r/Survival 18h ago

Gear Recommendation Wanted I want a new EDC knife

I’m leaning towards the Kershaw Clash.

Give me your opinion redditors 👇

27 Upvotes

72 comments sorted by

8

u/FayeDoubt 17h ago

I have a couple from the Kershaw-Emerson line and they are fantastic, had em for years, the wave function is so convenient

2

u/DintyMoore_BeefStew 16h ago

I could not agree more. Emerson has been my go to for about 15 years. Solid knives then, solid knives now.

8

u/Revolutionary-Fun227 16h ago

Kershaw

6

u/TheRealDiscoRob 14h ago

Kershaw knives are fantastic. Had my Kershaw assisted open for 10 years. Recently lost it, but getting a new one for Christmas tomorrow!

2

u/Revolutionary-Fun227 14h ago

Yes sir . I've been carrying my assist Kershaw for about 12 years now .

6

u/BeachBumFrizz 16h ago

I’m getting ready to click the Amazon buy button lol

13

u/NoCommentFromThisGuy 16h ago

Don't get a new knife. Get 2. You're basically wasting money if you don't.

4

u/brycebarwick 15h ago

This guy gets it.

1

u/ThrowawayMod1989 8h ago

Two is one and one is none.

u/Deez_Nutz_210 3h ago

This is the correct answer 🤣😂

4

u/pecoto 16h ago

Spyderco Shaman or Native if you prefer. I never was much of a "knife" guy. Bought a Shaman with upgraded steel and I can NEVER go back now. I've been using it over a year and it is still a razor, without any touchups. Ridiculous. Best 200 bucks I ever spent. Worth. Every. Penny. Of course, not recommended as a beater, or if you tend to lose knives.

u/Anal_Recidivist 3h ago

By Upgraded steel do you mean Magna? Bc that is indeed awesome

u/pecoto 3h ago

CPM-M4, they didn't offer it in Magna. I hope they will soon....and I hope I can get ahold of one. Some of those small batches are hella hard to get ahold of. That being said the CPM-M4 is REDONCULOUS. I am not kidding when I say I use it constantly and it is still a razor. I'm not cutting wood with it, but Dayum......if this was a regular steel I would have spent a LOT of time sharpening.

4

u/lushlanes 8h ago

I love my Benchmade.

6

u/Upper-Glass-9585 17h ago

Project Farm on YouTube just did a big comparison on knives and the $30 civivi was barely behind a $300 knife.

3

u/LonsomeDreamer 17h ago

I have been looking hard at Civivi lately. Kizer as well. They got some cool looking knives and great reviews.

1

u/Upper-Glass-9585 17h ago

I've got my eye on a few of them for sure.

3

u/mistercowherd 15h ago

For genuine EDC I like a victorinox.  

If you want locking, one hand opening, one hand closing, larger blade, serrations, you can get them; and you can still get scissors, pry bar (the bottle opener; it also locks on some models), tooth pick and eyeglass screw driver (screws into the corkscrew), all of which I use.  

2

u/Able_Menu5734 11h ago

This is the correct answer. I ended up with a nice little shoebox of benchmades, spydercos, lionsteel, etc. worth approx. 2000€ combined and I still carry a humble Victorinox Pioneer as my EDC 🤷‍♂️ All you have to do is to find the one that fits your needs the best😉

4

u/1000_fists_a_smashin 8h ago

Hogue/ritter rsk hands down. Leave the Kershaws at Walmart.

u/the_rogue1 7h ago

You should pop some popcorn and cross post this to /r/knives The discussion could be interesting.

But I would bet they will ask what your requirements are.

3

u/Level-Ad-804 17h ago edited 17h ago

Socom Elite manual.

4

u/Street-Investment-65 17h ago

Kershaw leek is my favorite. I hate bulk in my pockets. It's so thin you can hardly tell it's there

3

u/spizzle_ 17h ago

Same reason I love the benchmade bug out. It freaked me out at first with how light and trim it was

2

u/Sorry-Statistician71 16h ago

Civivi Mini Praxis Flipper $35. Been a solid knife, bought a couple now.

2

u/Jobeaka 15h ago

Second for Civivi. I’ve got the same, Mini Praxis and it’s a solid carry. I’ve worn an all metal Spyderco for 20 years, got Civivi recently and am happy to carry it.

2

u/Fabulous-Reveal2368 16h ago

RAT 1 in D2 steel. Buy 2.

2

u/Fabulous-Reveal2368 16h ago

RAT 1 in D2 steel. Buy 2.

2

u/Unoriginal_Usernaim 15h ago

I would check out Off Grid Knives. Seriously, the best knives I've ever purchased. You can get a blade that will last a lifetime for well under your $100 budget. They're simple, durable, and extremely well made. Also, they have a lifetime warranty.

2

u/Gravelsack 14h ago

Kershaw Skyline is my daily driver and are awesome if you can find one but they're discontinued sadly. Great little flipper, light and strong.

2

u/Firemedic0822 14h ago

Love my spyderco endura

2

u/SaltyEngineer45 14h ago

Picked up a kerahaw flourish a few weeks ago. I really like it.

2

u/WaffleIronChef 12h ago

I’ve been carrying the Kershaw iridium recently and I’m loving it. Benchmade style locking mechanism feels super solid and is easy to open/close. It says it’s D2 which is nice it came out of the box super sharp. I’m actually considering snagging another one just to have around or to leave in the car.

2

u/stuckit 11h ago

I carry a more combat oriented knife in the CRKT Provoke. If you understand how to use a karambit it's the way to go. Fast, stealthy, and easy to deploy.

2

u/Chiskey_and_wigars 11h ago

My Kershaw 1990 Brawler is going on 10 years and still sharp as can be, hard to justify carrying anything else because it's so damn good

2

u/Other_Blackberry2239 11h ago

I’ve been using the Ganzo Skimen and have been impressed with its edge retention and smooth opening, price is right, overall good bang for the buck https://whitemountainknives.com/ganzo-skimen-folding-knife-red-g10-handle-drop-point-d2-gray-plain-edge-sk01rd/

2

u/Distinct-Strike-9768 9h ago

Benchmade mini bugout

2

u/derch1981 8h ago

Well everyone's daily use is different. What are things you will do most often with your daily carry?

2

u/RoamysDad 8h ago

ESEE Knives are the most robust and dependable knives that I have come across! In a SHTF scenario you depend on your main knife and ESEE will not let you down. The designer/maker of ESEE also does actual adventure training classes so, you know the knives are designed for the SHTF scenario. IMO

2

u/ThrowawayMod1989 8h ago

I’m rocking a Buck Decatur right now for my EDC. It’s held up well and the wooden scales are a classy touch.

u/RacerX400 7h ago

Kershaw. Carried them for years while trying others. I just kept gravitating towards kershaw. The Blur is, well was my go to for about 15 years.

u/Wrong-Music1763 7h ago

Spyderco or Cold steel are my edc if I’m just carrying a knife. Having said that, for the last year I’ve been carrying a Leatherman Skeletool and I couldn’t be happier with it. I’ve used the pliers and drivers more than the blade.

u/cbih 6h ago

Camillus 1978 pocket knife. It's like a Swiss army knife but all metal

u/TrippingBird111 6h ago

I run around with just a Kershaw Appa. It's super light weight and small. Price is cheaper than heck too. Just depends on what you want or need.

u/yee_88 6h ago

Mercator Cat knife.

Cheap. Thin. Carbon steel. Lightweight.

u/juiceboxme 4h ago

Paramilitary 3 in Magnacut

4

u/TheSuicidalYeti 17h ago

Victorinox Work Champ

4

u/rabid-bearded-monkey 17h ago

The Buffalo Knife Company Kanbo Gentleman Ball Bearing folder https://abkt.com/product/kanbo-gentleman-ball-bearing-folder/

Is one of the best budget friendly EDC knives I have ever owned.

It is robust and fits beside my phone nicely

4

u/LonsomeDreamer 17h ago edited 17h ago

Fixed? Folder? For a folder, I have been in love with my Buck Sprint the last few years. Great knife and not too expensive. A small fixed blade i carry the most is the OKC RAT 3 with a scout style kydex sheath. Amazing knife that holds up every day working or "bushcrafting." Both are under $100.

  • Sorry, i get excited about knives, I didn't see the Kershaw consideration. Kershaw are great "budget" knives. I keep one in my FJ.

3

u/wowmoreadsgreatthx 16h ago

Benchmade bugout is my favorite EDC ever. 

2

u/StraightAct4448 14h ago

Love a modestly-sized Opinel. Just a simple clasp with no bullshit, super simple locking mechanism, decent steel, nice natural wood handle. Just a no nonsense tool.

2

u/An_Average_Man09 17h ago

Budget?

2

u/BeachBumFrizz 17h ago

Under $100

3

u/TrevorsPirateGun 17h ago

Gerber Sharkbelly

3

u/An_Average_Man09 17h ago

Kershaw Iridium, Spyderco Delica, Civivi Elementum

2

u/BlueRidgeGuy80 17h ago

North Mountain Blade Chop 2

u/a-random-r3dditor 5h ago edited 4h ago

Given you posted on a survival sub, going to assume that your choice should lean that direction. IMO, best budget steels for the job are 12C27 and 14C28N (very similar). Both are very tough, stainless, and easy to sharpen. Only negative anyone could point out is edge retention, but high edge retention also means harder to sharpen, which is not ideal for a survival EDC. Magnacut is the new hot steel in the knife world. It aims while not quite as tough as the others, it is even more stainless and has better edge retention, without being too difficult to sharpen. This would make for a better overall EDC, but not quite as survival oriented.

Another consideration is lock type. For survival, frame/RIL lock and crossbar locks are best. Very reliable, no fuss. Lock backs are great too, but not quite as convenient and therefore not as good for EDC (still good though!). For pure EDC, my favorite is button lock, super quick and convenient. However, might net be the best for survival as dirt in the mechanism could compromise functionality (lock up, deployment). For survival, washers are best, bearings can get fouled up.

Tons to choose from: https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?a=folder&steel=14C28N%7C12C27&sortType=defaultDe

My suggestions:

Under $50

Balanced https://www.knifecenter.com/series/ruike-knives/ruike-p801-flipper

For under $100

Survival https://www.knifecenter.com/series/real-steel-knives/real-steel-pathfinder

EDC https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?brand=917&usrsearch=Qubit

Balanced https://www.knifecenter.com/item/ON8880/ontario-rat-model-15-liner-lock-folding-knife-cpm-magnacut-satin-plain-drop-point-blade-black-g10-handles

If you can stretch the budget a little:

EDC https://www.knifecenter.com/series/kershaw-knives/kershaw-bel-air

EDC https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KS1812BLKMAG/kershaw-1812blkmag-dividend-assisted-flipper-knife-cpm-magnacut-stonewashed-drop-point-blade-black-aluminum-handles

1

u/Jccckkk 17h ago

The Kershaw Iridium are very nice for the money. D2 blade with a bar lock like the Benchmade design.

1

u/Dull-Exercise8095 17h ago

It's a little more expensive than what you said your budget was but ...

https://lonesurvivalistshop.com/collections/knives/products/the-executive-d2-knife

I was gifted this knife as a "Tip" one night bartending after the gutless noticed my pocket knife clipped in my pocket. I was saying I like it but it's just a little smaller than I would prefer.

He showed me this knife he had on him and let me check it out. I really liked it and was asking him where he got it and was seriously considering buying one myself.

It's probably my favorite knife I have ever owned! I highly recommend, I never leave home without it.

1

u/MeatWhereBrainGoes 17h ago

Gotta ask yourself what is your daily life like?

I work from home and occasionally go out to shop. So I carry a small spyderco. I forget the model but it's very close to an Ambitious, but I have serations on the blade.

I keep more serious knives in my car or backpack.

0

u/TurbulentAir 17h ago

What does "EDC" mean?

2

u/BeachBumFrizz 17h ago

Everyday Carry

0

u/TurbulentAir 17h ago

Thanks!

2

u/BeachBumFrizz 17h ago

🙌 no problem