The PERFECT EDC knife is...

[Mako109]

Caly 3.5
...or PM2 (but only w/ 3rd party deep pocket clip).

Almost forgot, Ed Schemp's Khukri! Especially after I installed a deep pocket clip.

[dplafoll]

Now, I suppose if you wanted to know my most-carried...

Untitled by dplafoll, on Flickr

[SpyderNut]

I tend to agree with Paul; "The" perfect EDC knife probably doesn't exist--which is a good thing, because a lot of us would otherwise see a quick end to our Spyderco collecting.

Having said that, the current "perfect-for-me" EDC would have to be the Ladybug or Manbug. Both are small and unobtrusive, but are easily stowed in dress pants/slacks. Most folks hardly even seem to notice when I pull a LB out to slice something.

[dwong]

the C15:

[Igi964]

Hard to pick. My favourite one was changed many times over the years. Right now it's Manix 2 S110V in G10 with Casey deep clip, its perfection. We'll see how long;)

[vivi]

Start with a Para 2.

Now make the knife just a tad bigger, maybe 10% across the board.

Only drill it for RH tip up carry and remove the lanyard hole.

Next, make all the hardware titanium.

The blade will be H1. It will still be full flat ground.

The factory edge will be ground at 8-10DPS.

The pivot will already have red loctite on the threads.


That would be the perfect folding EDC knife to me.

When it comes to stock knives its a toss-up between the Millie, Para 2, Police 3 and Pacific Salt for me. They all have their pros and cons. Millie has the best ergos but its only tip down, Police has a thinner blade which cuts very well, Para has the best lock and Pacific Salt is rust proof and super light.

[tangent]

For me, it used to be the Delica 4...but ever since I bought a Native 5 LW, I now prefer it over the D4. To be clear, it took a while to get used to it, but now I am completely used to it and totally appreciate the choil as well. Awesome knife.

I would love to see a yellow or orange version with LC200N...that'd be great.

[ejcr98]

DF2 in ZDP-189. Looking forward to the Li'l Native with a compression lock. If the blade length is just a tad below 2.5" inches, it may just unseat the DF2 at the top of the list.

[Spook410]

Gayle Bradley Air

[Ryno]

I don't see any reason why Sal and Co. would stop developing small knives.
As for your question, that's so subjective as to be nigh-impossible to answer. But, if someone asks me "what's the best Spyderco for EDC?", my response is "what size?", and based on the answer, I point them to a Dragonfly on the small end, PM2 on the larger end, and in the middle I ask them their preferences on a choil and handle materials. Based on that further qualification, I recommend one of Delica, Sage, or Native.

Definitely DF2 when it needs to be compact and PM2 otherwise. I like the Delica when I want a normal size pocket knife that's really light.

[bh49]

I am with Paul as well. There is no such thing like perfect EDC, especially if we are talking about production knives. But Native5 and Calys are very close.

[SF Native]

For me, it used to be the Delica 4...but ever since I bought a Native 5 LW, I now prefer it over the D4. To be clear, it took a while to get used to it, but now I am completely used to it and totally appreciate the choil as well. Awesome knife.

I would love to see a yellow or orange version with LC200N...that'd be great.

I so want a red with black blade like the never summer model but with a plain edge (not combo). That would be hot.

[IR192]

For me it has always gone:
1- Manix2 Lightweight (S110V/XHP)
2- Endura4 (HAP40/ZDP)
3- Tasman Salt SE

But I recently acquired my first PM2 (Cruwear, yeah!), and wearing a Casey clip it is seeing more and more time in pocket. That compression lock is just so... Good.

[Knutty]

I don't like small knives. Most of what I need a knife for is breaking down boxes, and I don't like using any blade less than 3.25" for that. If you stay with blades that length and beyond but still care about weight, the list of options is rather short. So, an FRN Stretch is where it's at for me.

I never flouted my workplace's (stupid) no weapons policy, but if I did, I'd put a small knife on a chain around my neck. Can't get much more discreet than that (not without walking funny, anyway). Fortunately for me, I work from home, and rarely have to go in.

[JD Spydo]

I don't like small knives. Most of what I need a knife for is breaking down boxes, and I don't like using any blade less than 3.25" for that.

As time goes by I'm getting the same way myself. Because for about 2 years I EDCed my Burgundy ZDP-189 Caly jr>> but as time went on I found myself needing and wanting a bigger blade on a daily basis. My two main EDCs at this time are my C-36 Military ( M390 & XHP) along with my Spyderedged companion Stainless RESCUE model. Or on occasion I have one of my dearly beloved SE Hawkbill blades as a companion blade as well.

Since I've been only using those full sized folders as my main EDCs I've found that I really do much better having a bigger blade handy. Oh I could barely get by with a blade around 3 inches or so>> but I can't tell you how many times I wished I had a bigger blade with me.

But for those of you who opt to use smaller folders I will say that Spyderco is also the king of smaller folders as well. No matter what size you choose Spyderco has a great selection overall.

[bdblue]

For me the near-perfect EDC is the PM2. I have 5 different variations but I think I like the jade/M4 version best. I could probably come up with some minor ways to improve it but I'm happy with it the way it is. The PM2 size works well for me but it is the smallest knife I carry, I don't want anything smaller for EDC.

[bh49]

I don't like small knives. Most of what I need a knife for is breaking down boxes, and I don't like using any blade less than 3.25" for that.

Did you ever tried a boxcutter? I recently did. I had to open about 80+ boxes within one day. It works like a charm. Thin blades rule.

[jtoler_9]

Hap40 Stretch gets my vote.

[Knutty]

I don't like small knives. Most of what I need a knife for is breaking down boxes, and I don't like using any blade less than 3.25" for that.

Did you ever tried a boxcutter? I recently did. I had to open about 80+ boxes within one day. It works like a charm. Thin blades rule.

Yes, and they're about 2.25" below my stated minimal blade length of choice.

[Bdubs808]

The Native 5 LW has become my preferred EDC/utility Spyderco. This is after months of rotating between Caly 3, Mantra 1 and 2, Sage 1 and 5, Delica VG10 and HAP40. I've been rotating Dragonfly 2 in three different steels over 2 years; Native wins. All of the above are perfect, in their own way :spyder:

I usually will have something bigger on me as well, PM2 or Manix 2 or Military.

I'm receiving a G10 Native 5 (S110V) tomorrow, and I'm certain I will prefer it over the LW. I'll see how it is after I install a Lynch NW clip on :cool: