What's your EDC knife?
- Thread starter NirvanaFan
- Start date
spat
.950 JDJ
I don't carry anything sexy, but I do make sure I've always got a knife.
In reality I find I use the pliers, screwdriver, and wire cutters more often than either of the knives.
But I don't even get the mail without one of my Gerbers.
In reality I find I use the pliers, screwdriver, and wire cutters more often than either of the knives.
But I don't even get the mail without one of my Gerbers.
WillyK
.357 mag
Victorinox Tinker and Kershaw leek in my pocket, sometimes I'll hang my Case Mako that I've had for 42 years on my belt.
Pissed Off Patriot
.223 Rem
Not exactly EDC, more like strapped to the lower seatbelt webbing of my car in it's scabbard.
Also it's not a knife, it's a bayonet.
Also it's not a knife, it's a bayonet.
I usually carry two of these, one plus the push dagger.
I have the push dagger strapped to my right ankle with a neoprene exercise strap, these days i'm favoring the damascus dagger. If I wear my karambit, it's usually appendix and the green straight blade i put the holster on my back belt.
BNB makes fantastic knives, I always catch them at the gun shows. Buy one get one free with a lifetime warranty. If you buy one for say $129, you can get the free one up to the same value.
If I recall the prices correctly:
Green straight blade - $99
Damascus dagger - $109
Damascus push dagger - $99
Damascus karambit - $109
I have the push dagger strapped to my right ankle with a neoprene exercise strap, these days i'm favoring the damascus dagger. If I wear my karambit, it's usually appendix and the green straight blade i put the holster on my back belt.
BNB makes fantastic knives, I always catch them at the gun shows. Buy one get one free with a lifetime warranty. If you buy one for say $129, you can get the free one up to the same value.
If I recall the prices correctly:
Green straight blade - $99
Damascus dagger - $109
Damascus push dagger - $99
Damascus karambit - $109
Vapor
.308 Win
I mostly carry my ti lite.
In the car I have a Gerber strong arm.
In the truck, I have a buck general and a Kora kanabol.
My wife's car gets the ka bar.
My wife edcs a rat 2 folder. She likes the smaller size.
In the car I have a Gerber strong arm.
In the truck, I have a buck general and a Kora kanabol.
My wife's car gets the ka bar.
My wife edcs a rat 2 folder. She likes the smaller size.
Saltwater60
20×102mm Vulcan
Benchmade emissary for the last 5.5 years. I love that knife and was my 15th anniversary gift from my wife. Still operates as good as day one. Too bad they did some stupid shit because I love, love, love that knife.
Vapor
.308 Win
Yeah I have 2 full sized griptilians, a mini grip, bug out, and freak. Probably no more for me though.
I have a Japan and Golden Co spyderco too.
But I've tested them, and in a dark alley I trust the ti lite.
dwa12479
.338 Win Mag
I'm on my 3rd or 4th of this Smith and Wesson M&P Magic assist 4". Been on my pocket clip for probably ten years at least maybe?
store.smith-wesson.com
Smith & Wesson® M&P® SWMP4LS Large M.A.G.I.C® Assisted Opening Clip Point Folding Knife | Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson® M&P® SWMP4LS Large M.A.G.I.C® Assisted Opening Clip Point Folding Knife
store.smith-wesson.com
Reviving an old thread with a, most likely, controversial post. 
I have carried a knife on me for over 3 decades. From Buck, Benchmade Spiderco, Kershaw, Case, Leatherman, Bark River, Puma....and many more....I have a LOT of knives.
After seeing many, many positive reviews from guys I highly respect in the knife world, I bought a Civivi Elementum 2.
I have considered an Elementum for a few years, but the Elementum 2 pushed me over the edge.
Button lock, ball bearings, Nitro V steel.....all for $60.
I am very happy with this purchase and will edc this knife until....well.....the next knife.
I liked it so much that I bought a Civivi Kepler fixed blade. The Kepler was designed by Maciej Torbe from Poland. I like his style of strong, thick blades for camp knives.
It's made with a 9RC28mov Wharncliffe blade and G10 scales. It was also around $60.
This is a mid grade Chinesse stainless steel, but has decent reviews from users.
A good camp knife is easy to sharpen, which this steel is. I will be putting it to the test this Spring. It looks odd, but is very comfortable in the hand. You can't tell from the Pic, but it's 10 inches long.
I have carried a knife on me for over 3 decades. From Buck, Benchmade Spiderco, Kershaw, Case, Leatherman, Bark River, Puma....and many more....I have a LOT of knives.
After seeing many, many positive reviews from guys I highly respect in the knife world, I bought a Civivi Elementum 2.
I have considered an Elementum for a few years, but the Elementum 2 pushed me over the edge.
Button lock, ball bearings, Nitro V steel.....all for $60.
I am very happy with this purchase and will edc this knife until....well.....the next knife.
I liked it so much that I bought a Civivi Kepler fixed blade. The Kepler was designed by Maciej Torbe from Poland. I like his style of strong, thick blades for camp knives.
It's made with a 9RC28mov Wharncliffe blade and G10 scales. It was also around $60.
This is a mid grade Chinesse stainless steel, but has decent reviews from users.
A good camp knife is easy to sharpen, which this steel is. I will be putting it to the test this Spring. It looks odd, but is very comfortable in the hand. You can't tell from the Pic, but it's 10 inches long.
CIVIVI is the Holosun of knives. Chinese made from western design specs and with good build quality and materials.
My only issue is I am not familiar with Chinese steels sonI have no idea what the characteristics of the blade would be
My only issue is I am not familiar with Chinese steels sonI have no idea what the characteristics of the blade would be
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Absolutely.
Unlike many Chinese made knives, Civivi is a Chinese company....not an American company outsourcing their product to China....big difference.
You won't like my opinion on knife steel, so I'll just leave it at this.
If a folder has anything "better" than D2, it's overkill. And, I will put my sub $100 1095 steel fixed blades against ANY knife on the planet. All these boutique steels are for collectors who don't really use their knives.
Let's be honest, who uses a pocket knife for anything more than opening boxes and cutting string? Probably less than 1% of people use a pocket knife for real work.
Ok, ill leave it there.
This rant was not directed at you @Podmonkey , it's just in with your quote.
Oh, and to answer your query.....
I have no great idea about Chinese steel either, that's why I got the Kepler. There are not many people who use a knife like I do.
Battoning, limb stripping, feathering for fire, cutting rope......you know, camping stuff.
This is why I swear by 1095 variant steel. Decades of very hard work with great results.
As far as pocket folders, D2 does 99.9% of what we use them for. There are some good videos of guys abusing the Nitro V steel like in this Elementum has. It seems to be a couple steps above D2, but still a mid grade stainless.
EDC is a Medium size Victroinox "Swiss Army Knife" protection/fighting/heavy work used to fall on CRKT M16 or maybe a Buck 110 Automatic...I have concluded that I am not a Knife Collector, but certainly am a Knife accumulator.
Here of late, I've picked up several vintage knives and somewhat rehabbed them by cleaning, sharpening, and polishing...not back to "new" but back to really good condition.
Here of late, I've picked up several vintage knives and somewhat rehabbed them by cleaning, sharpening, and polishing...not back to "new" but back to really good condition.
Koz
6.5 Creedmoor
All of my EDC knives are in that 3 to 3-1/2"+/- range. All are flippers. Some I got when during that brief period when Andy Qhomo had a moment of clarity and legalized assisted blades. You know before that commie judge ruled them "switchblades". Dickhead.
I have acquired a fondness for Bear and Son knives. USA made, comparatively inexpensive, great construction, smooth and high end steel. There is really nothing not to like about them. Also, Benchmade, Hogue, Kershaw and a few nicer imports. Nothing too terribly expensive, but I believe you get what you pay for and I don't worry about them functioning properly when needed. Life is too short for junky knives.
I have acquired a fondness for Bear and Son knives. USA made, comparatively inexpensive, great construction, smooth and high end steel. There is really nothing not to like about them. Also, Benchmade, Hogue, Kershaw and a few nicer imports. Nothing too terribly expensive, but I believe you get what you pay for and I don't worry about them functioning properly when needed. Life is too short for junky knives.
mca90guitar
.357 mag
I have a Benchmade 940-1, Spyderco pm2 and pm3lw. Most of the time I'm carrying the 940-1.
Well, I have to disagree with your assertion of higher end steels being an overindulgence. D2 is an excellent steel in it's intended application: jigs and especially dies where its high hardness gives it a good service life. For blades however, while good it is not particularly corrosion resistant (better than carbon steel but its not a true stainless steel) is a bit of a chore to sharpen and yet does not have the exceptional wear restiance of more recent steels. I haven't been keeping up on the latest in blade steels but last I checked M390 was on or near the top of the heap. While quite expensive it combines high corrosion resistance, exceptional edge retention and takes a very fine, keen edge readily. It combines all the desirable characteristics of a blade steel that you could want. My personal favorite steel however is the now unfortunately seldom seen S35VN which is a high performance, fairly affordable priced steel which combines the edge retention and corrosion resistance of S30V but with a finer grain structure that allows it to easily take a finer more even edge and hold onto it. Spyderco's proprietary SP27 steel is very similar to S35VN in both its metallurgy and working characteristics, the primary difference seems to be a slight reduction in vanadium and the addition of nitrogen which suggests a slight tradeoff of edge retention for additional corrosion resistance. Regardless I have been carrying my Para 3 lightweight thusly equipped with a SPY27 blade for years and have yet to need to sharpen it. Higher end steels like M390 you might NEVER need to sharpen with casual use.Absolutely.
Unlike many Chinese made knives, Civivi is a Chinese company....not an American company outsourcing their product to China....big difference.
You won't like my opinion on knife steel, so I'll just leave it at this.
If a folder has anything "better" than D2, it's overkill. And, I will put my sub $100 1095 steel fixed blades against ANY knife on the planet. All these boutique steels are for collectors who don't really use their knives.
Let's be honest, who uses a pocket knife for anything more than opening boxes and cutting string? Probably less than 1% of people use a pocket knife for real work.
Ok, ill leave it there.
This rant was not directed at you @Podmonkey , it's just in with your quote.
I can also say that SPY27 seems to be truly rust proof. I get it wet frequently and use it for slicing apples, cheese, ect as well as EDC task in wet conditions and it has not gotten even one speck of surface rust on it. I definitely think if one's budget can afford it high end blade steels are worthwhile. I am very glad I got my nicer blades before this hyperinflation set in, I doubt I could afford the Para 3 or my custom Mini Griptillion with an M390 blade now days.
All that said I in no way think that a good knife requires high end expensive blade steels to be a quality tool. S30V, once considered a super steel, is now a standard steel used in more value oriented knives and it's an excellent steel. The Swedish 14C28N steel that Kershaw uses as a "budget" steel is absolutely outstanding for the price. A derivative of that companies steels used in razors it is highly corrosion edge and takes an extremely keen edge with the only drawback being average edge retention which is no real problem given how easy it is to sharpen. I'd like to see every budget knife using the dreadfully mediocre 420HC steel use 14C28N instead.
I would also like to see value knives make increased use of CPM154 which is just Crucible Steel's own version of 440c which is an excellent, well rounded and low cost blade steel.
I had a Spyderco Tenacious once and found it's Chinese 8Cr13MoV blade steel to be perfectly serviceable if lacking in corrosion resistance. I imagine 9RC28mov is an improvement on that steel. I'll go educate myself on it and gain some knowledge on quality Chinese steels as there are a few Chinese made knife brands that seek to compete on merit and not just price.
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Jmac00
.475 A&M Magnum
Odd that this thread just popped up, I just filled out a return authorization for my Kershaw Blur, that I have been carrying for 20+ years
the flippy open part is failing, I think the technical name is "the torsion bar or spring" or something. it feels like its full of dirt or grit or something. I tried to clean it out by hosing it with WD-40, but that failed.
anyway, Kershaw has a pretty good lifetime warranty, so we'll see how that works out
the flippy open part is failing, I think the technical name is "the torsion bar or spring" or something. it feels like its full of dirt or grit or something. I tried to clean it out by hosing it with WD-40, but that failed.
anyway, Kershaw has a pretty good lifetime warranty, so we'll see how that works out
I had a blur, nice knife but I hate assisted blades, the all eventually fail as yours has. Fortunately you can simply remove the spring and it will function perfectly fine as an unassisted knife. I am irritated with Kershaw however for dropping their best model, the Skyline, which was a fantastic EDC unassisted flipper design. I lost mine years ago and I wish I could replace it.
My point was that 99% of edc users do not NEED super expensive boutique steels for the very limited use their knives see. Which of course, need has nothing do with it.
But, even more than gun guys, knife guys are EXTREMELY opinionated and will die on the "if you're not using such and such steel you're a moron" hill.
I carried this Kershaw for many years, in all weather and it has never rusted. It's made with very cheap steel, probably 420hc or something. It stays sharp and has pried, screwed, chopped......and is still going strong. The black on the blade is from jumping the solenoid on my old truck. It cost $18.
Again, I use my knives more than probably 99% of humans. I've never had a single issue with rust or corrosion at all.
I broke the tip on a flipper....a Benchmade....which I got a replacement for and sold it. It wasn't the knifes fault, it was mine. But I don’t want a $300 knife that breaks doing something a $50 knife would break doing.
This is just like is a $6000 Korth revolver better than a $900 S&W revolver?
Well, Korth is made of better parts, it has better wear resistance maybe, better rust resistance maybe.....but they both go bang for many years with few if any issues.
From the videos I've seen, the Korth doesn't shoot better, it's not more accurate for most people.
Almost 100% of the >$200 folder carriers I know, online and in real life, won't use their knife for more than opening a box, which, 420hc and D2 will do for $50.
With basic care, a $50 folder knife will do everything a $300 folder can do.
Unlike a firearm, a knife has few moving parts and the differences in blade steel are very overrated imo. This comes from many years of heavy knife use.
If you know a lot of knife guys, you know how they get about the latest fad steels.
By the way, I love everything about this $18 Chinese Kershaw...the size, shape, blade....and edge retention(with care), wear resistance and rust/corrosion resistance. It has been through hell. And that's not rust on the edge, it's from the last thing I used it for, scraping wax off a table.
Robin
.577 Tyrannosaur.
I have a Boker three bladed pocket knife, probably 3-1/2" folded. The blades are carbon steel and take an edge pretty easy but don't hold it in use as long as i would like. I used it every day for some job or another, even as a screwdriver in a pinch. I like carbon steel and frankly, my cub scout knife from seventy years ago had better steel than anything I have found today, damn, where did I leave that thing, it gave me years of reliable service. I tried one of those modern ones that lock open using just the thumb and loved the handiness of that aspect of it but it was a bit bulky and the stainless blade was a pain in the ass to sharpen and didn't hold an edge for shit, Can't remember the brand but it is one of those high end names that seem to be very popular here.
I wish I could find a nice slim trim pocket knife with good quality carbon steel blades or single blade that was thumb operated and didn't feel like I was hauling around a roll of nickels all day! It's a tool to me, a tool I use every day.
Robin
I wish I could find a nice slim trim pocket knife with good quality carbon steel blades or single blade that was thumb operated and didn't feel like I was hauling around a roll of nickels all day! It's a tool to me, a tool I use every day.
Robin
Jmac00
.475 A&M Magnum
yep, I used my Blur everyday. From opening packages to stripping wire, to de-burring copper and PVC pipe. My wife use to get mad when we are at a restaurant and I break out my Blur to cut meat, LOLMy point was that 99% of edc users do not NEED super expensive boutique steels for the very limited use their knives see. Which of course, need has nothing do with it.
But, even more than gun guys, knife guys are EXTREMELY opinionated and will die on the "if you're not using such and such steel you're a moron" hill.
I carried this Kershaw for many years, in all weather and it has never rusted. It's made with very cheap steel, probably 420hc or something. It stays sharp and has pried, screwed, chopped......and is still going strong. The black on the blade is from jumping the solenoid on my old truck. It cost $18.
Again, I use my knives more than probably 99% of humans. I've never had a single issue with rust or corrosion at all.
I broke the tip on a flipper....a Benchmade....which I got a replacement for and sold it. It wasn't the knifes fault, it was mine. But I don’t want a $300 knife that breaks doing something a $50 knife would break doing.
This is just like is a $6000 Korth revolver better than a $900 S&W revolver?
Well, Korth is made of better parts, it has better wear resistance maybe, better rust resistance maybe.....but they both go bang for many years with few if any issues.
From the videos I've seen, the Korth doesn't shoot better, it's not more accurate for most people.
Almost 100% of the >$200 folder carriers I know, online and in real life, won't use their knife for more than opening a box, which, 420hc and D2 will do for $50.
With basic care, a $50 folder knife will do everything a $300 folder can do.
Unlike a firearm, a knife has few moving parts and the differences in blade steel are very overrated imo. This comes from many years of heavy knife use.
If you know a lot of knife guys, you know how they get about the latest fad steels.
By the way, I love everything about this $18 Chinese Kershaw...the size, shape, blade....and edge retention(with care), wear resistance and rust/corrosion resistance. It has been through hell. And that's not rust on the edge, it's from the last thing I used it for, scraping wax off a table.
View attachment 253116
Old Jalopy
.45 acp
For the past 6-7 months the daily knife is either an ESEE 4 with 3D scales or if I carry a folder it's an Ontario Rat 1.
An unexpected, albeit very welcome, benefit of the extremely low mass my Para 3 LW has been that it enables tge pocket clip to keep things pit no matter what. I have lost many knives due to them slipping out of my pocket unnoticed, including several of the Kershaw Skylines.
I have had the Para 3 for years now and it's always there when I need it.
I have had the Para 3 for years now and it's always there when I need it.
I have an Armbar with the screw driver most of the time or some real small folders to keep my fingernails in shape. Bunch of cheap folders, number of hunting folders made in U.S.A., fillet knives even bought 6 of the small ones for steak knives.
Ohhhh boy how things can change in a year.
In 2024 I got back into pocket knives because I found the high value Chinese knives. I had a lot of fun buying sub $100 knives, and used every one of them.
Like a dolt, I fell into the cult of the "budget banger" crowd.
And to be honest, I still stand behind everything I said in this thread.
But......then I decided to start doing a little more testing and research. I fell down the knife steel rabbit hole, and it opened my eyes to an entire other world.
I started reading a lot of stuff from Larrin Thomas and Shawn Houston about knife steel, and the properties behind them. It was like going back to school. There is a lot of very technical data done by Larrin Thomas, who has a PhD in metallurgy, and years of testing and using steel, and making knives. He has developed a few of his own steels including Magnacut, and Pops Procut.
I started with the most "well rounded" of the premium powder metallurgy steels, Magnacut, and bought a Kershaw Bel-Aire. Larrin worked with Kershaw to make the steel perfectly.
That one knife was amazing. It did EVERYTHING the budget steels do, but it just stays sharp. Then the floodgates opened. I bought a few other knives in premium steel, then in January of 2026, I found Spyderco. Ive had lower end Spydercos in the past, but this time I started with a Native 5 in S30V, then a Delica 4 in k390, then a PM 2 in Magnacut, then a Native 5 in 15v, then a Para 3 in Magnacut, then a Stretch XL in k390....you get the picture.
Each steel honestly has its own personality. They all act different while working, they all need to be sharpened a little differently, and they all have tasks which they excel in.
So far, k390 is absolutely my favorite. It is the king of edge retention, while still being plenty tough. Sure, people have used their knife in Rex 121 for years without sharpening it, but for gods sake, dont drop it on the floor, it might shatter!!
K390 just has the extreme edge retention like 15v, but is tougher, and not as chippy. Ive put my Delica 4 in k390 through a LOT over the last 4-5 months, and its still hair shaving sharp.
Unfortunately these knives are 2 or 3 times more expensive than the budget knives, and aren't any better made, but the definitely is a huge difference in the steel.
I still love 14c28n, D2, AEB-L, 154CM, Nitro V, and all the rest. Many of them are tougher steels and have better corrosion resistance, but none of them even come close in edge retention...not even close.
Ive found that edge retention truly is the most important thing in an edc folder. If you need a tougher steel, get a fixed blade!
Ill admit, ive used my k390 blades for prying, chipping, turning screws....and absolutely no damage.
MikeM
.44 mag
I am a folder collector. Ckrt and Emerson are my edc, left pocket an right pocket. Crkt is my working knife and Emerson is never to be used except for self defense. I have so many that just today I found 6 knives I never unboxed on a shelf. A Jim Wagner is the knife I was taught to fight with, but its really to much knife to carry daily.
