Thread: Thinking about my first EDC

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Can you comment a bit more about the different blades on the Stockman? (I'm asking out of ignorance.) I'm not wild about yellow, but brown is about the same price.

If you want a "tacticle" knife this is not for you. This is more of a gentlemans knife. It has no special coatings, no serations, and it is not a lock blade. I have carried a med. stockman for twenty five of my thirty seven years with the exception of a couple weeks in the fall, then I carry a case trapper and around Christmas, I carry an old case Hobo without the spoon(a lot of snacking going on might need a fork). I am on my second stockman the first was bone and the scale broke I still have it but haven't sent it back to case for repair. The replacement was the plain yellow handled CV which I have in my pocket now. If it ever needs replaced it will be the orange G-10. As for the blades The clip has a good point and I keep it razor sharp. The spay is a flesh blade and is also kept sharp. The sheepsfoot is for opening boxes and other utility tasks it is usualy dull from these tasks no matter how I try.

Don

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

A great article, LX; thanks very much for that link. Since I have the stones to play with the edge, that's got me leaning towards a plain edge. It seems more versatile, especially since I have no idea what I'll actually be using the knife for.

GreatWhite has been kind enough to offer to loan me a Tasman Salt, so that will let me play with the unorthodox blade shape and whichever edge type (I actually forgot to ask, though I will find out soon). That maybe I'll fall in love with it to the extent that he has.

You probably will. Spyderco makes excellent blades. Have fun with that.

Originally Posted by junkinduck

As for the blades The clip has a good point and I keep it razor sharp. The spay is a flesh blade and is also kept sharp. The sheepsfoot is for opening boxes and other utility tasks it is usualy dull from these tasks no matter how I try.

Thanks for that. Part of me thinks that having more than one blade would be nice, so I can reserve them for different tasks and beat on them (or not) appropriately. Then again, part of me is still drawn to a single, locking blade. Still lots to consider.

I think I will probably end up picking up one of each and just tell myself I'll sell whichever I don't "like" as much. Fat chance, not "liking" a blade and selling it...

I say go with Byrd or Spyderco or Case before Gerber. This isn't universal, but right now SpyderCo and Byrd have a much better reputation than Gerber in knife circles.

Like I said in the Old SpyderCo thread, the Tenacious is probably the best knife for the money right now in my opinion. I have not heard of any displeasure with it at Knifeforums or at Bladeforums. I used to own one, but gave it to my friend who was going to Africa. I'd been carrying it for a month and before I gave it to him I stropped it with some CrO and the edge could whittle hair again. It comes very sharp.

The thing with an EDC is that before you have one, you don't think you need one. Once you do have a blade on you for utility, you start to realize all those little things you got used to doing since you didn't have a blade. That's how it's been for me anyway.

If you're thinking small, but one handed opening with a nice strong lock, look at the Buck 327 Nobleman, great little knife for the money and very well built. I'd put it in the same category as the Tenacious being 'Ridiculously good for the money'

I have had a few gerbers and always been disaapointed... blade just doesn't hold up. I think Case CV blades are spectacular, but hard (impossible?) to find in a lockback.

Yeah, I do like the Stockman, but I would also like a lockback...

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

I know this question wasn't directed at me but I'm gonna be rude and answer anyway.

Combo edges are by most people regarded as being the worst of both worlds.

For a good article on it check here. this makes a lot very clear.

Personally I'm a plain edge guy. I almost never cut things that can't be cut just fine with a sharp plain edge. It also depends on whether you mind touching it up on sharpness every now and then.

I agree. I do like partially serrated for some things, but EDC isn't one of them.

Maybe I've just had good luck with my Gerber blades, but both my and my friend's knives have held their edges well, even with quite a bit of abuse. I did have a mini multi-tool that didn't have the greatest of edges from the factory, but a few strokes on my DMT 1200 fixed that.

A lockback in whatever you get is always a good choice in my book. I have a few non-locking blades and I don't like them. I love to carry fixed blades, but my new state isn't so keen on them. Half of my collection is now considered illegal

Originally Posted by bbshriver

I have had a few gerbers and always been disaapointed... blade just doesn't hold up. I think Case CV blades are spectacular, but hard (impossible?) to find in a lockback.

The russ lock would be the closest. I have one in CV.

holli4pirating insted of looking for your perfect knife just look for your first knife. Then your second... Ect.

Don

Originally Posted by junkinduck

holli4pirating insted of looking for your perfect knife just look for your first knife. Then your second... Ect.

Yeah, I think I'm most likely going to get a Case stockman; there is an authorized dealer right near where the Western NY meet is going to be Saturday so I'm going to stop in and drool for a while. Chances are I'm going to buy one. Then I'll have GreatWhite's Spyderco on loan so I'll be able to see how I feel about that type of knife. Very well might end up picking up one of those too.

fully serrated

Spyderedge sold me on them

I had this knife 9 months as EDC before a 2 minute touch up

Walmart sells a little diamond rod for like $7 that does a wonderful job of sharpening them