There and Back Again: From Budget to Premium -- My EDC Knife Experience.

[Echo40]

Folks may recall that some time ago I posted a thread regarding my experience of going from carrying a fancy firearm to budget firearm then back to a premium, then back to budget all over again.

Well, now I'm having a similar experience, only with knives, and in a reversed order.

So, full disclosure here... One of the first knives that I had ever carried specifically for self-defense was a cheap Tac-Force spring assisted stiletto, which I carried from my early twenties until 2018 when it suddenly broke down on me one day.
Being fond of the Stiletto design for its historical/cultural significance as well as its raw aesthetic appeal, I sought to replace the Tac-Force with something of higher quality yet relatively low overall cost, which ultimately lead me to the Cold Steel Ti-Lite. At the time, my primary EDC was a Ruger LCP, so it made sense to me that I should carry a big knife, so the 6" model was what I ultimately went with.

However, after a few years of carrying the Ti-Lite VI and subsequently adopting more potent primary carry pistols, the Ti-Lite VI had become as inconvenient to carry as it was unnecessary, so I had begun to seek alternatives of a smaller size. Initially I had planned on simply getting a Ti-Lite IV, but I was interested in upgrading to something of higher quality with greater utility to its design. Being a fan of Buck Knives, I had begun shopping around looking at there knives, but found myself torn between the Buck Vantage Avid, Buck 110 Slim Pro, and Buck 841 Slim Select. Ultimately, the choice was sort of made for me when my brother got me a 110 Slim Pro for Christmas.

I had carried the 110 Slim Pro for the better part of a month, but as much as I loved it for its small size, light weight, and razor sharp factory S30V blade, I had found that it was just too skinny in my grip, and despite putting a lot of time into breaking it in, the knife just never got smooth enough to deploy quickly/easily with one hand.

So for the heck of it, about a week ago I ordered a Cold Steel Ti-Lite IV. Not one of the fancier models either, just the plain AUS-8A/Zytel version, although I did throw in $8 for a bit of custom engraved text. Upon its arrival yesterday, I had almost instantly fallen back in love with the design. Even fresh out of the box, I could easily deploy it with one hand, and it just felt great in my hand.

Unfortunately, now it's looking like it's going to replace the Buck 110 Slim Pro, just because it plain fits my hands better and can be more easily deployed with one hand.

Yeah, being a spear point Stiletto, the Ti-Lite IV isn't as well suited for general use as the Buck 110 Slim Pro, but I dare say that it's better for self-defense, works adequately for the general uses that I might have for it, and evidently works better for me as an individual.

So yeah, as much as I love the 110 Slim Pro, I'm going to be giving the Ti-Lite IV a go as my EDC knife. I might still carry the 110 Slim Pro as well, but against all odds, the Ti-Lite feels like the better fit for me.
I'm sure that some folks will be incredulous towards the very suggestion that one might replace what is essentially part for part a better blade of a time proven design with a blade of inferior quality, but I've got to be me, and right now, that's what I'm doing.

 

[Smoke]

IDK I carried a Slim Select (Budget Version of the Slim Pro) and never had a problem "deploying" it and I'm usually armed with a gun. I can't imagine a situation where I'd reach for a knife instead of a gun.


But you do you Boo

 

[chief38]

Most times you get what you pay for in a knife. My current EDC was recently given to me for Christmas by my Daughter's BF. It's a Spyderco Delica in K390 Carbon Steel. Super tough blade, easy to sharpen to shaving sharp, incredible edge retention, super lightweight, and a "jeans colored" blue handle that really blends in with blue jeans. While it doesn't have the rust resistance of Stainless, it is a much better cutter and stays sharp longer.

It took a whole lot to replace my Marbles Large Stockman (made in Gladstone MI, USA in 2001) with genuine Sambar Stag and Carbon Steel blades. I carried that one for 21 years - still love it but it can not be opened with one hand and is quite a bit heavier. It does however have 3 blades for more versatility than the Spyderco's single blade.

 

[The Mighty S&W]

I tend to see knives as the kind of tool that will be used often, mostly for odd jobs, and will have a high likelihood of being broken, or lost.

For that reason, I tend to keep a handful of low end knives available at home for replacing the current low end knife when it fails or goes missing. I continue to own a handful of folders from Spyderco, Benchmade, Boker, Kershaw, and other recognizable brands, as well as fixed blades from Gerber, Buck and Cold Steel and some Benchmade ballinsong knives mostly for collectibles (I do use a Gerber LMF II Infantry as a general purpose fixed blade for various use).

What I've found over the years is that knives in the $25.00 and under category seem to be perfectly serviceable as daily carry/working knives, although more prone to breaking, while any knife costing greater than $50.00 is more likely to be lost. My current EDC knife is a partially serrated, Smith & Wesson "Special Tactical" with a tanto style blade profile. It is about the cheapest knife I've ever carried having cost me around $10.00 brand new, but it is holding up reasonably well to all of the same tasks that I'd expect my other knives to perform. It is not a knife to be opened one handed, although I have no real need for such a feature myself. The blade came to me very sharp and holds its edge fairly well. It is very light, and the size of the knife makes it unobtrusive for daily carry. The pocket clip hardware has not loosened with use, and its somewhat rubberized grip allows for good retention when cutting tough materials.

Everyone has their preferences, but the cheaper knives work just fine for me in actual use. I may even decide to eventually sell my more expensive blades as they really don't serve much purpose for me.

 

[pharmer]

I went the other way, from a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian to a Dura-Tech "Thumb assist liner lock." Sharp enough to shave and $15 instead of $150. Joe

 

[gwpercle]

Who says you only get to carry one knife .
I'm sitting here with Three Knives in three different pockets , each brings something to the table and used for different tasks .
Small Kershaw Chive Liner Lock , 2" blade for small things in front left pants pocket , easy access , slim design .
Medium - CRKT : LCR , 3" blade , pocket clip on right front pants pocket
Larger Kershaw #1935 "Fatback" 3.5" blade , in back pocket , along side wallet ... reaching for wallet = Reaching for knife !

All three are one hand open / one hand close ... the Kershaw's are assissted openers and the CRKT doen't need it ...opens with a finger touch .

You don't need to be restricted to One ... just get more pockets !
Gary

 

[STORMINORMAN]

My $0.02s worth...

The LANSKY Responder Combo Pack includes their very fine sharpener & a Willumsen Design Knife with a 3 1/2" 440c blade. Look him up as a designer.

I do have other knives, Benchmark, Kershaw, etc., none of the REALLY expen$ive ones, but this is the knife I carry every day and have done so for about 5 years...

Cheers!

P.S. This Lansky Combo is available and currently goes for $24.85 (you need to add another $0.15 to get the FREE SHIPPING! on a-zon)

 

[sipowicz]

I have never spent more than $50 (and more like $30) on a pocket knife and every one of them did the job (mostly opening Amazon boxes). I can't imagine what a $150 pocket knife is going to do for me except create anxiety of losing it.

 

[chief38]

Expensive knives sometimes just reflect the brand name, maker, or just how hot a seller that knife happens to be when you purchase it.

That said, there ARE some REAL advantages of expensive knives and that is usually most realized in the steel used to make the blade. Inexpensive stainless steels are more difficult to sharpen and they do not hold an edge nearly as long as high quality steels will. Strength, smoothness of operation and clip design and quality are just some advantages and of course "pride of ownership" might be important to some.

THROUGH MY EXPERIENCE: I have found the majority of people I know who EDC knives (cheap or expensive) tend to neglect their knives and they have sadly become little more than "butter knives" as that's about the only thing they will cut. I have volunteered to re-profile and re-sharpen them to their delight but then they neglect them once again. Any knife, cheap or expensive eventually needs care and sharpening and if you are one who regularly neglects you EDC knife - you might as well carry a cheap one.

My preference is to always have a shaving sharp knife and I keep a Spyderco sharpening kit in the rear toolbox of my SUV. It is probably the most used tool in my vehicle.

ADVANTAGES OF CHEAP KNIVES:

Just yesterday at my friends new house I was helping him do a few projects on his rear patio porch. He discovered a big glob of caulking the Contractor had let ooze out of his corking gun and stuck to a few patio pavers. My friend pulled out his cheap $5 "Chinese Spyderco knockoff" and proceeded of scrape and hack off the dried silicone caulking. My comment made was, "I guess there is a real advantage to sometimes having a knife on you that you don't give a hoot about". I also commented that scraping the knife against the paver block might have actually served to sharpen his "el cheapo butter knife" - we laughed!

 

[OLDSTER]

I carry an auto every day and have for years. I've learned that there are some darn good autos for less than $100, like the very popular Boker Kalish on the far left. The others are higher dollar items. IMO, the highest quality auto, of my current inventory, is the Pro-Tech ( second from right). However the Gerber, Piranha, and Bench-Made are top notch as well.

 

[chief38]

I carried an auto once and after it opened up in my pocket that was the last time I did so. Apparently I pushed the safety off and it deployed and cut my leg. It also cut my hand when quickly trying to get it out of my pocket.

Since the knife was a gift to me I still have it but have relegated it to a house and shop knife. NO MORE carrying autos for me. Ultimately I guess it was my fault but I never want to be in that situation again! I can open up my Spyderco fast enough!

 

[mauser9]

Great opinions here on various makes and models. Seems I checked out dozens of different ones since Xmas. Finally decided on the new Sog Trident AT-XR spring assist for my newest EDC. Serves a multitude of uses and seems built tough enough. 3.7 inch blade is a nice touch

 

[CouchPotato]

Be careful if you try Spyderco... the following can easily happen!



They'll multiply like rabbits!!!