) over the rounded and smoother grip.

Steels: 154cm on the grip is easier to sharpen, but loses its working edge quicker than s30v, both are corrosion resistant.

Locks: ball bearing lock usually takes you pulling back on both tabs to unlock, where as the axis can be operated by pulling on just one side. While I never had any issues with my axis locks, the lack "bar/ball" Feels harder to disengage than the axis, thus more secure. Though I still prefer an axis lock.

I have owned and sold two manix 2's, two mini grips, one BM 710.
The only ones I will repurchase will be a grip or 710 (but only if it is M2hss, m4 or m390), a sprint manix 2 in the same steels + cru-wear.
 
Nice 3-3.5 blade length
G10 or aluminum scales nothing real cheap feeling
Some sort of stronger steel like s30v
A nice durable blade that won't break if I drop it
Under 130

This is what you want.

spyderco-manix-2-c101gpbbk2.jpg
 
DAVE_M said:
Nice 3-3.5 blade length
G10 or aluminum scales nothing real cheap feeling
Some sort of stronger steel like s30v
A nice durable blade that won't break if I drop it
Under 130

This is what you want.

spyderco-manix-2-c101gpbbk2.jpg
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I really like them but I hear spyderco has not so good CS and that it's pretty darn wife in the pocket but I could get over that

I wish the griptillian came with G10 scales or aluminum scales for cheaper than the new one
 
mccoppinb said:
I really like them but I hear spyderco has not so good CS
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You heard wrong. Spyderco has excellent Customer Service. Spyderco also has extremely good quality control, as well as excellent fit & finish.

mccoppinb said:
and that it's pretty darn wife in the pocket but I could get over that
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This makes no sense.

mccoppinb said:
I wish the griptillian came with G10 scales or aluminum scales for cheaper than the new one
Click to expand...

I do too, but it ain't gonna happen.
 
mccoppinb said:
I really like them but I hear spyderco has not so good CS
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I agree with Dave, generally speaking spyderco has a pretty good CS reputation.
mccoppinb said:
that it's pretty darn wife in the pocket but I could get over that
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wife=wide... but I think he means that the handle and blade are "tall" from belly to spine

It isn't that bad, and the thinness (side to side) of it seems to make up for it, and considering how it feels in hand, I am able to look beyond that easily.

mccoppinb said:
I wish the griptillian came with G10 scales or aluminum scales for cheaper than the new one
Click to expand...
It has already happened a few times, at least twice that I am aware of. As well that this has been brought up many times before about a "factory option". So much so that you are left with a few options; buy an REI grip with s30v and g10, buy aftermarket scales, or buy a new g10 model with the 204p steel, which is comparable to m390.
 
NJBillK said:
It has already happened a few times, at least twice that I am aware of. As well that this has been brought up many times before about a "factory option". So much so that you are left with a few options; buy an REI grip with s30v and g10, buy aftermarket scales, or buy a new g10 model with the 204p steel, which is comparable to m390.
Click to expand...

The REI grip is a great suggestion, if you can find one. I don't think they are still for sale. The new G10 Grip is really good value, if you like Griptilians. I may end up picking one up when I have more play money.

I don't recall if it's been mentioned before, but the Knife Exchange here on the forum is great for finding knives at good prices. At one point, I went on a buying frenzy and picked up about $600 worth of knives for $250ish total.
 
I though that D2 was a stellar choice but I have been educated. A Smith at a show and his neighbor, both selling D2 blanks and custom knives, in the stall next door both told me that D2 is never hardened to much past 58 Rock for a knife from a steel that touts 64 as it's working hardness. They said the blade would be prone to chipping. 58 doesn't grab my imagination for a steel that will rust but I learned this after having the knife made. I had the blade made from D2 as a skiner and camp knife. It was about 10 inches long and had a large belly. I gave it to a Scout master for his troop and I hear that it did two elk and was still sharp....sorta. Now I learn that the razor sharp edge I put on it most certainly broke off to the "really sharp" edge it now holds. Seems it breaks to a duller edge that lasts forever. Go figure who designed that performance but it sure is a pretty custom knife for the Scouts.
 
D2 is a Great steel, if it fits your application. As a game processing knife, it can hold a toothy working edge that will shrug off accidental contact with bone.

It can make a good general use knife if the edge iso not taken too thin. I don't run my Becker BK24 under 30° inclusive, and it works great for me. I normally will sharpen it on a 400 or 600 grit DMT or SiC sandpaper, then strop it, and not have to touch it up for a week or so of cutting 100' double walled cardboard (or so) daily.

On top of that, I don't take care if it like I do my O1, 1095, 1084 or W1 blades. I haven't oiled it once in over a year of usage and I have carried it out on my kayak in fresh and salt water, sweating while shoveling snow and hiking and carried in my camel back while on my bike.

I really like D2, it just has a niche that I use it in.
 
NJBillK said:
D2 is a Great steel

It can make a good general use knife if the edge iso not taken too thin.

I really like D2, it just has a niche that I use it in.
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Thank you. Done your way it would seem that you have solved the problems I later learned of. The Scouts were not disappointed in the least. Thank you for sharing.
 
Spyderco paramilitary 2
Spyderco Native 5
Spyderco Manix 2
Spyderco Sage 1 & 2

Kershaw Blur S30v or ElMax
Kershaw Skyline S30V or Damasteel
Kershaw Leek S30V, ElMax, or Composite blade

Cold Steel American Lawman CTS-XHP

You can typically find these slightly used in the exchange section for around your budget
ZT 0450
ZT 0808
ZT 0566
ZT 0550
Benchmade mini grip and full size grip with aftermarket scales

There are probably alot more that I'm missing/forgetting about but those are some popular choices.
 
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If you don't already have one, get a Paramilitary 2 or a Code 4. These are, in my opinion, the best production EDC folders money can buy. The Code 4's blade (in any shape you choose) is more durable than that of the Paramilitary 2. You can also get it partially serrated if that's your thing.
 
New blades come along, and they are indeed nice tools. But don't bypass tried and true knives like the old Spyderco Endura. Non obtrusive in pocket and easy to sharpen to scalpel level.
 
upnorth said:
New blades come along, and they are indeed nice tools. But don't bypass tried and true knives like the old Spyderco Endura. Non obtrusive in pocket and easy to sharpen to scalpel level.
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I'll second this. The Endura is crafted from pure awesome.
 
If you are open to a back lock style design, the Cold Steel American Lawman with the Tri-Ad lock is pretty sick. Cts-xhp steel. Fantastic design, imo, and well within your budget.
 
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