High Value, Budget, EDC Knives, narrowed down. Advice Wanted...

T

Truesome

Joined
Jan 11, 2023
Messages
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So I know there are a zillion threads on high value budget EDC knives. So many, that they're really all starting to sound so similar I could just post them on a dart board and go with the one I hit. But at the end of the day, I want to order one. I use my knife daily for whatever package opening, twine cutting, some box cutting. Looking in the $30-50 range, modern style, ~3 inch blade. I've narrowed it down to (in no particular order):

Civivi - Mini Praxis
Civivi - Elementum
Ontario - Rat 2
Petrified Fish - Flavorist (drop point)
Petrified Fish - 818
Sencut: Neches
QSP- Hawk

I'm leaning away from Micarta, which means I'm leaning toward Civivi or Sencut. Not sure I need/want D2 (rust?), and the Sencut is 10Cr15CoMo, although I suspect the steel on any of these is more than adequate. (Handle on the Sencut doesn't look as ergonomic as the others, but hard to know without having it in hand. Thoughts?). I know the Rat has been the standard-bearer for a while but just keep reading about some of these newer knives being a step ahead. Just looking for a low maintenance knife that can take a beating, take camping, hold up under whatever and I'm not crying a river if it gets lost.

Also, country of origin/manufacture isn't important to me here, and I've read a lot before narrowing down, so if you have something outside this list to suggest, please offer reasons. Thanks!

What do you like?
 
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Buck 112 Slim Select.
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FlipperFolder said:
Spyderco Tenacious, the steel isn't the greatest but they're fantastic beater knives that will handle edc tasks no problem. Also, the QSP Penguin is a really good knife to check out as well
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Spyderco Tenacious and Ontario Rat are the knives that got me started down this rabbit hole.

My reason for moving past the Tenacious was it's more expensive than anything else on this list with lesser quality steel. Feels like you're paying for the name, with that one (although undoubtedly a decent knife!).

My reason for keeping the Rat 2 on deck while looking at other options is the substantial number of reviews pointing to knives like the Elementum as both construction and steel quality improvements at a similar price point.

QSP's website is garbage, so thanks for the heads up on the Penguin. Parrot looks maybe even more up my alley. Only criticisms I've read are that they're not the most ergonomic knife out there.

Thank you!
 
From your list I would go with the Rat2 or Civivi Mini Praxis. I own a Rat2 and a full size Praxis and have no complaints with either. The Rat is built a little beefier.

But nothing will stop Spyderbros from recommending Spyderco every.single.time.
It's laughably predictable.
 
Truesome said:
Spyderco Tenacious and Ontario Rat are the knives that got me started down this rabbit hole.

My reason for moving past the Tenacious was it's more expensive than anything else on this list with lesser quality steel. Feels like you're paying for the name, with that one (although undoubtedly a decent knife!).

My reason for keeping the Rat 2 on deck while looking at other options is the substantial number of reviews pointing to knives like the Elementum as both construction and steel quality improvements at a similar price point.

QSP's website is garbage, so thanks for the heads up on the Penguin. Parrot looks maybe even more up my alley. Only criticisms I've read are that they're not the most ergonomic knife out there.

Thank you!
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Quality steel name is not exactly the same as quality product. Much like the 440 steel apocalypse, all 440 are decent for their purpose, but with that name stamped on every poor quality blades a decade ago, you won't get anything out of it and good makers have to find alternative name for 440 series (cough N695). Heat treatment and quality control cost money.

The Tenacious is Spiderco chinese line, but their 8Cr14MoV is pretty much the AUS-8 you can find in most of Asia, remember that Japan doesn't have much natural resources, they have to import steels. If country of origin is not your concern, then you are barely moving away from the Tenacious quality.

QSP quality is good, but the quality control of their budget line could be considered sloppy. Some members here have numerous bad experiences, while others have the opposite. I have a QSP Parrot, one of the better inexpensive knife I use as beater, and quite comfortable for a folder. Also, that knife is comfortable for my medium sized hand.
 
Spillproof said:
From your list I would go with the Rat2 or Civivi Mini Praxis. I own a Rat2 and a full size Praxis and have no complaints with either. The Rat is built a little beefier.

But nothing will stop Spyderbros from recommending Spyderco every.single.time.
It's laughably predictable.
Click to expand...
So I actually just had a chance to handle a Rat 2 and an Elementum and can say I'd easily be happy with the latter. Interestingly, the Civivi felt more substantial than the Rat. A little heavier, a little more solid, a little smoother, just a little more solid and of seeming better build quality. Not by a huge margin, but noticeable. The handle on the mini Praxis looks less like what I might like and will likely pass there, but no doubt also a nice knife. I've got nothing against Spyders except that they're seemingly more expensive for the same or lesser quality.

Deino said:
Quality steel name is not exactly the same as quality product. Much like the 440 steel apocalypse, all 440 are decent for their purpose, but with that name stamped on every poor quality blades a decade ago, you won't get anything out of it and good makers have to find alternative name for 440 series (cough N695). Heat treatment and quality control cost money.

The Tenacious is Spiderco chinese line, but their 8Cr14MoV is pretty much the AUS-8 you can find in most of Asia, remember that Japan doesn't have much natural resources, they have to import steels. If country of origin is not your concern, then you are barely moving away from the Tenacious quality.

QSP quality is good, but the quality control of their budget line could be considered sloppy. Some members here have numerous bad experiences, while others have the opposite. I have a QSP Parrot, one of the better inexpensive knife I use as beater, and quite comfortable for a folder. Also, that knife is comfortable for my medium sized hand.
Click to expand...
Honestly, after getting a custom Buck knife for Christmas that was all kinds of jacked up (so bad they're rebuilding a totally new knife to replace it now) and seeing how incredible the Civivi was I handled today, I don't have any qualms about the prospect of Chinese quality on these knives. "Made in the USA" and "Made in China" don't seem to directly correlate to quality level, at least in this price range of knife.

I'm also not a "steel nerd" or even too interested in numbers. I do know I like the 440HC steel on Buck knives and have simply read that in regard to the Civivi D2, its very hard and holds and edge but is more prone to corrosion and chipping (not something I'm thrilled about). So I'd actually even prefer one of the more balanced profile steels even if it means more frequent sharpening. That's part of what made me wonder about Petrified Fish since they use German K110 rather than Chinese D2 in a knife that reportedly is well made with solid QC. Almost want to order one just to hold in hand for an evaluation; they're so hard to find.

Re: QSP: I am considering the Hawk, but the Amazon reviews on their QC are all over the map. Not eager to gamble when there are so many good options.

Anyone try the Sencut Neches or similar?
 
I have the Praxis full size and my kid has the Elementum.

Both are just fine for normal things. Neither is outstanding in any way but are all around decent.

The Praxis is like a pocket machete. The mini praxis looks like a way better choice, so that is a good idea.

Honestly I think your other options may be worth a better look.
 
Deino said:
...

The Tenacious is Spiderco chinese line, but their 8Cr14MoV is pretty much the AUS-8 you can find in most of Asia, remember that Japan doesn't have much natural resources, they have to import steels. If country of origin is not your concern, then you are barely moving away from the Tenacious quality.
...
Click to expand...

maybe a small point - but Japan has typically used locally available iron (black) sand to make steel historically... they import most of the iron ore they use, since they make a lot of steel locally
en.wikipedia.org

Ironsand - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
 
RickHuf said:
I have the Praxis full size and my kid has the Elementum.

Both are just fine for normal things. Neither is outstanding in any way but are all around decent.

The Praxis is like a pocket machete. The mini praxis looks like a way better choice, so that is a good idea.

Honestly I think your other options may be worth a better look.
Click to expand...

Which options would you recommend instead?
 
Truesome said:
Which options would you recommend instead?
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I'm still working on that.

The civivi knives were my first attempt to replace my daily work knife because of all the glowing recommendations. I had a cheap Gerber for years and wanted something different because I kept having problems with the spring assist giving out.

I'm just too hard on the praxis. Already chipped up the blade and the g10. The action became gritty pretty fast. Retired it after only a few weeks. It's definitely not a work knife. It would be right at home opening packages and cutting rope/twine, and for most people its probably a good budget option.

Anyways... the next one is on the way. Willumsen Zero7. 440c steel. I hope it's a bit heavier duty than the civivi knives. It looks great, can't wait to get a hold of it. At least I know 440c steel is a beast. Give it a look. Hopefully in a couple days I can give some initial thoughts on it.
 
RickHuf said:
I'm still working on that.

The civivi knives were my first attempt to replace my daily work knife because of all the glowing recommendations. I had a cheap Gerber for years and wanted something different because I kept having problems with the spring assist giving out.

I'm just too hard on the praxis. Already chipped up the blade and the g10. The action became gritty pretty fast. Retired it after only a few weeks. It's definitely not a work knife. It would be right at home opening packages and cutting rope/twine, and for most people its probably a good budget option.

Anyways... the next one is on the way. Willumsen Zero7. 440c steel. I hope it's a bit heavier duty than the civivi knives. It looks great, can't wait to get a hold of it. At least I know 440c steel is a beast. Give it a look. Hopefully in a couple days I can give some initial thoughts on it.
Click to expand...
I feel you on this.

I have a couple Civivi flippers, and while nice they are certainly light duty. Nice and thin, which I love, but they don't like dirt, or bearing down on a hard cut.
 
dirc said:
maybe a small point - but Japan has typically used locally available iron (black) sand to make steel historically... they import most of the iron ore they use, since they make a lot of steel locally
en.wikipedia.org

Ironsand - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Click to expand...
Yes, they do.

Truesome said:
So I actually just had a chance to handle a Rat 2 and an Elementum and can say I'd easily be happy with the latter. Interestingly, the Civivi felt more substantial than the Rat. A little heavier, a little more solid, a little smoother, just a little more solid and of seeming better build quality. Not by a huge margin, but noticeable. The handle on the mini Praxis looks less like what I might like and will likely pass there, but no doubt also a nice knife. I've got nothing against Spyders except that they're seemingly more expensive for the same or lesser quality.


Honestly, after getting a custom Buck knife for Christmas that was all kinds of jacked up (so bad they're rebuilding a totally new knife to replace it now) and seeing how incredible the Civivi was I handled today, I don't have any qualms about the prospect of Chinese quality on these knives. "Made in the USA" and "Made in China" don't seem to directly correlate to quality level, at least in this price range of knife.

I'm also not a "steel nerd" or even too interested in numbers. I do know I like the 440HC steel on Buck knives and have simply read that in regard to the Civivi D2, its very hard and holds and edge but is more prone to corrosion and chipping (not something I'm thrilled about). So I'd actually even prefer one of the more balanced profile steels even if it means more frequent sharpening. That's part of what made me wonder about Petrified Fish since they use German K110 rather than Chinese D2 in a knife that reportedly is well made with solid QC. Almost want to order one just to hold in hand for an evaluation; they're so hard to find.

Re: QSP: I am considering the Hawk, but the Amazon reviews on their QC are all over the map. Not eager to gamble when there are so many good options.

Anyone try the Sencut Neches or similar?
Click to expand...
Excuse my wording from the previous post. No, I rarely think of the country of origin as the sign of quality. It is more of a supporting and other reasons, I won't elaborate more as it is not the subject in question.

Doesn't matter the steel name or number, the blade quality is usually a mystery until tested by use. I don't have the money to buy them all like youtubers and other guys. Though, honestly, I wouldn't recommend cheap QSP, their more expensive stuff seems to be more consistence. Another thing though, a knife heavier will usually feel more solid, and therefore concluded as better quality, but it is not always the case. I have a few linerless folders and they are pretty solid despite their lightweight, one of them is the Cold Steel Air Lite, well known for being thin yet strong.

I also handle the Elementum, it is indeed solid. If you handled the knives and like it, go for it. I would suggest to check out some Boker Plus model, Honey Badger knives models and the Kizer Domin/Begleiter.
 
Have positive experience with the full sized Praxis, and I gave an Elementum to my father. I think either of those knives will make for great EDC.
 
MolokaiRider said:
I feel you on this.

I have a couple Civivi flippers, and while nice they are certainly light duty. Nice and thin, which I love, but they don't like dirt, or bearing down on a hard cut.
Click to expand...
While I'm not exactly running a farm over here, it would be nice to not have to worry about it getting dirty camping or in the garden or wherever. If I want a letter opener, I know where to get one of those for just a few dollars! :) Thanks.
 
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