EDC pocketknife recommendations

[Urban_Warrior]

I'm on the hunt for a new EDC pocketknife, and I could sure use some advice. I'm looking for something that's not too bulky, something that will ride comfortably in my pocket without feeling like I am lugging a brick around. It NEEDS to be reliable, by reliable, I mean the locking mechanism has to be solid. I don't want any scary surprises where the blade suddenly closes on my fingers.

The steel also needs to be decent quality. I'm not expecting some super high-end, fancy steel, but something that can hold an edge for a reasonable amount of time and is relatively easy to sharpen, it's gotta actually get sharp when I run it on a stone, not just resist the process.I kind of like knives that have assisted opening, it does make things faster. But I've had bad experiences with them, so this time I am looking for something sturdy, not some flimsy thing that will break after a few weeks. I do use my knife every day, so it's got to be able to hold up to that type of wear and tear. I use it for everything from opening boxes to cutting rope and various other daily tasks, so durability is key. I want to know what models people have used that really hold up to daily use and can be sharpened easily. What do you all recommend? Any suggestions would be much appreciated

 

[Raven]

I'm currently using a Benchmade Redoubt 430BK 02. I was looking for many of the same features as you describe and it checked the boxes. 10 months in daily use now and no issues. Quite comfortable to use and reliable.

 

[GeeBee]

I like what these guys offer

https://www.crkt.com/

And SR1 knives, I have a few

https://www.coldsteel.com/sr1/

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

Benchmade is a great choice for folders with a good selection of steel.
I carry a Gerber 4” fixed because I prefer it over folders.

 

[BrotherHubb]

I carry a Benchmade Bugout most of the time, mine is carbon fiber and S90V which requires diamond to sharpen but there are models with Magnacut which I prefer over S90V. Very solid lockup and a good GP blade design and light. There are some Kershaws using Magnacut as well for half the cost. It's like a Zero Tolerance without the price of a ZT which are made by Kershaw anyway.

 

[scooter1954]

I like Spyderco knives, and if you're a vet (and maybe first responder, I'm not certain), you can sign up on their website snd get a nice discount on 10 knives per year. Now why you would need 10 new knives a year is a different question. I carry a Spyderco Manix.

 

[TexasGopher]

My daily carry. The Buck 301 every day since 1979. The SOG is discontinued, but they still make several models like it.

 

[Stewie]

Grab yourself a cheap box cutter, you'll be glad you did, trust me.

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

Look up KnifeCenter on YouTube. Every week they do a segment on new knives and you can learn a lot.

 

[Wendell Reich]

I carry a Benchmade Bugout most of the time, mine is carbon fiber and S90V which requires diamond to sharpen but there are models with Magnacut which I prefer over S90V. Very solid lockup and a good GP blade design and light. There are some Kershaws using Magnacut as well for half the cost. It's like a Zero Tolerance without the price of a ZT which are made by Kershaw anyway.

Same. Bugout carbon fiber. It’s a bad little blade!

But, I use one of those sharpeners that are guided on a rod at an exact angle. I don’t have any issues sharpening it. I don’t let it get too dull. Start at 600 to 800 then to ceramic, then strop on a piece of leather.

Shave hair razor sharp each time.

I do have the Osborne, Barrage and a mini bugout, but the CF bugout is my favorite.

I did just buy a Montana knife company Speedgoat, magnacut fixed blade. Horizontal leather belt sheath. Looking forward to that one!

 

[Sounder]

I carry a Benchmade Bugout most of the time, mine is carbon fiber and S90V which requires diamond to sharpen but there are models with Magnacut which I prefer over S90V. Very solid lockup and a good GP blade design and light. There are some Kershaws using Magnacut as well for half the cost. It's like a Zero Tolerance without the price of a ZT which are made by Kershaw anyway.

I have dozens of knives. I love the feel of a stout pocketknife like Buck but they all feel like a rock in my pocket. I was given aa Benchmade Bugout few years back and it’s the greatest knife I’ve ever found. Great blade, extremely light and rounded edges - you don’t even notice it in your pocket. I keep one in each pocket when outdoors so I can reach with either hand. Great knife!

 

[BrotherHubb]

I have more knives than I can count, I bought a Benchmade Mini Adamas carbon fiber with Magnacut blade and carried it as my daily duty knife when I was in uniform and on the street. Over many years I’ve carried everything from Spyderco, CRKT, ZT, Case, Benchmade and everything in between. I have a box full of knives that I will never use and should find a way to sell most of them, same with guns. My family has no interest in either and I’m getting older. I love to shoot and have some very accurate rifles but I don’t need more than three, maybe four or ten, I don’t know. But seriously I think five including my AR should be enough for me.

 

[Wendell Reich]

I don’t know. But seriously I think five including my AR should be enough for me.

Blasphemy!

 

[scooter1954]

Same. Bugout carbon fiber. It’s a bad little blade!

But, I use one of those sharpeners that are guided on a rod at an exact angle. I don’t have any issues sharpening it. I don’t let it get too dull. Start at 600 to 800 then to ceramic, then strop on a piece of leather.

Shave hair razor sharp each time.

I do have the Osborne, Barrage and a mini bugout, but the CF bugout is my favorite.

I did just buy a Montana knife company Speedgoat, magnacut fixed blade. Horizontal leather belt sheath. Looking forward to that one!

Me, as well. I bought a Spyderco sharpening system, years ago, with varying degrees of abrasive ceramic stones. Put the ceramics rods in the base, slide the knife down the stone. Works like magic.

 

[Cosmos]

I'd pick either the Benchmade Bugout or the Spyderco Para 3, they're both light and easy to sharpen

 

[Sounder]

I'd pick either the Benchmade Bugout or the Spyderco Para 3, they're both light and easy to sharpen

 

[GeeBee]

I have stopped buying Benchmade because of this

https://gearjunkie.com/news/benchmade-destroys-guns-oregon

 

[Sounder]

I have stopped buying Benchmade because of this

https://gearjunkie.com/news/benchmade-destroys-guns-oregon

The guns were going to be destroyed one way or another since it’s Oregon’s law. Benchmade was only helping their police department. Iin my opinion it was not Benchmade’s stance on gun control or politics, just helping out. People can read into it what they want but I think they are getting a bad rap. FWIW

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

^^^^. This

 

[TexasGopher]

The guns were going to be destroyed one way or another since it’s Oregon’s law. Benchmade was only helping their police department. Iin my opinion it was not Benchmade’s stance on gun control or politics, just helping out. People can read into it what they want but I think they are getting a bad rap. FWIW

Kind of like the rap S&W got over the Hillary Hole locks and Glock is getting now over the V models that will be sold only in the US?

 

[green arrow]

The Kershaw Leek is my favorite everyday carry knife, it's slim and doesn't stick out in my pocket

 

[glazer1973]

I like the Cobratec Diablo but it’s an Automatic.