Ten Most EDC'd Production Knives

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Vivi

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As the title says. Feel free to include photos, mini-reviews etc.

(In no particular order)

1. Spyderco Military
2. Kershaw Speed Bump (13C27 / Aluminum handles)
3. Boker Trance (Black CE)
4. Boker Wharcom
5. Byrd G10 Cara Cara
6. Victorinox Soldier
7. Leatherman Micra
8. Kershaw Ener-g 2
9. Parker Cut Co. mini stockman
10. Queen #26 stockman in Carved Stag Bone and D2

Right now my favorite large folders are the Military and Bump, though the Ener-g is a nice folder that's been getting some pocket time lately. The mini stockman is nice, it's a two finger knife with tiny, thin blades and attractive horn scales. It goes in my coin pocket along with a larger folder for my typical EDC. The Micra is a great mini multi-tool, it replaced my Vic Classic on my keyring due to its wider range of screwdrivers, better scissors and the fact that you can get a four finger grip on it when using the blade. It is noticably heavier and much less corrosion resistant than the Victorinox though. When I want to go minimal, the Bokers work great clipped to the waist of my pants. Hard to tell it's even there. CLB has produced some fantastic designs.
 
Spyderco Endura PE ZDP or SE VG10 ( one of best knives for money , in top 5 any brand)
Military CF BG42 PE ( one of best balanced all around production knives ever IMO)
Kershaw Blur SG2 ( another top 5 best knives for money. Kershaw just keeps getting better and better)
Microtech Socom Elite S90V PE ( If it only had ergos of spyderco or Blur)
Spyderco Stretch or R2 ( tied, both have excellent blade shapes )
Manix ( enough said)
Benchmade 710 M2 HSS( or Stryker or Ritter Grip, all M2)
Buck 110 custom shop BG42
Buck Mayo Ti/S30V
SOG Tomcat 3 VG10 PE
Boker smooth Red bone copperhead carbon steel slip joint
 
For me:

1. Endura Wave
2. Chinook II
3. Manix (Lock problems, not carrying now)
4. JYDII
5. Chinoook I
6. SWICK
7. BM 906 (I think)
8. Perrin Street Bowie
9. SAK
10. Leatherman Wave
 
1. (tie) Caly 3 ZDP PE
1. (tie) H&K14210 PE
2. Caly 3 VG10 PE
3. mini-RSK PE
4. D4 ZDP PE (work)
5. Para-Millie PE (outdoors)
6. mini-Manix (outdoors)

I'm having real trouble deciding which of the first two I want to carry as EDC. I actually have both of them with me today. The The Caly 3 ZDP is primo in every category... but I know that one day, she'll need sharpening, or at least "touching up". That's when I remember how much I dislike ZDP189.

The H&K14210 is nearly perfect. The only areas where it scores less than 100%, IMAO, are the scales (too slick) and the recurve (don't like 'em). And I do have a slight preference for larger holes over smaller studs for opening. But it is tough. It's survived an accidental drop onto a concrete patio with no harm except a small dent in the G10 where it hit. Can't even see it now that I've cleaned the dust out of it.

As far as cutting, both can do the job very well. I've used both at work in a warehouse and at home cutting stems, making fuzz sticks for a fire, etc. Both steels pass all of the sharpness tests I use and both perform well. The 154CM on the H&K is easier to bring back, as you would expect.

The last 3 knives are task-specific, so they don't get EDC'd for general use, but the mini-Manix and the Para-Millie are EDCs whenever we go to the woods for hiking or camping. Both have been very sturdy knives. I particularly like the Para for it's comp lock and open construction. It's easy to keep clean outdoors.

The mini-RSK at #3? That's my fall-back EDC... good for anything I want to do, sharp as any knife I have, and the one I pick up if I can't decide what to carry. If that thing had another 1/4 " on the blade and a 1/4" on the handle, I wouldn't even look at any other knife for EDC.
 
1. Lone Wolf Harsey T-2
2. Mcusta MC-13D
3. Spyderco Caly 3 ZDP PE
4. Kershaw Mini-Cyclone
5. Kershaw Leek

These are the only knives that have made it into my pocket at all as of late. By the way, Thanks, Dale, for the recomendation on the Caly 3, I really like it. still getting used to the back lock, though. After having so many liner and frame locks, the back lock is hard to get used to, although my first two "decent" knives, an SOG Blink and an SOG Twitch XL, are back locks.

I can't seem to quit my T-2. The s30v is awesome, at least since I learned how to use my sharpener correctly(a Smith with a tungsten "v", diamond coated interupted surface stone, and ceramic crock sticks). I always had the sticks in with the round side facing in, until I realized they could be turned to have the flat side in - MUCH faster. The action is silky smooth, and the cocobolo scales are gorgeous. The size of the blade puts some people off, though.

The Mcusta is F'ing sweet. Perfect EDC size, slick action, great steel and great looks.

The Mini-Cyclone is nice. I like the shape of the blade and handle, but it's a little clunky for being relatively small. With the AO off, it opens kind of stiff, so I just suck it up and leave the torsion bar engaged.

I would carry the Leek alot more if it didn't have fancy MOP and abalone scales. I love the knife - the size, action,blade shape and frame lock. I really need to get one for EDC.
 
-Spyderco Atlantic Salt PE
-Spyderco Captain
-Gerber Diesel
-Leatherman Blast
-Victorinox Classic
-Spyderco Dodo SE
-Benchmade OD 550 Griptilian PE
-Victorinox Soldier

In the past few months these are the only knives I've carried for longer than a few days. I generally stay around the same size and utility for EDC, I haven't really seen anything to break me out of my current paradigm.
 
1. Spyderco Caly 3 G10/VG-10
2. Benchmade 525SBK-701
3. Benchmade Ares 732
4. Spyderco D3
5. Benchmade 210
6. CRK Shadow III (outdoors)
7. Benchmade fixed Grip (outdoors)

Well top seven anyhow. :D
 
Well, since I've noticed the quality, fit and fininsh of Kershaw, that's all I've been carrying. They include:
1. Mini Cyclone Ti/ZDP
2. Standard Mini Cyclone
3. Full Sized Cyclone
4. ENER-G
5. Groove
6. Mini Mojo ("confiscated" by my DW, to be replaced with the Mini Mojito with 13C26 steel)
7. Scallion

No particular order, but the Mini Cyclone Ti/ZDP and the Groove are my current favorites. Perhaps once I get the Mini Mojito back in the rotation, It will see significant pocket time.

I'm looking to add a ZT 300 series, a Blur, and a Tyrade.

Yes, I own spydies and BM's, but the Kershaws get 100% of the pocket time now, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
 
My top eight....

1) Custom Shoppe Buck 110.
2) Alaskan Guide Buck 110.
3) Kershaw-Onion Black Leek.
4) Benchmade-Snody 426 Hybrid.
5) Victorinox Super Tinker.
6) Victorinox Hiker.
7) Victorinox Electrician.
8) Victorinox Jumpmaster.

The Buck 110 is the most comfortable folder I have ever used, bar none.
And it is consistantly one of my very best cutters.

The Leek is just so handy to carry because it's small and slender but it still affords a four-finger-grip.
It's lightning fast to deploy and the blade shape is terrific too.

The 426 is a recently aquired knife and I'm still learning about it somewhat.
The handle is more comfortable than it appears, but I think it's a little too bulky for pocket-clip carry.
But it does ride in a belt pouch rather nicely.
One big drawback....the thumb-ramp peak is way too sharp.

Victorinox SAKs simply cannot be beat when you consider usefulness, price, compactness, and handyness.
So far, the Super Tinker and the Hiker are my favorites.
 
- Delica 4 CE
- Large Sebenza
- Victorinox Explorer
- LM Wave
- LM Squirt or Micra.
- Ti Leek.
- BM 710
- Spydie Ladybug
- Fallkniven S1 w/ Norwalk kydex
- Opinel

Honorable mention: Buck 110 and Schrade Uncle Henry LB7.

For me generally its the Delica, because it has plenty of blade in a smallish, thin package with good ergos. Always have the Explorer on my belt in a minimalist holster for a Fenix light.


The other stuff just gets carried because I like to mix it up. As a desk jockey, the Ladybug would take care of almost all of my needs, but the bigger knives still get carried plenty. I certainly do not "need" to carry the Fallkniven, but I like it there under my shirt nevertheless as well. The Opinels have their own unique appeal.

Sept27.07002Medium.jpg

Delica.

Victorinox-Explorer-Lg.jpg

Explorer. My vote for the "best" SAK.

may-8.jpg

Squirt.

oct.jpg

Leek.

Oct-1.jpg

Strider SNG. (Originally, and mistakenly, referred to as a Sebenza.)

July09.07004Medium.jpg

Opinel.
 
1. Victorinox Super Tinker
2. Benchmade 710D2
3. Ritter RSK-1
4. Buck 112
5. Victorinox Tinker
6. Wenger Tradesman
7. Wenger Evo Grip 18
8. Victorinox Farmer
9. Queen Amber Stag Bone #49
10. Queen CSB #3L
 
1. BM710 D2
2. Microtech Socom elite A D2
3. BM presidio 5000 154cm
4. Microtech Halo
5. Leatherman surge (always with one of the others)
6. Leatherman Charge (same, always with the others)
7. CRKT m16-14T
8. Kbar USMC modded (bush knife)
 
I have a lot of carry knives but will just list the everyday ones. I always carry the Vic Explorer, Kershaw Blackout and either the Original Leatherman or the Squirt IV, and a stanley break point in my shirt pocket.
 
In no perticular order:

1. BM RSK Mini-Grip
2. Kershaw JYD 1
3. Spyderco Caly Jr ZDP
4. BM 960
5. Kershaw Random Leek
6. Spyderco Delica 4
7. Kershaw Onion/Centofante
8. BM 942
9. Kershaw Mini-Cyclone Ti/ZDP
 
Vivi said:
Interesting Sebenza powernoodle ;)
Click to expand...

Indeed. Interesting mix up.

1. Large Micarta Sebenza
2. Fully Serrated Spyderco Police
3. Spyderco Caly 3 (Sold due to Sebenza)
4. Spyderco Lava
5. Spyderco Military (Sold due to Sebenza)
6. Spyderco Scorpius

I only have four folders anymore because I don't feel the desire to carry much besides my Sebenza these days. I keep the others to fill niches that the Sebenza's utility design doesn't quite satisfy.

I listed a couple that I sold as honorable mentions.
 
1. Spyderco Streat Beat
2. Ontario RAT-3
3. Spyderco Military in one of its many versions.
4. cf/zdp caly 3
5. chinook 3
6. Delica 4
7. Kershaw Spec Bump when I am not in Wichita
8. Ritter Griptilian
9. 710 D2
10. Bk-11

I carried the spec bump most often until I realized that we have city ordinance prohibiting assisted openers. I probably carry the millie and the D4 most often.
 
Most carried while not at work:

1. Victorinox small Tinker
2. Yellow delrin Case medium Stockman, CV
3. Spyderco Calypso Jr. ZDP-189
4. Small regular Sebenza
5. Bark River Mini-Canadian
6. Bark River Mini-Northstar
7. Benchmade 710HS (M2)
8. Queen Congress, Cocobolo/D2
9. Custom Shop Buck 110 Oak/BG-42
10. Camillus EDC

No matter what else I carry, I always have either 1 or 2 in my RF pocket. I always come back to the Sebenza, but the ZDP Calypso Jr. has been getting a lot of pocket time lately. The Bark Rivers get carried a lot too.

A few weeks ago my son gave me a ZDP-189 Spyderco Endura 4, and my daughter gave me a G-10 Byrd Cara Cara. They will work themselves into the rotation over the next few months, and may replace others on the top 10 list.

At work:

1. Yellow delrin Case Peanut, CV
2. Brown delrin Case Peanut
3. Genuine Stag Case small stockman
4. Turquoise bone Case small Toothpick
5. No. 5 Opinel
6. '50s vintage 2-blade Victorinox (like Secretary)
7. Al Mar Havana Clipper
9. Boker Subcom
10. Boker Wharcom
 
1.Victorinox Compact
2.Victorinox Farmer
3.Victorinox Huntsman
4.Victorinox Swisschamp
5.Victorinox OHT
6.Gerber Clutch (never alone, just as a second or third knife)
7.Opinel No.7 (modded)
8.Schrade 807UH
9.Schrade 885UH Stockman
10.Spyderco Endura (first gen)

I carry 1 and 2 together.
If i don't have those then its 3 and 6 together, or number 4 alone.
The OHT occasionally displaces the Farmer and is teamed with the Compact.
The Opinel (one hand "Opin-able" lol!) and the Schrade 807UH are sometimes carried in addition to the above combos.
I love Spydercos but i rarely carry one, i guess i'm not a "one-bladed knife" kinda guy.
Before it was lost my Spyderco Mini-Dyad was my constant companion. I miss that knife.
:(
 
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