Advise on Knives.

EDC Gear for Flashlight Carriers
1

Because I’ve become a bit of a fan of folding knives, and want to share my new interest with others, I’ve started selling them on a local website (TradeMe, for those in New Zealand).

I’m some advice on what knives to import and sell.

Obviously the source is China via Aliexpress. Whilst I obviously will have to put a mark up on the items, it won’t be much, and hopefully people won’t mind paying the extra for the convenience of getting the knife in three days (New Zealand postage) rather than three weeks.

In New Zealand the rules prohibit the importation of folding knives over 10cm/4 inches so that’s an upper limit. That said, I’ve seen the Cold Steel Espada XL (19cm) being sold, so there’s obviously exemptions available. I’m just not sure I can be bothered getting one.

After being burned by some Spyderco fan who made an issue of me selling a Navy K631, I want to avoid knives that are direct copies of other brands, which leaves out Ganzo and Navy in terms of knife brands. Whilst the Sanrenmu 710 evokes some of the design cues of the small Sebenza, I don’t think it’s similar enough to create problems.

That means the main manufacturers to draw on will be Enlan and Sanrenmu. Both produce good quality for very reasonable cost.

At the moment I’m testing the waters with a couple of SRM 605s, and A123s, but I will start to bring in larger knives if those look like they’re selling.

If you were purchasing knives, and with the above limitations, what would you like to see in the available range.

My own thoughts.

Large knives, Enlan EL01 (as if there were any doubt) I’m thinking the stainless model with G10 to start with, less mall ninja than the all black. EL08? I’ve yet to get one for myself, so I might do a bulk order at one point.

Medium knives, Sanrenmu make brilliant medium knives, but I do like the Enlan L01.

Small, obviously both manufacturers do very nice little knives, although I’ve only seen “keyring” knives like the A range from Sanrenmu.

2

Check out SrJoben’s site

He sells exactly what you are interested in. I have a several Enlan/Bee knives from him; EL01, L05, L06 and all are way above the average brick & mortar brand knives. For a super nice small knife consider the EM-01, classic folder drop-point blade.

BTW Joben has a YouTube channel w/ lots of very instructive vids showcasing the Enlans and other knives he sells.

3

There are lots of good knifes in those.

On Enlans and SRMs some of my favoutites include (based on my EDC/tool rotation pool)
Large: EL01-variants (of couse), L05 with wooden handle and perhaps SRM908
Medium: EM01 (a great cheap medium knife), SRM 710, 763 and perhaps 723 if you need a slicer (the rubber coated handle feels great).
Small: SRM 603 (although some like 604/605 I do not)
Utility: SRM T21-variants or T01-variant

To get into my EDC pool it generally needs a clip and a lanyard hole. If those were not required some other nice knifes from EL and M-series would fill it more. The grip and feeling on my hand size and shape is important criteria too. (This could be quite different from one man to another!) My EDC pool is based on selected duplicates of the knifes in my collection that includes about 100 knifes, mostly Enlans, SRMs and Ganzos.

I generally like Enlan EL-series a lot but I’m not perfectly happy with their axis locks or the EL08 weight (a great knife if that does not bother you).

If the choises were not limited to Enlan/SRM only, a couple Ganzos and my Kershaws would be mentioned on the favourite EDC list as well.

Checking out Exduct might be worth it, if you want to see more about the easily available selection.

4

Of all the budget knives Ive owned, the Bee/Enlan EL-01 still remains my EDC of choice. If clipped at the rear most part of my front pocket (toward my hip), I find it no more or less obtrusive than knives half its weight and size. I hope that anyone who considers using one as a tool will find the means to acquire a copy, regardless of what a grossly incompetent government might dictate otherwise.

5

Thanks. I just grabbed some Enlan L05-1s. They’re very nice with the wooden handle. One of my favourite personal knives is the Enlan EL01D with the rosewood grips. It’s amusing really. In a world where we have synthetic this, and artificial that, one of the nicest handle materials is also one of the oldest.

6

Love my L05-1. Handle justs gets better with age and some natural oils. :slight_smile:

7

how about Mora’s OP?

8

A good knife, but I’m thinking of folding knives. :slight_smile:

9

Freman, I agree about wooden handles. I love my Opinels for that.

10

Enzo PK70? Not locking though.

11

I don’t think I could buy it at a low enough price to sell it for a profit.

12

get something in carbon steel - holds a great edge

13

of all the knives i have sold from srm,enlan,ganzo and navy…i noticed that the enlan el01B is one of the most asked about knife here…

14

The black finished plain edge?

I bought one myself, possibly based on something I read here. It’s a cool knife, but I think I should have put duct tape along the blade before using my Edge Faux sharpener on it. Black paint scuffs easily.

15

Freman, since you are in NZ have you thought about Svord? They make these little friction folders amongst other things:
http://www.svord.com/pages/Pocket%20&%20Peasant%20Knives%20index.htm

16

I own a couple of peasant folders, they’re very nice little knives.