Everyday Carry Knives for the Distinguished Gentleman

By AMOS KWON 

Aside from the absolute essentials, like keys, phone and wallet, there’s one other indispensable item that adds daily convenience to your life: a good folding knife. It opens packages, cuts rope or cord, carves food when needed and, heaven forbid, can help defend against an assailant. An EDC knife should be slim enough to carry without being cumbersome, but still be accessible and functional. We’ve selected eight great knives that will work well without working big — ones that you’ll carry with comfort and still remain prepared for just about anything.

MORE SHARP THINGS: Opinel Bon Apetit Table Knives | How to Sharpen a Knife | 5 Great Axes

CRKT Argus

Best Quick-Draw Knife: Designed by renowned knifesmith Matthew Lerch, the Argus takes ECD knife carry to the next level (it’s a patented design). The Argus is a sculpted beauty with a curvaceous cold-forged aluminum handle, but it’s the Fire Safe mechanism that makes this beauty handy. Fire Safe prevents the blade from accidentally deploying in your pocket, and it is paired with CRKT’s famous Outburst spring-loaded one-handed opening feature, so the knife is as quick on the draw as Wyatt Earp. The short, curved pocket clip is easy to use and low-key, and the convenient liner lock lets you easily close it with one hand — in case you’re out toimpress someone.

CRKT Argus Specs
Blade Length: 3.55 inches
Blade Material: AUS 8
Blade Type: plain edge, drop point, flat grind
Handle Material: cold-forged aluminum
Weight: 4.2 ounces

BUY NOW: $130

A.G. Russell Medium Barlow Lockback

Best Heritage Knife: The Barlow style goes back to 1600s England, and it was used by the likes of our first president, George Washington. Its one- or two-blade setup is no nonsense, and the metal bolster and curved teardrop handle make for good balance and comfort. A.G. Russell has updated the Barlow with a modern Zulu spear point for strength and piercing capability, along with an elongated finger-pull slot for easy blade deployment. It also comes with a lock back, instead of the traditional non-locking Barlow slip joint, giving this knife added security. There’s no clip necessary, since the Medium Barlow fits conveniently in your pocket.

A.G. Russell Medium Barlow Specs
Blade Length: 2-7/8 inches
Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV high-carbon stainless steel
Blade Type: plain edge, Zulu spear point, flat grind
Handle Material: Cocobolo wood, Delrin, Rucarta
Weight: 2.9 ounces

BUY NOW: $35-$45

Benchmade Mel Pardue 531BK Slim Knife

Best Tactical Knife: If you’re an under-the-radar, always-be-prepared kind of guy, this is your blade. The 531BK takes everything about the beloved slim 530 and makes it better. Not only does it possess a sharp and stealthy black tactical blade, it also provides a high-quality, grippy G10 handle (that beats the old grivory in the 530). The 531 also adds a stunning herringbone relief that looks as good as it grips. The incredibly slim coffin-style handle stays low-key in your pocket, and the patented Axis lock system lets you deploy and fold one-handed. The ambidextrous thumb studs let you use either hand, and the centrally located pocket clip means you can also switch sides without remounting the clip. And, best of all, it’s a blade that looks like it came straight from a special ops group’s chest of goods.

Benchmade Mel Pardue 531BK Specs
Blade Length: 3.25″
Blade Material: 154CM stainless steel
Blade Type: plain edge, modified drop point, flat grind
Handle Material: G10
Weight: 2.1 ounces

BUY NOW: $145

Opinel No. 8 Vinland Damascus

Best Artful Knife: The toughest part about this limited-edition Opinel No. 8 is knowing whether to use it or stare at it. The thing is bloody gorgeous, with its textured Damascus finished blade and a dark ebony wood handle. Powder technology on the stainless steel blade makes everything pop in stunning concentric waves, and no knife has the same blade pattern. And Opinel’s unique collar lock rotates with a twist of the fingers for easy folding. This knife is limited to 500 units, so you’d best get your hands on this very collectible EDC. Don’t let your buddy borrow it to peel potatoes.

Opinel No. 8 Vinland Damascus Specs
Blade Length: 3.25 inches
Blade Material: Damascus steel
Blade Type: plain edge, clip point, flat grind
Handle Material: ebony wood
Weight: 1.9 ounces

BUY NOW: $300

SOG Slimjim

Best Low-Profile Knife: Careful with this sharpie. It’s thin, light and qualifies as the slimmest assisted-open knife made today. It’s made from a single piece of stainless steel, the assisted open is light and fast, and the strategically placed grips and cutouts make for easy cutting. It also has a secure open and close mechanism with thanks to its patented blade retention lock. Drop it inside a suit pocket or along the pocket seam of your dress slacks, and no one will be the wiser.

SOG Slimjim Specs
Blade Length: 3.18 inches
Blade Material: AUS-8
Blade Type: plain edge, clip point, hollow grind
Handle Material: 420 stainless steel
Weight: 2.4 ounces

BUY NOW: $65

Boker Urban Trapper

Best Featherweight Knife: Though the Slimjim might be the thinnest, Boker’s Urban Trapper wins the weight game. At only 1.7 ounces, the Trapper’s barely-there bantamweight provides its carrier with unburdened carry capability. The titanium handle has large cutout holes to lighten the load, and the slender 3.5-inch VG-10 blade retains a super-sharp edge. The framelock is subtle and functional, as is the blade flipper that deploys with a touch of effort from your index finger.

Boker Urban Trapper Specs
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
Blade Material: VG-10 stainless steel
Blade Type: plain edge, clip point, hollow grind
Handle Material: titanium
Weight: 1.7 ounces

BUY NOW: $67

Buck Spitfire

Best-Value Knife: The American-made Spitfire is specifically designed for the demands of EDC, with an ultra-easy one-handed blade hole opening and a convenient clip that can mount on either side of the handle. Buck chose strong and lightweight aluminum for the handle, and the blade uses standard Buck 420HC steel that’s corrosion-resistant and holds a sharp edge as well. The Spitfire mounts best on waistbands or on front pockets of thicker pants or jeans. And just so you know they have style in mind, Buck lets you choose from three different colors: gray, green and orange. They’ve intentionally kept anything resembling red off the blade, thankfully.

Buck Spitfire Specs
Blade Length: 3.25 inches
Blade Material: 420HC stainless steel
Blade Type: plain edge or partially serrated, drop point, hollow grind
Handle Material: anodized aluminum
Weight: 3.2 ounces

BUY NOW: $50

Fallkniven FH9 Black Hawk

Best Edge-Keeping Knife: Fallkniven doesn’t mess around when it comes to their blades, and the FH9 Black Hawk folder follows that ethos. It’s a Barlow-style knife that uses Fallkniven’s own uniquely developed laminated cobalt steel for a razor-sharp edge and long edge retention. Combined with handsome black linen micarta and a curved, contrasting bolster, the FH9 also fits the gentleman’s aesthetic, sporting an old-world design and new-world materials. Never has cutting the crust off your sandwiches in the company lunchroom looked more distinguished.

Fallkniven FH9 Black Hawk Specs
Blade Length: 2.5 inches
Blade Material: laminated cobalt steel
Blade Type: plain edge, drop point, flat grind
Handle Material: Micarta
Weight: 2.9 ounces

BUY NOW: $166

via GEARPATROL

Easy Rider

The photographer and motocross fanatic takes his family to the races

“My dad was – and still is – racing pre-war British motorcycles as a hobby, and we spent some great family weekends supporting him from the side of the tracks,” says photographer and filmmaker Dimitri Coste of how he caught the motor racing bug. 

“My goal is to get closer to what amateur racing was back in the day”

Continuing the family tradition, Coste’s friend Thibaut Grevet, a fellow skateboarding enthusiast who helms counterculture magazine The Diggest, captured the Paris-born petrol head doing what he loves best in today’s film, which features a narration by his six-year-old daughter Paz and 10-year-old son Zephyr.

When he’s not traveling the world shooting often high-octane campaigns for brands including March LA.B, Vans and Renault, Coste spends as much time on the track as possible. “I mostly race outside of France,” he says. “The spirit is different and less judgmental – all round good vibes. People are truly passionate and honest about it.”

How did you become interested in American culture? Dimitri Coste: I like the way Americans modified and raced British bikes in the 50s and 60s; they seem to always find a way to make things look cool, attractive and sexy, and their ability to enjoy simply and put on great shows and events always impresses me.  

What's your ultimate motorcycle-related ambition? DC: I’m working on it and its called O.S.F.A. (@osfa67): one motorcycle that can do it all. Since 2010 I have raced a 1967 Triumph in all kinds of races, allowing myself to change only the tires and handlebar depending if it’s off-road or asphalt. My goal is to get closer to what amateur racing was back in the day: to experience, travel and meet great people. It’s not a trophy quest at all – it’s all about doing it... and looking good too!

And career highlight so far? DC: Racing is a passion and a hobby, and even if I’m quite active I’m not making it a career. However, highlights would be winning the Catalina Grand-Prix in 2010, finishing the Pikes Peak International Hill-Climb alive in 2011, racing and winning the Hell On Wheels Moto-X in Japan in 2014, racing choppers at Dirt Quake, and winning Return to Del Mar Short Track a couple of weeks ago. Every time I get to race or ride on a motorcycle it’s always a blast and a huge source of pure pleasure – and a way to truly feel alive.

Matchless G50 classic racer could be an ideal Goodwood contender

Looking to go classic motorcycle racing in 2015? Built by a well-known marque specialist, this 1960-specification Matchless G50 could be your winning ticket to ride…

Lighter than a Manx

The 500cc Matchless G50 was developed in 1958 by Associated Motorcycles (AMC) at the former Matchless works in London from the highly successful 350cc AJS 7R. Approximately 180 factory G50s were made up to 1963. A race-winning package in the late Fifties, the G50 was lighter than its main competitor the Manx Norton, and as result was often more competitive on tighter, short circuits.

Featuring the frame number ‘GBLW’ (George Beale Light Weight), this example features a CSR engine, the type originally fitted to the street-legal G50 CSR. The CSR was produced by Matchless for homologation purposes so that it could race in the AMA series in the USA. According to the seller, the machine is in good condition, requiring only light recommissioning after a period of long inactivity. The bike might make an ideal contender for Goodwood's Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy race.

You can find several Matchless motorcycles in the Classic Driver Market.

Bardot’s iconic Riva will cross the block at Lake Como

The 1959 Riva Super Florida owned by movie starlet Brigitte Bardot is one of two Riva speedboats due to be auctioned at the upcoming RM Sotheby’s sale at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza, Lake Como, Italy.

A gift from her former husband

Named by the famous French actress as ‘Nounours’, hull no. 341 was purchased from the Italian boat maker at the Monaco Boat Service branch in 1959 on behalf of Bardot’s former husband, film director Roger Vadim. It was later presented as a gift to Bardot, who regularly moored it at her St Tropez villa, ‘La Madrague’. Presented with an pre-auction estimate of €80,000 - €120,000, the fully restored vessel is featured in countless books and magazines covering Bardot’s career and presents a fantastic opportunity to own an iconic piece of 1960s Cote d’Azur ‘jet-set’ history. Built by Riva Carlo at his Lake Iseo yard, Rivas are renowned for their beautifully hand-crafted wooden decks and hulls, range of powerful engines and exquisitely trimmed interiors.

Not one, but two Rivas

A second Riva, hull no. 652 ‘Shaheen’, a Riva Aquarama Special previously owned by Sheikh Hamad-al-Thani, Emir of Qatar is also being offered at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como, Italy, 23 May. A sought-after series II Aquarama Special powered by two V8 Riva 350 engines, ‘Shaheen’ is named after a species of hunting falcon found in the Middle East. The vessel was always kept in Switzerland, however, and benefits from its original Swiss registration documents. The present owner has spared no expense in maintaining the boat, which was extensively restored by RAM Sarnico between 2003 and 2005. Estimate: €350,000 - €500,000.

Augustin Sabatié-Garat, specialist at RM Sotheby’s, said: “In recent years we have had the privilege of presenting numerous interesting and valuable classic boats at auction, and the two Rivas on offer at Villa Erba are two very fine examples indeed. Both herald from the Italian lakes, so it is wonderful and highly appropriate to bring them back to Lake Como to be sold.”

Photos: RM Auctions

The Classic Driver Market also contains a wide range of luxury speedboats.