Seeking advice on an EDC knife

I try to keep blade length on my folders under 3.5". I think the my Emerson A100 is probably a bit over that, but I've found that size to be very usable and it fits most legal requirements. My favorite EDC, is an all titanium Grayman Dua. Not as recognized a name as the others mentioned in this thread, but an outstanding example of knife making. The closed length is about 4" and the blade is a little over 3". It is extremely solid and well made. It also really pushed the limit for what I would spend for a knife, but I have never regretted buying it.
 
Thanks for all of the advice so far!! I was not expecting so many responses already - you folks are a wealth of knowledge!

I guess my price range would ideally be anything under $75, although I would be willing to pay up to $100. The roles for the knife would be simple EDC tasks (cutting cardboard, opening mail, cutting up food, whittling, etc.) but since I would have it on me all of the time, I would also want it to be able to cut a seatbelt quickly in the event of an auto accident or similar emergency. A glass breaker might be nice, but I know that really narrows down the selection (Benchmade Triage 915 comes to mind). And last of all, and probably the least likely role - emergency self defense. I have my CCW permit, but there are some places that you can legally carry a knife where you can't legally carry a gun. I would prefer something that doesn't look too "tactical" as I live in a state that has no formal blade length requirement, per se, but the law does basically state that you cannot carry the blade with primary intent to use as a weapon. Also, I feel like assisted opening might not be a good idea due to the nature of laws in my state (while assisted opening is definitely not an auto, folks who don't really know knives might assume it's the same thing.)

A steel that holds it's edge well would be ideal - I don't know too much about the VG-10 that the standard Delica comes with. Also, I think I would like to have a lock on the knife - I would feel safer using it in the field for the roles I described than a slipjoint. I almost purchased a Zero Tolerance 0350 on Amazon for $90 the other day, but I am personally not a fan of liner locks (or frame locks). My limited research has shown that they can fail more than a lockback (Delica style) or a ball-bearing lock like the Axis or Arc lock (BM Griptilian or Spyderco Manix 2 style).
 
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SpartanZeroOne,

Given your parameters, I think the Delica 4 FFG would be a good choice. I got mine from eBay in the $50-60 range. I think the VG-10 blade holds an edge very well. I use mine for things like slicing food, opening packages, etc., almost every day. I usually touch up the edge every couple of months, but I could probably go longer and still have a good, clean-cutting edge. It also sharpens pretty easily with a Spyderco Sharpmaker (I added ultra fine stones and use a stropping block, too). It's thin and light. The 4-position clip gives you a good variety of carrying options, or just remove the clip and carry it in your pocket. I find it easy to open and close with one hand. I like the security of the lock, too. And if you get one in a color other than black it won't scream "tactical." And the blade is just under 3".

SpydercoDelicas_3-9-2015_zpsgda8jdyl.jpg


I've seen the Kahr 2.5" version going for around $85, also on eBay. If you have to deal with a 3" length limit it does give you a bigger margin for how blade length is measured. Plus it's the maximum length if you go places like the post office. IIRC, the Kahr version came about because one of Michael Janich's self defense students worked in a federal building and they had a 2.5" blade length limit.

But again, I'm very much biased towards the Spyderco Delica as it's just about perfect for my needs. Keep an open mind and try to handle as many knives that meet your parameters as you can.

I still think it's hard to go wrong with a Delica, though.
 
I'm looking for a quality EDC blade with a long handle (4.25 inches or more) but a shorter blade (3 inches or less).

That is going to be a problem, one of the big goals for a maker is to squeeze as much blade as they can into the handle. Kershaw makes the Barge where they added a prybar to the end of the handle making the handle longer with a short blade

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo7_P-Z_Heo[/ame]
 
That is going to be a problem, one of the big goals for a maker is to squeeze as much blade as they can into the handle. Kershaw makes the Barge where they added a prybar to the end of the handle making the handle longer with a short blade

Kershaw Barge 1945 @ IWA 2016 - YouTube

The Barge looks interesting!! I'll have to check that out. The one thing about Kershaws is it seems like many of them come with low-grade to mid-grade steels with only a few models offered in S30V. (plus most have liner/frame locks) I don't know much about steels though - I'm still trying to learn, so all of the feedback from those with more experience is appreciated!
 
The Delica 4 hits a good size, weight, price, quality point for me. The more I carry one the more I appreciate them. The standard VG-10 steel is an excellent starting point. The big question is blade grind and edge style. I'd have one of each if I could.
 

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The Barge looks interesting!! I'll have to check that out. The one thing about Kershaws is it seems like many of them come with low-grade to mid-grade steels with only a few models offered in S30V. (plus most have liner/frame locks) I don't know much about steels though - I'm still trying to learn, so all of the feedback from those with more experience is appreciated!

Been studying up on all the different steels myself Spartan. Lots of stainless steels with added carbon, vanadium, or other hardening alloys. If interested in a heavy duty folder the Buck CSAR has 154CM steel and comes with a glass breaker. 3.5 inch blade but this is heavy at 8.5 ounces. Comes with a decent nylon sheath.
 
I've worn out several Buck 110's over 30 years of EDC. The 110 s little brother the 112 might be a good option for you. The blade is 3inches, the handle is large enough to not feel small.
 
The Delica/Endura models with the stainless steel handle seem nice - possibly sturdier than the FRN handles and very thin from what I understand. Only thing I don't care for is the stainless pocket clip, but I'm sure a black clip could be gotten through Spyderco for a little more discrete carry.

Anyone have any experience with the stainless steel handle model?

Thanks for all the feedback and thoughts thus far!!
 
All my spydercos are FRN and I have no experience with the SS models other than just handling them, but I've seen quite a folks mention the stainless steel handles being slippery.
 
The Delica/Endura models with the stainless steel handle seem nice - possibly sturdier than the FRN handles and very thin from what I understand. Only thing I don't care for is the stainless pocket clip, but I'm sure a black clip could be gotten through Spyderco for a little more discrete carry.

Anyone have any experience with the stainless steel handle model?

Thanks for all the feedback and thoughts thus far!!

The FRN handles have steel liners and are very strong. The current catalog shows a Combo-edged FRN Delica at 2.6 oz. The Combo-edged Stainless model is 4.1 oz. The catalog also indicates full flat grind is not available with the stainless handle. The FRN full flat grind Delica weighs 2.4 oz. One of the charms of the Delica is its light weight. At 4.1 oz I'd opt for the new Par 3, which has a full 3" blade and sells for $120.
 
The Delica/Endura models with the stainless steel handle seem nice - possibly sturdier than the FRN handles and very thin from what I understand. Only thing I don't care for is the stainless pocket clip, but I'm sure a black clip could be gotten through Spyderco for a little more discrete carry.

Anyone have any experience with the stainless steel handle model?

Thanks for all the feedback and thoughts thus far!!

The FRN handles have steel liners. The Ladybug, the small one with the sub-2" blade, does not have steel liners, FYI.

The clips are black on all the ones I've seen. If you're going by the ones in my picture, the finish is just really worn. Someday I'll get some new clips. One neat thing about the Kahr models is that the handles have matching colored clips, which you can choose based on the pants you wear. For example, they have a blue model with a blue pocket clip if you wear blue jeans to help keep it low profile.

My concern with the stainless steel handles is traction. For that reason I've never gotten a steel handled one. The FRN handles on my Delicas give me a good, secure grip.

Edit: I misread your post. I didn't realize you were talking about the stainless steel clips on the stainless steel handled models.
 
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Given your parameters and price range I would buy something like this. [ame]https://www.amazon.com/Benchmade-556S-Min-Griptilian-Pardue-Design/dp/B0012RBY96/ref=sr_1_7?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1486928732&sr=1-7&keywords=benchmade+mini+griptilian[/ame]

I carry this exact knife daily. It serves me well. And if I somehow break it, yes I'll be mad but at least it wasn't one of my $150-$250 knives.

For an EDC knife primarily used as a utility knife you don't need to spend much. And later on you may find your requirements for an EDC have changed.

I would also take a good look at Kershaw. They have a very broad line to choose from. The 8Cr13MoV steel is made in China. I'ts not the best steel but certainly good enough for an EDC utility knife. It holds an edge well and is easy to keep sharp. This is how Kershaw and others that use this steel are able to keep their prices down.

Other premium steels such as 154CM and CPM S30V are much harder and resist corrosion better. But again, you don't necessarily need those. Work up to those later.

I would also stay away from tanto blade knives. A serrated blade also helps greatly for box cutting and other chores.

Also consider how the knife opens and closes. Assisted knives are nice one hand opening IF legal in your area. For a utility knife, I like knives that I can open and close easily with one hand such as the Benchmade Griptilian.

And consider which pocket you intend to carry the knife. Is the pocket clip reversible?

Choosing a knife is like anything else. And if you have a limited budget, choose wisely.
 
I have been carrying a Jess Horn Spyderco as an EDC for well over 20 years. It is lightweight, has a 3" blade and 4" handle. The blade holds an edge and it can be touched up to razor sharpness using a sharpening steel in just a minute. It is handy and so lightweight that I never feel it. I've tried other knives, but they were either too bulky, heavy or complicated to get open. I am right handed, but carry the Spyderco clipped onto my left pocket and open it with my left hand with the flick of my thumb. I don't have to use any fancy "butterfly knife" moves. or flick it open and lock it. The only drawback (and it really isn't critical) is that the lock is on the back of the handle, so if you aren't careful, you could accidentally unlock it while using it by squeezing the handle.
 
I'll join the crowd of Spyderco Delica fans and recommend you check out the 'emerson' version with the wave opening feature. It works quite nicely. Nothing wrong with the traditional spyder hole opening method but the wave is even slicker. I have the larger Endura wave but will add a Delica wave soon. Hard to go wrong with any Spyderco.

As to the pocket clip, all mine have been black but the edges wear and become more noticeable as the stainless shows. I took some 0000 steel wool to a black clip and turned it into a nice dull flat grey/satin stainless that blends nicely with jeans.
 
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"but I am personally not a fan of liner locks (or frame locks). My limited research has shown that they can fail more than a lockback (Delica style) or a ball-bearing lock..."

My experience is the opposite and I like liner locks better. Once I was prying pretty hard on something with a Spyderco Endura serrated blade and the fleshy part of my had depressed the lockback bar and the blade closed on my fingers. Luckily it just pinched my index finger with the unsharpened part of the blade or I could have lost some fingers. Another little "life lesson" to not depend on any type of knife lock as total safety.
 

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