E(very) D(ay) C(arry) and knives - any primers (Atwoods etc.)

[TomW]

I am currently going through a patch at work which is likely to last for a couple of days where I have to put a lot of facetime but have nothing to do. So I am indulging myself with a bit of research into EDC items and, as part of that, knives.

I know quite a few people here make and like knives and was wondering whether people had any suggestions on where to start. I have absolutely no idea about knives but would like to approach it on a similar basis to bikes, i.e. invest in a couple from small operations who know what they are doing and also produce products which straddle that line between practicality and beauty.

Realistically any EDC item I buy is more of a 'fun' buy than a truly practical one given the nature of my work (as I sit in front of keyboard all day feeling my soul drip out of my elbows) but in evenings and weekends I ride and often help my wife out on TV production things so I can slightly justify a good tool. I currently rely on a much used Leatherman which has seen 4 continents and is now battered and beautiful.

On the same principle, I saw the mention of Atwoods on a different thread and they really are beautiful things. Shame they seem to be nearly impossible to get these days. Any equivalents people like and respect or other products people recommend.

Basically I'm looking for something cool to indulge in which will make me a better man.

[maunahaole]

I don't know squat about this stuff, but my brother really likes Benchmade stuff. Worth a look, seems to be nicely made and very sharp. Expect a bunch of answers. V-place is full of cutlery whores.

[PJN]

Boring. Maybe you ment to ask what size tube goes in your tire?

Carrying a knife won't make you more of a man.

[stnphoto]

Spyderco makes some very good EDC knives that won't break the bank, in tons of styles for lots of different applications. I would recommend you take a look at them.

Atwoods are around, but they get pricey in the aftermarket. Check ebay, but realize that is about the top of the collector market pricing there. If there is something in particular you are looking for of Peter's let me know, I just might have it for you.

[rydesteel]

Knives are tools. I've carried one for the past 45 years including grade school and beyond. I've got a small Swiss army executive that I use every day to clean fingernails open envelopes and the like. When hunting, fishing or traveling I also carry a spring assisted opening my favorite right now is the Benchmade Osborn Barrage, it's nice to be able to open a knife with one hand when the other hand is occupied. I can shave with most of my knives and use them daily. Lot's of good production knife makers out there, but a good custom folder can cost as much as a custom frame would. Have fun with the search, keep it sharp, and learn how to handle it.

[christian]

For an EDC, I'd default to the Fällkniven U4, U2, or TK4. Just excellent little tools. U2 in SGPS is just right.

[TomW]

keep it sharp

This is where I am going to start with my pre-existing Leatherman. It is a blunt mess now. Time to get some stones I think. Which would also enable experimentation with Cutthroats rather than DE safety razors. And I think my wife will be grateful for assistance on sharpening her chef knives.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[TomW]

Carrying a knife won't make you more of a man.

I will just have to fall back on my liberal arts degree then. Or gunz.

[s_curran]

I have two opinels I carry all the time, the new one I got has a corkscrew in the side, its a No. 10. I got one for my dad as well, and made him a sheath I was pretty happy with for it. I se mine all the time. Nothing better than a bottle of wine and some cheese at the beach. Super manly.

I'd eventually like to get a benchmade.

[Too Tall]

About 5 years ago I had a similar inspiration ;) After buying a few knives I've slowed the roll so to speak and have two pocket knives that I carry. The best knife for EDC, if you are someone who is happy with a simple locking folder, the Benchmade Silver Osborne w/ G-10 Inserts 960SLV is what I've got. What I like about it is that the knife is light, sharpens easily and the lock is brickhouse solid. It is a deceptive knife and quality is built into ever aspect. The other knife is not nearly as light but it's a workhorse and you can drive nails with it if you want. The Chris Reeve Sebenza is not hard to sharpen and you'll instantly fall for the lock mechanism not to mention it's got a super strong blade that you can do some work with. Oh...for EDC Bike carry (there is another thread on the forum) I have a leatherman mini.

[zetroc]

I've been carrying Spyderco knives almost exclusively for 13 years now. They work, and they work forever. Mail it back when it gets dull and they sharpen it for free. Maybe they aren't the sexiest knives or the most fetishized, but they won't let you down.

Endura Clipit/Delica/Endura Police/Starmate Terzuola/Salsa/Rescue/Military

(if anyone asks, I've got my Totin' Chip)

[TomW]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Lots of good stuff to look at.

The link TooTall mentioned of a previous bike EDC thread is here in case others are interesting.

Also, I dug up the EDC tumblr which someone posted which has lots of good stuff. Link is here.

Time to start looking at Benchmade/ Syderco/ Opinels (which I've always used in France as every French house has them and I've always loved)/ Fällkniven

[coolberto hipsterdor]

Amazon.com: Cold Steel Ti-Lite Zytel Handle, 4-Inch: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Cold Steel 29TLT Voyager Large Tanto: Sports & Outdoors

[Matthew Strongin]

Another Benchmade user here. I've had mine for 17 years and it was EDC up until a few years ago. Simple, sturdy, and easy to care for.

[christian]

Opinel #6 in carbon steel is a solid choice for a cheap and cheerful EDC too. #6 is the smallest with the lock ring, and the carbon steel Opinel blades take a good edge. I'm not partial to cheap stainless knives.

[RickM]

Don't overthink it. For a real-world everyday pocketknife get yourself a Case XX with two blades; A 2.5" drop-point blade and a 1.5" splayfoot blade. Or something close to that config. It is all you need for anything short of dressing out a deer. You can read all sorts of stuff about fancier steel, badder-ass knives, bespoke crapola, etc...but a knife like the one shown below is an example of one you'll actually carry and use for the everyday stuff that a pocketknife gets used for. It'll sharpen up nicely and last forever if you even provide a modicum of care. I still carry and use the same Buck "Stockman" that I bought when I was 14...44 years ago. Bucks were good knives then.

Something like this;

[SteveP]

i love knives.
thats all.

[Matthew Strongin]

Don't overthink it. For a real-world everyday pocketknife get yourself a Case XX with two blades; A 2.5" drop-point blade and a 1.5" splayfoot blade. Or something close to that config. It is all you need for anything short of dressing out a deer. You can read all sorts of stuff about fancier steel, badder-ass knives, bespoke crapola, etc...but a knife like the one shown below is an example of one you'll actually carry and use for the everyday stuff that a pocketknife gets used for. It'll sharpen up nicely and last forever if you even provide a modicum of care. I still carry and use the same Buck "Stockman" that I bought when I was 14...44 years ago. Bucks were good knives then.

Something like this;

My grandfather gave me one of those when I was around 11 or 12. Still have it, but I could never bring myself to use it.

[christian]

Opinel #6 in carbon steel is a solid choice for a cheap and cheerful EDC too. #6 is the smallest with the lock ring, and the carbon steel Opinel blades take a good edge. I'm not partial to cheap stainless knives.

By the way, Opinels are made in St-Jean-de-Maurienne, on the eastern base of the Route Savoie, the road which contains the Col de la Croix de Fer and the Col du Glandon. So there's the cycling link for you. In 2006, they even made a Tour de France commemorative No 8:

42304421.jpg

[AngryScientist]

i've carried a small knife in my pocket daily for literally as long as i can remember. i went through a phase of searching, but i always come back to the same knife. for me, and the stuff i do daily, a sinle blade is not ideal, so i default to the swiss army knife. i like the thinnest, lightest knife available that does what i want it to. the one pictured below is what i've carried for the last decade, almost exclusively. it's probably opened 10k beer bottles over the years, and the blade has done every duty imaginable. i use the screwdriver(s) at least once a week for something or the other. it's all light duty stuff, if i need real tools, i get them, but spur of the moment stuff, the SAK rules, at least for me.