Knife-Noob Needs an EDC

[Bobson]

So I recently lost my only pocketknife. Must be the 5th time I lost it in the last 14 years (the first four times, I was between 12 and 16 years old ), but it seems gone for good this time. This means I need a new knife, and I decided I ought to take a new (to me) approach in selecting it.

I want it to be something I can carry every day, so I made a list of features I think I'd like on an EDC. As far as use, it would be general purpose, and I live in the city. As an absolute last resort, for self-defense as well (which is why I added assisted opening to the features). Without further adieu, the list of features:

General Requirements:
- Blade length somewhere between 3-4 inches. No longer than 4.5"
- Blade constructed from something at least fairly easy to sharpen, but will also hold an edge moderately well. Looking for the middle ground here.
- Prefer no serrations on the blade.
- Must not cost more than $100.

Open/Unspecified:
- May be a folder or a fixed-blade knife

If it's a folder...
- Must have a positive lock mechanism. I'm not a huge fan of liner locks
- Must have a pocket clip. I'm not interested in wearing this on my belt.
- I strongly prefer some sort of assisted opening, but it's not required.
- I am not interested in any SAK-style knife, though I see a definite time and place for them.

If it has a fixed-blade...
- Sheath must have some sort of retention. I don't want a strap or buckle or anything, but I don't want it to fall out if I'm running or grappling either. For that reason, I require that if it's a fixed-blade, it must be a neck knife.
- Regarding the sheath, keep in mind I have several teenage (and older) brothers-in-law who I see very regularly, and it's not uncommon to get into mock fights or semi-rough football games with them. This is why I need some sort of effective retention.

Aside from these things, I'd like a knife that's going to be reliable. In other words, if you wouldn't buy it for a good friend, please don't recommend it to me. I've never dropped even close to $100 on a knife, and I'm thinking that's a fair amount for a quality/reliable EDC with the features I described, but if I'm considerably under budget, feel free to let me know.

I hope I've found the happy medium of being specific enough without sounding demanding.

Thanks a lot for the help; it's extremely appreciated.

 

[smcd1983]

A Benchmade Griptillian is about as good a folder as you can get for under $100 IMO.

 

[hso]

You say you live in the city, but you don't describe what you're normal use for the knife will be. Keep in mind that your "normal" won't be the same as someone else's "normal" use.

If you're going to wear a neck knife under your shirt then you'll have resolved the problem about retention pretty effectively.

For $100 you can get into a very nice neck knife. Here's a nice selection at knifecenter - http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/s...neck&brand=&min_price=30&max_price=100&&&s=49

Heck, for $100 you could even get a custom neck knife.

 

[Bobson]

To be perfectly honest, my primary "general purpose" use is going to be having it sit in my pocket. It will do that far more than anything else. Frankly, I don't have much respect (maybe appreciation would be the better word here) for knives. When I need a tool for something, I'll usually try to make my knife work, even if it has nothing to do with cutting. It might be using the handle to drive a pesky thumb-tack into an unusually strong wall.

Based on my previous experience with my last knife:

I may use it for cutting rope/string when fishing, to whittling small sticks, to prying gum off my shoe, to absentmindedly fiddling with it while I walk around at work, to slashing desperately at an attacker. Right about now, you may be wondering why I'd spend $100 on a knife I'll clearly abuse/neglect. The reason is, I want it to withstand the abuse/neglect I know I'll put it through. Mostly, I'll have it because I want to have it. It will be the "pocket jester" to the "safe queen" many of us have.

As far as neck knives go, my primary concern about retention is that it might fall loose from it's sheath while I'm rough-housing with my brothers-in-law, or playing football or something. Is that pretty unlikely to happen? I don't have any experience with neck knives... My thoughts here are, unless I'm going to have to jerk it out of it's sheath (or manipulate some sort of button, like on SERPA holsters), I don't want it. It simply must stay put until I want to employ it, and I'm almost recklessly active.

Edit:

I apologize for editing this after you responded. Not trying to be a pain. I may not necessarily lose it. That was mostly hyperbole. It's not going to be an incredibly prized possession. It's just going to be there for anything that comes up. If I think the knife will be able to do something, I'll try to use the knife before going to find the "proper" tool for the job.

 

[hso]

Is that pretty unlikely to happen?

That's completely dependent upon the way the knife and sheath are mated together.

G.Wheeler here makes a $100 neck knife in a kydex sheath with the two designed in such a way that the sheath snuggly clamps the knife into place yet it can be drawn with a sharp tug. bikerdoc has one and he might have shown a picture of it.

It'll be neglected, forgotten, and misplaced.

If you already know you're going to loose it I'd be reluctant to spend $100. You can get a EsKaBar and be able to afford to replace it a few times over for the $100.

OTOH, you might take enough pride in a nice small sheath knife that you spent $100 on that you may just keep better track of it.

 

[Armored farmer]

I think you would like a Kershaw 'Needs Work'. Pocket clip; assist opening; linerlock; unique, useful blade design; carries a fine edge that is easily sharpened; <$40.00.
I certainly like mine for edc.

 

[Bobson]

My new signature does a great job of explaining my need for an EDC knife. I should have thought of this to begin with. If you're familiar with any of Patrick F. McManus' books/stories, you'll know what I mean. Hopefully, you will either way.

 

[Bobson]

The Needs Work looks like a great option. I'll definitely look into it. Thanks, bailey.

 

[whetrock]

I'd suggest the Full flat ground FRN Spyderco Endura IMO it offers a very nice amount of knife for the money and I especialy like their blade steel( VG-10) they use in this particular knife also unlike a lot of tactical knives these days the blade isn't overly thick but rather very thin with a very delicate tip.

 

[Bobson]

unlike a lot of tactical knives these days the blade isn't overly thick but rather very thin with a very delicate tip.

I actually like the styling and strength offered by a knife with a thicker blade, but thank you. I appreciate a point in the right direction.

 

[Resist Evil]

I recently acquired a Buck 347 Vantage Pro and I like it very much. Good S30v steel, nice grip with G10 scales, easy to flip open with finger assist, rides very low in the pocket, liner lock seems very secure, no serrations, made in USA, $55 at Amazon.

 

[sixgunner455]

I like knives. I have so many ... erm, I know guys who have more, but I have a ton of knives.

I think you really want a folder. I love small sheath knives, but it doesn't sound like you are really wanting one. Sheath knives - you don't have to worry about the lock, but you do have to make sure you have a well-designed sheath.

That said:

If it's a folder...
- Must have a positive lock mechanism. I'm not a huge fan of liner locks
- Must have a pocket clip. I'm not interested in wearing this on my belt.
- I strongly prefer some sort of assisted opening, but it's not required.
- I am not interested in any SAK-style knife, though I see a definite time and place for them.

Liner locks aren't my favorite, either, but they do work well, if they are designed and executed to allow for wear.

I have an AO Kershaw Onion. It was really cool when I first got it, but I got tired of it. I decided, for one thing, that I don't like thumb-studs. For another, I've had AO knives jump out of my pocket and snap open, try to jump out of my hand when I've opened them, and so forth.

Non-AO is what I prefer now.

Pocket clips are another thing that I'm ambivalent about at this point. They snag on things, scratch car paint, tear up kitchen chairs, get hung up and yank the knife out of the pocket, get sprung, and so on. I have a couple of them, and mostly carry, of all my one-handed lock blades that have clips, a Spyderco Tenacious. Really like it in most ways, and one of the things I like most about it is the intelligently designed clip. Not expensive - $31.39. It has a flat-ground blade that slices very, very well. G10 scales, and the handle is easy to hold onto.

My wife has a Native that we both like quite well. $50 or so. She carries it in her purse, and it really surprises people when this little blonde mom whips out a big old gnarly looking knife.

A lot of people really like the Manix. It's impressive, with a nifty and strong lock that isn't a liner lock nor a traditional spine lock. I would be more interested if it wasn't hollow ground. Some people like that, but I'm not a fan, which is why my wife and I don't just have two Natives.

Um, yeah, I like Spyderco. I am super tempted by the new Delica, but I don't really need another knife.

If you like a thumb-stud, you should probably get something like this Benchmade, or a Griptillian as someone mentioned before. They're fun to play with, and are great knives.

Now. You say you are not interested in the SAK style. I have to wonder why not. You said you use and abuse your knife before reaching for a proper tool - why not have a knife that has some almost proper, durable tools on it? Something that will tolerate being used as a pry-bar or screwdriver because, well, it has a pry-bar and screwdriver on it?

Just a thought.

Here's an SAK that has no tools, is just a non-serrated, one-handed lockblade knife with a pocket clip, about the size you were looking for, for all of thirty bucks. SAK steel gets really sharp, really easily.

They make them that style that have tools, as well. Less than fifty bucks.

The knife I used the most when I was in Afghanistan was an SAK. They just work. I've got a stack of 'em.

Dang, now I'm feeling like buying another knife. What a knife geek I am.

Oh, BTW: the Needs Work is on a real sale at Cabela's - $25.88!

 

[KungFuNerd]

I think Neck knives are a nuisance unless they are REALLY light and small.
I have a Hideaway knife with a few different Sheath options an also be worn on a belt, clipped to clothing.
The finger holes make the short handle not a problem.

Don't play Football while wearing a neck knife!

 

[sKunkT]

+1 for the swiss army. A multi-tool with a main knife function sounds like it would fit your general use for a knife very well. I now actually carry a leatherman and a knife, because I used to use a knife for a multi-tool. The last knife I carried was a linerlock I put together from a kit using my own maple burl wood scales, and I duracoated all the parts before I put it together. I spent a lot of time putting this knife together to be just what I want. Then I broke the tip digging out a broken microphone jack. Moral of the story is, a knife is not a prybar/screwdriver/hammer/wingnut loosener- a knife is a cutting tool. If you are going to use a knife this way, you are best off getting something with a very soft steel than won't break as easily. For me, if I spend a hundred dollars on a knife, I'll abuse the hell out of it cutting stuff, but I'm not going to twist the tip off on a stuck screw.

My advise- for whatever it's worth- would be to go to the store, pick up a couple of knives that fit your criteria, open, close, and handle them, then see what you think.

 

[hso]

You can't go wrong with the Spyderco suggestions.

I thought the CRKT Klecker/Tighe NIRK was very cool when I played with it at SHOT. The AUS-8 steel is good. CRKT's QA is good. The knife is light while being a sturdy handfull. http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CR5250/columbia-river-klecker- Their Ti M-16 and M-21 knives are very nice. http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CRM1601T/columbia-river-m16-carson-design-plain
I LOVE the Ripple. http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CRK405KXP/columbia-river-ken-onion-ripple-3

There's nothing not to like about the Benchmade Griptilians (which is why they're so frequently recommended). http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/BM551/benchmade-griptilian-3-45-inch-satin-drop

For something unique looking, the Blackhawk CQD is good. http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/BH15M101BK/blackhawk-cqd-mark-1-type-e

If you're in an auto friendly state, get a Volcan double action. http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/VKVAMS/volcan-knives-amsterdam-double-action-auto or http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/VKVDPS/volcan-knives-v-

 

[Tortuga12]

Perhaps a Gerber EZ-Out Skeleton? I believe they make one w/o serrations. Good knife, and CHEAP!

 

[Fred Fuller]

I'd stick with a folder, for an EDC.

See http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=628727 , if you want to spend somewhat more than your stated budget. Who knows, if you get something nicer than you're accustomed to having, you might take better care of it?

On the other hand, if you want to get by for less than $20, take a look at the Dozier-designed Kabar folder - http://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Dozier-Folding-Hunter-Knife/dp/B0013AUDFS . They're a lot of knife for the money. My wife carries a pair of them all the time, one on the left side and one on the right. We have a half dozen or so of them, when one she's carrying gets dull or gunked up with tape glue she passes it off to me to clean up and sharpen and grabs a sharp one out of her stash of spares. She used to seed the planet with Spydercos, in contrast to the suggestion above about spending a bit more on the knife you carry. Eventually I told her she could lose $20 knives just as well as she could lose $50 ones, and started buying her the Dozier/Kabars. I can't recall that she's ever lost one of those- go figure .

For a bit bigger knife at about half your budget, see the Endura 4 at http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Endu...=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1323202616&sr=1-1 . I got one a couple of weeks ago. I really like a flat ground blade, and the VG10 steel in this blade plus the edge profile comes up scary sharp.

Lots and lots of good to great choices out there within your budget, have fun!

 

[conw]

If you are serious about it for the self-defense proposition pick up one of the sub-$60 fixed blade knives with a kydex sheath and throw it onto a Spyderco G-clip or a small Tek-Lok and get Southnarc's Reverse Edge Methods 2, which covers much more than just movements with the knife. PM me for some tips on how to modify that material to work with a forward-grip knife.

On the other hand I'd be strongly inclined to suggest any liner-lock sub-$100 spyderco - they come in lots of flavors - if you want a folder.

You could actually pick up one of each for less than $100...

Just...I implore you...don't wear a "neck knife" as an actual neck knife if you care at all about being able to access it.

 

[2WheelsGood]

This SOG Trident sounds like it fits all of your requirements, and it's even on sale. I love Benchmade too, but it seems you get more for your money with SOG.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I, personally, hate neck knives. I have a few fixed blades, but they aren't EDC options. Two are combat knives, the other is a hog knife. None of them have seen their intended use, they sit on my shelf and are part of my collection. Thus, they have started their own collections, dust. But that's me.

My folders, now they see use. I'm a Benchmade fanboi. I've had a few over the span of my life, and my current EDC is a 4" Barrage folder. The griptillians are often recommended, because they are just damn good knives.


If you don't like assisted openers, go with an old classic like a Buck 110. I have the Schrade Old timer, which is a Buck 110 by a different name. For all intents and purposes, they are identical. They are well priced, hold an edge for years, can get a razor hone if properly sharpened, and will outlast you under most circumstances. they are just really good knives.

 

[conw]

The neck-knife concept is horrible in execution, because any time you need a knife now it should be anchored and able to be drawn without precisely pulling against the anchor point. A neck knife worn as a neck knife shifts around and can even go over the shoulder, etc, and must be pulled directly against the point where it's anchored. If for example you have limited mobility in your arm or limited coordination due to a cramped environment, or stress, or whatever, you may be unable to draw it.

However there are lots of knives that happen to fall into the category of neck knives that are a great idea and very well designed. I happen to like folders as task knives over fixed blades because they seem more refined for polite society and I find the design refinement and complexity compelling, but I can't deny the elegance and simplicity of a small sheath knife, and it's certainly more foolproof and reliable.

 

[22-rimfire]

I carry a swiss army knife and a Spyderco Delica. The SAK gets used every single day. The 110 mm SAK should fit your cutting chores as they are pretty easy to sharpen and there is great utility in some of the other accessories such as a tooth pick, tweezers, perhaps a saw blade, awl for punching holes in stuff, bottle or can openers... the list goes on, but I like a simple one which is pretty thin in my pocket. It is not a weapon, it is a tool.

The Delica is a great knife as well. Single blade, thin, light, harder to sharpen than the SAK, great for cutting stuff, and some claim it makes a good self defensive blade.

 

[Bobson]

I went to Sportsman's Warehouse tonight, and handled a few knives. The Benchmade Griptilian Mini (the basic was a bit larger than I expected), a SOG folder, a couple of Kershaw options.

My favorite by far was the Kershaw Leek. I didn't buy it yet, but I think that's the one I'm going to buy. Anyone have experience with it? Seemed like an excellent knife for around $55. Extremely sharp, super fast blade, great lock (liner, but felt superb), and it felt very well made. Just seemed to be everything I'm looking for, liked the blade shape and design, and it was the most comfortable knife in my hand that I handled.

 

[2WheelsGood]

In your original post you said "no liner locks". If the Leek is like my Kershaw Onion, it has a liner lock. No?

I'd much prefer a SOG or Benchmade.

 

[2WheelsGood]

I should also mention another positive of the SOG over the Benchmade that didn't occur to me until after I started carrying 'em. My Griptilian sticks out of my pocket a bit because of where the clip is, but the SOG sinks much deeper (at least the Trident, not sure about others). It's not a huge deal, but it's fairly apparent what it is to the trained eye.