Why do you carry your specific edc knife?

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dmattaponi

Joined
Sep 1, 2012
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276
Been carrying a pocket knife since I was a little kid, but only bought my first SAK on a whim in 2007, after watching an episode of Survivor Man, lol, with low expectations, expecting it to be more or less a toy. To my surprise I quickly found it so useful that I’ve been edcing one ever since. I think it was the usefulness of the scissors that first surprised me. I’ve used them probably more than any other tool both at home and at work. The saw also quickly proved it usefulness at work. The blades cut well enough, and I could go down the list of how I’ve used the tools on my SAK to clean and scale fish, assemble things, fix stuff, make lunch in the field, see small print and detail better, remove splinters, etc. My wife thought I was crazy at first but then she started asking me if I had my Swiss Army knife for one thing or another. She is a no nonsense don’t waste money on stuff type of person, but the SAK proved so useful to her that she wanted one of her own. I gave her my original Swisschamp in 2008 and she’s been carrying it and using it (probably more than me) ever since. She uses it regularly around the house, yard and even the people in her office go to her for help because they know she has the SAK. She uses and abuses it (I’ve caught her using it as a hammer a time or two), and the thing has held up fine. My kids have since grown up and moved out of state, but I don’t think there is a visit when they don’t ask me to use my Swiss Army knife. They specifically ask for the SAK even though there are many other choices around the house. They both use a Swiss Army knife regularly, but I haven’t convinced my son to carry one, but I often see he’s been using one in the background during FaceTime talks. My daughter asked me for a Super Tinker for Christmas last year and carries another in her purse. I have other knives that I like better aesthetically and nostalgically,but the SAK is what I use. Not because it’s super steel, or fancy scales, or tactical, but because it’s what actually comes in most useful most of the time for my typical everyday needs, whether I like it or not :-). Not to mention it retains the pocket knife genetics, and also pocket carries better than the average Leatherman imo. Carried along with a little flashlight, 99% of my everyday carry needs are more than adequately met.

If you don’t mind sharing, what’s your edc knife story? I’d enjoy reading them.
 
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The truth is, I'm still figuring it out.

I wander around in circles, from wanting a "classy" knife, to wanting something tactical, to something "strong and overbuilt". Then, I decide that it's too heavy, and look for something that's just enough to cover my actual use-cases, and I'm good for a little, until I notice that it lacks some quality or capability which I need to go out and find. I've been meandering through the knife world for something like 25 years, looking for a selection of cutlery choices to fill out a checklist which clearly exists in my head, but which I have not been able to put into words.

I know I have use-cases for more than one knife, same as the brown work boots are for different jobs that the black cap-toes. I just don't know where the "satisfaction point" is, between having too many knives to enjoy each one properly, and not having "enough" (a perilous word, around these here parts!) to fit all the perceived scenarios I may have.
 
My current edc is the UK Pen Knife lightweight. I’ll admit that my knives rarely get used, and when they do see some use, it’s generally very light cutting tasks like opening packages. My dad gave me my first knife when I was little, around 6 or 7 years old.
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I carry a SOG Spec Elite II Auto because it does everything I need a knife for. I am currently making my own fixed blade edc knife. I have never made a knife before, but the progress is good so far and I'm getting closer to finishing. I plan to replace my SOG which I have daily carried for 3 years with this one.

Fixedwing

Thread 'Caswell Finish and Maple Scales Questions - Build Thread'

I am new to knife making but have a ton of experience working and fabricating with several different materials. I will be crafting some Winkler inspired knives and would like to finish them as such. I have searched this site and other sites for this information.

Is the caswell finish applied near the end of the process? I would like the spine between the scales to have the same finish as the blade so I'm assuming it will be done after the scales have been shaped/sanded. Do the scales need to be protected from the metal finishing solution (caswell) or does the entire knife get dunked...
 
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ShaiHulud said:
I carry Swiss army knives now because the knife cuts more than fine enough for me and includes extra tools should I need them. I discovered i don't need a $150+ knife to do what a sak is more than capable of handling
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Well said. I can’t justify paying upper end prices. I will sell others to buy something pricey. Or trade. Nothing EVER comes out of the family budget.
And thank god for the Exchange!!! 🤣🤣🤣
 
Generally I carry a plain edge folder for utility - opening packages etc. I also generally carry a serrated ER/SD knife that is not used for anything else - sharp and at the ready for emergency use.

Have owned a number of SAKs over the years. Berrated by some, I think they are great. Favorite overall is the Trekker, close second is the Soldier.
 
I was a traditional slipjoint and old school lockback guy only when I first started hanging out here. A few years passed before I gave a Swiss Army knife a try. I thought they were toy like until I tried one. Boy was I wrong.
I was pretty slow to give modern folders a try too. I was really missing out. I still really like and enjoy using traditional pocket knives but if I’m carrying one it’s probably a 3rd knife. The number one slot if I can only carry one is going to be a sak. I usually carry a second which will be a larger folder. Lots of people do that, and for good reason imho. They make for a useful pair. Sometimes I reach for a Buck 110 but lately it’s been a Spyderco of some sort.
So that leaves the 3rd knife which will be a traditional but only if I have room for it. Work days it’s almost always two, a two layer sak and lately a Spyderco Endela combo edge, makes a great work day all around user. Days off I usually add the third just for fun. Of course sometimes I do something completely different because I’m a knife nut.

Jim
 
I'll echo what Ed said above that it depends on what I'm doing, wearing, or where I'm going; only to add what I feel like. Not a small part of the reason I like to carry a nice folder is because I enjoy them, so sometimes I decide on a whim. That being said, activity for the day is the major determining factor first and foremost. I'll add that my daily activities tend to include situations where there is definitely a benefit to carrying a larger quicker access knife other than just my SAK.

I tend to use my SAK's for the tools. I like ones that have scissors, cap lifter, and fingernail file/cleaner (or I'll carry an Alox classic along with ones that are lacking in any of those tools). I tend to save the blade for clean food cutting should it arise, but If I'm carrying food for hiking or a picnic or whatever I tend to carry a small fixed blade. On the days when I'm doing real work I'll tote a multi-tool, in my case the Victorinox Swisstool.

Traditionals are strictly for my enjoyment, some days I carry them some days I don't.

I also like to have serrations handy should the need arise, so many days I'll also carry an SE Dragonfly just because it disappears until needed. And also ALWAYS a flashlight (or two ;) )
 
I always carry two and I used to always carry three. I carry a smallish fixed blade, something between 5-7 inches overall length, and a folder of some sort. I like to use the folders for most day to day stuff, especially if I’m out in public. The fixed blade will get used for dirty jobs but is mainly there for a backup and because I like them better than folders. Sometimes, if I have something specific going on, I will have two folders and a fixed blade or one folder and two fixed blades. The specific brand/models of knives has changed many times but I always end up coming back to an ESEE fixed blade and a Buck, SAK, or Spyderco folder. This realization prompted me to sell off all of my more expensive knives
 
I began carrying a knife daily in the late 60's mostly for chores then later a job working as a laborer in greenhouses. I quickly found that when I needed a knife I needed it to be one hand opening and closing and something not slippery as well as not damaged when it got wet or dirty/oily. That wasn't really possible until later so I had to compromise. I settled on a knife I could sharpen and maintain easily and open somewhat easily but I never found the one knife that really suited me until the 90's. When I did find it I did the usual thing OC guys do and bought a spare. Then a new steel , then, three etc.

I also had to try out every different version of edges (SE,PE) grinds ( saber, full flat, hollow, etc) and on it went. Naturally I have well over a dozen models of Spyderco Enduras. Every notable version. I have my 3 or 4 favorites but I can pull out any version made and use it for the rest of my life pretty easily. I'm glad I don't have to though. :)
 
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