Thread: EDC Knife

I'll look them up in a few minutes,,,,,,,,,,,

Here are my EDC's currently,,,

I just looked,of the 3 I saw, the Launch 1 seems to be the shape I prefer, but I'm not really interested in automatics,,, due to fear of them opening on the pants.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I just looked,of the 3 I saw, the Launch 1 seems to be the shape I prefer, but I'm not really interested in automatics,,, due to fear of them opening on the pants.

Yeah that is a concern, but they look so smooth...

I'm surprised to see no Microtec knives here? especially some of their automatic blades I wish we could carry them in the UK I would love to own one.

In many locales 'automatic' (swtich) blades are illegal...

This not the case in Tennessee, thankfully. I would have the same concern as Hirlau and mainaman though. If the knife is 'shave ready' and it opens in your pocket...

My EDC is a 1999 limited edition Boker Barlow with a rabbit hunting scene etched on the blade. Class and function. I do carry this every day also. In my pocket with my keys and change. If I need to open a box, a letter, cut rope or a piece of meat this is what comes out. I used to carry a 5" folder but for my purposes it was just too big and with my clientele a bit intimidating. This Boker is functional "pocket jewelry".

Very nice. Love the old school etching...

Originally Posted by 32t

Many things but this is the first that pops into my head.

It is a status symbol embellished to highlight the owners wealth, rank or wisdom.

While you are obviously welcome to your opinion. I heavily disagree with it. I've messed around with knives in most price ranges, both custom and factory made. A couple of observations:

1) The customs usually (not always but for most makers this is true) cut better than the factory knives. This has to do with tolerances and loss during things like the heat treatment process. A custom maker can simply take chances a factory can't. This due to the smaller loss if you screw up a batch.
For most custom makers the hardness is higher (meaning they stay sharp longer) and the grind thinner (which means they'll be both easier to sharpen AND they cut better due to the thinner geometry). This makes (most) custom knives factually BETTER in performance than most factory knives. (Please note there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rule)
2) Most higher priced knives are built out of either more beautifull materials (which would play into your pocket jewelry idea) OR TOUGHER materials or materials that offer some other performance boost.
Once again....measurably BETTER than their cheaper counterparts.

So while for some people they are pocket jewelry (truly I've seen many an expensive knife posted up on forums' "EDC" thread that looked surprisingly unscuffed, unsharpened and unused and where the owner carried a secondairy knife as a "Work" knife.) I've also seen the opposite which prooved that their expensive knife was actually BETTER at the tasks than their cheaper counterparts.

For example here's someone who used a Rockstead ($1K knife roughly) and beat it to death almost. But he swears it's probably the best knife he's ever used.

long term use Rockstead Tei


So it can go both way. But in general.....you really DO get more quality for more money. But not everyone can appreciate the law of diminishing value when it comes to these things.

Personally.....I still dream of a lefthanded Rockstead......but most likely when the day comes that I come across one....I won't have the funds for it.

Originally Posted by 32t

The title of this thread is EDC knife. To me that is what is in my pocket and gets used every day. Not a frilly collectible that has a bead on the end. The Sebensa knifes are factory made with what appears to me to be good advertising. Nothing special. My EDC is a Kershaw Leek that cost around $50. It is used and abused sitting in my pocket along with my change. If I need to cut a piece of wire I will use it to do the job. [Time to get the hones out tonight!] It is ugly and scratched up but I don't spend time looking at it unless it is to be used at the moment. My mind keeps returning to my thoughts about Harley Davidson motorcycles. Nothing special about them either but good advertising and marketing.

Have to disagree a bit here...I've previously owned, carried, and used Sebenzas, and other higher dollar knives. I think that as long as it is used as the buyer intends it to be, whether it is for cutting or just as "pocket jewelery" it is serving the buyers intended purpose as their EDC. My current carry is a ZT 0562 in my left front pocket, Spyderco Delica 4 in my right front pocket, and a Spyderco Ladybug on my keys.
Also, after riding motorcycles for 34 years, we finally bought our first HD, and both my wife and I couldn't be happier. Just different strokes I guess

We are all different.
I use my Rocksteads, customs, Hinderers and CRK's every single day in my work as a technician.
Got zero use for safe-Queens.
Reliable and highly functional quality tools is what I buy, and what I use..