Looking for an EDC knife

[wiens80]

Let's preface this with: I used the search function on the forum and I used Google to see if there was already a thread on this very question.

Right now my thoughts are between:

1) Benchmade Griptillian Mini, with the thumb hole

2) Spyderco Delica

3) Kershaw Leek

I'm thinking $100 or less, any other thoughts?

 

[jrobb316]

You can't go wrong with the Spiderco. I love mine. My favorite is cold steel mini AK47 though. You can probably pick up both of those for $100 total.

 

[Bobdog]

I do just fine with my Leatherman and I carry a Buck 110 if I'm going in the woods.

But, for what you're looking for, I'd go with the Spiderco.

 

[Stooge]

I picked up a Kershaw leek awhile back and it works great for me, nice and thin profile, ( I don't like carrying too much bulk in my pcokets), spring assisted opening so I can use one hand and I just like the looks of it, (orange satin finish). the only thing I could see in the future is with how thin the tip of the blade is, could prove to be a little fragile eventually but so far so good.
I think I paid around $50 new give or take a few bucks.

 

[morgantm]

Thats a hard choice between those 3, they are all solid knives. I would try to handle all 3 if possible as they all have slightly different handle textures.

 

[Ainsley]

I had a mini-grip with a hollow grind and thumb hole for a while and really liked the lock system. Once I started getting into spyderco knives I sold it. My current favs are the spyderco Caly line and the dragonfly.

 

[Don53]

If you like the Leek, maybe consider the Chive. I have both and carry the Chive as my EDC... smaller, more convenient (fits in a watch pocket), and there's not much it can't cut that the Leek could.

 

[Tim37]

I carry either a folding utility knife or Klein 44034

A few years ago I was given a craftsman branded folding utility knife for work and I have been carrying and abusing the poor thing ever since its been great for me I can destroy a blade and just pop a new one in and you would really be surprised how useful a 1"blade can be.

On the weekends I usually carry my Klein its a great blade too for about $45

 

[wiens80]

I was playing with the Leek at the store the other day, and the assisted opening is awesome but the handle seems too slippery for how fast the blade springs out.

 

[Youngguns]

The Benchmade mini Ritter Grip has been my EDC for the past 6 months or so. The only knife I've thought about buying since has been another Ritter Grip. I genuinely believe this is the end-all knife. The blade material (m390) is so wear resistant that I haven't had to resharpen it yet. The handle is as comfortable as any other, with the addition of being the most form fitting. It's probably about the easiest knife to open with one hand as well. Finally, it's so lightweight that I find myself brushing my pocket for the feel of the pocketclip. I love this knife.

 

[Silentt]

I love my Spyderco delica, I like it better than my old kershaw leek. I've never owned a benchmade but I've heard nothing but great things.

 

[Dave455]

The most important thing with any knife, and the thing that usually get's missed from reviews, is how well ground the blade is!

Can't comment on the Benchmade or the Kershaw, but I have the Delica and it's pretty good. Many modern factory knives are not!

 

[crbnfbr]

I carry a Buck Vantage Pro with a 3.25" blade. It has a thumb hole and a flipper and S30V steel for around $80. I personally think the blade shape is perfect. I liked it so much I bought the Vantage Avid with the Sandvik 13C26 steel and wood scales instead on G10 on the Pro.

 

[De-troit Debbie]

Strider SnG, every day for the past 10 years. I even clip onto my board shorts at the beach. Maybe I should get a cheaper knife to do that but oh well.

 

[Jure]

Cabela's Alaskan Guide 110 or regular buck 110...if you want a lighter wersion go with ecolite,its cheap and reliable

 

[chris_1001]

Have you looked at Zero Tolerance?

Here are two of mine

0777 by Chris, on Flickr

 

[wiens80]

Have you looked at Zero Tolerance?

Here are two of mine

0777 by Chris, on Flickr

ZT might be above my pay grade.

 

[Stooge]

^ are the handles on those Zero Tolerance knives supposed to be carbon fibre or is that more of a knurled finish?

either way

 

[chris_1001]

The top one can be found for way less than $200 and its a beast. They have a few less-expensive ones. The bottom is a limited edition. So...

I also have one of their fix bladed knives. Just no full family photo. And I'm not sure I'll keep the fix bladed one.

Stooge, The top is milled G10 and the bottom is CF.

MY EDC knoves are an older Microtech Mini Socom and a Spyderco Cricket.

 

[RedRabbit]

I love my Cold steel RECON 1. If u want lighter the ak47 or mini ak47 or American Lawman are good. The new code 4 is also very nice. if you want Benchmade then I would get the mini grip. I always wanted one.

 

[Fcvapor05]

I carry a leek every day. Mine is an amalgam of several leeks- the core is from a 1660G10 (stainless inner frame, S30V blade) with aluminum scales in OD green.

In my opinion, the leek can't be beat. Cheap, tough, sharp, effective.

I have several leeks with different blade steels, and the S30V is my favorite, but there are multiple other options out there. In my opinion, the upgraded leeks with higher quality blades are worth it. You can get an S30V or other 'exotic' blade leek and still be in for less than $100.

 

[rusty65]

Honestly I would go with the benchmade because they have a fantastic warranty and 154cm is a easy steel to keep sharp. I have 4 benchmades and have never had a issue.

 

[02camaro86]

i love my full size grip.. cant go wrong with it. ive been wanting the mini grip. i go back and forth between my spyderco paramilitary, CR sebenza, and spyderco carbon fiber sage.

 

[slc97sr5]

I have carried a Leatherman Wave for years at work but for an EDC I use a Kershaw 1550ST by Ken Onion.

It is made in the USA, assisted opening, and a warranty. They also offer a non serrated option.

Here is a fantastic deal on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F5FUA8C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sunshineFC3s]

I'm looking pretty hard at the Benchmade 940-1. Looks to be a perfect edc/gentleman's knife. In a perfect world, I'd also get a Spyderco PM2 for weekend duty. On the other hand, the Spyderco Southard looks like a good weekday knife too. Too many damn choices!

 

[Lyptix]

My edc besides victorinox Swiss army is the kershaw cryo.

The kershaw cryo can be found for less than $25 so don't feel bad about beating it up.

It's a rick hinderer design.

 

[wiens80]

I'm looking pretty hard at the Benchmade 940-1. Looks to be a perfect edc/gentleman's knife. In a perfect world, I'd also get a Spyderco PM2 for weekend duty. On the other hand, the Spyderco Southard looks like a good weekday knife too. Too many damn choices!

The Southard looks fantastic, definitely above my price point though. I like that the Mini Griptilian with thumb hole has a similar blade profile.

 

[tweedlestan]

The Kershaw Leek is too flimsy for real use. Even a Swiss Army knife will hold up better.

The Kershaw Blur is excellent, however.

 

[sunshineFC3s]

The Southard looks fantastic, definitely above my price point though. I like that the Mini Griptilian with thumb hole has a similar blade profile.

A lot of people love the grip and mini-grip. I went to a local REI to hold them in my hand. I thought the scales felt cheap and slippery. Also too thick. I like a thinner profile for ease of carry. Its really best to go handle a few to see which you like best.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Never had an issue with any of my Leeks. I highly recommend them!

 

[Farmall450]

My SO edition Kershaw Leek is really nice, almost too nice to use. I use a Leatherman the most. It's nice that the wingman clips in your pocket.

 

[wiens80]

Never had an issue with any of my Leeks. I highly recommend them!

I played with one at the store, and it felt like it was going to fly out of my hand. That assisted opening is pretty wicked. Some knurling would be nice. I do like the look of them though.

 

[tweedlestan]

I wish I still had a Leek to show how thin and fragile the blade tip is. Even the teeny-tiny Chive is sturdier.

 

[Da Bull]

Get the Kershaw Skyline you will not be disappointed !!

 

[crbnfbr]

Get the Kershaw Skyline you will not be disappointed !!

That is a nice looking knife. One question, is it a tip up carry or tip down? I prefer tip up personally. That's one of the reasons why I love my Buck Vantage Pro and Avid.

 

[Strouty]

The delica is an awesome knife. I have two now, but have had more of them over the years. I really like the full stainless versions and I love the half serrated blade, it gives you the best of both worlds.

 

[OkRider]

All good choices. My only recommendation is to carry the longest blade allowed by law.

 

[Da Bull]

That is a nice looking knife. One question, is it a tip up carry or tip down? I prefer tip up personally. That's one of the reasons why I love my Buck Vantage Pro and Avid.

Both, pocket clip can be adjusted either way

 

[kramarj]

I like my Leek so far, though I have only had it for like a week. I really like the one handed opening, it is convenient and also has the cool factor to me. One of the biggest reasons I bought it was because the blade is straight, so sharpening it on a stone should be real easy. I can't think of anything that I don't like about it(so far), I would probably buy another one if anything happened to it.

If you do go with the Leek, they aren't all created equal. There are apparently two different versions. The one I bought was like $90 straight from Kershaw's site. I thought I saw Kershaw knives at Menards, and they carry a Leek for like $50. The one Menards carries is a lot cheaper looking and has a different style lock. I don't have pics to show the differences, I am just saying.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I have a delica and I like it, I used to pocket carry it but after almost losing my streamlight micro stream and delica in fleet farm I just have them in my pocket organizer in my backpack because I almost shat my pants when I could not find them, ended up getting cliped to the loop of my jacket instead of my pants. I now pocket carry a milwaukee fastback 1 because I can be rough on it and if I loose it I won't hate my self as much.