Kershaw Echelon

12/11/2013 by Alex

-Price Paid: $45.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Less than 1 Month

Comments:

Great overall knife. You get a quality steel and a nice g-10 handle for a really good price. Seriously anyone who doesn't like the deployment of the speed assist has never owned another Kershaw. That was the main con that I had seen from other reviews and honestly it works just as well as my Kershaw Whirlwind (probably better). Kershaws speed assist for sure has its sweet spot but once you figure it out its 100%. I NEVER mis-fire.

Kershaw Cryo II

12/11/2013 by Aaron

-Price Paid: $40.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

One of my favorite new blades for 2013 that can do a ton of different jobs for you and can do it on the cheap. Feels like a much more expensive knife then it is.
GOOD- price, quality, size, 4 way pocket clip, frame lock, open assist, and good ergos.
BAD- 8cr13mov steel, smaller thumb studs, and heavy

Kershaw Brawler

12/11/2013 by pathwinder14

-Price Paid: $20.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

Pros:
Good E.D.C. Clip lets it ride low in pocket. Ambidextrous use and carry. Good edge retention. Batons well without the lock collapsing. Thick sturdy blade. Jimping, thumb ramp, and finger guard are great. One hand closing.

Cons:
Torx screws loosen and need to be retightened regularly.

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DPx Gear HEFT 4 Assault

12/10/2013 by Lumberjake

-Price Paid: $102.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

Really like this blade. Competes well with other, more popular knives at its sale prices. The overall blade get is great with lots of belly yet still pointy enough. Thickness is perfect as is the near full flat safer grind that takes advantage of its width. I've found the coating to be very durable while not negatively effecting it's cutting ability. The g10 scales are removable to store whatever which is nice and it fits my hand very well as does the jumping or wire stripper. The appearance of the g10s shaping could be a bit better but I am being really picky. Finally, the sheath isn't popular but I actually like it because I can attach it to the exterior of my messenger bag without getting looks as the blade is concealed which is legal here. It's very easy to access and has become my urban disaster fixed blade as I always have my bag should whatever happen it'll be nice to know I have an effective tool on me. I didn't give perfect marks due to I'm perfect g10,the kyle insert could grip the knife better and while the steel keeps it's edge forever sharpening is a major pain. Thats it.

CRKT M21-02G

12/09/2013 by Stevo

-Price Paid: $45.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

This is hand's down the best edc I've owned. I have carried Kershaws, bokers, Gerber, and several low end knives and this m21 is far above the rest. Opens quick and smoothly every time. Conceals fairly well with only a 1/4 inch or so sticking out of pocket. Mines lives in the 5th pocket of my jeans. The blade takes a good beating and holds it's edge well. Strong knife overall. Lock takes some getting used too. Once you have or down it closes as easy as any other knife. Highly recommend.

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Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert

12/09/2013 by Ben L

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

I bought an Applegate-Fairbairn "Mini Covert Serrated" knife from a PX. To be honest the main reason I bought it was there was little to choose from and the previous Gerber knives I had were good. This one was not good. Maybe it was a Friday job, I don't know. I do know it was one of the dullest knives out of the box I have ever purchased.

As time went by the handle seemed to flex, maybe this was because I carried it in my waist band and under my belt, a minor issue that I hasn't effected its use. Not sure what the handle is made of, some type of composite?

The big problem I have with it is the locking mechanism doesn't work well. The first problem is with little pressure on the back of the blade, the lock will give and the blade will fold. The new issue I'm having is when I try to cut something that requires pressure on the edge, for example plastic wire ties, the in handle lock will actually slide past the base of the blade and lock the blade open.

Finally, and this is my frustration with most knife makers, why do they bother putting less than 2 inches of a serrated edge on a knife blade? It is completely useless except for cutting your own fingers. Either make the full blade serrated or a fine edge. Now I feel much better.

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Byrd by Spyderco Meadowlark 2

12/08/2013 by Daniel

-Price Paid: $21.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Less than 1 Month

Comments:

FRN PLAIN EDGE VERSION

This knife is incredible for the price. It is designed by Spyderco and modeled after their Delica 4 FFG. As it costs about 1/3 of a Delica, I didn't expect it to be nearly as good.

BUILD QUALITY:
Very good. There are a couple fit and finish issues, such as the blade centering being slightly off, and the three pieces of FRN being slightly off level on the back of the knife. Lockup is excellent. Opening is very smooth thanks to two bronze bushings.

ERGOS:
Almost perfect. The handles aren't completely squared off, but aren't sharp/uncomfortable. One of the best features of this knife is the choil. I find the knife much easier to hold using the choil; it provides great point control. The FRN is very grippy and the jimping is decent.

VALUE:
Possibly the best knife in this price range. The steel is good for the price (8cr13mov). The pocket clip is four-way positionable, and rests on the logo, not the grippy part of the FRN as to not tear up your pockets. For 1/3 of the price of the Delica, you get the same knife with worse steel, slightly worse fit

Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight

12/08/2013 by Aaron

-Price Paid: $70.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

This is one of my favorite EDC blades.
GOOD- good price, lightweight, BD1 steel is great quality, comfortable handle, good pocket clip, rolling lock is easy to use.
Bad- finger choil is not need, handle feels cheap.

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Ontario SP5 Bowie

12/06/2013 by OregonTom

-Price Paid: $50.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I purchased my SP5 model knife back in '95. Ontario knives in 1095 steel take a great edge and hold up forever. The SP5 measures 6mm at it's thickest , grinds down to 5mm for most of the spine and finishes with a false edge. I have worn much of the black powder coat of my SP5 and the natural bluing and color from heat treating has been revealed. The coloring reminds me of the Ontario "Old hickory" line of knives. I would like to make a nice sheath for my SP5 but the sheath Ontario supplied has held up great. The SP5 is a great value.

Cold Steel Tokyo Spike

12/06/2013 by Aaron

-Price Paid: $25.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

Cold Steel is able to give us Light Duty/Self Defense blades at a good price.
GOOD- secure-ex sheath, blade design option, handles give you good traction, scandi grind.
BAD- 4116 stainless steel is a soft budget steels that dulls quick, really only good for self defense.

ESEE Zancudo

12/06/2013 by Aaron

-Price Paid: $28.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

ESEE gives Ontario a run for their money with this great budget edc offering.
GOOD- price, FFG, great ergos in my LARGE size hands, strong frame lock, good build quality for under $30.
BAD- stiff deployment, right handed deployment only.

Kershaw Speedform II

12/06/2013 by Mike B

-Price Paid: $100.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I've owned one of these since it came out. I only use it when I'm dressed. It makes a great gentleman's EDC. Without fail when someone sees it they want to know more about it. It's certainly one of the very best factory knives I've ever owned in 40 yrs of collecting. Fit and finish are second to no one's. It uses Elmax steel in the blade. Elmax takes takes and holds an extremely sharp edge. Only M390 and CPM 440V hold an edge longer, but not sharper. It's also very stain and chip resistant. So if you're looking for a first class factory knife, give this one a look if you can still find one.