What's your go-to carry when you can't decide?

[JoviAl]

.....
Sat to Sunday - Chaparral LW SE
...
I didn’t realise just how much I prefer SE until I wrote this

I get you!

I actually somehow try NOT to prefer SE that much, cause PE means a lot more options when it comes to Spyderco models and most sharpening gear is rather trimmed towards PE.

... but I can't. A good spyderedge overall just is superior in EDC folders in my personal use (of course the milage of many others may (and does) vary).

...And we've talked about it in another thread: That new unbelievable king of cutting monsters Chap SE did not exactly help in bringing me back to PE...

I was just sat with my youngest son, showing him how to eat an apple off of a knife without cutting himself when the notification of your quote came up. I thought to myself “Ooh, I wonder what Gernot is saying?” and opened up my browser to find your litany of praise for the SE Chap LW…as I was cutting up the apple in question…with an SE Chap LW
IMG_3529.jpeg

Edit:

As for the wanting to like PE I know exactly what you mean - in my head I call it ‘The Bread Knife Conundrum’, in that a serrated bread knife is probably the least exciting but most utilitarian knife in an average person’s kitchen (in part because the average person doesn’t know how to sharpen their PE kitchen knives, whereas the bread knife scallops remain sharp long after the PE edges have succumbed to abuse ). A fancy PE mirror edge looks so nice.

What really impresses me these days is not a shiny PE mirror edge, but an SE mirror edge - that takes some real effort and dedication!

[JoviAl]

Don’t you just love it when you get the ‘edit’ pencil icon and the ‘quote’ quotation marks icon mixed up?

[SaltyCaribbeanDfly]

Like PB&J

[Paul Ardbeg]

Manix 2 or GB2.

[yablanowitz]

What is this "decide" you speak of? Have you only one tiny pocket? Cargo pants bypass the decision making process since there is room to carry a dozen or more at a time.

[Bolster]

What is this "decide" you speak of? Have you only one tiny pocket? Cargo pants bypass the decision making process since there is room to carry a dozen or more at a time.

From the MNOSD thread:

[James Y]

Wearing cargo socks with multiple knives in them would probably be like wearing ankle weights.

Jim

[Tristan_david2001]

Caly 3 and calypso jr are my signature edc’s sometimes I’ll switch it up just for joy or ill carry something else if i know im doing something particular and I know I have a different knife more functional for the task. But generally sals calys do me just right for edc folder

[Halfneck]

My Delica

I've carried a Spyderco Delica of some sort since it was released. I've used it on duty as an EMT, and as an Army Medic in the Infantry. I then gifted that one to a soldier in my squad in need of a good knife. Later I replaced it with a newer version that I carried as a Med Tech and Cub/Boy Scout leader. I've used it to cut seatbelts, slingloads, medical tape, paracord, and clothing. I've opened boxes of x-ray developing fluid, sawed wet to dry cast material, and taught the Scout Whittling Chip course. Not once has it failed me.

I'm a knife-nut and have more knives than days of the month. If I'm unsure what knife to carry I default to my Spyderco Delica. After all these years a Delica just feels natural in my hand, I can manipulate it & change grips without even looking at it.

Cool ! I knew you are a dedicated Delica boy but your writing inspired me. Which is your all time favorite Delica ? Sorry for the off topic but I am just curious since I am also a Delica fan boy.
P.S When I can’t decide, my default go to carry is the Opinel nr.8 Carbone. Supreme slicer. From the Spyderco bunch I usually grab my moded Salt1. That being said I allways(no exception) have some teeth on me, the Dragonhawk being the king in this department.

Currently just have 2 - FFG VG10 in Brown and a SE ZDP-189 in British Racing Green. 99% of the time I grab the FFG version. Hoping I've been good this Christmas & get a 3rd in Super Blue.

[Albertaboyscott]

Manix XL crucarta. **** that's a sweet knife

[Sharp Guy]

I just look in one of my knife boxes and grab something I haven't carried in awhile or at all. Sometimes I have something in mind and something else catches my eye

[Michal O]

In most cases

[Rival22]

My Sage 5 is like that comfy pair of jeans that just fits right.

[SpeedHoles]

Caly 3 and calypso jr are my signature edc’s sometimes I’ll switch it up just for joy or ill carry something else if i know im doing something particular and I know I have a different knife more functional for the task. But generally sals calys do me just right for edc folder

I like the way you think. Often the same.


To add to that, a Delica is quite often one I'll grab quickly also but that probably has more to do with how many of them I have laying around the house and are within easy reach.

But, fortunately for me, I can usually decide based on whether I'm headed to an office or semi formal setting, versus heading outside, somewhere casual, or to an activity based location. Then I'll decide more based on size and where it'll fit. So the undecided factor isn't one that often strikes me...

[vivi]

I never have issues deciding.

If I'm in a big hurry and want to grab something I know can handle everything, I'd reach for a Pacific Salt and Leatherman Rebar.

pac salt has been dethroned by the dlc millie 2.

[Jeb]

For me, it's always been the Police4, but since getting the Manix2xl it has been the main heavy weight in my back right pocket, so now the unbalanced right front pocket that has been the Endura4 is being challenged lol. Jury is still out on it.

[kobold]

Chaparral, Native, Pioneer X.

[8th_Note]

In most cases

Kizer is my 2nd favorite brand, after Spyderco of course. If I'm not carrying my Mili 2, my other go to is a Kizer Brat. Integral G10 handle, the strongest button lock I've ever seen, 3.5" HFG in 154CM, and a flipper action that would be impressive on a knife that costs 5x as much.

And Kizers make the most satisfying "ting" sound when the blade hits the stop pin.

[Tristan_david2001]

Caly 3 and calypso jr are my signature edc’s sometimes I’ll switch it up just for joy or ill carry something else if i know im doing something particular and I know I have a different knife more functional for the task. But generally sals calys do me just right for edc folder

I like the way you think. Often the same.


To add to that, a Delica is quite often one I'll grab quickly also but that probably has more to do with how many of them I have laying around the house and are within easy reach.

But, fortunately for me, I can usually decide based on whether I'm headed to an office or semi formal setting, versus heading outside, somewhere casual, or to an activity based location. Then I'll decide more based on size and where it'll fit. So the undecided factor isn't one that often strikes me...

Yeah, and im often surprised how underrated the Calypso/Caly family of designs are amongst the knife community and especially the spyderco fanbase. I get that probably has quite a bit to do with the exclusivity of their releases, but it’s quite a special knife. I think by intention it’s Sals most refined design concept for a modern every day carry pocket knife. Theyre pretty much the only designs that implements all the classic design trademarks spyderco is most known for implementing; leaf shape blade, a choil and thumb ramp, mid-lockback mechanism, handle swell style handle that negatively arches down from the blade, Japanese manufactured, but specifically in Moki; to enhance the designs quality and specialty. Slim a compact size but strong enough to be thrown into really any task for a knife. I feel like they were designs made for me, which is a feeling I’ve never really got with any other designs, perhaps I just agree a lot with sals design style. I also really enjoy how they knives feel very refined in also an artistic sense, designs which really symbolize the spyderco design language. And I always enjoy when something highly functional can also have a very artistic aesthetic.

[SpeedHoles]

Caly 3 and calypso jr are my signature edc’s sometimes I’ll switch it up just for joy or ill carry something else if i know im doing something particular and I know I have a different knife more functional for the task. But generally sals calys do me just right for edc folder

I like the way you think. Often the same.


To add to that, a Delica is quite often one I'll grab quickly also but that probably has more to do with how many of them I have laying around the house and are within easy reach.

But, fortunately for me, I can usually decide based on whether I'm headed to an office or semi formal setting, versus heading outside, somewhere casual, or to an activity based location. Then I'll decide more based on size and where it'll fit. So the undecided factor isn't one that often strikes me...

Yeah, and im often surprised how underrated the Calypso/Caly family of designs are amongst the knife community and especially the spyderco fanbase. I get that probably has quite a bit to do with the exclusivity of their releases, but it’s quite a special knife. I think by intention it’s Sals most refined design concept for a modern every day carry pocket knife. Theyre pretty much the only designs that implements all the classic design trademarks spyderco is most known for implementing; leaf shape blade, a choil and thumb ramp, mid-lockback mechanism, handle swell style handle that negatively arches down from the blade, Japanese manufactured, but specifically in Moki; to enhance the designs quality and specialty. Slim a compact size but strong enough to be thrown into really any task for a knife. I feel like they were designs made for me, which is a feeling I’ve never really got with any other designs, perhaps I just agree a lot with sals design style. I also really enjoy how they knives feel very refined in also an artistic sense, designs which really symbolize the spyderco design language. And I always enjoy when something highly functional can also have a very artistic aesthetic.

Agree.
Discussion trends do cycle around in waves though I do notice...
Caly may come back into spotlight eventually.

It's interesting to note how much focus has been seemingly taken away from the Caly line and yet still fuels the UKPK, but with little discussion how similar they are at the root.