What are the top factors you look for in an EDC?

K

kbuzbee

Joined
Aug 5, 2006
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I need a few things for a knife to become an EDC.

1. Thumb hole, preferably a large one. I own studs and levers and slots and.... but nothing opens one handed as easily as a large thumb hole (Thanks Sal!)

2. Pocket clip - a metal one that can be replaced or adjusted.

3. Decent steel, one day I'll own a ZDP189, currently I have S30V & 154CM on my favs

4. Good lock, most of mine are liner style. Those work fine.

5. Comfortable grip, decent traction so it feel secure.

6. Cost - I'll go a bit for something I consider "special" but I'm never gonna carry a $500 pocket knife. Most seem to run $70 - $130.


What doesn't matter (as much)?

Size - Anything from 2 1/2 to 4" is fine. I don't need anything bigger but I doubt I'd ever carry anything much smaller. Still most things seem to fall in that range.

Handle material - it can be metal, micarta, FRN, Zytel whatever. Nothing too delicate I suppose.

Make no mistake, I like a lot of different knives for different reasons, but, for me, they have to have all these things to actually wind up in my pocket.

Anything I've overlooked??

Ken
 
Light weight and small.
Inexpensive ($10-$20 range), for painless replacement.
Secure carry method.
Above-average materials.
Interesting design.
Easy availability for replacement.
Reputable brand name.

The knife that currently best meets all of these requirements, the AG Russell Hunters Scalpel, although in the past I've most often carried an Opinel.

-Bob
 
1, It must be a legal size folder

2, sharp

3, Not chinese

I carry all kinds. From Mini Trappers to Mini Griptilians. Today happens to be a fine day to carry a Case Medium Stockman 3318. ;)
 
1) one handed opening
2) good lock
3) pocket clip
4) good steel (probably 44C or better)

probably in that order, not that worried about size, but they have been getting bigger lately
 
Blade material and it sounds like 440C would be best (in a folder).

Blade design and plain edge is what i think is best.

Lock design: axis or arc.
 
I have pretty big hands, so ergonomics are important to me.
My all-time favorite is the Spyderco Military for all the reasons you listed above, plus it has the most comfortable handle I've ever felt. I'm normally not a fan of liner locks, but in this case I made an exception.
I just wish they made it in a framelock.
 
non agressive
legal carry (less important then non agressive) in the UK this means sub3" and non locking
good carry system
good ergonimics
easy opening
good slicing ability

My EDC is
halfopen.jpg



clipcase.jpg
 
A SAK in my front pocket everyday is already a done deal so for my second back pocket knife I typically look for (but do not limit myself to):

legal in my area, reasonable price, small size, one hand opening, pocket clip, decent materials, reputable company, good looks
 
Andy_L said:
My EDC is
halfopen.jpg


clipcase.jpg
Click to expand...

Andy, what's the brand of your knife, the steel, is it manufactured in UK ?
 
Looks like a William Henry to me.

As per myself,
2.5-3.25 inch blade
Manual open, but occasionally I get an AO just to mix it up
Uncoated blade
I like uncoated pocket clips too. They don't have to be shiny, just no black stuff to scratch off
I like G10 on my EDCs. Occasionally I go titanium, but, not often.
Blade shape--I usually like something like a leaf shaped blade here, sometimes a recurve
While I sometimes make exceptions, for EDCs, I like flat handles instead of 3D, just for thinness
It has to have 440C or "better"
 
Garonne said:
Andy, what's the brand of your knife, the steel, is it manufactured in UK ?
Click to expand...
It is a Wiliam Henry Legacy. It has ZDP-189 steel (or rather a ZDP-189 core with 420 cladding). The knife is made in the U.S. and the steel is from Japan.

Right now I prefer to EDC small fixed blades, so I look for:

-Fixed blade
-2.4 - 4 inch blade
-A smartly designed sheath (usually Kydex) for comfortable carry and fast access
-Good steel
-Tough scales
-Comfortable ergos

I admit I am a little bit of a knife snob, so I tend to want to carry something that is a little high-end and a little special, but still a user. For example, Bob Dozier and Busse. I don't look down on more common knives and I know there are knives far more special than anything I own, but I like to carry something that only knife knuts will know about rather than something that everyone sees in the knife store at the mall.
 
1: Must apeal on a viceral level
2: Quality materials with at least something natural.
3: Cost not an issue
 
Hair said:
It is a Wiliam Henry Legacy. It has ZDP-189 steel. The knife is made in the U.S. and the steel is from Japan.
Click to expand...
it's the H300-C model with black clipcase (B09 I think) reatail is $170 for the knife and $25 for the case
 
Temper said:
1: Must apeal on a viceral level
2: Quality materials with at least something natural.
3: Cost not an issue
Click to expand...

May I ask what you mean by natural? I'm thinking "wood" but what the hell do I know?:D
 
I'm not picky at all:D

1. Has to be good looking to me.

2. Ok blade steel, like 440A

3. Blade Length- 2-6 inches

4. Fixed or folder.

So anyone know a knife like this?:D
 
Folder that I like carrying and using. No specs on steel or edge angle or any of that. Just a knife that is a good utility user.
 
Well, lets see:

It has to be legal for carry. After that it has to have something interesting about it, and/or fill a spot I don't have in my EDC. I tend to carry 3-4 knives every day. I tend to carry a large locking folder, small locking folder, and a fixed blade of some kind (when appropriate). The only addition to that might be a slipjoint. I carry what I do because they handle most situations that I run into whether they be task or socially related. I'm NOT handing my Strider GB over to a novice.

To illustrate my point, I carry:

Strider GB (large locking folder)
Buck/Mayo 172 (small locking folder)
Steve Fischer Gent's linerlock (takes place of slipjoint)

and, when appropriate:

RJ Martin Japanese-wrap tanto.
Chax Knives Keemosabe Jr.
or
Gene Ingram one-of pocket Bowie.
 
Durability, ease of cleaning, good steel (prefer S30V). Also comfortable handles, grippy handles, and legal. Basically my large Micarta Sebenza is my perfect EDC.
 
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