I need a new EDC. Help me pick!

Gentlemen, It's come time for me to spend a little money on a good EDC blade. I've carried one for years now and use them quite often. I have 2 that I use, and grab which ever one is easiest to find at that particular moment. :) One is a Gerber STL, 2.25 drop point. The other is a cheap Schrade I picked up a few years back at the hardware store. Both about the same size, with a 2 1/4 inch blade. I figured I'd post here, and ask you guys. I know there's a lot of u guys with years of experience with these types of knives.

Attachment 152414

My budget is $100, a little more, or a little less is fine for me to spend. I have 2 that I've been looking at, and can't decide which I like more. I love everything about both.
The two blades are,
The CRKT Ripple 2 in Stainless body
CRKT Ripple Knife | Folding Pocket Knives (Stainless Grey) | Ken Onion

And the Benchmade mini Griptilian
556 Mini-Griptilian® Product Detail



Also, are there any other brands for me to look at, in this price point? All suggestions and comments are welcome.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I want to keep the blade size under 3". Thanks guys!

Griptilian has been on my list for some time, but presently I've been carrying a Spyderco Endura 4 FFG, which I like quite a bit. Too many fun things to spend money on.

I'm hard on my mini griptilian and it's an awesome knife. I would definitely buy another.

The griptilians are suppose to be the bees knees, everyone who owns one loves them. The axis lock is suppose to be just awesome. Capable of letting you flick it open,and flick it closed. Very easy for one handed use.

I'll check out the spyderco you stated too. For some reason I'd like to stay away from them, but I know they're also a very popular brand of knife.

Heres nutnfancy and his reviews of both blades.

"CRKT Ripple: Alien Inception" by Nutnfancy - YouTube

Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian: Reference EDC - YouTube

:rofl2: Doesn't everyone know that "EDC" stands for "Eau du Cologne"? I read the thread title, and said OK! and got into "information sharing" mode. Knives... what a hoot! :D

Hmm, the last CRKT I had fell off of the seat in a boat after only a day or two of having it. I had a few of them before that and they seemed ok. I guess it's still at the bottom of that lake.

My current Griptilian is an older model but, I guess in their current line up it's the 555HG "Blue Class". It has a thumb hole instead of a stud to assist with opening. I didn't think I'd like the thumb hole when I bought it but, now that I've had mine for a couple of years I must say that I like it a lot. Talking about Spyderco; I looked at those too but, I don't specifically like the stubbier form of their blades.

When looking for a knife I lean towards the quality of the steal and blade. I use my Griptilian a lot and even cut wire and stuff when I need to and it holds an edge like no other "Every Day Carry" that I've had to date... I used to be a Kershaw guy until they moved their manufacturing and the next two knives were horrible... Then I started doing my research and narrowed it down to Benchmade or Spyderco and from there it came down to aesthetics and more about the form for me... The longer more slender blades vs stubbier ones...

Oh, and I don't care for the serrations. They seem to be a pain to sharpen and just limit the blade length for my normal usage...

Leatherman e55Bx. 154cm steel. Unbelievably touch and sharp for the price. Built in screwdriver and bottle opener. Great grip.

I used this to cut up a bit over 100m2 of rough carpet (1100f2) and it sliced through it like butter, and was pretty much as sharp when finished as when I started. Keep it sharp using a smiths pocket sharpener (cheap $10 item) and it is fantastic.

Also have a cold steel San Mai 3 blade. Sure its better than the leatherman, but was 20 times the price and only marginally better (ie 2%). In hind sight wouldnt have bothered with the cold steel knife.

Did you pick one yet Harrywally?? I dare not say anything in case you have :).

As a carpenter though, you may like this: Columbia River 2011 Graham Stubby Pocket Razel 2.15" Blade, Micarta Handles - KnifeCenter

I have one - hate the sheath but the blade itself is useful.

If I could carry a locking knife in the UK instead of my Spyderco UKPK no locking blade 3in or under I would advise you to get yourself a Spyderco Paramilitary or the larger military two great knives, and comes with CPM S30V steel blade now I have a UKPK Spyderco with this blade steel and it takes a great edge. LONG Version: Spyderco Para Military2 by Nutnfancy, HoF Blade - YouTube