Looking for an edc pocket knife

[orygun]

Years ago I had a co-worker on a job site ask to borrow a large screwdriver.
I let him have it and 30 minutes later a saw he was scraping concrete splatter off some metal forms.

The tip of the screwdriver was destroyed.

After that whenever anyone asks to borrow a knife or tool I always ask ''What are you using it for''?
About half the time I say no, but you can use this. [The right tool for the job]. Or I just say No.

My Dad told me a quote from his dad who was a woodworker. "Never loan your screwdriver to a mechanic. He thinks it's a chisel!"

I'm a mechanic!

 

[OrToAk]

Can't go wrong with any Benchmade auto!

 

[Windex]

I used to be heavy heavy in the custom knife world. I have carried knives that were $25 (Keyshawn Cryo) up to $5,000 handmade customs (Todd Rexford Epicenter) and everything in between.

I have EDC'd a Strider SMF for about 15 years but if I had to give that up today I would be carrying a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 tomorrow. It's a damn lightsaber out of the box, the thumb hole feels great, great choil for you to choke up on it, and the compression lock is awesome.

 

[ken98k]

I have hundreds of pocket knives but rarely pay over $100 for one.
I just recently gave my most valuable knife, to my one of my younger brothers. It was a family heirloom, an "HHH pliers knife".

 

[JayDeep]

Sooooo many great brands and options out there. What do you want to spend? Fixed or folding? Do you want something more traditional or modern in both form and/or function? Do you want something easy to sharpen, but will have to be touched up more frequently, or something that will take longer to sharpen, but will hold an edge longer?

There's something for everyone out there! I'm a major fan of traditional folders (aka slipjoints). Their biggest downfall, for most, is that they don't lock open. If you're going to be doing hard and/or frequent use, I suggest getting a more modern style and design that is locking.

You're an Oregonian I see, so I recommend getting something local. Benchmade is very decent. I prefer Kai cutlery, specifically Zero Tolerance, or their cheaper sibling Kershaw. There's also Gerber, for the cheap seats, and CRKT for the wild and funky designs.

I've had it all and after years of collecting and hundreds of knives I've become a major knife snob. I've got a custom folding pocket knife that cost $3k and likely have over $100k in knives in a drawer I never even open anymore. Keeping that in mind, I've still got 2 Benchmade and 2 or 3 Zero Tolerance that I've deemed as worthy of being in my collection as that custom $3k and dozens of others in the $1500-2500 range. So that's why those are the two I would most strongly recommend.

Here's mine...

 

[Proud_Patriot]

It completely depends on what you want to pay for your knife. I've got a Benchmade Infidel, and they're wonderful knives. For my EDC, many years ago I bought one of these from Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT). Got it at Bi-Mart for about $40.00, IIRC. Thought was it's cheap enough that if it got lost or broken it wouldn't be the end of the world. Great knife, snaps open nicely, keeps a good edge. Love mine, easy to recommend:

M16®-01KZ Spear Point

The M16 design is a tactically-inspired everyday carry knife. Kit Carson is a renowned custom knifemaker that cemented his legacy in this iconic and popular knife pattern.

www.crkt.com

Nice! I'll look for one!

 

[Proud_Patriot]

Looks like you're in Oregon City which is where Benchmade is located. They will sharpen or fix anything on your blade for free. You can just drive in and have it done. I buy Benchmade for the same reason I buy Leupold. It's quality and it's right in my back yard.

My Benchmade Infidel won't open anymore. Could I just drive up?

 

[Proud_Patriot]

For good, slim, lightweight useable folders that won't cost as much as a gun, I'm a fan of Spyderco. They sharpen easily, maintain a good edge and cut things.

If you want something fancy that will last a lifetime, Chris Reeve Sebenza.

Which Spyderco model is the best bang for the buck?

 

[Proud_Patriot]

Currently running this little Rainier Knives fixed blade. You can't go wrong with spyderco or Benchmade though.

Disregard all the Benchmade haters. I'm sure they will show up.

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How much did you spend on this compared to benchmade or spyderco?

 

[Windex]

Which Spyderco model is the best bang for the buck?

Paramilitary 2 and it's not close.

 

[ORhutner]

Paramilitary 2 and it's not close.

One of their all time great knives. I was a Para2 EDC carrier for years until a friend challenged me to carry a Military for a week and I was a convert. I now rarely carry one of my Para2's but that is no fault of the knife, I just found I enjoyed the Military and now the Military 2 better.

@Proud_Patriot Other all star Spyderco's would be the Delica, Endura, Kapara, Shaman, Bodacious, Stretch and many others. Honestly it is hard to go wrong with any knife in the Spyderco line up if the size, lock and feel in hand meet your needs/checklist. Windex's recommendation of a Paramilitary 2 would be one of my two top Spyderco recommendations with the Military 2 being the other. Comes down to which size speaks to you and if they are in your price point.

 

[Loc-Nar]

+1 for benchmade

 

[OR Highlander]

How much did you spend on this compared to benchmade or spyderco?

"Oh, we've all gone down that rabbit hole. I've got a pile of knives that used to rotate and now just sit.

What pushed me out of the traditional EDC folder lane wasn't quality, it was use case. I work from home, and between my wife and I there's a constant stream of boxes and packages. That turns into a lot of cardboard, tape, and repetitive cutting.

A traditional folder like the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 handles it fine, but you end up constantly dulling the edge and either maintaining it or just living with a less effective blade.

I ended up switching categories entirely to a replaceable blade setup. The TiRant RAZOR V3 Utility Knife solved that problem for me. If the edge goes, I swap the blade and keep moving. No sharpening, no downtime, and no concern about what I'm cutting.

That said, it's not for everyone. If you want a more traditional EDC, better ergonomics for varied tasks, or just enjoy a well-made folder, something like the Paramilitary 2 still makes more sense.

But if your reality is high-volume package opening and general utility work, a replaceable blade setup is hard to beat. That's where I landed, at least for now."

 

[1775usmc]

How much did you spend on this compared to benchmade or spyderco?

I don't remember. I buy everything used. I no longer carry a Benchmade or a spyderco.

 

[Windex]

One of their all time great knives. I was a Para2 EDC carrier for years until a friend challenged me to carry a Military for a week and I was a convert. I now rarely carry one of my Para2's but that is no fault of the knife, I just found I enjoyed the Military and now the Military 2 better.

@Proud_Patriot Other all star Spyderco's would be the Delica, Endura, Kapara, Shaman, Bodacious, Stretch and many others. Honestly it is hard to go wrong with any knife in the Spyderco line up if the size, lock and feel in hand meet your needs/checklist. Windex's recommendation of a Paramilitary 2 would be one of my two top Spyderco recommendations with the Military 2 being the other. Comes down to which size speaks to you and if they are in your price point.

I was unaware that they made a military 2. I would be just as happy with that as a para 2. Prior to them making the changes the reason I wouldn't have ever carried the military was because I can't get behind the tip down carry. It's a non-negotiable for me. The compression lock also feels so much better. Im gonna have to pick up a military 2 now.

 

[1775usmc]

Current pocket knife. Does everything I need and can sit in the coin pocket. Also easy to get through metal detectors.

Only costs $30 bucks if I loose it or need to buy another one.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

+1 for benchmade

 

[Quirt Evans]

For a utility folder for hard use I think the Benchmade Adamas is top line.
Pros; a strong heavily built knife with CPM CruWear tool steel and G10 scales,
Cons; many would gripe about the size/weight/bulk.
It's not a thin bladed poker, and It's not cheap, but it's less than many of the custom knives that wouldn't hold-up to the jobs that the Adamas will handle.

 

[Alexx1401]

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That move of theirs will go down in history as one of the most tone deaf actions of all time. I used to LOVE their stuff. Still have a couple of their knives from long ago. When I found out WA decided to allow us common folk to own auto knives again I was like a kid in a candy store. I could not bring myself to buy any of theirs though since there was other NICE USA made models to choose from. Still can't believe someone there decided that chopping up those guns was a "good idea".

 

[Windex]

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I was waiting for someone to remember this. I sold my entire collection after this. The only one I actually miss is the 630 though.