Suggestions for higher end EDC?

C

Crazy ol pootnanny

Joined
Jul 5, 2012
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Ok, I'll admit, I'm not exactly a rich guy. I'm in high school so my budget generally entails wishes and hope, but my birthday is coming up so ill have a little $ to throw around. I'm looking at about $100-$175, and I really want to make my dollar stretch on one very high performance knife. I'm looking for an EDC, with a decent amount of belly, preferably a drop or clip point blade, 3-3.75" and a handle that is ergonomic in more than one grip. So far I've seen the spyderco paramilitary fit all these qualifications, but is impossible to find. I've been looking at the sage 2 also, but I'd like to see other options. Thanks in advance!
 
ZT 0550.
I'm also in highschool, the most I shelled out for a knife was $350 (TiLT) What grade you in, if you don't mind me asking.
 
Take a look on Spyderco Native5. I EDC it for about six month and very impressed. Fantastic ergos. I have a large hand and Native5 provide me with secure grips, especially using choil. After I switched from SAK to modern knives seven years ago I always carried large knives: Griptilian, than C83 Persian and Caly3.5. But lately I found that Native5 does almost all my cutting and sufficient for whatever I need. I own two paras. Without of doubts they are great knives, but I never was attracted to them to make my EDC. Native5, I cannot leave it home even to a day and give others knife a chance to cut. S35N is a good steel, I really didn't notice difference between S30V and S35N yet. Guess what, I have one more Native5 on the way. Moonglow fron EDC forum.
You can find Native5 for $112 shipped. If you do not mind lightly used, I saw them in exchange and ebay around $80, but for b-day gift I would get NIB.
Good luck.
 
You can usually find pm2s on the exchange and if your set on getting one eBay will always have them although generally overpriced. If you find something you really want and it's not available waiting is the best thing you can do cuz you'll eventually come around to buying what you wanted in the first place.
 
Here are some of my favorites that I have at one point carried as EDC. They are different so figure out which best suits you and your needs realistically :

- Sequel 707 : small when closed but with good size 154CM blade. Light weight too. ($98)
- Native5 : a little bigger than 707 with nice back lock and S35VN blade. ($112)
- Para2 : great knife but @ 4.8" closed. Still light for it's size. S30V. Compression Lock is sweet. ($110)
- ZT0550 : Beefy and tough as hell. But also pretty heavy. Thick S35VN blade and great titanium frame lock. ($156).
- ZT0350 : Heavy duty and on the wide side. Not a bad slicer. But not the best either. A lot of knife for the money. ($120)

These are just a few suggestions. I have owned and carried them all. Enjoy the search for your perfect EDC. Deciding is half the fun !
 
Gayle Bradley-- gotta take of M4 or it will rust
PM2-- awesome-- just gotta find one
Emerson- Mini Commander- 125.00-- awesome blade thats easy to sharpen.-- I can point you to where they are available for 125..
 
Based on your description, I'd suggest at least looking at a Benchmade 950-1. Axis lock ease of use, great blade shape. I have a PM2, but prefer the Benchmade 940 and 950 series knives to it (the 940s for being more pocket friendly, and the 950s for having better ergos, at least for me).
 
Well, due to my wanting to make my own custom fixed blades also, I might have to back off the price I can go on a folder a bit for now, but there's also the chance of working for some $ too. Is the native FRN as highly loved as the native 5? And thanks for all the suggestions already, I appreciate the expertise of guys who know more about knives than me! :p
 
Crazy ol pootnanny said:
Is the native FRN as highly loved as the native 5?
Click to expand...
Of cause FRN Native is loved. The same great ergos. I in my use didn't notice difference between S30V and S35N. But Native5 has improved lock, full liners, four way clip and full flat grind. Also it has screw construction, including pivot screw. Native5 is not just G10 scales, it is significantly improved model and in my opinion worth every penny. You can search for lightly used on exchange or the bay. They showing up once in a while.
 
ZT350. I got a blem from kershawguy.com for $85. You could get any of his blem ZT's for your budget.
 
Crazy ol pootnanny said:
Well, due to my wanting to make my own custom fixed blades also, I might have to back off the price I can go on a folder a bit for now, but there's also the chance of working for some $ too. Is the native FRN as highly loved as the native 5? And thanks for all the suggestions already, I appreciate the expertise of guys who know more about knives than me! :p
Click to expand...

bh49 said:
Of cause FRN Native is loved. The same great ergos. I in my use didn't notice difference between S30V and S35N. But Native5 has improved lock, full liners, four way clip and full flat grind. Also it has screw construction, including pivot screw. Native5 is not just G10 scales, it is significantly improved model and in my opinion worth every penny. You can search for lightly used on exchange or the bay. They showing up once in a while.
Click to expand...

I had bought the FRN Native first and I had such a great experience with the knife that I purchased the Native5. It really does feel like a upgraded version of the FRN as bh49 said but sometimes I just like to carry the FRN as it is a little more lightweight and a great user [and almost half the price]. The FRN Native and the N5 are both great knives in my opinion. You can't go wrong with either.
 
Why suggest a Para2, it's not like he'll be able to find one that's not got a gouging price on it. I'd say go for a Hogue EX-01 3.5 G10. It's one of the smoothest production knifes out there with a great lock, fit and finish, and one of the few I've seen with a mirror polished edge from the factory.
 
I ended up ordering the closest thing to a para I could get on my budget, the superleaf. Should be in hand next Wednesday, and I'll see about getting pics out. Thanks for the suggestions, I think next on my list is the native now.
 
If you are not set on getting a Spyderco, I'd look into the large Bone Collector from Benchmade. Great lock, drop point, good steel, ergonomic, 3.5" blade, and different grip options. Just an idea :)

ETA: Nevermind. I see that I missed the boat. Enjoy!
 
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