The G.O.A.T.S. of EDC knives

EatingSarma said:
As phenomenal as Chris Reeve knives are, I still wouldn't put them as the GOAT's of EDC. For that fact that you mentioned - there's not that many of them around. And most people who do have them, either keep them as safe queens, as they are usyally grails of people's collections.

People on this forum are exceptions. There's plenty of people out there who just bought or got gifted one good quality knife and are carrying it for years, most of them probably don't even know that this forum exists.... just an example.

CRK are no doubt one of the best knives you can buy, but vast majority of people will never buy one. Personally, probably me too. As I can get decent folder, and small fixie and large fixed blade, all under the price of one CRK...
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That's a good point and I'd add cost as an obvious factor. They are great for people who are in the hobby and have like $600 to spend on a single pocket knife. That they are iconic within that population speaks to their quality but we have to ask. Is it the G.O.A.T. if you can't afford it or your household budget makes such a purchase extremely irresponsible? Going the other way, why not consider even more expensive knives? (I don't mean to say that G.O.A.T. candidates need to be cheap but consider my choice of the Gemini. It's a great design and made well for what it is. There have also been lots of versions in different materials in the $50-200 range and I feel like there could be one for anyone.)

Thinking about other hobbies, a $500 bottle of whiskey might be the most amazing thing I'd ever taste but I'd never buy it. Hell, I get a twinge when I buy $100 bottles for special occasions. So if you ask about my G.O.A.T. in that category, I'd go with stuff like Redbreast 12 or Powers John's Lane because I'll actually keep them on hand and have them as a more regular part of of my life.

Back to CRK, stock versions definitely wouldn't be the G.O.A.T. for me regardless of price. I prefer slicker action. I don't like the clip. I find the studs very uncomfortable. I also hate that the lanyard attachment rattles when not attached to lanyard. So I've gone even further to change those things on mine. Now I've got it almost where I want it and I love it. I've just spent a stupid amount of money on it and at the end of the day, I still like my Geminis more.

nizPfqK.jpeg
 
Tritium said:
That's because G.O.A.T.s change weekly.
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Once I got the Costco executive membership I started changing my G.O.A.T.s daily.

As far as I can tell the Spyderco Para 2 definitely fits.
I’d say CRK Sebenza deserves a spot regardless of availability and price.
 
Chronovore said:
That's a good point and I'd add cost as an obvious factor. They are great for people who are in the hobby and have like $600 to spend on a single pocket knife. That they are iconic within that population speaks to their quality but we have to ask. Is it the G.O.A.T. if you can't afford it or your household budget makes such a purchase extremely irresponsible? Going the other way, why not consider even more expensive knives? (I don't mean to say that G.O.A.T. candidates need to be cheap but consider my choice of the Gemini. It's a great design and made well for what it is. There have also been lots of versions in different materials in the $50-200 range and I feel like there could be one for anyone.)

Thinking about other hobbies, a $500 bottle of whiskey might be the most amazing thing I'd ever taste but I'd never buy it. Hell, I get a twinge when I buy $100 bottles for special occasions. So if you ask about my G.O.A.T. in that category, I'd go with stuff like Redbreast 12 or Powers John's Lane because I'll actually keep them on hand and have them as a more regular part of of my life.

Back to CRK, stock versions definitely wouldn't be the G.O.A.T. for me regardless of price. I prefer slicker action. I don't like the clip. I find the studs very uncomfortable. I also hate that the lanyard attachment rattles when not attached to lanyard. So I've gone even further to change those things on mine. Now I've got it almost where I want it and I love it. I've just spent a stupid amount of money on it and at the end of the day, I still like my Geminis more.

nizPfqK.jpeg
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That's a really beautiful knife that you have right there.

And I agree with you on this. Because if I somehow ended up losing all my knives and needed EDC fast - I'd probably go to the store and buy a SAK and/or a Voyager, or Ontario Rat, or something similar.

Yes, Sebenza and other CRK's are leagues away from let's say, a Voyager (Voyager is a cheapo brick compared to say, Sebenza), but - I can literally walk into the store tommorrow and buy a Voyager for 50-70€ depending on store and deal (I'm looking up prices here). And let's look at CRK, let's say Sebenza - costs around 700€ here (almost my monthly income), plus - I'd have to order it online and wait for it. And only places that always have it in stock are the ones pricing it at around 900€.

Plus, many people (myself included) would hesitate to use something that expensive. Also, I lost more knives than I broke. Imagine paying a single knife that much and then losing it?

CRK Sebenza is iconic, and it is more of a grail candidate than EDC beater, and CRK is pretty much in league of it's own when it comes to quality. But I'd not put it as GOAT knives for EDC. They are more of premium/luxury item.
 
My two cents.
Buck 110
Spyderco Delica
Victorinox Pioneer or Spartan
Opinel #8
Kershaw Blur
CRK Sebenza
Maybe the Benchmade Griptillion
These all had a huge impact on the industry and are still available.
 
EatingSarma said:
That's a really beautiful knife that you have right there.

And I agree with you on this. Because if I somehow ended up losing all my knives and needed EDC fast - I'd probably go to the store and buy a SAK and/or a Voyager, or Ontario Rat, or something similar.

Yes, Sebenza and other CRK's are leagues away from let's say, a Voyager (Voyager is a cheapo brick compared to say, Sebenza), but - I can literally walk into the store tommorrow and buy a Voyager for 50-70€ depending on store and deal (I'm looking up prices here). And let's look at CRK, let's say Sebenza - costs around 700€ here (almost my monthly income), plus - I'd have to order it online and wait for it. And only places that always have it in stock are the ones pricing it at around 900€.

Plus, many people (myself included) would hesitate to use something that expensive. Also, I lost more knives than I broke. Imagine paying a single knife that much and then losing it?

CRK Sebenza is iconic, and it is more of a grail candidate than EDC beater, and CRK is pretty much in league of it's own when it comes to quality. But I'd not put it as GOAT knives for EDC. They are more of premium/luxury item.
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Thanks! The emerald paper Micarta put it over the top. 💚

I think about that other point sometimes. I have knives that are "too nice" for me to want to use them. The irony is that many of them were made to be hard users. That Sebenza is on the edge. I do carry it and use it for basic stuff but I still don't want to get it nasty or all scratched up. I have some other fancy knives that I just never carry and should probably sell.
 
I bought a bunch of knives over the years trying to find my perfect EDC. Once I bought a Para 2 my knife buying essentially stopped. I did get a lightweight Para 3 but that’s not really a departure. The Para 2 essentially ended my search for my perfect fit.
 
EatingSarma said:
That's a really beautiful knife that you have right there.

And I agree with you on this. Because if I somehow ended up losing all my knives and needed EDC fast - I'd probably go to the store and buy a SAK and/or a Voyager, or Ontario Rat, or something similar.

Yes, Sebenza and other CRK's are leagues away from let's say, a Voyager (Voyager is a cheapo brick compared to say, Sebenza), but - I can literally walk into the store tommorrow and buy a Voyager for 50-70€ depending on store and deal (I'm looking up prices here). And let's look at CRK, let's say Sebenza - costs around 700€ here (almost my monthly income), plus - I'd have to order it online and wait for it. And only places that always have it in stock are the ones pricing it at around 900€.

Plus, many people (myself included) would hesitate to use something that expensive. Also, I lost more knives than I broke. Imagine paying a single knife that much and then losing it?

CRK Sebenza is iconic, and it is more of a grail candidate than EDC beater, and CRK is pretty much in league of it's own when it comes to quality. But I'd not put it as GOAT knives for EDC. They are more of premium/luxury item.
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I have no issues using my Sebenza or my Inkosi for hard tasks, nor do most here. They were built to work and I work ‘em.
Just to clarify, my understanding of a title like ‘G.O.A.T.s of EDC’ does not necessitate the need for beaters but Sebenzas can and should be used.
Is it a grail for some, sure. A luxury/premium item, perhaps. Still, it’s a knife that screams to be used.
I did say use, not abuse. I carry fixed blades for the stupid hard stuff.
 
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Here is my take:

1. CRK large sebenza
2. Victorinox midnite manager or executive. Very functional and edc all the time for me.
3. Spyderco Slyz Bowie. Next to CRK, its sensational in every way. And it looks like a knife should look unlike other Spydercos
 
Greatest of All Time should have a meaning beyond what's my favorite. "All Time" is a long time and many of these new comers haven't been in enough pockets to claim that. Exceptions made for absolute game changers that defined or altered the industry significantly.
 
SharpBits said:
Greatest of All Time should have a meaning beyond what's my favorite. "All Time" is a long time and many of these new comers haven't been in enough pockets to claim that. Exceptions made for absolute game changers that defined or altered the industry significantly.
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Good luck with that. Come back and give it a shot after you've spent some time herding cats. 🤣

 
I also thought about Mora for more bang for your buck, but deleted that as I wanted to avoid the naysayers. So I am sure I created a firestorm and I am glutton for punishment. It all depends on your criteria for judging what makes the GOAT. 😜And I am sure you all have figured out that I have too much time on my hands because of the winter storm, I am at home having fun.

Today would be a good day for grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, or a big pot of chili or Brunswick stew.
 
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