Recommendation? What should be my first "good" EDC?

[Pilsner]

[...]
However, I must add, knives that can be opened with one hand that lock are illegal to carry in Germany, says my international lawyer friend google.

But not in the OP’s workplace, I believe.

 

[SW-EDC]

Having owned several Protech's, I can say without a doubt, the TR line is awesome. Quality built American made autos with outstanding CS.
They fire strong with absolute authority..you just feel the quality in hand.

 

[skyhorse]

Can't go wrong with the PM2 or Gayle Bradley2.

 

[Comeuppance]

Having owned several Protech's, I can say without a doubt, the TR line is awesome. Quality built American made autos with outstanding CS.
They fire strong with absolute authority..you just feel the quality in hand.

I will second this. I have had a TR4, two Godfathers, a TR3, and a Protech Brend 2, and all were flawless.

 

[Boxer .45]

Spyderco Shaman, Benchmade 551. Robust, quality knives that are not afraid to be used. Both fit your budget.

Yeah the Shaman is nice, awesome size. Its a little thick for slicing food though. Maybe a Delica or Endura, or police G10 would fit better and be much slicier. The OM2 or Para3 would also beca good choice depending on size wants/needs.

 

[Smaug]

You're mentioned the Protech TR3 several times. That's obviously the one you've got your heart set on.

Get it, or else you'll end up still wanting it later. (Voice of experience)

 

[FullMetalJackass]

Yeah the Shaman is nice, awesome size. Its a little thick for slicing food though. Maybe a Delica or Endura, or police G10 would fit better and be much slicier. The OM2 or Para3 would also beca good choice depending on size wants/needs.

I have no issues prepping food with the Shaman, the high saber grind is more than enough efficient.
Both of these knives have wide blades, great to spread Nutella or cream cheese on a piece of bread. That counts as cooking right?!

 

[Boxer .45]

I have no issues prepping food with the Shaman, the high saber grind is more than enough efficient.
Both of these knives have wide blades, great to spread Nutella or cream cheese on a piece of bread. That counts as cooking right?!

I just meant slicing would be more efficient with thinner stock, not that it wasn't capable. I dont spread PB&J or cream cheese type stuff with my folder. I'd whittle a stick if there was no other option.

 

[b00n]

The PM2 is a staple for a lot of reasons - it is an impressive feat of design. It is an excellent cutting tool all around.

I also like the Manix 2, and personally regard it as a superior cutting tool to the PM2. I find the lock less awkward to manipulate, and the ergonomics and blade shape to be a little more pleasing.

However, I must add, knives that can be opened with one hand that lock are illegal to carry in Germany, says my international lawyer friend google.

But not in the OP’s workplace, I believe.

General rule of thumb, knives that can be opened with one hand / are designed to be opened AND have a way to lock the knife in the open position that way are illegal to carry in public in Germany but are legal to be owned and carried on private property that isn't accessible to the general population. Knives that can be opened only with two hands OR don't feature a lock can be carried in public. Fixed blades need to be shorter than 12 cm / ~4.7 in to be legally carried in public. Out to the Front Autos are completely illegal, both to carry or to even possess, and out the side autos are legal to own as long the blade is under 8.5 cm but they can't really be legally carried (you can if you proof a proper reason for it, self defense is not one reason legally) there is almost no way you can explain yourself out of it.
There is a lot more to it but one handed opening WITH a lock is generally a no no in public, but fine on your property/non publicly accessible places. (IE Work Place with permission/Your own Home)

 

[Blacplastik]

German laws are nuts. What about scissors they are just two knives bolted together, are they illegal too?

 

[Yonose]

General rule of thumb, knives that can be opened with one hand / are designed to be opened AND have a way to lock the knife in the open position that way are illegal to carry in public in Germany but are legal to be owned and carried on private property that isn't accessible to the general population. Knives that can be opened only with two hands OR don't feature a lock can be carried in public. Fixed blades need to be shorter than 12 cm / ~4.7 in to be legally carried in public. Out to the Front Autos are completely illegal, both to carry or to even possess, and out the side autos are legal to own as long the blade is under 8.5 cm but they can't really be legally carried (you can if you proof a proper reason for it, self defense is not one reason legally) there is almost no way you can explain yourself out of it.
There is a lot more to it but one handed opening WITH a lock is generally a no no in public, but fine on your property/non publicly accessible places. (IE Work Place with permission/Your own Home)

Assuming one left said knife in pocket in public, how often would a german citizen be subject to random searches? —Assuming an otherwise law abiding citizen?

 

[b00n]

Assuming one left said knife in pocket in public, how often would a german citizen be subject to random searches? —Assuming an otherwise law abiding citizen?

My experience with police have only been with "general traffic checks" they pull you over, look the car over, check paperwork. Similar to say DUI checkpoints, where you haven't necessarily done something and just got more or less randomly picked out of traffic flow.
Your car is fine, you act polite enough, you drive on without having to open your car or get out.
Random stop and frisk doesn't happen here. Police only search you if you give them cause.
That being said, somebody else might drag you into something if you brandish the knife, use it in a way that causes attention they can have you empty your pockets if somebody else calls the cops on you.
It might be different in high foot traffic/crime areas. All I can say that the police officers I interacted with, and stories I know 2nd hand, they are all fairly decent if you treat them respectfully, even if you are a criminal. (I interacted with maybe 5-6 patrol cops and one detective)

 

[Lapedog]

Another vote for the pm2, or even the military itself is imo a little more functional and aesthetically pleasing. The s110v version will really surprise you at how well it holds an edge.

S110v is probably a little bit much for someone new to knives to learn sharpening on.

I thought automatic knives in Germany was tantamount to carrying a firearm. Don’t know about the intricacies of German knife law though. Talk to b00n he seems to be a pretty knowledgable German messer guy.

 

[Yonose]

Similar police polite attitudes in nj and ny metro.

 

[Yonose]

S110v is probably a little bit much for someone new to knives to learn sharpening on.

I thought automatic knives in Germany was tantamount to carrying a firearm. Don’t know about the intricacies of German knife law though. Talk to b00n he seems to be a pretty knowledgable German messer guy.

S110v isn’t very much harder to sharpen than s30 or s35vn, IME. Takes a bit more time, but the op sounds intelligent—though your right, he did ask for a newbie entry.

 

[Pilsner]

My experience with police have only been with "general traffic checks" they pull you over, look the car over, check paperwork. Similar to say DUI checkpoints, where you haven't necessarily done something and just got more or less randomly picked out of traffic flow.
Your car is fine, you act polite enough, you drive on without having to open your car or get out.
Random stop and frisk doesn't happen here. Police only search you if you give them cause.
That being said, somebody else might drag you into something if you brandish the knife, use it in a way that causes attention they can have you empty your pockets if somebody else calls the cops on you.
It might be different in high foot traffic/crime areas. All I can say that the police officers I interacted with, and stories I know 2nd hand, they are all fairly decent if you treat them respectfully, even if you are a criminal. (I interacted with maybe 5-6 patrol cops and one detective)

Very similar here in the UK also. The real issue for a tax-paying middle-aged law-abiding person such as me, for example, is that although I could wander round carrying knives which are technically not legal for casual carry, without much risk of interference, what would be the point?! There wouldn’t be an opportunity to actually use it, and for self defence it would just be used as a reason to give me an even longer sentence after the fact. Pull out a big locking folder in London and people would be calling the police before you could say billhook.

 

[Colorodo]

Second the Manix 2.

 

[MichaelMotorcycle]

I will second this. I have had a TR4, two Godfathers, a TR3, and a Protech Brend 2, and all were flawless.

I will third this. There is no way I'd go ZT over protech. Zt QC has gone down in recent years. I was a die hard Kershaw and zt fan. But after my last few purchases of their American made knives I won't do it again til they re up their game.