Recommendation? First time EDC

Status
Not open for further replies.
Another recommendation for the Spyderco Delica. I have many knives that are WAY more expensive than the Delica. Still, the Delica finds its way into my pocket more often than not.
 
I think you're heading for an awesome first EDC. I love seeing new folks take recommendations onboard and really consider them! :thumbsup:

GimmeZell said:
-D2 steel may rust
Click to expand...

D2 is a near-stainless steel, but not technically stainless. Stainless steels also rust; they stain, as in corrode, less than non-stainless steels, but unless you're talking about exotic marine steels like H1 all steel can rust.

I live in Seattle. You may have heard that it rains here every so often. ;) By which I mean we average 180 days of rain annually, and it's almost always humid. :D I was nervous about uncoated D2 when I first started dabbling in it, but apart from choosing a different knife when I go out in the rain I don't treat it any differently than my stainless knives, and it's caused me no problems. (I store my knives in a little cabinet with silica dessicant packets in the drawers, and always wipe the blades after use.)

The Elementum comes in S35VN, which is considerably more corrosion-resistant than D2, for about $85; for a bit less, you can get it in D2. I recommended the S35VN version in part because it takes the slight difference between D2 and a true stainless steel out of the equation for a new knife knut. :)
 
I always start with questions like

  • What kind of steel are you comfortable sharpening? Are you ready for something difficult like CPM S110V or do you want something easier like S30V or 420HC. My expectation is that a Buck Knife with the BOS heat treatment will outperform a knife without the BOS heat treatment, so something to consider (that would mean Buck Made in the USA).
  • How much weight are you ready for? I have a very light weight knife (Cold Steel Lucky One, which has a clip) that is so light you forget that you have it. I can clip it into my shirt pocket.
  • Do you want or need a clip? I am really partial to stockman knives. Specifically, the Bock 303 Cadet (small) or the 301 (medium) stockman; note that the 371 and 373 models are made in China but are cheaper. I also really like Case knives and if you want variety, they have a much more diverse set of stockman knives. If you want even smaller than the stockman, you can get something like the 375 Deuce. The small Case stockman is even smaller than the Buck 303 and I really like it.
  • Do you want spring assist? I purposely do not buy spring assist because they are illegal in Ohio where I live.
If you want something with a clip and it must be light, the Cold Steel Luck One is nice, but know that it is really light. The Benchmade Bugout is a great knife and mine is very light.

I am partial to Buck knives made in the USA. I really like the Buck Pro Slim (as someone else mentioned). Mine is the Buck 112 with an S35VN blade. The clip works well for me. The clips on the 722 and 726 are rather tight so they often inhibit carry.

I only own one Spyderco, but I LOVE my Para 3 as for how it operates, but it was closer to $200. The S110V steel in my Spyderco is more difficult to sharpen, but it has stayed sharp long enough that I have not spent much time worrying about it.

Enough ramblings for now.
 
GimmeZell said:
Hello, name is Jeremy and I've been lurking for a week or so and I am ready to purchase my first knife. With reading forum posts here and watching YouTube video reviews, to say I'm overwhelmed would be an understatement.

I recent bought my 16 year old son a Civivi Ortis and now I need one.

I would like to keep the out-the-door price to under $100. I originally wanted to get the Ferrum Forge Stinger but it is not in stock anywhere.

So that leaves the Civivi Elementum. The brass one looks nice but is bit heavier than that of the marble carbon fiber version. As a first time EDC and knife user would I notice the difference?

I'm also open to other sub-$100 knife recommendations.

Thanks for reading,

Jeremy
Click to expand...

The Ferrum Forge mass drop Gent. Most bang for your buck.
 
I just gave a friend the choice out of few different brands and styles of knives and took the Delica. Says he’s been carrying and using it and now wants to know why he waited so long to get a decent knife.
 
My recommendation, pick a dollar amount your comfortable with. Then buy a knife that brings you joy.
 
Rat 1. Great knife, awesome action.$35.

Kershaw Link (made in USA, under $50, well built)

Spyderco Endela. Japanese made, great user steel. $85.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2. USA made. S30V steel is great! Ridiculously awesome fall-shut action. $140.
 
I've been a "knife nut" for a long time, and I own a lot of high end custom and miss tech knives. But the one that I carry the most (I use at work) is a Spyderco Tenacious. It's inexpensive, so I'm ok if I lose or break it (I'm pretty rough on my knives at work), and the ergonomics and action rival every other
 
jlauffer said:
Delica is nice, but also check out the Cold Steel Code 4 and Air Lite.
Click to expand...
For under $100, these two might be the best values with stainless steel. Very solid knives.. Search the internet for the best prices.
If you can up the price a bit to treat yourself, the PM2 might still be the best edc on the market. A bit cheaper and a very nice edc is the Manix 2.
Another good knife in your price range is the Buck Vantage Pro.
If you want a good value large knife in your price range, the Cold Steel large Voyager is a good deal. Great ergonomics, and relatively light.
 
GimmeZell said:
Hello, name is Jeremy and I've been lurking for a week or so and I am ready to purchase my first knife......I would like to keep the out-the-door price to under $100.


....I may have increase my budget to $130.......
Click to expand...

We got em' boys and girls! He's already hooked...:rolleyes:;)
 
I'm warming up to the Spyderco's, specifically the Tenacious and realizing function over form is key. The Tenacious is considered the "gateway drug" to Spyderco knives.
 
You’re in good hands in the this forum.

As I’m sure you’re aware, a lot of individuals here are suggesting great knives and in there own way trying to channel their efforts through you. To possibly ‘right’ the not so great decisions they may have made in the past.

Quite honestly, there are just too many great knives out there to choose from, when one sits back and really considers it... we (as a knife community) are spoiled.
Not that it’s a bad thing :D
 
First and most important to me in an edc knife is for it’s look and feel to speak to me. To give me joy every time I put it in my pocket and take it out. Things like steel, weight and size come in second place. Usually I spend a lot of time in the EDC threads, something just grabs my attention, I start researching it - watch some videos about it, compare prices etc. So that’s what I suggest you do - go to the edc threads (lately I spend too much time in “What traditional knife are you totin today” which tends to rise the number of Case knives I own) and find something that speaks to you. Truth is that you won’t get by with just a knife or two, so don’t overthink it.
 
Hi Jeremy, I love Spydercos and my fav right now is Spyderco Manix LW, and carry it daily.

However, they looked ugly! So I wanted to try out Spyderco without spending $100+. Byrd Cara Cara 2 (similar to Endura) was my choice. It is a Spyderco owned, budget brand. I did not care about steel as long as it didn't rust easily. I used this for everything from jogging edc to house chores, etc. It is a Spyderco, so ergonomics and quality was very great. I beat the hell out of it, and I still have it.

The nice thing about Cara Cara 2 for me was the versatility. It seems all the knives owned before that had very thick blade stocks. So I could sharpen knives to be super-mirror-finish sharp, but they would not slice things like squishy english muffin down the middle. And I need my buttered english muffins at work at 8am daily because I'm a 220lbs fatty. The blade is like Opinel and great at cutting food things. But it is sturdy enough to be used as other harder tasks, like cutting salami packages.
 
gyhhWcu.jpg

Buy quality the first time.
I know you are looking at civivi, I was drawn to civivi first as well.
The civivi does not get any pocket time.
I vote you fall victim to the spyder hole.

Enjoy
 
Any of the Spyderco models are pretty good to start out! Depending on your budget. Check out the Delica 4 or maybe even the Tenacious. Bigger budget, check out the PM2 or PM3
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top