EDC knife recomendations for college?

[CynicallyOptimistic]

I really need a good EDC knife. At this point I carry what I think is an old Buck I got from my dad when I was like twelve and a... S&W Kerambit... It looked cool, and at the time I assumed they were decent knife manufacturers... *shudder*

The Buck-ish knife takes and holds an edge nicely, but it's too small for... well, it's actually pretty serviceable, I just want a bigger knife. It's got maybe a 1.5"-2" blade.

But seeing as I'm on a about-to-go-to-college-and-oh-dear-sweet-lord-I'm-going-have-to-sell-my-organs-to-afford-this budget, I can't afford to just gleefully frolic through the internet buying anything of quality (unfortunately), so I seek recommendations from elder knife knuts.

I'm looking for something in the fifty-sixty dollar range (dear sweet god it hurts to pay more for a pocket knife than I did for my ka-bar). I've been looking at the Spyderco Endura and Delica, and I've got a huge crush on the ringed razel, but I'm not sure where I could get one for what I wanna pay.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Please give a little more info.

Blade length that is allowable on campus?
Pocket clip, fixed blade, or?
How PC do you want it to be?

ie: I really like the K-Bar TDI for a small defense knife, but it's not very PC even with it's short blade.

I'm sure with a little more info someone will have some good ideas.

 

[mole]

You need to check your state laws and school regulations before carrying anything on campus.

Spyderco has a lower cost line called the Byrd line that runs ~ $20 depending on the model. Of all the models I've tried I like the meadowlark the best. http://www.thebladeshop.com/Spyderco_BY04_Byrd_Meadowlark_p/by04p.htm The metal handled ones have a better pocket clip than the plastic ones.

mole

 

[mp510]

I would really recommend against carrying any sort of tactical style knife on campus, until you can 'feel the place out'- observe what other people are carrying and what the general attitude is. I would then recommend something very PC/ sheeple friendly- like a red-handled Victorinox Tinker or Super Tinker swiss army knife.

 

[Pax Jordana]

Hey, purdue! We hated you guys!
former nittany lion speaking.

For $50-60 that can do anything, I'd go with an assisted opener (please check local laws) like the Kershaw Blur. if it's just a utility/fingernail cleaner, you're already quite well equipped.

Remember, anything worth stabbing is worth stabbing twice.. rarely will you find yourself with a knife that's actually too small for the job.

(lemme tell you about the weekend I decided I could turn a butterknife from the commons into a boot knife with only my own dedication and an accu-sharp.. boy those were the days)

RE: tactical style. I agree with the above poster. Penn State was a little farmy and a lot the displaced suburbanites. If you're carrying the new knife for self-defense, keep the buck handy in a pocket for utility uses.

 

[sm]

You need to check your state laws and school regulations before carrying anything on campus.

I would really recommend against carrying any sort of tactical style knife on campus, until you can 'feel the place out'- observe what other people are carrying and what the general attitude

Agree with both.

First off, forget about knife fights.
Search posts around here and consider a AA Maglight, 20oz bottle of water, and other "non-firearm" and 'non-edge" items.

That said, here is what many folks do carry and these are legal on campuses around here.

-SAK - Classic SD. This knife is probably the most used.
-SAK Bantam.
-SAK Pocket Pal.

-Buck 500 series.
These are a good looking locking folder with Wood handles and nickel bolsters.

The two smallest ones are the most seen carried and used. Yes these are made in the USA.

I know six ladies, with these, and these get used hard in IT and Science Depts, and where they work and do internship.


Get a DMT credit card sharpener in Fine (red) and this will handle all sharpening chores, just strop on dry leather , or back of a notebook.

Lansky makes a 3x1" diamond sharpener that comes in a leather slip.
It has a hook sharpener than runs down the center of the front.
This is what I have been using to sharpen some knives of late.
(the girls won't let me play with the DMTs anymore).

The Lansky is heavier, still it has this over-spray on the back.
So the back is flat, and useful to sharpen on as well.
The hook sharpener works to assist in fixing a point, damaged. (aha!).
The sides reach areas that need attention, such as smoothing a coffee cup chipped.

One can strop on that slip too...

If you get a DMT, find a leather credit card slip, to strop on.

 

[CWL]

I think that a small SAK and a CRKT knife will serve all your needs for college.

 

[Piraticalbob]

The best sort of EDC knife for you as a college student is a Swiss Army Knife. In addition to the blade, it should have the following tools: corkscrew (wine bottles), bottle opener (beer), can opener (soup). Those are the basic tools that will be of most use to you. If you want more than this, I'd recommend a Spyderco Delica or other small knife by Spyderco, preferably in non-threatening colors such as yellow or pink.

Trust me on this. You'll get far more use out of an SAK than any other knife you might choose, and they're well within your budget.

 

[Soap]

I wouldn't carry a blade on Purdue's campus. Any pocket knife will be in their "no weapons policy". Don't keep it in the dorms either.

 

[sm]

Daniel Flory,

Thanks for posting, I was hoping you would.

Would a SAK Classic SD be fine on a key ring?
Just to have scissors, the nail file and screwdriver as the "reason".

Would a small tool such as Leatherman Micra , ( I think that is the small one with scissors, instead of pliers) be okay?

The reason I ask, is I know some restrictive business campuses and scissors, are allowed and these are used quite a bit.

Low key, low profile and everyone behaves...
Perceptions...

 

[CynicallyOptimistic]

Okay, thank you very much to those who have already made recommendations, legal concealed blade length in Indiana is non-existent, Purdue's policy is "no weapons" but most of the guys I've talked to carry some sort of pocket knife. I'm kind of avoiding a SAK because I already carry a small multitool.

I care just enough about being pc that it won't be called a weapon, I think that depends a lot more on use than shape (except for demonized designs like stilettos, etc.) I'm also very much carrying it as a tool rather than a self defense weapon, I'm considering a mag-lite for that.

The Spyderco Byrd line has me interested though, are those of fairly good quality?

 

[Realbigo]

Quick and dirty. If you are going to be in school, nothing nasty, black and tactical cause it tends to scare the Hopoliphobes. They scare easy these days and right to carry it or not, you don't want to be the guy on "Security Steves" radar. I carry a neat little Spyderco Native. You can get a combo blade, but I carry the standard. Its short and of good quality w/ a pocket clip. I think mine was $40 at my local range.

 

[Realbigo]

PS. Its a TOOL not a weapon if any body asks.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Hmmm . . . PC EDC

EDIT TO ADD -- I see that eight posts have appeared while I was composing this, and one of them recommends not carrying a blade on campus. I will let my post below stand, but please ensure that you keep campus rules in mind in considering any of these.

From the ones you've been considering, I would imagine you're looking for something solid with a two-plus to three-ish inch blade.

It also seems that you favor some kind of locking mechanism.

With that in mind, I'll skip the traditional sodbuster, trapper, and stockman styles (although, seriously, you might want to consider those).

Kershaw does the Double Cross, a "traditional-looking" folder with a main clip-point blade and a shorter Wharncliffe blade and a central liner lock that works for both. It has wood scales and a very ordinary appearance. Sharp and holds an edge well. Quite light in the pocket. No clip.

​

Also, its cousin, the "Double Duty"

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Kershaw also does a whole range of 31xx numbered traditional-appearing lockback knives, all the way from a three-inch blade down to just over an inch. They go by names like "Wildcat Ridge" (#3140, 3.5" blade) and "Black Gulch" (#3120, 3" blade) and "Corral Creek" (#3115, 2.5" blade) and "Grant County (#3100, 1.9" blade) and "Juniper Canyon" (#3110, two blades, 1.75" & 1.9").

​

In addition, they do something called the "Limited Gentleman's Folder," a lockback in VG-10 steel, with a 3.125" blade. That one is more like $100, though, so may be outside what you seek.

Less traditional is the Vapor. One-hand capable, liner lock, good price.

Kershaw makes a good knife, and I have no trouble recommending them.

Buck Knives (across town from my house) is another good maker. Quality is better than good, and you can find a design/price-point for just about anything. I have found some of their imports to be better than my expectations. Their Tom Mayo "Cutback" (#174, one-hand, liner-lock, 3.25" blade) is one I bought to throw in my checked bag when I was traveling. It was under $30, so I wasn't too concerned about losing it. It's become one of my favorites, despite the fact that it's imported.

Both of these companies stand behind their products, with no-quibble warranties and excellent customer service.

All of that having been said, I still think a stockman pattern or sodbuster is worth considering.

Finally, no EDC recommendation would be complete without at least a nod to the Case XX Peanut. I carry one daily. It opens stuff. It peels fruit. It cuts veggies. It's quite small, but very useful. You may want to carry a band-aid.

 

[mdao]

Byrds are high quality, but the Spyderco Tenacious is a nicer knife than any of the Byrds and comes in around $30.

Another suggestion is the Skeletool if you're right handed. The blade is not ambidextrous, but it one hand opens easy, has a basic assortment of other tools on it, and looks much more tool than weapon. Right under $50 from Amazon.com.

 

[EHCRain10]

if you cant carry concealed knives on campus, take a look at Anza knives in California, they have a few smaller fixed blades that are barely noticeable when worn on the hip, that way they arent concealed and they are small enough not to cause concern.
College can be rough for a first year, just keep you nose to the grind stone and mind your p's and q's
Im a rising junior myself and carry a few different blades but none are over VA's allowed size.
Check with local laws and campus rules before carrying just to make sure.
Good luck in the fall and welcome to the forum!

 

[thebigc]

how about a crkt m16 edc version with the zytel handles with the 3in blade i got mine for about 35 bucks somewhere on the internet it has a automatic lock on it so when you open it its not folding up on you which is why i bought it in the first place for defensive use. i use mine at work to cut irrigation pipes all day it cuts roots been stabbed into trees etc and it keeps an ok edge for what i do to it and i really like it. another great knife is a buck 112 i think they run about 40 dollars and it comes with a belt sheath locks up solid and keeps a great edge too bad i lent mine to a friend and it went missing.

 

[JShirley]

Spyderco Dragonfly should be big enough for all your small-knife tasks, and is affordable. And small enough to not be seen as a weapon by anyone with any sense at all. Just over $40, shipped.

John

 

[Sharpdogs]

I second the Kershaw Double Cross. I have one and absolutely love it. Definitely check the college's rules. You do not want to get kicked out over a pocket knife and lose a semester's tuition. Also check out the Boker Keycom is you want a really sheeple friendly knife.

 

[conw]

Here's my college game plan.

I have a Case Sodbuster Jr. for "knife" tasks. It's such a better cutter than any "tactical" I've put my hands on. Doesn't lock, but has stiff back spring. It will do everything you need a knife to do at college, seriously...and can't really be called a weapon (although there isn't a no knife policy at my college, it won't make you look bad either way).

I also carry a screwdriver stuck into a plastic cigar tube via a cork. This is for little odd jobs I need to do on my car (*yep*) - it's a great TOOL that won't hurt the user.

After hurting my ankle I've acquired a blackthorn walking stick.

And since stray dogs wander on campus, I have a Kimber Lifeact pepper spray unit that tucks IWB nicely.

All those TOOLS are not weapons since I don't plan on hurting anyone with them...

 

[sean m]

Victorinox Tinker or Alox Farmer would be on the top of my list

 

[Soap]

Thanks for posting, I was hoping you would.

Would a SAK Classic SD be fine on a key ring?
Just to have scissors, the nail file and screwdriver as the "reason".

Would a small tool such as Leatherman Micra , ( I think that is the small one with scissors, instead of pliers) be okay?

The reason I ask, is I know some restrictive business campuses and scissors, are allowed and these are used quite a bit.

Low key, low profile and everyone behaves...
Perceptions...

Lucky for him this isn't Bloomington! Purdue hasn't gone off the deep end with their rules. But, as I said earlier, I would avoid a dedicated knife. Carrying a SAK, Leatherman, etc. would keep you under the radar. As for me, I'd carry a Leatherman Charge TTi. S30V main blade and can be used for about a million different things.

Whether right or wrong, your appearance and demeanor will dictate what you get away with.

And welcome to the forum, go Boilers!

 

[Exmasonite]

can't go wrong with a benchmade mini-griptilian. 2.91" blade, i think.... great for those <3" jurisdictions. a great value at $50-70.

otherwise, the Leatherman knife series w/ the captive bit series and other tools (something like "301" "501") are pretty nice. i have 2 of them. steel isn't awesome but it was < $30 and i beat on them pretty hard.

 

[Beskytte]

If you are looking for an EDC that is 3"-4" I would suggest the Byrd line from above, I can vouch for their quality, having always had a knife or two on me. The Byrds will run from $19-$30, depending on what you want from the knife. If you want a fixed blade you can't find a better knife for the price than Frosts Mora of Sweden. Excellent steel, and very cheap. They'll run from $10-$16. I'll give a couple of links.

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1287&SetPageSize=75
http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/e...e=&SearchText=&list=50&range=1&order=PriceAsc

For the Byrd, I second the Meadowlark, the Flight is also a good one with a light blade. For a Mora, I'd suggest a "clipper", its a good utility knife.

 

[Scotticus]

The new CRKT Drifter is just under 3" blade and looks sort of tactical but is small enough that it doesn't startle people when I whip it out (the Drifter). It's in the $25 neighborhood and has a G-10 grip and 8Cr14MoV blade. http://www.crkt.com/drifter.html