Which folder would you buy at each of these price points?

D

diletante

Joined
Mar 20, 2002
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I'm trying to decide between the D2 Camillus EDC at $85 and the Talonite EDC at $150, but I should probably at least explore the other options.

I'm buying the knife for EDC and camping. It will replace/supplement the blade of my Leatherman Wave (which, quite honestly, has sufficed to date). I need a knife to cut various materials in the "household and office" environment--paper, cardboard, rubber, softwood, carpet, leather, etc. (I can't remember the last time I had to cut hardwood with my pocket knife). I like the idea of a framelock, but realize it is probably overkill for most of my uses and am open to alternatives.

Which folder would you buy at $85 and $150 for EDC and why?
 
There are many choices at these prices. Instead of dragging you through the littany of considerations, I would simply suggest the following:

The EDC has about a 3 inch blade. I find this a bit small for camping, preferring a 3.5 - 4 inch folding blade. However, if you are getting one knife for both jobs, then a 3 inch or just below 3 inch blade will serve you well for city carry in most places.

The EDC is just a bit small for my hand. I prefer the ease of opening with a thumbdisk or thumb hole. Also, keeping the weight down for an everyday carry knife is important.

Emerson CQC-7 Mini might be one choice. I find the blade steel a bit thick, but it is right at 3 inches and a tough knife.

The Spyderco compression locks are quite strong. Although it is only 2.5 inches long, the Titanium Salsa gives you a heavy duty flat-ground cutting machine with very strong grip, and a frame-lock type compression lock for at or under $100.

I have never had a Talonite blade, so no comments on that.
 
Why not the new 154CM version?

I don't believe a Frame-lock would be overkill,
It's about safety and K.I.S.S. (Keep it super simple)

I have one of the old 154CM EDC and if I didn't already
have a Seb. I may have been able to live with it.

It's a nice design but there are two things:
It's only 3" (Which I also believe is a
little small for camping but about the best you can do in city :( )
And you better have a good way to sharpen that recurved edge
(Spyderco SharpMaker 204MF)

It's a good knife and I don't think there is anything in the
price range I like better!

Oh, as to "steel" I would iether get the Talonite or the 154CM.
I just don't see D2 being worth $30-$40 extra.
(Get the Talonite! We need some more reviews of it :) )
 
For strict EDC's I think you can't beat the camillius EDC line, especially not in D-2 or talonite.
But.. there are loads of knives out there which are all-time farourites with campers and EDC users, like BM AFCK, 710, Spyderco military, endura/delica couple in VG-10 ( my personal choice - excellent cutters, rather cheap in case of loss), wegner.

In the higher price range for EDC I would hesitate and go microtech.. they really give the best for the money. Also..the BM AFCK 2 axis with D-2 blade is great.

For camping however..size does matter, Most people will advise a fixed blade, but I've been on camping trips where I only needed my SOCOM-E and a SAK. I would say go for a cuda MAXX 5.5.. best value for the money out there in my opinion if you can find one.

Remeber.. EDC carry and camping are two different things. For EDC I carry (in rotation) BM 806D2 AXIS, Microtech LCC plain edge, spyderco Military ATS-34 plain edge. Most of these have been on a camping trip too.. along with some fixed blade which did most of the work to be done. I always have my leatherman wave around too, and it hasn't let me down either, it's just that I'm used to D2 and 154-CM on solid hi-quality 4 inch folders... then the leatherman wave blades come up a bit short in every field. The diamond file however is great for fieldsharpening and the other toys are very good too.

greetz and take care, Bart.
 
I should probably withdraw the camping portion of my spec. I'll use the EDC for EDC in an urban, white collar environment. A Victorinox Huntsman, Outrider or Leatherman Wave has always sufficed for my purposes while backpacking, and one of those and a combination of other tools (kitchen knives, saw, etc.) has always sufficed for car camping. Since I've discovered these forums, however, those tools may not "suffice" anymore--I've got my eye on a Rinaldi TTKK ;)
 
The Camillus EDC in 154CM will handle most any EDC chore you can throw at it...and don't sell the 3" blade short for camping either. The EDC is a great knife at the price point.

Paul
 
I know everyone loves the EDC, but me personally am happier with a Spyderco Native. It fits the hand quite a bit better(wider and the blade forms a finger choil with the handle for a secure grip) and I really like FRN handles. They don't get scratched up and look really scruffy in a few weeks like aluminum or steel handles. Plus it has CPM 440V steel which is a really nice steel. If you wait 4 or 5 months you will be able to get it in VG-10 as well, which many people consider the pinnacle of every day carry steels at the moment. The 440V will hold an edge longer, but its kindof hard to sharpen and it tends to take a toothier microserrated edge(good for rope and fiborous matierials like cardboard) than a polished edge.
 
EDC and Camping? You mean you are the only one on this forum who actually buys one knife for both????? :p
I think most versatile alltime production folder for both environments is Spyderco Tim Wegner. Other Spydercos are excellent too, they all cut well. Benchmade axis locks are excellent too although I think their edges aren't always well ground.
Martin
 
I'm with Ian on this one, look into the Spyderco Native. Great knife and if you keep your eyes open you can pick one up for $40-$45.
 
I'll also chime-in and suggest the Spyderco Native or maybe the Spyderco/Wenger. If you really want stout, with a wide, thick blade, get a Spyderco Chinook.
 
Hate to sound like a broken record after the two previous replies but, Spyderco Native at ANY price.

It's the knife that made me like lock-backs. It's the knife that made me believe you could have a serious cutter in a FRN handled, mass produced knife.

For me, it's folder perfection: Thin profile, small enough to carry comfortably, large enough to be useful, FRN handle feels extremely comfortable, and the opening is smoother than Heidi Klum's (insert your imagination here)...

As for it's blade design, its tip is so precise that you could cut vegetables like Emeril, or perform an emergency tracheotomy (I'm still waiting for that but if Father Mulcahey on M*A*S*H could perform one I figure...).

The only thing I hate about the Native is it has made me stop looking for other knives! ;)
 
Frankly if it's for camping I'd suggest you go for fixed blade.
Any GP spyderco that you pick out at the price point would be very nice for your task. If you can afford, benchmades are not bad at that price point.
 
Forget camping--just EDC. As I said:

Originally posted by diletante
I should probably withdraw the camping portion of my spec. I'll use the EDC for EDC in an urban, white collar environment. A Victorinox Huntsman, Outrider or Leatherman Wave has always sufficed for my purposes while backpacking, and one of those and a combination of other tools (kitchen knives, saw, etc.) has always sufficed for car camping. Since I've discovered these forums, however, those tools may not "suffice" anymore--I've got my eye on a Rinaldi TTKK ;)
Click to expand...

As to the Spyderco Native and other models--I don't like the looks of the Native or Wegner. I'd consider a Micarta handled plain edge VG10 Calypso Jr. if I could find one. The regular Calypso's too big.
 
I've tried carrying the Camillus EDC's and they're fine knives. However, they're just too small for me. So I've gone back to a Spyderco PE Military. You can pick one up on the web for less than $100 and it's a helluva knife at that price point. It does about every job I ask an EDC to perform AND it has significant PD capabilities as well.
 
I need to get my hands on an EDC before I make up my mind. My hands aren't really big, but they're not small either. I usually take a size "Large" glove.

VG10 and Micarta make the Spyderco Calypso is tempting despite its 5.25" OAL. Oso Grande Knife & Tool Co. say they still have some at $105.99 LINK. It's also got a 4" blade, so I'd have to check my local ordinances (the Employee Handbook says 3" max at work for what its worth ;) ).
 
I agree with Milan that the Camillus is just a little bit too small for my hands to be used comfortably as a EDC.
I would choose a plain-edged Delica (I think they are now being made with VG-10) or the Calypso Jr.
I still have'nt decided if I like the Native.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
dilletante, the Calypso Jr. w/ Micarta scales never was made with VG-10 steel, only with AUS-8 steel. A very nice blade.

Spyderco has been trying to "perfect" a design for a smaller (under 3" blade" for EDC since the Worker. It started with the Standard, went on to the Rookie and then the Calypso and then the Salsa. Now they have re-packaged the Calypso blade shape into the Lil' Temperance leaf point design with a very massive handle.

The Native is a great package, and I love the handle/choil combination, but I am not a big spearpoint fan. It is also a bit rugged for the white collar types. I wish they had just taken the Worker blade and put it in an updated handle/lock configuration.

No one has mentioned the William Henry Carbon Fiber Lancet. It does not have a very high profile, but is a great slicer. You can pick them up for under $150.
 
My absolute favorite is A.G. Russell Featherlite (under $50 )very light and perfect size IMHO.NO pocket clip or thumb stud so rides in bottom of pocket unobtrusively,which is what I need 90 % of the time.
 
Originally posted by Architect
dilletante, the Calypso Jr. w/ Micarta scales never was made with VG-10 steel, only with AUS-8 steel. A very nice blade.
Click to expand...

You are correct, of course. I was thinking of the Calypso Jr. with the Zytel handle.

I know I might get flamed, but the aesthetics of many of the Spydercos and Benchmades just don't grab me--I just can't see myself carrying them. I find most Spydercos downright ugly (although I really like the looks of the full-size Calypso, Bob lum Chinese folder and a few others).

Speaking of aesthetics, I don't like the gold colored Titanium Nitride screws and pocket clip on the Talonite EDC, either--I think they make it look tacky. The all silver EDCs just say "tool" as does the Buck Strider 880SP, which I have found online for $120 LINK. If I get an EDC it will be the 154-CM or D2 model--assuming the EDC is a good fit for my hand, either model will meet or exceed my EDC requirements more economically than the Talonite model ($50 to $85, respectively) and without the tacky gold trim.
 
BM AFCK (original liner lock)
Spyderco Military
Spyderco Calypso

Of these, I like the Calypso the best--flat grind, VG10 and Micarta in a rare (discontinued) and beutiful knife, but IMO any of the knives above would be worth $15 more than the D2 EDC. I'll probably get one of thes or a 154-CM EDC if it fits my hand.

Edited to delete the SOCOM Elite--NOT around $100.
 
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