My first EDC Knife

[LEDagent]

Well... it's time for this flashaholic to move on to the harder drugs! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I stopped by a local knife shop in hopes to find my first serious EDC knife. The guy there was VERY helpful with ALL my questions (and i had A LOT of questions), yet plenty still remain.

I already have 2 knives that i have in mind.
The Benchmade Mini-Griptilian...

...and the Kershaw Leek Plain Edge

I fell in love with these knives the first time i set my eyes on them. The Kernshaw was the first knife i saw in the store. I was looking for a knife that was thin, sleek, simple, and stylish for special ocassions or general use. I LOVE its assisted opening and its frame lock, very simple, very "to the point."

I needed something "beefier", although i knew the Kershaw could hold its own. The shop owner lead me to the Benchmade display case and showed me the perfect knife for a lefty like me. The Benchmade Mini-Griptilian was the knife that suited me the best for EDC use. It is TOTALY ambidextrous, light, strong, and it melts away in your pocket so it doesn't get in your way. It's operation is very smooth and i LOVE how i can operate effortlessly with just one hand.

I want to get BOTH of these knives. I figure i might as well carry over my flashaholic ideology to knives as well. "Buy 'em both." I consider the Kernshaw Leek equivilant to my Arc LSH-P, and the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian as my Surefire E2. One for formal occasions, and another for EDC. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway...here is my question before i can decide on purchasing these knives.

-Plain, Serrated, Combo blade?
This question was pretty much answered by the shop owner, but i'd like to know what the majority of you have chosen for your EDC knives.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I prefer plain blades. There aren't enough serrations (or enough reasons for me to HAVE serrations) on an EDC size knife.

Benchmades are AWESOME!!!! Kershaws are GREAT knives for the price!

You can't go badly wrong with either/both!!!

 

[KC2IXE]

I prefer plain

 

[was_jlh]

Another vote for plain.

Joe

 

[Mark_van_Gorkom]

Serrations don't work well for us lefties: they're on the wrong side of the edge. I've been thinking about (make that lusting after) a Griptilian too, only the full size version (a mini won't reach the bottom of the peanut butter jar /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
If only they made it in ATS-34 (or M2 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif ).

 

[_mike_]

I have knives with both, but am starting to go back to strictly plain edged. Also, have you considered the Mini-Grip from Cabelas with D2 steel? It's an exclusive only for Cabelas, so you won't find it anywhere else. Click here
to see it. Supposedly D2 steel is a little better (hardness and edge retention) than the 440C steel it normally comes with. Though the 440C is supposed to be just fine and be more rust resistant. That's why the D2 blade is coated.

I eventually got the mini-grip D2 (plain edge) from Cabelas and am very happy with it.

I asked some questions over at BladeForums and you can see the thread here
here if you want to see what others thought.

You can go here , it's the 9th post down to see my mini-review of the D2 mini-grip.

The Leek might be cheaper at Walmart than your local knife shop. Worth checking into if you can save a few bucks.

Mike

 

[ChrisA]

Definitely plain... It's much more versatile than a serrated edge. If you're cutting fibrous material you can easily put a coarse edge on your knife that equals the cutting power of serrations. Plain edges are also 'easier' to use around sheeple which is a plus for an EDC knife IMO.

Chris

 

[mylan]

I use a Gerber Airranger 2. The knife has a linerlock and an extra rotating lock where you can lock the liner with. I am also lefthanded and a normal liner without extra lock could open when u use force with your left hand, your finger will push the liner away so the knife can close on your fingers. It also has thumbstuds on both sides of the blade, is partial serrated which is ideal when cutting wet rope, and it has a pocket clip which will allow you to carry it tip down.

 

[bigcozy]

I like a combo edge. When you need to cut through something, like rope, nothing beats it. I am around a marine enviroment, so being able to cut a rope quickly is very important. I find the serrations easier to sharpen than the rest of the blade. Anything under 3" it is hard to have enough room for both edges, but I EDC a discontinued Wayne Goddard Jr. Micarta and is has a 3" combo blade and I really like it.

 

[Cmoore]

I recommend the plain edge, as others have stated, it's more versatile.

If you can only buy one knife for now, I think the Mini-Griptilian is the superior of the two you're interested in. It's a great starter EDC.

 

[shrap]

another vote for the mini-grip, the axis lock is better than anything else out there.

I think combo edge is more versatile, but plain edge is more practical. plus 3" of blade leaves you with very little of both.

 

[Tony2001]

Go with the plain edge Benchmade as an EDC, I carry a Microtech HALO II for EDC and a SOG Flash along with a Surefire E2E and a CMG Infinity Ultra. Also have you looked into a Strider GB or AR folding model, or a Sebenza as an EDC?

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Sebenza = EXPENSIVE!!!

I'm sure they are very nice knives. I do bladeforums from time to time so I know!

But over 3 bills for a knife? To use and possibly even loose? NOT ME BABY!

 

[Tony2001]

Ok that might be overkill...

But people swear by em, if money is key to your decision why not go with the Leek, I have one in rainbow finish that I loved (gave it to a friend, he lost it). Get a nice kydex sheath for it and it should make a great EDC, also you can get for about $30 in Walmart. Served me well, and was suitable for most civilian tasks, unless your some sort of high speed operator who needs a knife to pry open ammo crates and defuse anti personnel mines, it should serve you well.

 

[BlindTiger]

don\'t forget most places have metal detectors

I certainly don't want to lose any of my knives but many office buildings around here have x ray machines and metal detectors you need to go through before going to your office.
Get a kershaw Scallion especially the aluminum scales one. very slim and grippy enough and the colors are less likely to frighten people.
Don't know the policy of building owners when they find a knife on you. Perhaps others will know.

 

[LEDagent]

WOW! So many responses in such a short period of time. I guess its safe to say that many of you have a life outside of flashlights? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

It sounds like i'm going to go with a plain edge blade. I pretty much wanted a combo blade becuase i liked the way it looks, but in these mini folders, they do take up too much cutting area of the blade. And if it wasn't for Mark to point out that the serrations don't work well for lefties, then i would have never known. Thanks!

Many of you sport some VERY nice looking knives. The Sabenzas, Emersons, and Microtechs ALL look very nice....but their price tags do not. I guess i have to investigate what makes these knives so much more expensive than the rest.

At this point, all i see with any knife at any price range, is a handle and a blade. I know what i want from a knife: ease of carry, fluid movement, one hand operation, and good looks. But there is so much more to consider that i have NO clue about. Until now, i knew very little about blade material. I guess this is what sets other knives apart? Uugh...this is another hobby i'm getting sucked into.

I guess you can compare me to the unknowledgeable flashlight user that thinks a Surefire is a Maglight. I have no clue about most of these knives, but i want to make sure i'm getting my money's worth.

Until i get my next paycheck... the Benchmade Mini-Griptillian D2 is on hold. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[tsg68]

Re: don\'t forget most places have metal detectors

I usually go combo edge (optimal to have for possible emergencys) for my off time, and plain edge for work (sharpened with 22O grit diamond hone for some "teeth"). Alot of folks think serrations are hard to sharpen, and steer clear of em', but they aren't. I carry a retractable conical diamond sharpener by Smith's Abrasives that makes sharpening all styles easy. Unless you are proficient at sharpening though, I would steer clear of D2 steel, You can have good and bad days trying to put a good edge on it. It is traditionally a tool steel that is used for planer and other machine blades. Probably has a high chrome content to resist heat buildup and dulling in machines, but that makes it tougher to sharpen and it can rust if not properly maintained and it usually requires diamond abrasives to sharpen. My Dad likes to say that D2 "takes an edge like $h*t, but holds it forever!" 440C is a fine,"true" stainless steel that was the industry standard for a long, long time. Most of my older knives are 440C and are really nice knives that gave me long, hard service. I have a Griptilian in combo edge and it is one of my favorite travel and weekend knives, the partial liners make the knife extremely lightweight so that you barely know it's there, the lock is strong, the blade profile is perfect for EDC, lots of belly even with the combo edge (thank Mel Pardue for the design) the scales are nice and grippy without being overly aggressive, the action is smooth and the price is right. A great all around choice!

Oh, I like the Leek too, I have quite a few Kershaw knives (My fave is the Avalanche in CPM 440V also known as SV-60 and textured G-10) and I am a fan of Ken Onion's designs as well. I want to get a Leek, but want a black one and haven't found the right price on one yet.

TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[LEDagent]

Re: don\'t forget most places have metal detectors

TSG,

Thank you for that "little" bit of information. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Wow...the knife dealer said that the D2 was a little hard to sharpen, but i guess he forgot that i have never owned a knife before, hence i have never sharpened one either. It sounds like the standard steel (440C) will serve me well as long as i keep them well maintained and regularly sharpened. Since this is going to be my first knife, i guess i can sacrifice this knife as a long-term test subject /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. If, within a year, the 440 steel doesn't hold up to my abuse, then i guess i will have to look at something tougher. But with what i have read about this knife, it sounds like i will have to really abuse this knife to try and break it.

I'm glad that many find the Kernshaw Onion designs attractive. I've seen so many forum members talk about their big bad knives... i thought i was the only one that prefered smaller knives. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tsg68]

Re: don\'t forget most places have metal detectors

LEDagent, I like lots of different types of knives and own all different styles and price ranges of custom and production blades. There is absolutely nothing wrong with liking what you like in knives it is very subjective, the important thing is that it is a quality and durable item and that it suits you. Many folks could easily tell you that some knives "speak" to them when they first handle a new one. I guess you can say that it is more a situation of a knife having a simple familiarity that makes you comfortable with it the moment you pick it up. I think that comfort lends itself to confidence and confidence to safety.

I think your choices are good ones, you chose excellent quality for the money, one being a utilitarian design for most EDC needs, and the other a sleek and stylish low profile (and very useful) design for dressier occasions. I have several utilitarian knives that rotate at work and play and a few more flashy knives for dress up, too. I doubt you could destroy either knife under average conditions within a year and they may very well last you much longer. My main work EDC is now 4 years old and going strong. One of my EDC knives, a Gerber Bolt Action with Ivory colored scales lasted about 15 years of heavy, heavy use, before I literally wore the blade down from resharpening (it is 440C).

Many of the guys who are from other countries that I work with from time to time, carry simple inexpensive centuries old designs like the Okapi, Opinel, Douk Douk or Nontron knives as EDC with no difficulties whatsoever. My wife's Uncle who is a working rancher uses a Camillus stockman and a Buck 110 (that has dressed alot of wild game) as his main knives. Both are production knives and relatively inexpensive.

TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[_mike_]

Re: don\'t forget most places have metal detectors

LEDagent,

Now...what sharpener are you going to get? It just never stops does it? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif


Mike