Recommendation? Suggest me a new EDC knife!

M

MikePaul

Joined
Dec 5, 2019
Messages
3
Hi guys (and girls)!

Optional introduction
Long time lurker, first time poster. My go-to folder is a Spyderco Military (black G10 scales & black blade) which I love and use all the time. However, I work in an office environment and get weird looks when I take it out. You can argue all you want, but it does look a bit menacing. With the stock clip it also sticks out and it is uncomfortable to wear at 1 o'clock inside waist band.

Actual Question
I'm in the market for new EDC folder. What are your suggestions?
Here are my requirements
- Locking folder, nothing that looks tacticle/military/LEO
- Deep carry clip (preference for tip down, not a must)
- Closed length less than 4.5 inch, nothing too thick
- Prefer a good grip (love G10) but am willing to sacrifice to avoid military look
- Blade should be narrow but not thin (should take some aduse)
- No tactile/military/self defence blade profile but should have a shart tip (nothing rounded)
- High quality steel
- Price new <250$ but cheaper is always better!
- Comfortable to carry inside waste band

Thanks guys!
 
My safest bet to carry IWB wouldb be a Spyderco Lockback, I would recommend the
Police 4
Police 4 LW
Military

Shaman
Manix 2
good luck
 
Hi Mike, welcome to the forums.

Spyderco is nice since they offer quite a few designs with 4 way pocket clips. I'll offer something different.

If you can do tip up ...

Upgraded steel. Light weight. The colored micarta shouldn't scare folks.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Buck-112-Slim-Pro-Lockback-Folding--88733

Very light weight. A few different G10 colors to choose from.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-Bugout-Knife-Flytanium-Orange-G10--103487

https://www.bladehq.com/item--WE-Knife-Co-Practic-Liner-Lock--85499

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Viper-Knives-Larius-Flipper-Liner--72113

These are priced low enough for an aftermarket deep carry clip.

FYI, bladehq is a paid dealer member here at BF. Which means we can link to their site. Saves some time when you can click on the link to see the knife in question.

Good luck
 
  • Like
Reactions: vba
Hogue Ritter. It hits every one of your boxes except for the closed length. It’s 4.71” so it’s a bit over. 20CV speaks for itself. I’d have already bought one as a back up to my Benchmade Ritter, but I’m holding out for a Mini, as that’s what mine is. The blade profile is fantastic for normal daily use, and the stonewash hides it’s age very well opposed to my satin blades.

Along the same lines there’s the Benchmade Super Freek that could be a good choice too. This a good option too if you want M4, but again it’s a little over your closed length preference.

edit for picture -
YH0cysu.jpg
 
Last edited:
So many options !!!!
For an Edc a Bugout is really a knife to consider
Good steel (BM makes a great s30v), neutral grip which is got for an edc, light weight and deep carry
Some colour variations to match your tastes...

for a better fit and finish the southern grind spider monkey, the ZT0450 are also good recommandations

kind of like the zt0470 myself or the Massdrop gent
 
It sounds like to me that you really like a certain type of knife that doesn't fit with your work environment. I would suggest purchasing something nice that does, just as a work carry. I bought a Spyderco Kiwi years ago. It isn't my style at all, but it fits in at church and other such occasions. Get yourself something nice to carry at work that doesn't offend anyone. Throw it in the glove box when you get off. My situation is totally different. I abuse my knives at work and end up handing them to other people throughout the day. Couldn't take it anymore, so I delved into what is the cheapest knife that would perform well and I wouldn't cry if it was lost or damaged. No more handing someone a $240 ZT sprint run to cut open a bag of cement. I found some really nice alternatives. I guess the point I am trying to make is that there are EDC knives and work EDC knives and for most of us the requirements differ greatly. Good luck on your search and hope you find exactly what fits the bill!
 
WE Deacon. 3.25" blade, 4.1" handle, M390, slim, great ergonomics, on sale at BHQ for $199.99 (the black and purple.) Very Elegant knife. I love mine.

Massdrop/Terzuola/WE CTF. 3.2" blade, 4.4" handle, CPM-S35VN $150 at drop dot com
 
I'm not sure that your perceived needs and wants can be made to fit into a single knife.

I'm going to suggest a two knife solution instead. The reason is that I believe you would like to have a cutting tool for what have been called "serious social situations". If so, then that is almost the exact opposite of what is going to be acceptable in a suit and tie situation.

For the IWB knife, I recommend something like the Cold Steel Safemaker, a small push-dagger which is easy to conceal, and easy to use, if you need to.

They are also illegal in places. Practical application and legal issues are discussions for other sub-forums.

For the "friendly" knife, we now have a wide variety of options, which was another reason for suggesting a double-edged approach.

Sorry: it was too good to pass up.

Something from the Wenger/Victorinox Alox line is always an option for being around the gentle people. A Pioneer (here in classic silver),

IveINDM.jpg



gives you access to two different sized flat blade bits, and a beverage access tool. I can't speak for anybody else, but if I have to wear a tie for more than a couple hours, access to beverages becomes very important.

My personal choice is a Leatherman Skeletool CX.

jdqCG2V.jpg



Because it gives me more options than just a knife, pliers-based multitools don't suffer the same perception problems as other options, and the carbon fiber looks classy.

Edited to add pictures.
 
Last edited:
Shorttime said:
I'm not sure that your perceived needs and wants can be made to fit into a single knife.

I'm going to suggest a two knife solution instead. The reason is that I believe you would like to have a cutting tool for what have been called "serious social situations". If so, then that is almost the exact opposite of what is going to be acceptable in a suit and tie situation.

For the IWB knife, I recommend something like the Cold Steel Safemaker, a small push-dagger which is easy to conceal, and easy to use, if you need to.

They are also illegal in places. Practical application and legal issues are discussions for other sub-forums.

For the "friendly" knife, we now have a wide variety of options, which was another reason for suggesting a double-edged approach.

Sorry: it was too good to pass up.

Something from the Wenger/Victorinox Alox line is always an option for being around the gentle people. My personal choice is a Leatherman Skeletool CX, because it gives me more options than just a knife, pliers-based multitools don't suffer the same perception problems as other options, and the carbon fiber looks classy.
Click to expand...

Can't agree more.

I actually carry an EDC knife and a smaller SAK. When in office, I only take out SAK if needed. And it offers me a few more tools, like a scissor, screw drive, which all have seen their use in office.
 
superpog said:
Can't agree more.

I actually carry an EDC knife and a smaller SAK. When in office, I only take out SAK if needed. And it offers me a few more tools, like a scissor, screw drive, which all have seen their use in office.
Click to expand...

I am the same, knife in my pocket, Super tinker in my little medicine bag. The Vic can do most of what I need, but it doesn't double as a fun fidget toy.
 
strategy9 said:
Mcusta Tactility
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the suggestions and reply's! As some have suggested, the knive-style that I like are not the kind that would be acceptable in a suit. I'm not willing to carry two knives. I was not expecting too much, but that Mcusta Tactility is really a good sugestions.

With its classic looks and wood it looks much more innocent, and it has the deep carry clip. Will look into this one and see if I can find a good deal on one.

Thanks!
 
Oh, I forgot, I also came across the VIPER DAN (Daily Assorted Needs).
It also has a bit more classic looks and has a deep pocket clip. It is a friction folder, so it would be more legal than a locking folder where I live.
 
This is what I call "office carry". Here are some thoughts:

Tip-up pocket carry: There are a ton of classy options here. Lots of people like the Massdrop Gent, which is a nice little knife in S35VN. The Gent Select can be had with classy wood or carbon fiber scales. You can get the similar Civivi Elementum in D2 for less. The Elementum is compelling on its own and can also be had with wood scales:

http://www.civivi.com/plus/list.php?tid=38

If going classy is less important than just not being scary, the Tangram Amarillo is like $20-something and punches way above its grade. It's small and has a simple charm. The brown and green G10 versions look nice. The black is probably small enough to escape being "tactical". The blade is very thin and slices wonderfully. I rather like Acuto 440 at this price.

Tip-down in a shirt or breast pocket: Tip-down has fallen out of favor but a lot of that has to do with pants pockets. Clipped into a breast pocket, or a shirt pocket providing your pocket is sturdy enough, tip-down with a flipper tab is fantastic. Thin is a win in this category. The M390 Dividend with a deep carry clip is the best I've found. I've carried it alongside clipped pens and nobody has given it a second glance. The action is assisted so that might be a consideration. (It hasn't been an issue for me.)

Clipless pocket carry: There is whole world of gentlemanly traditionals here but I'm the wrong person to talk about them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top