The Top 10 EDC Knives OF ALL TIME!

[@lenzielenski3276]

Two Onion's on the list. I have to agree with both. The Leek kicked off my renewed interest in knives after their being on the back burner for me for years. The Ripple, especially the mini, is my definition of the perfect Gentleman's Knife. I agree on the Sage also, I have the 1,2, and 5 and adore them all. I'm a full sized Grip, though. I'd add the ZT0562 and FF Archbishop 2 and I can't believe no one mentioned the venerable SAK (pick your configuration). If you can lump all the Sages together, I'm going to lump the Spyderco Endura/Delica in there. I packed one or the other for so many years I lost count. I'll probably catch a lot of hate on this one, but the Ganzo Firebird FH-21. Its a constant reminder to me how good a "bargain/cheap" knife can be. It actually surpasses the 940/943 for me and is quite often my secondary knife. Last but not least, though I'd never carry one, it belongs on the Greatest of All Time list. The Buck 110. Its probably the most copied knife of all time and judging by its popularity (with the advent of the new light weight and auto versions especially) and longevity, may be the most sold knife of all time.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Really well said, and I agree on just about all your points. I thought about a SAK or even a Leatherman, but it just wasnt enough to crack the list. Same with the Delica. As for knife quality, my Ganzos are on par with so many of my best knives, but I haven't used AND loved them to the same extent as these 10. Not yet at least. I completely agree about the Buck. Thanks for the great comment. 👍

[@kc123photo123]

I love my Sypderco Sage... literally the perfect EDC

[@modernarnis4867]

Agree the mini griptillian is my number one go to carry of all time. Great video. Thank you

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks a lot! Glad you like the mini grip!

[@7redi]

Totally agree on the Ripple, still have my copper colored framlock version, great crkt

[@JTsKnifeLife]

One of the best CRKTs ever!

[@jmas2190]

Finally someone brought up the Domino!! The one Spyderco i will never get rid of. The responsive action so smooth one of the best flipping knives out there. No skin lose on flippin this baby all day long so smooth just make my wife insane when i play around with it. Great vid!!

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thank you, always good to see someone who enjoys the Domino!

[@charlesdudek7713]

That's a good list of knives JT. I agree with you on the Sage 5 and Leek. Those are two of my favorites. For me, two others I would add to that list would be the Kershaw Bareknuckle and Spyderco Manix 2 lw. I'm not too much of a crkt fan only because they are inconsistent but that ripple looks like a nice knife. I wish Kershaw made the dividend in 14c28n and in as many colors as the leek. Your channel has become one of my main 3 that I watch. The other two being Nick Shabazz and Slicy Dicey. Good company.

[@EefFreef]

I lost my sage 5 about a year ago and just found it today! I'd say It comes in third on my list of favorite knives as well (after the SpydieChef and Mantra) but was and will be my most frequently carried knife. Its such a good blade and I was so glad to find it

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Glad you did, would have been a real bummer to never see it again!

[@angelos5348]

That's so awesome man. That happened to me with my red g10 Delica I mean it wasn't a year but it was missing for about 5 days and then I realized the only place it could have been was the trash and I went outside digging lol trash day was the next day luckily. And lo and behold I found it at the bottom of a bag. Cleaned it up obv but the black coating has spots all over it. That's ok tho reminds me of how glad I am to have it.

[@kenmarapese9085]

I like your #1 choice with the indestructible polymer scales, they are lightweight, they don't get hot or cold, they don't absorb water or corrode and it's a very difficult material to scratch, perfect for a work knife. My beater knife, that lives in my tool bag is a Cold Steel Tuff Lite.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Mini Grips are definitely great users!

[@johnk3318]

The CRKT Ripple (aluminum black worn scales) was the one that got me fully addicted. I think I bought it at Home Depot. That's where I was looking for pocket knives then. Enjoy your content!!! Thanks

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks a lot John!

[@colestegall9882]

I love the mini Grip! I have the black one with the satin S30V blade. I heat anodized the thumb studs bronze and put a bugout deep carry pocket clip on there. Love that little combination! I think it really goes well with a small deep carry clip rather than the long clip that comes from factory. Great vid as always!

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks a lot! Very cool that you customized yours to make it your own!

[@AndWhatISeeIsME]

You made me think for a few days about this one. My personal list is pretty close to my overall list. I cheated a little, I can't pick a favorite size of RAT or Grip. I really don't dig on Spyderco, but if I had one on the list, it would be a Para II or a Tenacious. Anyway, mine are, in no particular order: RAT I/RAT II - Grip/Mini Grip - Leek - Dash - Blur - Opinel #8 - ZT0452 - Pilar - Protech TR-3 - ESEE Izula. Loving all the content!

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Ahhh, the Dash. A great USA made Kershaw that is never recognized or appreciated except by the smartest people in the community. 👍

[@JS-ix6zt]

My pocket time is dominated between Sage 5 and mini grip. Love the confirmation here.

[@twai8036]

I would recommend the Benchmade mini presidio 2 manual. Very good knife and one of their less expensive models

[@JTsKnifeLife]

It's an incredible knife. I love it.

[@Hardcorelife871]

I have the spyderco persistence and it's awesome I think it's part of the tenacious family

[@mildmannerededc]

Great vid man! I really liked your take on this open-tag... got me thinking about my favs for sure!

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks very much! What are your favorites?

[@halcooper6059]

I always like your mix of favorite knives whether pricey or inexpensive

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I appreciate that Hal, thanks very much!

[@pauljosephbuggle3722]

Not a lot of gourmets would put the mini Grip in first place. But I've got one and I get it. Nice choice, although I have tied it with the Chaparral frn.

[@jessruss40]

Great list! Guess I'm going to have to just pull the trigger and get a mini Grip. Fun fact, before CRKT made the Ripple for Ken Onion it was listed as "Ken Onion Creations" and was actually manufactured by Halpern Titanium (Three Rivers Manufacturing).

[@JTsKnifeLife]

That's interesting I didnt know that. Thank you.

[@BigRedEDC]

Awesome video JT! We have a couple of similarities for sure! Thanks for sharing!!

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Looking forward to yours!

[@BigRedEDC]

@@JTsKnifeLife just finished filming. Should go up tomorrow!

[@kyiangr7552]

Awesome content as always J!! These are great knives! Idea for a next video since many of us are stuck in our houses for the next days/weeks: Top 10 fidgeting knives. I think it'll be interesting to see your suggestions!

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Good idea my friend!

[@iansharpe8420]

My favorite edc- Large Inkosi Insingo PJ, best knife out there. It is simple, tough, ergonomic as hell, and classy. Checks all my boxes

[@JTsKnifeLife]

The Insingo blade shape is as good as it gets, in my opinion.

[@badmunkyedc1]

Great lineup of knives! The ripple is definitely high on my list, wish I didn't get rid of mine. Great action and a really easy carry. The grip/minigrip is such a great, useable line. Solid users! Great video!

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks a lot! Which Ripple did you have?

[@badmunkyedc1]

@@JTsKnifeLife I had the liner lock version. I didn't even know they had a frame lock!

[@eheritage21]

The tenacious was my gateway drug too lol. The blue weave domino is a knife that I regret getting rid of and now I can’t find it.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Hard to get your hands on nowadays.

[@jmare25]

The tenacious is what started my obsession with spyderco. My collection stands at 18 now. Which of course, includes the Sage 5!

[@groundhog5923]

Mini Griptilian is my EDC. Deploys in a flash and I always know where it is. I even bought a limited edition version mini Grip for special occasions.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

What limited edition one do you have?

[@groundhog5923]

@@JTsKnifeLife 556-1701

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Nice! That one is still on my list of things to get!

[@jessebergunder]

I dont own any of these except the bugout. Have you ever handled a bm northfork im really considering it for my next benchmade. I really like the diamond wood and the black handled version to me look great.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I had the G10 version. Like it a lot. A bit chunky in hand but in a good way.

[@randyf.9188]

Great video! I owe my Sage 5 to you. The standard mini Grip was my first over 50.00 knife. Which number Opinel do you prefer? Thank you for your content, especially now.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Sure thing Randy. I think I prefer the 8 or 9 personally.

[@NeevesKnives]

Great list 👍

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thank you!

[@angelos5348]

Great vid bro 👌 absolutely love my Domino and my dice.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Yeah, they're both great!

[@carknelson5895]

I like your number 1 I also like the original plastic handled griptilian. I really enjoy that you march to the beat of your own drum...because you have such a long history of knife collecting. Your top 10 is very diversified! Thank you for making this video.

[@LarryEMorse]

I've carried the full size Griptillian for work and found it to develop a terrible lock stick that has really put me off the Griptillian altogether. I moded it by sanding down the outside perimeter "grip" of it and doing the thumb stud replacement with zip ties for a wave effect, then it began to lock stick so badly I quit using it. 😒

[@carknelson5895]

LarryEMorse Bummer mine came with lock stick but has gotten better. Will Benchmade fix it for you?

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Sure thing Cark. Always happy to keep things interesting. Thanks for watching!

[@LarryEMorse]

I haven't tried sending it back, I just quit using it. You think it might do some good after messing with it? I guess I could try it.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

@@LarryEMorse I'd send it in, sure, and let them replace the parts. I have had a couple that stuck, but cleaning and use always worked them in over time.

[@bladecollector7]

I found out over my time anything with least moving parts is going to last the longest like any type of springs etc

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I'd say that's pretty much going to be the case, yeah.

[@AlmightyAnt300]

Are you talking about a knife like the spyderco manix would last the longest?

[@bladecollector7]

@@AlmightyAnt300 Exactly the opposite of what I’m saying

[@bladecollector7]

@@AlmightyAnt300 Eventually the spring will break

[@AlmightyAnt300]

@@bladecollector7 Ok, I thought it only happen to benchmade knives. Reason I'm trying to sell mine and won't buy another benchmade.

[@jackbn9353]

A list of these knives would be very helpful.

[@rickkerans8485]

Obviously after seeing this I am going to have to get a Sage5. I have liked the look just always went with something else. I prefer my RSK to the grip but that is personal preference. Great list interesting to hear your reasons.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks Rick, they out that Sage and let me know your thoughts!

[@rickkerans8485]

@@JTsKnifeLife I am not sure what you are saying. The Sage 5 is a really good looking knife. They are great with the compression lock and the forward choil. Hope I can afford one soon.

[@Cordova449]

Good video...at least your not a knife snob. You have high end and low end stuff and thats great

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I appreciate that. I just like what I like, and things just work out hahaha.

[@13noman1]

A fun list, not sure I agree with all of the choices. I really liked the Ken Onion designs and went into them pretty heavily for awhile but got annoyed by the deploy spring. Yes, it's easy to replace and Kershaw was always good about sending me more springs but after awhile it just got annoying. Now I've removed the spring in all of them so they're no longer assisted openers. As for Spyderco, I really like them. They became my "second wave" (not over yet) in the hobby but what annoys me about the brands is for the most part they eschew any kind of model markings -- I just have to remember which ones I have. How hard would it be for them to etch in a model name or #?

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Hahaha yeah that's true, they do keep the names off the knives. Never really thought of that before.

[@spyderg6509]

Put a mxg clip on that mini Grip brother deep clip. Peace good vid

[@Sophocles13]

No love for the Shaman or the Manix 2? Or the Griptilian? I suppose we all had our own paths to knife addiction lol.

[@wigglywrigglydoo]

Can you explain why and how they hike up the prices? The manufacturers put up the price once people like them or the resellers? So they are not usually sold at the price of functionalities and designs but charge more later because they can make more money off selling the same thing?

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Manufacturers like Spyderco and Benchmade and the other knife companies we know are able to set a minimum price for their items, meaning that distributors or retailers can't sell their knives for any less. They can adjust those prices and do so to account for inflation or any number of business needs. For that reason, a Spyderco can go up in price a lot over time even though the product hasn't really changed much.

[@wigglywrigglydoo]

@@JTsKnifeLife, got it. Thanks for that useful info.

[@jibshreder]

Great videos man! Also FIRST

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks a lot!!

[@davidpkm]

“Name a fault w this knife” it’s huge in pocket for the blade you get. That’s true of all Spydercos in general. You get the handle of a 4” blade, w a 3.5” blade, that has 3” of edge, and because of the hole, they’re twice as wide in pocket as they’d need to be.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Hmmm, The edge length is perfectly adequate for me, and my pockets aren't particularly tight or small, so the size doesnt bother me at all when I carry it. To each his own though

[@hondasaki900]

FYI there is a Cabela's exclusive mini grip. Coyote tan with unique texture.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I have one actually, yeah. I really enjoy the different scale texturing.

[@hondasaki900]

@@JTsKnifeLife I got one and sent it back. I liked the texture also, but couldn't get the blade centered and it annoyed me.

[@rong.9130]

Yeah--Mini-Grip! I prefer the G-2 sheepsfoot, but the platform is EDC perfection for me.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Hard to argue with you there!

[@mikeking6686]

THE BUG OUT IS A GREAT 60.00 KNIFE

[@usernameisusername]

:)

[@caseytyler8326]

You mean 110? Lol

[@WarGrrl3]

The mini Grip in d2 is the ONLY Benchmade I would ever purchase. I feel that folders are tools. I wouldn't pay $100+ for a screwdriver . Benchmade n Spyderco are just overpriced. Yes they are 'special' but I can find other folders at fair prices that are just as special (ie, steels, ergos, scales etc) I know all the peo that shell out huge sums of money for their spydies are gonna freak. Chill, I don't care how you spend your money, I care how I spend mine. Peace and stay well. Great vid.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

You make good points. It's important to note that so many preferences of the community do not come from need. I'll never need anything better than a Mini Grip, that's for sure.

[@WarGrrl3]

@@JTsKnifeLife THANK YOU for understanding. I used to 'collect' but when things changed do to a line of duty injury, money was no longer something I could just throw around. (Though I did have a wild time, lol) . Now I just want what works (ok, AND looks n feels good). Really do enjoy your channel and your honesty. I must say, you DO have me curious of the Domino. Ugh hope I hate it as its prob wicked expensive. Lol

[@lionknives3]

Hey JT, did you ever tried the Real Steel Griffin before?

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I had one yeah, the button lock right?

[@lionknives3]

@@JTsKnifeLife yes

[@spyderg6509]

I was never a fan of first knife 484 or something. And Opinel I had an 8 and 6 got rid not a fan. I feel same about bugout I really don’t like the mini ridiculous just a too small version of bugout. Not a fan of last one either. I dig the squid I have a few w scale mods.pm2 I have 3 I have this exact one too lol I really want the pm2 tanto looks smooth.Tenacious ok but not for.me....CR inkosi of course love mine still.any 940 variance I’m cool with.spydercos finest Domino I will never get rid of mine. Kershaw leek cool I don’t know why it’s so low. Sage 5 is my favorite I’m so glad it’s in your top 3 💯🤙🏼 Ripple is cool but naw. Grptillian us cool . They really need to start putting button locks on more traditional knives other companies kinda like the new axis lock but button instead I love button lock I have 2 Mordax. Great vid

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I 100% agree about more button locks. Can't get enough of them. The Mordax is great!

[@angelos5348]

The grip is def the best edc of all time, that or the delica

[@lindboknifeandtool]

I totally F’ed up and didn’t snag the nakamura in s90v that was on sale at my local sporting goods store for $140

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Heckuva price!

[@VarietyTop5]

good one keep it up buddy

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks a lot!

[@justinbelcher3679]

Love those Spydercos. I really liked that SS CRKT Ripple. However I don't like the Griptilian. That has to be the ugliest knife I've ever seen. However for me that's part of my criteria for owning a knife is it's aesthetics. Thanks for the video

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Hahaha to each his own. If you don't like how it looks, it doesnt matter how well it's made, that's for sure.

[@justinbelcher3679]

I have know doubt that it's made very well. It's just something about the way it looks that doesn't speak to me. I may would feel differently of I held one in my hand or used one for awhile. I use to feel the same way about Spyderco. Lol. Now, I love them.

[@sunnyrachelsson3169]

One of the best simple knives is the sage 2

[@JTsKnifeLife]

It is simple, but it's great, agreed!

[@edrader]

I've owned the sage 5 twice and the blade shape makes it a miss for EDC. love everything else about it tho

[@JTsKnifeLife]

How is it a miss?

[@edrader]

not a useful blade shape for me. try opening envelopes with it. I replaced it with sog terminus XR s35vn. much better blade shape. also about the same size and the sog lock also keeps your fingers out of the blade path like the compression lock

[@usernameisusername]

My hand is too big for the mini but great little knife

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Definitely, thanks!

[@bladecollector7]

I just snapped my opinel in half couple weeks ago

[@justinpatrickhoffman]

Cheap and easy to replace

[@thechad7803]

Can we take Strider off that big 3 list and add Shirogorov? It’s time, I know a lot of knife guys and don’t know a single one who’s ever asked me “You grab that new Strider?” You hardly even ever see Strider anymore. Not Big 3 material nowadays

[@JTsKnifeLife]

You make a strong argument. I'll consult the Overlords.

[@thechad7803]

JT's Knife Life awesome 👍🏼

[@jovanjovanovic9625]

SHEET !!!!!

[@koga8100]

Where’s the 940? Arguably one of the best edc knives ever to exist

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Did I not talk about the 943? If i did not, that's a mistake. Personally, I think it's a much better blade to cut with than the 940, but the 940 gets all the attention.

[@koga8100]

@@JTsKnifeLife the 940 is ground like an axe, but I mean it works

[@JTsKnifeLife]

@@koga8100 Yeah, it works just fine. But the 943 to me is a better blade shape and it uses the exact same handle as the 940. So again, I would call that the best and I hope I included it in this video. But I don't remember for sure since I haven't rewatched it.

[@genoedcknifecollecter1538]

For me it's the pm2 it has never let me down and stayed sharp. I don't have any locks in my knives like benchmades never been a fan nore of that paper thin carbon fiber that has that to me uggly cheap looking shine. None of my knives have those two quailtys.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Hard to argue with the PM2.

[@albertptran]

Love my Ripple

[@JTsKnifeLife]

It's one of the best!

[@patrickvanovermeeren4513]

👍👍👍😍

[@flytheskymyway]

CRKT Ripple? Hmmmm. No. No Nope. Uh uh.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

You make a great case for your point. Excellent comment.

[@flytheskymyway]

JT's Knife Life . That made me laugh. Good sarcasm. Love it

[@stevenlachance8576]

Domino fault weak detent.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Perhaps, but I've handled a bunch of them and the ones with the blue CF weave had a stronger detent than the standard scale ones did. Maybe it improved over time, but mine doesn't have a problem.