EDC Folder Sweet 16 2024
In honor of the NCAA tournament going on this weekend, I thought I would post my EDC Folder Sweet 16. There were a one that I posted on the site’s IG feed that had a Roosevelt, but I am not convinced that is a knife that fits. Not only is it pretty expensive, its not better than the stuff on this list, generally. I am a big Roosie skeptic.
Before we get to my reasoning, let’s lay the reviews.
I really tried to pair knives with their positions pretty well. I think they all hit just about right. I do think the two #1 seeds are pretty clearly my favorite knives. I also think the #2 seeds are similarly good. There are a few places where the ranks don’t necessarily match the item’s score, but this is for fun, so don’t think to hard about it.
Division 1, Round 1
The N2 is pretty clearly a better knife than the EDZ, even though the EDZ is quite good. Its basically the EDZ without the flaws. The Sebenza is a very good knife, one of the best on the market, but so is the PM2. If this was my PM2 Ultra from Blades We Love, it would definitely win, but the stock PM2’s lock is a bit pinchy. The Deka and Bugout were paired on purpose and while the Bugout is the original, I feel the Deka is just better- cheaper and with better steel. The Rockwall replaced the Roosie as it is a similar knife but cheaper (and in my opinion, better). I really love the 395 and this was a close fight, but the Rockwall is so damn good. If any knife is underranked, it is this one.
Division 2, Round 1
While I really, really love the CRKT Squid II, the DFII is a classic. It is the practically perfect EDC knife, though there are currently no versions that carry a steel I love. I am assuming this is K390, which is an excellent steel, but a bit below my top tier favorites. The M390 version I have from DLT Trading is a god-tier knife. The SDB Micro Evo is one of the very best knives made, so it bests the very good Otter. Similarly, both the Barlow and the ZT0545 were great, but the Barlow is a smidge better. This might be shocking, but the Riv is probably one of my favorite knives ever and so it beats the really great Mini Synapse.
Division 1, Round 2
I have already done a “Better than Sebenza” this match up, but even price blind I like the N2 better than the Sebenza. The Deka and the Rockwall not a particularly close fight. I love the Deka. It is an easy rec. But pick up the Rockwall and you will immediately notice it is a better knife.
Division 2, Round 2
I have two impulses—nice stuff and well designed stuff. The Micro Evo vs the DFII is that fight writ large. I like well designed stuff better, and so the DFII wins. As between the Barlow and the Riv, it was the closest match of the tournament, but in the end the curvy masterpiece wins and the Riv moves on.
Division 1, Round 3
Yeesh…the N2 vs. the Rockwall. This is a pretty much dead heat. In the end, I don’t think you could go wrong with either knife, but the N2 wins. Like a Lotus, its best feature is lightness.
Division 2, Round 3
The Riv and the DFII are pretty similar designs and if I were a bit more ritzy of a person, I’d probably opt for the Riv, but in the end, less cost makes me happy.
Championship Round
As between the N2 and DFII, the N2 wins because the DFII currently available lacks the great steel choice that the N2 offers.
These are all pretty good knives and you’d be happy with any of them in your pocket, but the N2 is the best knife out there right now.
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