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Posted: 2/13/2007 12:58:15 PM EDT
| I'm looking for an every day carry blade...I have no clue what to get. I'm 5'7 so no rambo knives please! |
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Some more info might help to steer you in the right direction. For example; Folder or Fixed?, Purpose (strictly self defence vs. general cutting)?, Price range?, Automatic an option?. If you could answer some of those questions you'll get a wealth of suggestions. |
For strictly defensive purposes I like the Emerson Combat Karambit: If the Karambit doesn't interest you I also like the Emerson CQC11  Both of those knives are around the $150-$200 range. As for a small fixed blade I like the Blackhawk Kalista:  Or the Ka-Bar TDI:  Both are under $150. Most people are fairly brand loyal when it comes to knives. For example I really like Emerson knives and don't particularly care for Spyderco or Cold Steel knives. No real reason just personal preference. If you get the opportunity, go to a gun and knife show and pick up a bunch of different knives and see how they fit and feel in your hand. Good luck. |
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For a decent folder, I would look at Benchmade or Spyderco offerings...there's plenty of quality selections. There's other quality knives such as Kershaw, SOG and Ontario. If you're looking for a folder, I would look for a lockback or the axis lock (Benchmade) and one-hand opening...For people just starting out at carrying an EDC folder, I recommend Spyderco's Endura or Delica (depending on the size you can get away with or are comfortable with). For utility and general use, go with a plain edge, if you want a dedicated self-defense blade I would recommend the fully serrated versions. Or you could be like a buddy of mine that carries two, a plain edged Delica (weak side) and a serrated Delica on his strong side. Spyderco Delica Also, you can get a training version of both the Delica and Endura. Once you start looking into fixed blades, there's a plethora for choices...but for EDC, you really get into the issue of the carry system/sheath. A lot of good knives come with crappy sheaths. One of the best sheath carrying systems I have are a couple of custom knives from Bud Nealy...one of the best sheath systems I've ever seen/used. Boker knives has a collaboration in a less-exotic steel, but with a similar-designed sheath system that really adds a lot to the knife. It would be my recommendation if you're looking for a good "self-defense" knife with carry system: Boker Nealy ROCK6 |
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I have a Benchmade Mini Stryker that I carry everyday. LOVE it. My family had a get together a while back. I had some beer and a sack of raw oysters was opened. Like a dummy I offered my 905 up to pry open the oyster shells  , after watching how hard the shells were topry open  , I freaked out and found an old flat head screw driver.To my surprise the tanto blade tip was not damaged!  I have carried this knife for 5 or 7 years now. I wore down the serrated blade and sent it back to Benchmade for a new blade along with my credit card info. The knife came back quickly and I don't believe they even charged my credit card. As a matter of fact, it looked like a new knife! I'm SOLD....and happy! www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=905 Good Luck Bill |
I've looked at that knife before...is the black finish purely aesthetic...and does it scratch easily? |
It seems to hold up pretty well considering where it is, on a knife blade LOL. No, actually it is pretty damn tough. As a matter of fact I had my Remy 1187 coated with Black T afterwards because I liked it so much. BTW, I don't know if they are still using Birdsong's Black T any more. When I got the new blade I had them install the plain non-coated blade because it was just cheaper and I'm just using it like an everyday knife. My next door neighbor liked mine so much that he bought one as well. His is black and he uses it every day and the black still looks pretty good after a year or two. Hope this helps, but that Stryker is one though as hell knife, holds an excellent blade and Benchmade is a great American company to deal with. I now have 15 Benchmades, LOL, I'm hooked. Good Luck Bill |
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My two EDC knives are curently a SOG X-Ray Vision or a CRKT M1 Lightfoot. Bot carry easily and are excellent utility/defensive knives. The M1 will take anything you can throw at it. I have used it for may tasks that a knife really shouldn't be used for. I was so impressed with it that I just purchased a CRKT M21 as a more defensive oriented blade. I believe it is the largest folder that CRKT makes and and CRKT is a bargain for the price. |
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Give serious consideration to a Kershaw. Ken Onion, "assited opening" Slimness and smothness is very important for everyday carry. Several sizes available at your local walmart from $35-$55. Truthfully, for everyday carry, you can't go wrong with the "chive" I have a CRKT M16-12Z It's a solid knife but It's just not comfortable to carry. Gerber also makes quality knives. Get something relatively small, slim and less than about $70. |
The OP stated that this will be a EDC for mostly "defensive" purposes. IMHO small and slim poses problems for defensive use. Sure I can use a razor blade as a defensive tool, but there are others that are much better suited to the task. A friend of mine gave me a Kershaw "Leek". The Leek has a 3" blade which is adequate for defensive purposes, but the scales are VERY narrow. This will work well for a EDC/Utility and the "assisted opening" is realy cool, however the scales and the size would make this difficult to employ if your hands were sweaty/bloody. The "Chive" carries a less than 2" blade. You had better be quite skilled with a knife to employ that. I have worked a couple of cases of stabbings with blades that short. Generally the "victim" does not know that they have been stabbed until they see the blood. This is not desireable in a defensive blade where you want to cause maximum damage in minimal time to stop an attack. As far as price. That should be the absolute last on the list. All of my current folders run in the "under $100" group. That has nothing to do with the actual price, but more to do with the features and durability. Unless you wear 80's era wranglers, you should have no problem carrying a pocket clip equipped folder that is 1/2" thick. I carry my M1 every day. At more than 1/2" it fills your hand well but does not feel bulky in the pocket. I generally forget it is there. You don't have to go with "top of the line" but if it is for social purposes, you don't want to just grab something out of the bargain bin at wally world. Get your hand around some different designs. See what "feels right". What is east to open but won't deploy in your pocket. If they are legal in your state, check out some of the auto's on the market. They are more expensive, but there is less to go wrong when you are in an adrenaline dump. |
 I love mine, and I got mine for around $50 so it's pretty cheap to. I have been carrying mine for over a year, and love it. Depending on your state laws it might be considered a automatic, but here it isn't. So I'd check on your laws and see what the definition of a switchblade is. ETA: Oh yea, its a Gerber F.A.S.T. 
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Plain edged Lightfoot or partial serrations? |
Yeah buddy. I really like the second "flipper" added onto the -SF version. Best knife I ever bought. |
I like the second flipper as well. I still have a CRKT M16 without the second flipper. It's the reason I bought the M21. Sweet knives. |
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Also have a look at the Spyderco Native. The Native I own this one because my Gerber Tanto was STOLEN at the gun range and had to replace it = go figure! The Native is a lightweight knife and a larger one than a "slim-line" model. It has an excellent grip, contours to the fingers and sports a ridged area on the top blade tang just forward of the body that offers virtually slip-free control. Deploying the blade is not as speedy as an assisted model. The blade has a thumbhole that is easy to position in the hand and push out. Blade lock is rock solid, no sideways play at all. The body is black plastic and has a texture to it, but not like some of the "sandpaper" grips I have seen on other blades. It is sufficient to grasp a good hold coupled with a positive grip on the body. The pocket clip is reversible depending on left or right draw. I would have liked to see the clip to be a grasper than a slide - I have pulled off my jacket and hooked the clip and pulled the knife out of pocket. I have since rebent the clip to add pressure and have had no problem since. According to Doug Ritter, the CPMS30V steel used in this knife offers the best combo of toughness, corrosion and wear resistance. This blade is a combo of an edge and a serrated section. Self defense aside for a moment, this knife is an excellent utility capable of slicing seat belts, cutting hard plastic, ripping flesh and so on. Good knife overall, but speaking from this model alone. Only $60 with tax, not a bad buy. Knives are like guns in a manner....you have one, but many follow. For the price, give it a try or at least go by you knife dealer and put it into your hands - you cannot go wrong. |
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The Spyderco Native is available at some Walmart stores and through the Walmart website for $39.48. There is an option to have the knife sent to a local Walmart store for free shipping. www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5244171 I have been thinking of replacing my CRKT M16 with a Native or Spyderco's Tasman that has the hooked blade made of H1 steel. The H1 is supposed to be great at resisting rust. |
+1 I've been carrying my 910 every day for almost 3 years now, and it still looks/works great. Not my pic: 
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| I like the Spyderco Endura SS for an everyday dual purpose knife. That being said, I carry a $9 Buck as my work knife, if I loose it its no big deal. I have the Endura and a Benchmade Auto Tanto I have available too but don't normally use them. Remember, a knife requires a lot more training and proficiency to be a viable defensive tool than a gun. If you do get in a knife fight, expect to take some damage yourself. I consider mine a work tool and the defensive aspect only comes into play as a last resort/weapon of opportunity. |
Wow - if I had known that, I would have bought it from Wally World! When my Gerber was stolen at the range, I came home that night and stopped by Sportsman Warehouse and was looking at the Spyderco. I did not want to be without a knife, so the extra $20 spent Live and learn and what a dollar amount means to one person is not the same to another: Colt vs Rock Island 
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You make a good point about the defensive action. I carry mine for utility purposes and I seem to use it everyday for some reason. It is like a wallet - I know when I do not have it with me. I carry my pistol almost as much - outside of working in Dell I/T - No Guns Allowed! |
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Just got my M21-04 today. I think this is going to be my new EDC. It's only marginally longer than my M1 when closed and it is thinner, but the blade is more defense oriented. ETA:  Blade: Length: 3.875” (9.8 cm) Thickness: 0.14” (0.35 cm) Steel: AUS 8, 56-58 HRC Closed: Handle length: 5.375” (13.7 cm) Open: Overall length: 9.25” (23.5 cm) Weight: 5.5 oz. (156 g) |
| I'll second the Spyderco Delica suggestion in a straight edge. You could start with that size (affordable) and move to a larger Military model if you thought you wanted something bigger. The Delica is a great size to clip in your jeans pocket and can be deployed fast and effortlessly. |
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Hopefully you have a good Knife dealer close by? There is no substitute for handling 100 different knives in one afternoon. You will learn volumes. Handle them, take them in and out of your pocket, open and close them. When it is all said and done you will know what is right for YOU. I am fortunate to have a dealer close by that has literally hundreds of tactical folders on display. I will often handle knives for hours before I walk out with one. For what its worth: If I ever find myself in a life or death situation I hope that my cold steel x-tra large voyager is in my pocket that day. |
+1 |
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