Thread: Thinking about my first EDC

Thanks to this tread (http://straightrazorpalace.com/finer...rco-knife.html) I've been thinking about getting an EDC. I've never carried a knife before, so this is all very new to me. Initially, I was thinking I would want something small, since I don't see any need for anything large (I'm not really sure I even see the need for an EDC, but I want one). I was looking at Spyderco's because I've heard good things about them. I started looking small and cheap, so the Byrd's caught my eye. But then I thought "Well, those are so small..." so I searched around a bit and I'm thinking of a Tenacious. They are $36 shipped at yourcornerstore.com, and that is something I could swing.

Any thoughts on the Tenacious or other possible EDC's in the <$50 price range?

If you want something small and on the inexpensive side, check out the Gerber Mini Paraframe. You can get it in a half serrated version which would be more handy (in my experience) than the mostly serrated blade of the Tenacious. The cool thing is that it's pretty small, but feels good in the hand. A friend of mine bought one a couple years ago and still carries it everywhere. Plus, it's only about $16 at any sporting goods store, and just as solid as any other quality knife I've ever handled and used.

Whatever you carry, I don't think you'll be disappointed. You're a discerning person and will choose a quality blade no matter what. Whether you stop at that first blade will be your biggest issue

I've held the Tenacious in my hand twice so far....and I"m sorely tempted to buy it myself. It's a very nice blade. Solid feeling and good bang for the buck. (I'm still trying to figure out how to get one for the american price instead of the european price (I'm cheap...I know).

I also have a Byrd CaraCara, it's anything but small. I think it might be bigger than the Tenacious. It's cheaper as well. But If I'd have had the choice between the tenacious and the caracara for $10 price difference I'd have gotten the Tenacious. (Still love my Cara though I carry it often)

Between Spyderco/byrd and Gerber I'd go for spydies though. I just like em better and they have a better name nowadays.

My own current favorite blade is a version of the Böker Kalashnikov. (Not the Böker plus versions...they look cheap to me).

It's massive, light and I think it's the only blade I have that came armhair shaving sharp out of the box.

Downside is that it's a lot more expensive. (Cheapest models run into $150 or so)

But I love it a lot so it was worth it to me.

I would vote for the Case in a medium stockman patern. This is a great size traditional pocket knife that feels good in the hand and pocket. Great for anything to peeling an apple to cutting steak and even manicure and light home surgery. Holds a heak of an edge and under 50.00 in the yellow handles. I like CV but the stanless holds up better in a sweatey pocket during summer. I don't go anywhere without a knife. Not for protection but for utility. My EDC for protection is a Kel-Tec P3-AT.

Don

my original Spydie was a Clip-it-Rescue
I became a believer and never looked back


the best I've owned BY FAR is the Tasman Salt

#1 It's H1 exotic steel
#2 it's small enough to fly under the radar (aren't you in school?)
#3 the curved blade seems to drastically increase cutting power
#4 it outcuts my serrated S60V Military and is half the size
#5 very flat and very light
#6 the FRN scales are much much stronger than you would think (much much)
#7 the curved blade provides it's own fulcrum for prying
#8 the grind is heavy enough to allow it
#9 only knife I use for mechanic work because I KNOW it won't break
#10 by FAR the best pocket clip I've seen (bolt through of sorts)

this knife may look a little strange, but once you use it for a while it WILL be your favorite

it won't zip tie wave though

I really like the Leatherman knives with the 154CM blades.

Leatherman Expanse Series Knives

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Gerber Mini Paraframe. You can get it in a half serrated version which would be more handy (in my experience) than the mostly serrated blade of the Tenacious.

I'm seeing three options for the Tenacious; plain blade, combo blade, and serrated blade. Can you comment more on plain vs combo/serrated? I'm thinking the combo would probably provide the most utility, but I really have no idea.

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

I've held the Tenacious in my hand twice so far....and I"m sorely tempted to buy it myself. It's a very nice blade. Solid feeling and good bang for the buck. (I'm still trying to figure out how to get one for the american price instead of the european price (I'm cheap...I know).

I also have a Byrd CaraCara, it's anything but small. I think it might be bigger than the Tenacious. It's cheaper as well. But If I'd have had the choice between the tenacious and the caracara for $10 price difference I'd have gotten the Tenacious. (Still love my Cara though I carry it often)

Between Spyderco/byrd and Gerber I'd go for spydies though. I just like em better and they have a better name nowadays.

Maybe I was looking at a different Byrd. I checked out one that was a 1.75 inch blade (IIRC); maybe it was just a smaller/lower end one, because it was only $10 or so. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on taking a Tenacious over a Byrd; I'm thinking the same.

Originally Posted by junkinduck

I would vote for the Case in a medium stockman patern. This is a great size traditional pocket knife that feels good in the hand and pocket. Great for anything to peeling an apple to cutting steak and even manicure and light home surgery. Holds a heak of an edge and under 50.00 in the yellow handles. I like CV but the stanless holds up better in a sweatey pocket during summer.

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.

I have three knives that split EDC duty.

1) A william henry ZDP-189 bladed "dress knife." Very nice, but was over $500, and though it is capable of it, if I KNOW that there will be serious cutting work involved, it stays home.

2) Chris Reeves small sebenza. What a wonderful knife. Good looking, tough as nails, and I wear it on most weekend days, tucked inside wasitband of jeans, kahakis, shorts. Again not cheap (I think around $200??), but the quality is amazing, and cuts like a bigger knife. If I could only have one knife, this would probably be it.

3) Spyderco Delica. If I am wearing jeans more than a two years old, this knife is in the pocket. If I am wearing boots or cargo pants, this knife is with me. Any time I know I (and my gear) are likely to take a beating, it's been there with me. I has been beaten on (not quite abused...but close) and still looks and preforms pretty damned well. I bought it after I lost my first spyderco, which I had for years. It is the first year the plastic (whatever they call their space age super-polymer) handle, and a combo edge. It handles EVERYTHING that the world throws at it, and does so easily. It is small enough to not raise too many eyebrows, but does have that evil black handle and combo edge. It takes a sick edge, and holds it pretty well. If I could only have one knife, and I worked outside more, or in general wasn't a behind the desk type....this would be it.

You can not go wrong with the spyderco. If you can, get yourself to a knife shop and handle as many of the knives you are considering as possible. How they feel in you hand is CRUCIAL if you will ever be using it for more than a minute.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I'm seeing three options for the Tenacious; plain blade, combo blade, and serrated blade. Can you comment more on plain vs combo/serrated? I'm thinking the combo would probably provide the most utility, but I really have no idea.

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.

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.