Thread: Thinking about my first EDC

there are several things to consider.
1. what will you be using it for? serrated edges are wonderful for cutting rope and terrible for cutting everything else. for cutting webbing, a hook is the only way to go.
2. how to carry? most folks where I live clip it in the back pocket, but if you are wanting a multiblade knife, they usually don't have clips and you have to have them loose in your pocket.
3. is form or function more important? fancy dress knives and tacticool knives are aimed at different demographics.
4. what is acceptable in your environment? I live in a place where people routinely have hunting knives on the belts, and no one thinks much of it, but this might not be the case where you live.
5. abuse factor? If you won't be cutting anything more serious than envelopes and the occasional box, then even a small dress knife is ok. If you are actually using your knife as a daily tool (as I do) then you're gonna need something much sturdier. this will also determine what alloy you need.

for example, by my own carry:
1. I never cut rope, most of my edges are plain. I also carry a seatbelt hook (boker subcomm) because of a bad experience I once had.
2. I clip to my back pocket
3. function, 100%
4. not applicable to me
5. my knives are constantly abused

thus, most of my knives are a) a hard alloy so i don't have to sharpen as much, b) locking since i'm using them all the time to cut stubborn crates open, and c) smooth edged and larger since they are tools and not dress accessories. also d) very ugly and beaten up. i also usually have a leatherman of some sort with me because i use those tools almost daily. also usually have a Hideaway Knife on my work lanyard for when I need a small edge.

if you are just wanting something in your pocket for occasional letter-opener duty, a stockman type or swiss army knife is just fine, and the blade steel isn't as important.

I've found Buck and CRKT to be good knives for the money, with very rugged blades.

Originally Posted by Doc

I have really enjoyed carrying this knife lately!

Thanks for pointing that one out, Doc. It does look like a very nice blade, but just a little bigger than I want. I do appreciate how light it is for it's size, though.

Originally Posted by jockeys

there are several things to consider.
1. what will you be using it for? serrated edges are wonderful for cutting rope and terrible for cutting everything else. for cutting webbing, a hook is the only way to go.
2. how to carry? most folks where I live clip it in the back pocket, but if you are wanting a multiblade knife, they usually don't have clips and you have to have them loose in your pocket.
3. is form or function more important? fancy dress knives and tacticool knives are aimed at different demographics.
4. what is acceptable in your environment? I live in a place where people routinely have hunting knives on the belts, and no one thinks much of it, but this might not be the case where you live.
5. abuse factor? If you won't be cutting anything more serious than envelopes and the occasional box, then even a small dress knife is ok. If you are actually using your knife as a daily tool (as I do) then you're gonna need something much sturdier. this will also determine what alloy you need.

1. No idea really. Thus far, the only things I can think of that I would want a knife for are cutting boxes/opening packages/opening mail (I use an old straight with way too much uneven hone wear to be a shaver). But everyone's been telling me that once I start with an EDC I'll never be able to go back, so we'll see.
2. I like the idea of having a clip so I can carry in my pocket but not loose. That said, I would might be ok with loose; I'll have to see how it fits. I also don't think I'll be carrying in my back pocket. I don't put anything in my back pockets because I think my fronts are more secure. This is part of why I want a smaller sized knife; I carry my wallet and cell phone (a Razor) in one pocket and my keys in the other.
3. As far as design, I prefer simple and understated (follows my taste in razors; Sheffield steel in black horn, please).
4. I live in the city of Rochester, and around here, especially on my university campus and when I find a teaching job, I don't think carrying a large blade in open view would be normal (would almost certainly be frowned upon in a high school). Again, part of my reason for going for small and understated.
5. Again, I don't really see myself abusing a knife, but I want to know that if I did abuse a knife it would survive. I also want something quality; otherwise there's no point in buying.

My EDC is the Benchmade Osborne 940: Product Details (Benchmade Knife Company - Premiere manufacturer of knives and rescue tools.)

You never have to pay MSRP for a production knife. There are great discount sites like Knives Discounted at Knife Center that carry everything.

Here's a previous discussion that you can look at for a while: EDC Knife

I would checkout some of the smaller benchmade knives. They have a reputation for having really quality knives and having owned two I can vouch for their quality and they totally stand behind their products.

I am pro case stockman no matter where I am going. I have it everywhere but swimming and bed. I also carry a SOG tool for the more utility tasks. The sog has a hook knife a serriated blade as well as several prying and screwing tools. The SOG is also allows you to change the blades to suit your needs. They sell different blades/bits online.

Back to the topic for every day box opening, string cutting, splinter picking, hang nail removing, apple peeling, steak cutting, squirrel cleaning, fish gutting the stockman is the tool. For rope and anything else the SOG comes out. I don't think you can go wrong with a medium stockman pattern. As a teacher I would think you wouldn't want anything visiable.

Don

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I would checkout some of the smaller benchmade knives. They have a reputation for having really quality knives and having owned two I can vouch for their quality and they totally stand behind their products.

I'm not a knife guy but I do have an EDC. I carry a benchmade benchmite 2:

Benchmade Knives: Benchmade Benchmite II Knife, BM-10610

It's stayed very sharp even with nearly every day use (not whittling or cutting anything tough - just the basics) for over a year since I got it. It's nice and small, which is what I was going for - less than 2" blade and the locking mechanism is constructed in such a way that it's only about 1/4 inch wide.


EDIT: it also locks open AND closed, which is a great feature.

My EDC, The Buck 525 Gent

http://www.tylertool.com/buck525gent.html

Holds a great edge. Small but very functional. Cheap enough that I keep a spare in my desk for when I have to throw one away at the airport because I STUPIDLY forgot to put it in the checked bag and dont have time to get out of line to mail it home!

Used multiple times daily and I am in an Office setting at work.

If you're still living in NY, you might want to double check the state laws and your local laws as well. It's my understanding that (at least in some places) you must conceal your knives, so no clipping. I do like most of the Spydercos because their slim build carries well loose in the pocket or clipped inside the waistband under an untucked shirt. I don't think you can go wrong with a Delica or Endura. I also have the Tenacious and it's a very decent knife for the money. I like Benchmades too. If you can, try to handle a bunch before you buy.


Jordan

9 out of 10 days I carry a SOG X-Ray vision. You could probably find one for under 50 if you shop around. It opens so buttery smooth with one hand that people usually think it's spring assisted. Its lock is modeled after the Benchmade Axis lock and can apparently stand up to quite a bit of stress.

Half serrated blade, modified tanto point. It slices, it dices, and if need be, punches through sheet metal. I like it.

If it's not that, it's a lil' Kershaw Storm (or storm II? I can never remember). Also half serrated though, which I guess points out which camp I'm in for the edge debate.

It's also ok for most everyday things, just a bit small for my hands.

If I need something tougher, I've got my Leatherman Surge.

Come to think of it, that's an awful lot of steel I carry around. I wonder if that's normal....