Want to change up my EDC.. 150$ budget.

C

cordawg92

Joined
Jan 30, 2011
Messages
105
Hey guys,

I haven't posted here in a while but I'm looking for a new EDC. I know that these types of posts come up every day, but I would really appreciate some input :) I currently have the following:

-Kershaw Leek
-Kershaw OD-1
-Spyderco Delica
-Spyderco Sage 1
-Buck Vantage Pro Small
-Cold Steel Recon 1

My budget is around 150$ and I am looking for something different. The blade has to be less than 4 inches, light and not intimidating. I have been carrying my Sage around for the better part of a year now (It's been great), and I'm just looking to switch it up.

I was originally looking at blades that were similar to the Sebenza, but I didn't really find any in my price range. My ideal EDC right now would probably be something like the Benchmade 940, but that's also a little out of my price range (considering i'm from Canada, they are harder to come by). I was looking at a few Benchmades but I couldn't convince myself to buy any of them without asking you guys first.

Any input is appreciated!!

EDIT: I really like the look of the Benchmade 707. I am seriously considering it.
 
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I think a spyderco caly 3.5 would suit your needs nicely. I had one of the old 3 inch ones and it was just amazing for edc.
 
Hmm...I would prefer something that looked more different than the Caly 3. I'm getting a new EDC mainly just because I'm getting a little bored with my Sage. But the sage looks almost identical to the Caly 3... So I don't think I would get it
 
I have a Spyderco TI Sage, it is honestly one of the best production knives I have. The ergos, size, workmanship and blade quality all surpassed my expectations. It is a knife that deserves the hype it gets
 
If you looked around in the exchange, you could probably find a small Bradley Alias for 150 or less. Blade is 2.95 inches in s30v I believe.

Here's a pic I nabbed from one of the dealers that posts here.
bradley-17650-alias-ii-large.jpg
 
I just bought an Echelon. I like the size and looks, but quite frankly, the finish is horrible. All the edges are sharp and squared off when they should be rounded to some extent. It's just a really miserable knife to hold and use.
 
Have you ever had a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 in your hand? Great knife. If that's too intimidating looking, then I would have suggested a Caly 3 or 3.5, however you stated they look too much like your Sage 1. I know how you feel about your Sage, it's one of my favorite knives, and it's hard to top it.

If you wanted to give Benchmade a try, why not give one of the cheaper models a whirl like the Griptilian or Barrage. The Benchmade 530 is also nice, but it's very light weight with a really thin blade. I'm up here in Canada too and there are two online dealers that I know of that have all of these knives for under your $150 budget. Ones in Vancouver and the other in Ontario.
 
Spyderco Perrin PPT and Chokwe are under $150 and both have S30v and are titanium frame locks. I have the PPT and like it a lot, great ergos and enough texture for good grip but not so much that it destroys your pockets
 
One of the best steel deals going on right now are the Limited Edition - Presidio & Mini-Presidio with M4 steel, BM520 & BM525-1101. These are great knives with an awesome steel that you can't get everyday! When they're gone......they're gone.
 
I like the little Spyderco Native. It's inexpensive, has a great cutting edge and is light weight. The Bradley also is an excellent choice. People get tired of their knives and I have a box of them. I change them every day or so. I don't like sharpening my S30V knives, but they do hold up exceptionally. I hate losing them, though.

.
 
I completely understand what you mean by changing up your EDC. I look at your list, and you basically have very well-regarded, representative knives from every major US folding knife manufacturer except Benchmade and SOG. I have the Buck Vantage Pro, a Spydie Endura 4, and a Kershaw Leek. I really want both a Cold Steel AK47 and a Spyderco Para 2, but you already have a knife just like those. If you are kinda stuck in a rut with what you have, I would suggest a Benchmade with an axis lock. It is really unique and I think that it would have a different feel than any of your other knives. But I don't personally have one either, I just want one(especially the 710, a lum model, or a 940 series).

...Although that bradley alias looks pretty nice, too.
 
Jet B said:
Have you ever had a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 in your hand? Great knife. If that's too intimidating looking, then I would have suggested a Caly 3 or 3.5, however you stated they look too much like your Sage 1. I know how you feel about your Sage, it's one of my favorite knives, and it's hard to top it.

If you wanted to give Benchmade a try, why not give one of the cheaper models a whirl like the Griptilian or Barrage. The Benchmade 530 is also nice, but it's very light weight with a really thin blade. I'm up here in Canada too and there are two online dealers that I know of that have all of these knives for under your $150 budget. Ones in Vancouver and the other in Ontario.
Click to expand...

Keyman said:
One of the best steel deals going on right now are the Limited Edition - Presidio & Mini-Presidio with M4 steel, BM520 & BM525-1101. These are great knives with an awesome steel that you can't get everyday! When they're gone......they're gone.
Click to expand...

GLDNDomer said:
I completely understand what you mean by changing up your EDC. I look at your list, and you basically have very well-regarded, representative knives from every major US folding knife manufacturer except Benchmade and SOG. I have the Buck Vantage Pro, a Spydie Endura 4, and a Kershaw Leek. I really want both a Cold Steel AK47 and a Spyderco Para 2, but you already have a knife just like those. If you are kinda stuck in a rut with what you have, I would suggest a Benchmade with an axis lock. It is really unique and I think that it would have a different feel than any of your other knives. But I don't personally have one either, I just want one(especially the 710, a lum model, or a 940 series).

...Although that bradley alias looks pretty nice, too.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the replies. I am relieved that people can actually empathize with my situation. After reading through all these comments I have realized that I really don't want another Spyderdo... I understand how much hype they get, but I really want to try something with a completely different feel. I'm not going to get a Bradley Alias because of how much it costs. I'm thinking about going Benchmade but I'm not sure which one to get. I have tried the Mini grip in stores before and I wasn't SUPER impressed, but I thought that the axis lock was cool. If I'm going to spend 85$ on a knife, I figure that I might as well shell out a little extra and get something besides a base model. I was looking at the Mini Presidio , the Benchmade 530, possibly the Mini Grip, and maybe one of the Osbourne series if I can find one in my price range.

It's a tough decision, but at least I've narrowed my choices down a bit.
 
How about the Gayle Bradley? It's a great knife with excellent fit and finish, great steel and is darn good looking.
 
cordawg92 said:
Thanks so much for the replies. I am relieved that people can actually empathize with my situation. After reading through all these comments I have realized that I really don't want another Spyderdo... I understand how much hype they get, but I really want to try something with a completely different feel. I'm not going to get a Bradley Alias because of how much it costs. I'm thinking about going Benchmade but I'm not sure which one to get. I have tried the Mini grip in stores before and I wasn't SUPER impressed, but I thought that the axis lock was cool. If I'm going to spend 85$ on a knife, I figure that I might as well shell out a little extra and get something besides a base model. I was looking at the Mini Presidio , the Benchmade 530, possibly the Mini Grip, and maybe one of the Osbourne series if I can find one in my price range.

It's a tough decision, but at least I've narrowed my choices down a bit.
Click to expand...


If you are going to look at the mini grip, why not look at the Ritter or use Benchmade's custom shop? The mini is a NICE EDC for the money, with your budget you could even upgrade it!
 
+1 to Para2, Gayle Bradley, Alias, and Calys. All excellent choices! Judging from what you have already, a Para2 or Caly 3.5 would be an excellent upgrade in my opinion.
 
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