Recommendation? Slicey, larger EDC with good action, high edge retention / reasonable toughness?

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billzona

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Dec 25, 2022
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Asking for advice on a knife and / or general pointers in the right direction. Thank you all in advance.

What I plan to use it for: packages / zip ties / clamshell wrap, slicing apples / veggies, cutting boxes into smaller pieces than necessary, cutting pieces of printer paper way to often to check the edge, occasional workshop marking knife. Love being able to slice off paper thin pieces of apple.

What size am I thinking?: ~3.5"-4". Just want to make sure the functional edge is >3.3"ish. I mainly carry this around the house, so upper size isn't really an issue. That being said, much bigger and it would not be comfy to carry. Weight isn't a big concern.

Price range: <$250-$300... I'm a-ok with well kept lightly used if it falls under or around that range, but for some of the Spydercos out there that fit the bill (ex: Kapara 20CV, s90v military), prices are very hiked.

Blade steel: something that can support a reasonably fine apex; good fine edge retention; not too brittle; stainless does not matter: k390, m4, 10v, s90v. 20cv and equivalents have been OK, but I'd love to try one of the higher edge retention steels that don't sacrifice toughness OR that are comparable in edge retention but amazing toughness. I haven't tried many steels other than 20cv, so feel free to tell me there is another steel I should consider.

I have enjoyed how quickly I can close the pm2 one handed, so a compression lock is great. If the axis or equivalent locks fit the same bill, I'm sure I'd like them. That being said, frame or liner locks are also great, if the blade is right.

I've been eyeing something like an endura or endela in k390, but have heard mixed reviews on the build quality, and they don't seem to fit the quick one hand open / close bill. I've also looked at the TRM Atom (and may get one if I can pre-order from BHQ)... but I'd love to try a different steel.
 
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The type of knife you are describing is my favorite! And I think that build quality and action on the Japanese spydercos are way underrated by those that have more higher aesthetic standards than functional standards in mind. My favorites in this category ur looking into are all spydercos… police, Endura, endela, native chief. For the Endura and endela I would go k390 wharncliffe version… they are the best utility slicers in my opinion. Even a g10 police k390 or native chief in super steel can be had for under 300 easy. 4v Manix xls and various militaries can be had for under 300 on the forum. I heard 4v military Is coming… but don’t underestimate a good seki city Spyderco backlock, once you get used to the action and master it… it is the best!
But this all is just my preferences so take it or leave it! Spyderco GB2 is a great option also!
 
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I have an older military (would have to look but i think S30) and its a beast for sure. It would do everything you are asking.

I have a neutron 2 and want the bigger atom and I would buy/use that over the military all day. Love the neutron!
 
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You didn't specify "folding" knife even though you talked about lock styles, so I'm gonna suggest the Bradford Guardian 3 in Magnacut. The leather sheath that comes with it works as a horizontal belt sheath, or as a front pocket sheath. It's actually very comfortable dropped down in my RFP. If it has to be a folder, I'll recommend a Spyderco in K390. You have your choice of an Endela or an Endura (no QC issues on my examples), or a Para 2. All very slicey and tough with good edge retention and very little corrosion worries. I've carried my K390 Para 2 for over a year now with no corrosion issues at all. It gets minimal blade maintenance about 3X a month and IMAO, it has out-performed any of my M4 or Cru-Wear knives.
 
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Toughness and edge retention tend to be inversely related:

For a full discussion see https://knifesteelnerds.com/2021/10...ness-edge-retention-and-corrosion-resistance/

Thin, slicy blades are more likely to chip than thicker blades. So a thin blade with high edge retention and moderate toughness will be especially prone to chipping. That's why people who want a thin blade often prefer high toughness to high edge retention. That said, the things you want to cut do not require high toughness unless you hit a staple in cardboard, in my experience.
 

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Don’t forget the difference between toughness and edge stability… this endela wharncliffe in k390 and tho toughness isn’t high(which is not generally necessary in a folder) edge stability and therefore resistance to chipping, is high. This knife plows through all materials you need for edc
 
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ferider said:
Try to get the currently running Stretch 2XL sprint in Cruwear. Size and blade shape of a Military with back-lock, and even thinner/slicier than a Military. I love mine. Around $280. Better built than - say - Endura.
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Not to be a _ _ _ here but I don’t believe this knife is a sprint. I’m pretty sure that’s one reason it made such a splash when it was first announced. Also, I still need to pick one up! Haha!

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and yours Ferider!
 
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Cru-wear and rex-45 are my go to steels for Spyderco knives. Spydercos rex 45 may just be the best “production steel” you can buy. They run it at 66-67 hrc, and their heat treat allows it to have unreal edge stability, while being reasonable to sharpen, and reasonably wear resistant.

Spydercos cru-wear is my favourite balance steel that they produce. I highly recommend the cru-carta pm2 if you go down that route. They seem to be running that at 64-65 hrc. Again, really crazy edge stability, but the sharpenability of it is incredible. It almost wants to come off a stone with a hair whittling edge every time. Cru-wear is almost as much a pleasure to sharpen as the simpler carbon steels.
 
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el gigantor said:
Not to be a _ _ _ but I don’t believe this knife is a sprint. I’m pretty sure that’s one reason it made such a splash when it was first announced. Also, I still need to pick one up! Haha!

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and yours Ferider!
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Cool, I didn’t know ! Easier to find a 2nd one then … merry Christmas to you, too !
 
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