EDC Knife Suggestions?

[Neverfox]

I'm trying to pick an everyday carry knife since I live in a state without CCW (for all practical purposes). I do want it to compliment my SP-01 however, just for that aesthetic pleasure. The CZ Benchmade would fit the bill if it were so bleep expensive. My limit is about $100.

So after watching a bunch of nutnfancy reviews (linked below in each case), I picked out a few contenders:

SOG Aegis


Spyderco Caly3


Kershaw Skyline (Damascus Steel)


The Kershaw is light and relatively inexpensive, the Spyderco is tremendously well-designed but at the top end of cost, the Aegis is just cool looking. All have tip up clip placement, good steel etc.

I plan to try them out in person before deciding but if anyone has an opinion, I'd love to hear it. Also, if you think I'm not considering something cool, please suggest another model (no autos, none over 4")

[Neverfox]

There is a cheaper Spyderco that is also a good option, I think.

Spyderco Persistence


I think this is a winner. $30(!!!!) and I think it is more aesthetically appealing than the Caly3 at 1/3rd the price.

[armoredman]

Nice, thanks for the videos! I was extremely lucky to get one of the CZ Benchmades, and it is a great knife. Before that my every day carry knife was a simple plain jane Leatherman, which still rides in the pocket today.

[stdlrf11]

Sorry, but I can hardly watch his videos anymore. He's becoming too long-winded and opinionated. When he started he would limit himself to 10 minutes. Now they average 20. They should be five. Half the things he says are completely pulled from his nether regions. Anyway....

Knives I would add to the list include:
*Kershaw JYD and JYD II (depending on the size you want)
Kershaw Needs Work
Kershaw Zing
*Kershaw Cyclone and Mini-Cyclone
*Spyderco Native
*Buck Strider 889
*Benchmade Griptilian (or any other model Benchmade)

There are some pics here:
http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?topic=20692.0

Another place to check out is www.jerzeedevil.com
We talk about all kinds of knives over there, and its a cool atmosphere.

Other things to consider in an EDC knife are ease of one-handed opening and closing, changeable or reverseable pocket clip, grip, overall length and weight.

Try to get the highest quality steel you can afford. 154CM or S30V are really nice. They hold an edge 3-4 times longer than other steels such as 420HC, 440, AUS6, AUS8 or Kershaw's Sandvik steels.

[armoredman]

The blade of this Benchmade is labeled 154CM, good stuff, then, nice to know.

[Neverfox]

Thanks, stdlrf11. I see you like Kershaw. I respect nutnfancy's work and he's helped me learn a lot but if I had listened to him blindly, I would never have a CZ; I'd be shooting a Glock 17

[armoredman]

Noooo, not the drastic plastic!

[Neverfox]

OK, of the knives mentioned the Caly3 is my choice but it's not quite a lock. I have a new option that will compete with it. It's out of the budget though but worth considering because it's got everything I want with no compromise: the Al Mar Mini SERE 2000 Black Blade. I really want black blade if I can get it and I would really prefer the deepest tip up clip. It has both whereas the Caly3 has an close to flush clip and a polished blade. But it has a coolness factor and is much cheaper. Both VG10.



Now to find one of each to try out and buy one.

[Otto N Sure]

I don't know if these are still available from CZ, but here's my CZ etched Kershaw knife by Ken Onion, it's the Vapor II.  I really like it, but I wish it was assisted.



Otto

[salskov]

Here's the one I carry - a Benchmade - and it was absolutely free..........

30v steel no less.

I was flyfishing for winter steelhead on the upper Hoh River, what, 3 years ago maybe,

And sat down for a breather and a cup of tea on a big cedar driftlog about midmorning.

Have my tea and twist to the left to shake out the cup.

And there is this knife sticking out of the log.

And it is like brand new.

Well, I hadn't seen a soul all morning, and the only tracks on the bar were mine,

So I folded it up and put it in my pocket.

Been my daily carry, and a nice one, ever since.


salskov

ps

Looked several times in the online Benchmade catalog, but never saw it listed.

Any knife experts out there who might know what it is?

[Neverfox]

OK, I've decided on the Spyderco Caly3. I heard the Al Mar has been plagued by blade play issues. That's a no-no. I'll put the extra cash into a Sharpmaster. I'll post pics with my SP-01 once it returns from CZ Custom.

[SDDLUP]

Get yourself a Benchmade Griptillian of some flavor and call it good! My EDC is  Benchmade RSK (Ritter Survival Knife) MKI, it's a superb knife with an outstanding blade shape made in S30V. I've carried it every day for at least 2 1/2 years and I've always been very pleased with it. Griptillians are available in nearly every color and blade steel there is. The RSK is only available from Aeromedix.com though and it's a little above your $100 limit.

[Neverfox]

Well, I ended up bypassing the (still great) Caly3 for this.
Lone Wolf Blackfoot


Finally, the knife for me:
Wood Handle (!!!) - Should go well with my Nill Grips and my 527 walnut. Class and inconspicuousness. Also it lacks a preset hand form for maximum grip options.
Black Blade - With the wood...oh yeah!
3" S30V Steel
Low-profile clip
Semi-custom quality, gets nothing but good reviews from those with experience using it so I hope to have the same experience.

It's now on its way. I can't wait...

[Neverfox]

I ordered from A.G. Russell and let me say, great service. They have a 100% no-limit satisfaction guarantee. I asked the woman who answered if they allow returns for open knives and she said, "How will you know if you're satisfied if you don't open it? Don't hesitate to take advantage of it." That's customer service! So I went ahead and ordered the two other knives I was considering so that I can do a side-by-side (the Spyderco Caly3 G10 and Sage CF).