These knives good for 1st EDC knife?

ipwn3r456 said:
Hello everyone,

I have been looking at some knives for a while, are these knives okay for a 1st timer?

The knives are Spyderco Delica, Gerber Edict, and Buck Vantage Pro.

I have been looking through some SOG AUS 8 knives, and after a bit of research, they are a bit overpriced comparing to others. Just wanted something better than AUS 8. What other knives do you guys recommend? Thanks.
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AUS8 is a great steel for someone's first EDC; it's tough and fairly stain resistant, so it'll be forgiving of your screwups, it'll hold its edge well enough and it'll also be an excellent steel to learn sharpening on, since it is an easy steel to sharpen. Many knives made of AUS8 are also reasonably priced. I can say all of these same things about 420HC, especially with Buck's awesome heat treatment. While both the Buck and the Spyderco are good options, for your first EDC I'd recommend something else like the basic Buck Vantage.
 
Another vote for the Delica - it was my first quality folder (and I just ordered another one a few weeks ago!)

Enjoy making your choice...

Ben
 
ipwn3r456 said:
Thanks for all the comments so far. By the way, how's the locking system on the Buck Vantage Pro?
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It's solid enough for what you'd expect from a liner lock.
From what you'd expect from Buck, (and their no questions warranty policy is top notch).

Next to a kizlyar supreme Ute, which is completely over built and twice as thick, but just so you can see it.

Next to a cold steel code4 just to get an idea of the size and dimensions.


All in all a solid little all around all purpose edc knife. Only problem I had was blade centering was slightly off, but aquick quarter turn on the pivot screw solved that in seconds... Comfortable grip, carries light...
 
ipwn3r456 said:
Thanks for all the comments so far. By the way, how's the locking system on the Buck Vantage Pro?
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Well, it's a liner lock. I would expect it to be secure enough for EDC tasks but wouldn't use it too hard. The Code 4 that strategy9 posted is a much better knife in every way if you ask me. You can get an AUS8 version for under $50 while they're still around, or a CTS-XHP verison for a little more.
 
Kwon Kwang said:
Well, it's a liner lock. I would expect it to be secure enough for EDC tasks but wouldn't use it too hard. The Code 4 that strategy9 posted is a much better knife in every way if you ask me. You can get an AUS8 version for under $50 while they're still around, or a CTS-XHP verison for a little more.
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I found the Buck Vantage Pro for $60 (links got removed by moderator), so I guess that's a better value than some of the AUS8 knives on the market.
 
ipwn3r456 said:
I found the Buck Vantage Pro for $60 (links got removed by moderator), so I guess that's a better value than some of the AUS8 knives on the market.
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The S30V on that is going to be harder to sharpen, and I'm generally not a fan for liner locks, but for EDC they're fine. That is a great deal, I'd take it in a second. That S30V is going to have the Paul Bos heat treatment, so you'll be getting some of the best S30V around.
 
Instead of offering you a million suggestions, I offer you one golden piece of advice:

Run from the Gerber like the plague.
 
ipwn3r456 said:
Hello everyone,

I have been looking at some knives for a while, are these knives okay for a 1st timer?

The knives are Spyderco Delica, Gerber Edict, and Buck Vantage Pro.

I have been looking through some SOG AUS 8 knives, and after a bit of research, they are a bit overpriced comparing to others. Just wanted something better than AUS 8. What other knives do you guys recommend? Thanks.
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Hello,

I never owned the three knives that you mentioned above.

If you can use various types of knives, folding or fixed knives, I suggest these knives to you.

BUCK 110

BUCK 55

BUCK Ranger Skinner #113 fixed blade knife.

Best wishes to you.

Cate
 
The bos s30v on the Buck is a little on the softer side for s30v, which makes it a bit more forgiving, but still a great steel upgrade from their standard 420hc...

For a first EDC it is a perfect knife IMO, and it's still my go to knife in the summer time when I'm wearing basketball shorts because it carries that light and easy...

The code4 is more robust, sturdier, and the triad lock on it is certainly stronger then a standard liner lock, but also carries bigger and heavier, without a deep pocket clip, and IMO is unnecessary ovetkill for most daily chores... The clip point I have in xhp is like a mini folding Bowie knife... I like it, it has it's purposes, usually when I go hiking in the woods its one of my favs, but if I had to pick just one for daily EDC I'd go with the Buck. It's just a convenient all arounder...

Aus8 is another good basic steel for a novice, easy to work with, but not worth the price some folks are offering it up for... For a first budget friendly EDC in aus8 I would recommend something easier to handle like an Esee Avispa instead (also a liner lock)... I Actually got an orange knifeworks exclusive for the wife (her favorite color, along with an orange mora) for her camping knife.. Another Nice beginners knife for EDC basic functions that would suit most all your basic EDC needs...

Ontario Rat models are another basic aus 8 model that gets a ton of high praise around here for an EDC at the price (in aus8).
 
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A couple of years ago I would have said Delica, but due to edge chipping issues on several of my Spydercos that I've noticed, I'm going to go with the Buck.
 
Hi,

I'm very new to this site, but I've carried a pocket knife, in one form or another, since my boy scouting year many moons ago. Usually I would carry just some sort of Swiss army knife. A couple of years ago, my brother-in-law bought me a single blade Kershaw folder with a clip on it. I carried it up until last year when I broke the scales. It was quite worn (I use my pocket knives daily) so I went searching for a new knife. I tried lots and lots of folders to pick the one that was right for me.

Turned out it was a Buck Vantage (large variant). The feel of the Vantage in the hand was what sold me. It is very comfortable to hold and while cutting. The 3.25" blade is a good size for most any tasks I would use a pocket knife for. The clip is situated so it sits low in the pocket and you only see the clip from the outside. I was going to buy the Vantage Pro, but I came across the model with the rosewood dymondwood scales and loved the look (the Vantage 346 rosewood). Even though it has the 420HC blade, as apposed to the Pro's S30V blade, I have had no problems with the knifes edge and I just loved the way it looked, lol.

I wholeheartedly recommend one the Buck Vantage knifes (any variant really). If you could find a local place to try one in you hand, you might just like it as much as I do.
 
ipwn3r456 said:
Wow. The overwhelming majority of people here are recommending the Delica. I am kind of more towards to the Buck Vantage Pro... tough choices.
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Well, there's a reason that the Delica and Endura are Spyderco's top sellers. ;)

But, ain't nothing wrong with the Vantage Pro either. Nor their S30V as their BOS heat treatment is excellent.

In fact, I too first selected the Buck Vantage Pro, Small 342 (2.6"). And I wasn't all that taken with the looks of the Spydercos.

But the 342 went out of production for several months last year and was unavailable, so I got a Kershaw Skyline. Nice but still left me wanting something more.

Then I got to actually handle a Delica and it was an instant luv connection!

Again, no wrong choice here. Just go with whichever one YOU like best and it will be the 'right' one. :thumbup:
 
I own both the Delica and the Vantage Pro. Both are excellent and I have no hesitation recommending either one of them.

Gerber doesn't get much respect here. Their best knives are just okay and none of their knives rank as best in any category.

(I think there's an echo reverberating around the forum.)
 
TravisH said:
Again, no wrong choice here. Just go with whichever one YOU like best and it will be the 'right' one. :thumbup:
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Great answer.... And after you buy one, you can save up and buy the other for your 2nd EDC option...
 
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