EDC Knife Choice - Want Edge retention and sharpness

[JD Jones]

I have worn a spyderco stretch for better part of 15 years. Lots of folks are not spyderco fans and that’s ok. .in a drawer full of knives, I grab the stretch 9 out of 10. I have knives that put me back 4-5x the cost and regardless I just love this knife. Bench made bugout is another I like as many do.

 

[S-3 ranch]

I have worn a spyderco stretch for better part of 15 years. Lots of folks are not spyderco fans and that’s ok. .in a drawer full of knives, I grab the stretch 9 out of 10. I have knives that put me back 4-5x the cost and regardless I just love this knife. Bench made bugout is another I like as many do.

Spyderco IMO makes the best edc knife IMO, the benchmade 940 with M390 , bug out is a sweet one too !
my edc has to be super lite

 

[scattergun]

Worth mentioning that the Chaparral is pretty great for a smaller EDC knife with blade steel and geometry that can really take and hold a sharp edge, while the Manix 2 LW in Maxamet offers truly unreal edge retention in a larger EDC-able package.

I got one for my wife to pair with her Mantra2 (ti liner locks) so we shall see how it does on an animal.

I haven't sharpened it and it will be my first experience with the lcn200 beyond the ultrafine sharpmaker.

Any results on this? Personally, I find the edge-holding of LC200N continues to impress considering it’s a relatively tough steel that just won’t corrode, and it’s really nice to work with on the sharpening stones too.

 

[sndmn11]

Worth mentioning that the Chaparral is pretty great for a smaller EDC knife with blade steel and geometry that can really take and hold a sharp edge, while the Manix 2 LW in Maxamet offers truly unreal edge retention in a larger EDC-able package.

View attachment 499348

Any results on this? Personally, I find the edge-holding of LC200N continues to impress considering it’s a relatively tough steel that just won’t corrode.

I shot an elk and a mule deer with her and both times we were driving home and realized we forgot to try her SpydieChef.

She did cut up a silly amount of boxes that I had stashed plus from the holidays and it was still really sharp. I haven't sharpened it beyond the sharpmaker ultra fine rods yet, but don't doubt I could make it scary enough to where she wouldn't use it. If a person wanted folding knives, they could do everything with the blade shapes of the Mantra 2 and SpydieChef, or even theatter and a havalon.

Have you sharpened yours or used it in game?

 

[scattergun]

@sndmn11
Haven’t used it on game since I take a convex-grind Bark River EXT-1 into the field, but it’s way better than any folding knife has a right to be for filleting fish and preparing roast cuts. It does seem to have the handling and geometry of a good skinning knife.

Sharpening and stropping feels good to me; the steel is easy to raise a controlled, consistent burr and get a mirror shine with.

The really nice thing compared to so many other folders is that base of blade ends with a notch that creates a sort of sharpening super-choil; there’s nothing in the path of the stones but air.

 

[sndmn11]

.

The really nice thing compared to so many other folders is that base of blade ends with a notch that creates a sort of sharpening super-choil; there’s nothing in the path of the stones but air.

View attachment 499372

I agree. I like a knife with the handle above the edge and an open back end to the cutting edge.

 

[eaglemountainman]

Benchmade Griptilian

 

[churious]

Benchmade 940 Osborne

 

[Acidbraker]

I'm a knife nut. I've been through many many thousands of dollars worth of EDC knives. Spyderco, Benchmade, ZT, Chris Reeves, Hinderer, etc etc, the list goes on. I was always trying to find that perfect something. I sold almost everything, and I carry a Spyderco Military in S30v. It does everything I need. Can't wait for the new version to come out. Honorable mention to the ZT0609.

 

[fshaw]

Huntsman, how does that do for holding an edge? I’m not a huge fan of S36VN but really like the look of the knife. Been looking at that one for quite a while.

Thanks.

Frank

 

[huntsman22]

I'm a fan of s35vn. Holds a great edge, but diamond stones are your friend. I like it so much, that when Rick Menefee offered me a lil dumplin in my choice of his cpm 154 and '35, I jumped at the '35...

 

[fshaw]

I'm a fan of s35vn. Holds a great edge, but diamond stones are your friend. I like it so much, that when Rick Menefee offered me a lil dumplin in my choice of his cpm 154 and '35, I jumped at the '35...

I’m somewhat surprised at that. I have a lil dumplin in A2, great knives. Surprised that you chose ‘35. You certainly put them to work though. I do use diamond stones as well.

Thanks for the reply

 

[Bucsfan69]

I edc a Microtech LUDT…almost a 3.5” blade in m390. But: if you don’t have a grip on the handle, it will try to jump out of your hand. Much easier to clean and maintain than an OTF

 

[rm06]

If your adamantly opposed to spyderco, I would recommend a Doug Ritter RSK MK1 in 20cv, great knife:

Doug Ritter RSK® MK1-G2 Knifeworks Exclusive - Black / Stonewashed

Doug Ritter RSK Mk1-G2 Black G10 Stonewashed 20CV Knifeworks Exclusive. The Next Generation of Ritter's highly regarded RSK Mk1 now available exclusively from Knifeworks.

knifeworks.com

I have owned the mini RSK for several years. Not a "knife guy" but I own a handful of folders, this is among the best bargains for EDC, IMHO. The thumb studs on mine got changed out, the factory studs ate my thumb up

 

[deltadukman]

I really like my Benchmade Bugout with S90v steel. In the custom build your own line, you can get the partial serrated blade as well. It's very handy.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Small Sinkovietch?

 

[huntsman22]

yeah, 450

 

[scattergun]

@K1United
Nice; looks good with the Micarta and deep-carry clip.

I personally find the Para 3 really handy. It was my go-to for a recent ski week due to its compact size, grippiness, and glove-friendliness.

Though I gotta say that this recently-arrived Gayle Bradley 2 has really knocked my socks off in terms of performance. Well-heat-treated M4 with this sort of blade geometry is no joke:

 

[sndmn11]

@K1United
Nice; looks good with the Micarta and deep-carry clip.

I personally find the Para 3 really handy. It was my go-to for a recent ski week due to its compact size, grippiness, and glove-friendliness.

Though I gotta say that this recently-arrived Gayle Bradley 2 has really knocked my socks off in terms of performance. Well-heat-treated M4 with this sort of blade geometry is no joke:

View attachment 519669View attachment 519670

I have a Bradley 1 and an Air, they are great, and I love liner locks. The Air can slay boxes with the best in the world, and the Bradley has been through a few animals.

 

[jfs82]

This is going to be a hell of a knife for the money (I have one in 20cv, they're ugly but man are they good tools).

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