My new collection of 50+ Chinese knives

Can you show how thick this knife is that is very important to my comfort and the reason I keep going back to this knife as my EDC it is so thin it disappears when clipped inside your pocket and like you I have about 2 dozen knifes to choose from to EDC.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/stainless-steel-manual-release-folding-knife-with-pouch-black-20cm-length-42353

...sanrenmu EL-01 today. Wasn't expecting much for 12 bucks, but was pleasantly surprised. Immediately took a liking to it, from the first blade-flick. Wave mod and sharpening should turn this thing into a keeper.

@ E1320:

The EL01 is very nice, but rather thick. 14 mm or 0.55" measured at the G10 scales.

Amazing buy for the dollars, isnt it? Post a pic of your wave mod if it works well with this knife.

I think it also has a thicker blade and frame pillars than similar knives in your collection.

The EL01 has the best quality in my collection, but would certainly not be my first EDC choice. The Bee L02 (especially with that deep pocket clip), or the BEE L03-2 (no clip) serve better in this role. If one carries the EDC knife in cargo pants or a jacket, the EL01 might also work as an EDC. I think that the high weight of the EL01 is the main concern, why I don't carry the EL01 on a daily basis. If you want a large leightweight, but also slim knife with a long cutting edge: Take a look at the new black SRM 939.

I keep my EL01 clipped at the rear of my front pants pocket (while wearing jeans) so it rides nearly on my hip. It stays exactly where I clip it all day long. I havent noticed any differences in carry between it and other much smaller knives throughout my daily activities - as long as I clip them in that spot, I still forget they are there... including during long bike rides.

Its interesting that you mentioned the awesome black SRM 939. Id say that this one is the best technically constructed knife in my collection. Its to bad they are out of production and supplies are drying up. The machining and design are very impressive and you'd think it costs for more. Im still waiting on several of them to arrive and plan on swapping my EL01 for a while. The large sheeps foot blade might prove more useful to me during the winter months. I have a pair of silver 939's in my collection that are in mint condition so Im saving those for now.

Comparision:

EL-01

SRM 939

Check out this excellent SRM 939 review. I love the Boker comparison toward the end.

BUY A 939 BEFORE THEY ARE ALL GONE! They are no longer being made!

Flash, looks like the wave mod is a nogo. The clip is on the wrong side for lefties to use the wave mod.

I'm open to suggestions...besides learning how to extract it from my right pocket.

Hi. First post. Does anyone have the Ganzo G704 and G701? If so, could comment on how the two compare?

Thanks

WOW! really nice collection!

WOW! Nice collection! I think i fell in love with the SRM 710 SS after seeing it in your pictures, lol.

Enlan/Bee EL-01

Its very natural to deploy for me. As soon as the knife has cleared my pocket, I use my index finger to press the blade guard (which is sticking out of the top of the knife when its folded).

Its like pressing a trigger on a firearm and easy to find. With almost no practice at all, I can deploy the blade faster than the eyes can detect, and seemingly no difference between this and a spring assisted blade. Think "handgun" when you press the trigger guard to start the blade moving. From there, a very small flick of the wrist/forearm locks the blade into position. The part that takes the most time is getting it out of your pocket, not deploying the blade.

I never did like zip ties or wave notches (pants rippers) to much.

After fiddling with mine for a while for left handed draw, I think Id be much more inclined to remove the clip and move it over to the other side of the knife. Sure, thats much easier said than done. Stainless steel is tough stuff and very difficult to drill and tap. Unless you like the knife as much as I do, I probably wouldnt even bother. For me, it would have been done a long time ago (if I were left handed). If you find that the 3 screws that hold the clip in place are not standard metric threads, you can always go with any similar standard size since you are drilling and tapping new holes. Just make sure you use the same size or the next up. You could remove the grips and drill the holes through the frame first to see how it goes. If you cant cut the SS properly, just pop the grips back on to hide the scratches.

You also might like it better without the clip and carrying it lose in your pocket (if you can live without the wave mod)

Welcome to BLF! I dont have the 701. I will say that the G704 (I have the old and new versions) are my least favorite large folding knives. The quality, fit and finish isnt even close to SRM/Sanrenmu or Enlan/Bee. Its also more expensive than most, and for why - I couldnt even guess. It isnt a bad knife. Just not up to par with the others shown here. If you like the looks, then by all means pick one up. I dont regret owning them, but they definitely should have been built to a higher standard. Especially when considering the lower prices of their superior competition.

I second this. I guess the main appeal of the G704 is that it's a large, heavy folder that looks like a H&K 14205, well, at least if you don't look too closely. I have to admit I liked it at first and it's a nice knife if you don't use it a lot. After the novelty had worn off,

Like FlashPilot said, there are more practical, large knives for the money that perform better than the G704 but of the current lineup, it's the one I'd get if I had to choose a Ganzo. It's nicer than the G701 and it's a much better knife than then G705, which has mediocre written all over it, in my honest opinion (and I am being kind here). If you decide to get the G704, make sure you get the new version. Honestly though, unless you're really into the looks of the G704, I'd suggest you take a look at what SRM, Enlan and Navy (or any of the lesser known budget brands, like Tekut) have to offer. Ganzo makes some nice multitools from what I gather (not really my specialty; I have a few but I'm a knife/gun/motorcycle guy and I think as far as expensive hobbies go, I'm good for now :D), but I find I don't carry their knives much and if I am honest I use them even less.

Oh, and welcome to BLF from me as well. :)

I blown a lot of cash in the last year on Chinese knifes, and I was lucky I found Exduct.com, Sanrenmu, Bee, Enlan, Navy, ect before I wasted too much cash on some the cool looking pure garbage knifes out there on Deal Extreme and Focalprice.

Anyway the EL-01 with the plain Jane blade in white is my fave carry knife by far, it is a awesome knife for the money, no better deal on the market. Great fit and finish, just large enough to be intimidating if need be, but not too big, and makes that awesome CLACK sound when locking up. I've got three versions of it, but the plain steel is my fave. All of my male friends will be receiving one this year along with a 502B flashlight for Christmas.

Flash, I've gotten the hang of pulling it from my left pocket and opening very quickly. Just a bit of practice.

It's not the dealbreaker, now. Opening it with the blade horizontal seems to give me a snappy deploy, without resorting to a wrist-flick assist. Call me cautious, but the last thing I want to see is my knife zingin' out of my hand toward left field, especially if something is tear-assin' my way.

I wear it inside my khakis pocket, and forget it's there during the day, whether seated or scooter-poopin' on two legs.

Buy Enlan EL-series, those are adult size ;)