Sure has been quiet in these parts! Where'd everyone go? :)

Anyhow, I've been wondering about what people look for in an EDC knife, balisong in particular given this forum. Let's talk about your ideals, why and what you're typical uses are for.

For me, I'd like a 2-3" blade. All I ever do is general around the home/office type work - open boxes, light cardboard cutting, occassional twine cutting, etc... Something bigger gets in the way, is more visible and threatening to others and has a greater chance of slicing into whatever is in the box that I'm trying to open. ;)

On a blade that size I like a little hawkbill, it gives me more control for the light duty I do. If not a hawk then a wharncliffe.

For edc, usually two. A three inch for cutting chores and a 4 inch custom for fun.
I have cleaned more fish with a three inch bali than any other knife I own. And thats a lot of fish!
Currently carry a 35 special along with the larger one.

The small ones, for me, are easier to use for daily cutting chores.

I look first of all for something that's comfortable to carry. If I'm not comfortable carrying it then it'll stay home and it wouldn't do me any good. Next I make sure that the blade is a shape that I can use for utility purposes. I do find that while my BM42 cuts fine and does everything I need it to do, I would prefer a shorter blade. I've been looking at the 31 for awhile now and hope to pick one up one of these days.

Yeah, small blades are good for actual knifely work, but longer one's are easier to flip! :)

Navajo, those 35-spl's are pretty sweet little numbers. You carry it in a sheath or just loose in your pocket?

ghost - What do you mean comfortable carrying? Comfortable in hand or comfortable taking out in public? As far as blade shape goes, sounds like you prefer a drop point/weehawk type? Or is that just the best you've found so far and would secretly like some other shape for edc chores? :)

Originally posted by nybble
ghost - What do you mean comfortable carrying? Comfortable in hand or comfortable taking out in public? As far as blade shape goes, sounds like you prefer a drop point/weehawk type? Or is that just the best you've found so far and would secretly like some other shape for edc chores? :)
Actually, I meant comfortable as in my method of carry on my person. Take a BM4X for example, I carry mine in a balisongxtreme basic horizontal, I carry that just fine, but before I got that I wouldn't have carried it because it felt uncomfortable with it floating in my pocket. The smaller size of the 31 clipped to my pocket, would probably feel fine because it'd be similar to my other folder EDCs. I'm still not comfortable with belt sheaths so I don't really use those. As far as comfort goes for taking it out in public, sometimes I need to be discreet in my use of a knife so I like to hide it in my hand and a BM4X or larger is difficult to hide.

Regarding the blade shape for any kind of knife, my first preference is almost always a full flat ground drop point for utility. That's why I'm hoping they bring the 48 back. I dislike tantos (especially chisel grinds). I love the Imada High Hollow on my Marlowe, but I don't carry that one. I have also been wanting a wharncliffe for awhile--either bali or otherwise. I also have a thing for Dobruski's bowie blade. So many knives, so little time (and money).

Felix, I carry the 35 sp. in a current BM small sheath. I'll use it until it wears out, which will probably be nexr week. Never had a problem carrying with the sheaths that come with PCC/BM balis.


Zen, I'm with you on the 48. My favorite of the BM 40 series. Love the drop points.

I do think the smaller knives are better across domains of use, but I've always liked the 4 1/4" size for use myself. No particular reason I suppose, just a mind-set..., and pretty big hands.

John has cleaned fish, and dressed out large game animals, but I'd never try that with a Balisong unless I had to...(and unless I could take it apart...lol) <~~~ I'd get to much yucky stuff in the pivots on hidden pin models.

I've really never carried a 5+ model since they were illegal here, and never thought the old ones (Jody's) handled all that well (beautiful though!).

I actually think the BM 48 is one of the better all around profiles BM ever made even though it's not a "Custom", but I will work on Darrel for something like that soon that's "Special" :) ....(for me anyway)...