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Looking for 2 EDC pocket knives: one utility and one really nice

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Shocker

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I am actually using a Gerber Ghoststrike fixed blade in the scout carry sheath on my belt. Plus I carry a Kershaw in my pocket. I am a double knife guy.
 

bonneyman

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I carry a Swiss Army Knife Super Tinker for daily use, and have a couple of USA-made Gerber Gators put away for when it hits the fan. The Gators ergonomic rubber-like handle is superb, and - though I haven't tested it for this - I think it would be great for slippery jobs like gutting a fish without slippage. I don't think the newer Gators made in China are the same.
 

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MattN03

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KY
I've carried a Leatherman Skeletool for years as EDC. It's the perfect combination of compact, light weight, and usefulness with the blade, screwdriver bits, and pliers.
 

Galvonzo

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I’ve carried a Kershaw Link since at least 2016 I think. On my second one as I lost the first one some years ago. It’s a fairly nice for me, not too big or small. I had the Leek before that and while it was also a good nice I feel I’m able to get a better grip on the Link since it’s not as thin. The best thing I did for it was get a good knife sharpening system.

Also looks like they’ve updated the Link recently and discontinued the style I have, but a quick eBay search shows plenty still available. I remember paying around $40-50 for it. So for 45 bucks in todays world, I might just grab one or two for spare for the future.

 
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11b30b4

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Coming to this party a bit late but here are my 2 cents. My EDC is a quality knife I have carried since 2013. It is the Piranha Excalibur OTF (~ 400.00) which is somewhat of a clone of the Desert Knife Works Sandshark. Before that I carried a Benchmade Infidel (~ 400.00). All of these are OTF (Out the Front) double action auto knives. If OTF’s are not your thing, then a Benchmade Auto Presidio II (~ 300.00) is a good choice. If autos are not your thing, then a Chris Reeve Sebenza (~ 500.00) is an outstanding folder. If you just want something good but at lower in cost the Benchmade Mini Griptilian (~ 100.00) is a good choice. If you want to have a heart attack, try looking for an original Desert Knife Works Sandshark, when they can be found they sell of over 2K; however, there is a reason for that.

 

Al Borland

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Be like half the construction workers i know...
Get the Stanley 99 utility knife, carry it in your front pocket and look "Happy"
 

CS454

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Coming to this party a bit late but here are my 2 cents. My EDC is a quality knife I have carried since 2013. It is the Piranha Excalibur OTF (~ 400.00) which is somewhat of a clone of the Desert Knife Works Sandshark. Before that I carried a Benchmade Infidel (~ 400.00). All of these are OTF (Out the Front) double action auto knives. If OTF’s are not your thing, then a Benchmade Auto Presidio II (~ 300.00) is a good choice. If autos are not your thing, then a Chris Reeve Sebenza (~ 500.00) is an outstanding folder. If you just want something good but at lower in cost the Benchmade Mini Griptilian (~ 100.00) is a good choice. If you want to have a heart attack, try looking for an original Desert Knife Works Sandshark, when they can be found they sell of over 2K; however, there is a reason for that.

The Severtech Mill ******* is a good side opener for autos. Super Tanky. That said, Benchmade autos and manuals alike are breaking springs like mad. Chris Reeve is having supply issues and is quoting in years to supply orders. Not to mention their Heat Treat isn't the best for what you're paying.
 

11b30b4

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Severtech, I'm not plugged into the knife making community like I use to be back in my Bushcrafting days. Chris has been a long-time acquaintance and I have always cherished his knives. I have one of the very first SF Yarborough's that sits nicely alongside my 68 made model 1. That being said, I would not endorse something I did not know and trust and every blade I mentioned previously is IMO outstanding. You mileage may vary.

Slowtwitch, I have heard that the original sandshark was made for a specific SEAL or Team and grew in popularity amount the other members of the community. However, the company eventually closed, and that short production run along with the insane durability of the knife are the reason for their value.

Oddly enough, OX Forge knives produced an auto side folder that was very durable. I once witness an operator pry open an elevator door with one and the knife did not bend or break. There was even a NSN assigned the to Army version that was available to most SOF’s from the mid to late 80’s up to today. I have one and love it but it’s a little large for EDC IMO. Regardless, OX Forge survived when DKW didn’t. You can still buy one of OX’s treasured NSN black knives today (although there is a slight difference in the look of the grip from the “original” and the now available knives).
 

slowtwitch73

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Hellgate
When a company stops selling something it has nothing to do with how good it is, what matters is that they can make money on it.
When they sell for mad money after the fact, seems there is a market.

Also evidenced by fact they are bringing it back (I think).
 

CS454

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This thread turned full "Garage Journal" when we started recommending Sebenzas for a guy looking to buy one knife for $30 and another for <$100.
But the Sebenza 31 has a ceramic lockbar interface!!!!!

Totally worth the $500+ premium. Then you can send it to Josh at RazorEdge for a regrind and another trip through the furnace.
 

Houdini5150

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Arizona
This thread turned full "Garage Journal" when we started recommending Sebenzas for a guy looking to buy one knife for $30 and another for <$100.
Sebenza you say.... How about a Ruike P801? I had one it was sharp but I ended up returning it because I couldnt get the action to losen up and be more smooth. It was super stiff even with me re lubing it.

P801-SF.jpg
 

JradM

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Sebenza you say.... How about a Ruike P801? I had one it was sharp but I ended up returning it because I couldnt get the action to losen up and be more smooth. It was super stiff even with me re lubing it.
Too bad you couldn't sort it out. I've thought of getting one myself. That's an awesome recommendation for someone drooling over a Sebenza but who want's a cheap alternative.

Maybe a bit heavy for me to EDC, but a 14c28n blade is probably my favorite "budget" steel.
 

Houdini5150

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It didnt work out for me but I ended buying other knvies. My current EDC is a Pro Tech SBR, most of my other knives are all budget <150 and this one was little bit more and I am happy with it. Not so much into growing my knife collection.
 
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thool

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On the advice given here, and from a few other sources, I've made purchases (one was a gift). This isn't an exhaustive review, but more of my impressions and possibly the start of a journey. I'm not a "collector" but do find an appeal kind of like how some people like watches.

20230322_200911.jpg

20230322_201111.jpg

Left to right, least favorite to most favorite.

Ontario RAT model 2: This has thumb stud deploy, the grip is a little slippery, it's the knife I carry the most because I don't care if I lose it.

Steel Will Cutjack: Flipper deploy, blade is beefy at the hinge, excellent grip. Second most carried.

CRKT Pilar III: Christmas gift, beautiful design, very smooth action, a little awkward to deploy with finger hole. Maybe once a week or going out.

SOG Terminus XR: Very grippy, deploys with flipper/thumb/unlockers, solid in every sense. Wear once a week.

RUIKE P801 Frame Lock: I'm amazed that this one was the least expensive at $35, a little stiff, beautiful, smooth, long, feels like a work of art. Special occasions.

Conclusions: I am getting used to carrying every day, and like others have said, I keep finding times when they come in handy. Kind of like watches, sometimes my mood dictates which one I'll wear.
 

mogandave

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Bangkok
I'm in the market for a small pocket knife.
The size of a Buck Cadet.

I'm not looking for anything bigger.

So far, I've been looking at:
Buck Cadet
Case small Stockman
Gerber STL (I dunno about this one)

I've read that the Buck and the Case are near identical in quality and not to bother with Case as you'll pay twice as much for nothing.

What do you all think?
I like Case knives, lost my last mother of pearl mini-copperlock to airport security....

I'm surprised they are more expensive than Buck.

Shepard Hills has a nice selection:

 

ajchien

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Los Angeles, stuck on the 60 freeway.
I had a buck cadet for some time. I wound up giving it to my sister. most of buck’s knives are hollow ground, which turns out to be a shape that I found that I did not personally prefer. Also, I found that didn’t really have the need for 3 different blades, 2 is plenty for my edc.

Case knives are more expensive, but you’ll find many more different knife patterns, grinds, and scales. They have a a bigger variety. My favorite small traditional from them is split between the wharncliffe mini trapper and the mini copperhead. The mini copperhead is small and thin and really “disappears” even in the coin pocket of jeans.
 

liliysdad

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Spyderco….if adjust your scale to 50/150 and you can get relatively decent blades.
 
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thool

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I figure I'd re-use this thread as the holiday season is approaching.

Anyone have any good sub $100 knives they can recommend? I've been eyeballing Gerber Paraframe II, CJRB Kicker Recoil, Kershaw Iridium.

Also, maybe someone can clue me in: What drives people to buy EDC knives in the $200+ price range? I'm guessing collectors but figure there may be other reason?
 

mike93lx

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I figure I'd re-use this thread as the holiday season is approaching.

Anyone have any good sub $100 knives they can recommend? I've been eyeballing Gerber Paraframe II, CJRB Kicker Recoil, Kershaw Iridium.

Also, maybe someone can clue me in: What drives people to buy EDC knives in the $200+ price range? I'm guessing collectors but figure there may be other reason?
Cool materials, interesting designs, keeping up with the joneses.

Same can be said for any luxury item
 

CS454

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Oct 10, 2014
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I figure I'd re-use this thread as the holiday season is approaching.

Anyone have any good sub $100 knives they can recommend? I've been eyeballing Gerber Paraframe II, CJRB Kicker Recoil, Kershaw Iridium.

Also, maybe someone can clue me in: What drives people to buy EDC knives in the $200+ price range? I'm guessing collectors but figure there may be other reason?
Ontario Rat 1 and 2, Opinel anything, Swiss Army.

As for the collector answer, the same reason I have coworkers with underglow on their boxes, Instagram likes.

Really, Really wish I was kidding. People drop hilarious amounts of money on useless **** in those parts...four figure bottle openers that desperately get flipped when they're going into and out of style. Doesn't resemble a grift economy at all.

Plus not to mention all the action hero fantasy utility belt cosplay...the more gravity and qualifiers you put, the higher the table price
 

Terra Nova

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Feb 26, 2012
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Michigan
I figure I'd re-use this thread as the holiday season is approaching.

Anyone have any good sub $100 knives they can recommend? I've been eyeballing Gerber Paraframe II, CJRB Kicker Recoil, Kershaw Iridium.

Also, maybe someone can clue me in: What drives people to buy EDC knives in the $200+ price range? I'm guessing collectors but figure there may be other reason?

I'm not a 'knife guy' but a $200-$300 pocket knife gets you a good quality tool. Typically premium materials, designed and built in USA, lifetime warranty and sharpening services, etc... Once you get into the $500+ dollar range is where the collector versions that attract the knife fans live. To me knives are purely a utility tool, and like any tool, you can buy HF or Snap-on.

I am a Benchmade fan, mainly for the Axis lock. Been eyeing a few from Zero Tolerance for a couple years but haven't pulled the trigger. Gifted my Benchmade Adamas to my dad and may replace it with the somewhat newly released Adamas Mini.

 
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CS454

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I'm not a 'knife guy' but a $200-$300 pocket knife gets you a good quality tool. Typically premium materials, designed and built in USA, lifetime warranty and sharpening services, etc... Once you get into the $500+ dollar range is where the collector versions that attract the knife fans live. To me knives are purely a utility tool, and like any tool, you can buy HF or Snap-on.

I am a Benchmade fan, mainly for the Axis lock. Been eyeing a few from Zero Tolerance for a couple years but haven't pulled the trigger. Gifted my Benchmade Adamas to my dad and may replace it with the somewhat newly released Adamas Mini.

ZT would get my money before Benchmade, and I wouldn't buy either at this point. Axis lock patent has expired so lots of OEM's copying it now.
 

Shem

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Nov 15, 2023
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How could I have forgotten Morakniv! Wicked little belt knives that are cheaper than McDonald's.
I didn't know if you could readily get them in the US?

I first 'discovered' them when in Norway, but even here in UK they are really great price for a decent enough knife.
 

mike93lx

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I didn't know if you could readily get them in the US?

I first 'discovered' them when in Norway, but even here in UK they are really great price for a decent enough knife.
I have a couple fixed blade knives from mora for camping. They are an incredible value.

Purchased from amazon
 

JradM

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In the sub-$100 range, these days I would suggest:

Civivi Cubit
Lightweight, thin blade, full-flat grind, deep carry clip and a button lock.
ack-stonewashed-14c28n-blade-c22030e-2-793927_800x.jpg

Kizer Laconic Amicus
Similar to the Civivi, but with G10 scales (vs aluminum), flipper deployment instead of thumbstuds, high flat grind and deep carry clip.
1700087707346.jpeg

Kershaw Iridium
Especially if you prefer a crossbar lock.
1700087902369.jpeg

And as a bonus - especially if you want something with a bit more pizazz...
Civivi Vision FG
0-handle-354-damascus-blade-c22036-ds1-717799_800x.jpg

I think these are excellent "general purpose" or EDC knives. All of them have locks that are ambidextrous, won't drag your pants down, "slicey" blade geometry and very good materials. If one of these doesn't work for you... I'm not sure what to suggest because there must be a REASON - like maybe you want a 4" blade, something "hard-use", or a specific style (like a karambit).
 
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F-22

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Jan 23, 2022
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In the sub-$100 range, these days I would suggest:

Civivi Cubit
Lightweight, thin blade, full-flat grind, deep carry clip and a button lock.
ack-stonewashed-14c28n-blade-c22030e-2-793927_800x.jpg

Kizer Laconic Amicus
Similar to the Civivi, but with G10 scales (vs aluminum), flipper deployment instead of thumbstuds, high flat grind and deep carry clip.
1700087707346.jpeg

Kershaw Iridium
Especially if you prefer a crossbar lock.
1700087902369.jpeg

And as a bonus - especially if you want something with a bit more pizazz...
Civivi Vision FG
0-handle-354-damascus-blade-c22036-ds1-717799_800x.jpg

I think these are excellent "general purpose" or EDC knives. All of them have locks that are ambidextrous, won't drag your pants down, "slicey" blade geometry and very good materials. If one of these doesn't work for you... I'm not sure what to suggest because there must be a REASON - like maybe you want a 4" blade, something "hard-use", or a specific style (like a karambit).
Got a Civivi Praxis. I think they were by far the best value for the money when I bought it. It's a nice knife with super smooth action and a nice clean blade.
 

Trapps

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I've been very happy with a CRKT Squid as an EDC. Thin but not too thin, smooth action opening and closing, solid and the right amount of heft. It's also had all edges broken nicely, it slips in and out easily no matter what pants. It's also at a price point where I'm not devastated about losing it. I've lost 2, one to concert security and one to the TSA.
 

CGarage

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Nov 23, 2018
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United States/Switzerland
Victorinox as a tool knife is world class and they are made with jewel-like precision.

I also like Opinel and Laguiole.

But, Victorinox.

For an actual knife, for every day use, Emerson CQC7.
 
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