Combo Edge 30 Day Challenge - 2/1/2025 - 3/2/2025

[SubMY]

Day 30



Last day, I actually do like an appreciate a serrated edge on a rough and tough user knife. So as an EDC knife I think they're good. But as with most things there's a time and place for everything.

[AzteCypher]

Day 30

Thanks to ElevenBlade for hosting this challenge.  I didn't get to use my Leek today so here's a glamour shot instead.  I too didn't consider feather sticks at all but I'm going  to give it a try as I may start including a SE in our goto bag.   

[nate j]

This challenge has inspired me to try the Myerchin Ti Crew Pro (CE) as part of my hiking and camping gear, replacing the Myerchin Ti Crew (PE).

More to come after I get a chance to test it some.

[Barry Rowland]

 

[AzteCypher]

Those are pretty neat.  I'm interested in hearing what you think of them.

[Dane]

Those look great Nate. I'll second what Aztec said:
 Please consider sharing your thoughts on them here.

[nate j]

Ask and ye shall receive…

Note on Generation 1 vs. Generation 2 Myerchins:  Generation 1 (retired) were made in Japan.  There are a few differences , but the easiest way to identify a Gen 1 is by the very substantial lanyard attachment point, which is also the means to unlock both blade and marlin spike.  These are getting more difficult to find.  Generation 2 (current) are made in China or Taiwan.  They have only a small piece of wire for a lanyard attachment point, and feature more conventional frame locks or liner locks (depending on handle material).  Because Gen 2 are current production and much more readily available, I’ll be talking about Gen 2 models, unless I specifically state Gen 1.

The Ti Crew (PE) has been riding in my hiking & camping bag for years.  I really carry it for the marlin spike, which is a bit short (but long enough for the rope and cordage I generally deal with).  It is nicely curved (which I prefer over a straight spike), and polished so it slides easily against the rope.  The point of the spike is not as sharp as some other marlin spikes that I own, which has both advantages and disadvantages.  On the positive side, you’re much less likely to accidentally pierce either the rope or yourself.  On the negative side, it can’t be used as an awl or punch to put holes in things, and it is also not as effective for finer cordage, jewelry chain, etc.  (Though in my experience, the fine stuff is best handled with a SAK corkscrew or even straight pins, depending size and material.)

The blade is also quite short.  Much shorter than I prefer, especially for an outdoors knife.  The shackle key is cleverly located to also serve as a thumb hole to OHO the blade.  Additionally, the blade has a flipper tab, but the blade is too light for this to work really well.  The flipper is much more effective on the larger Captain.  YMMV, but I would probably recommend the larger Captain over the smaller Crew to anyone considering carrying a Myerchin as their primary knife.

I’m not wild about the modified sheepsfoot blade shape for general utility, and would like to see a clip point or spear point option, even if it meant losing the shackle key.  But I understand the design choice for a rigging knife.

Blade and spike both lock via independent frame locks on Ti models (liner locks on models with other handle materials).

The pocket clip is quite serviceable, but is configured for right-hand tip-down carry only.  There is a minor issue with the frame locks on Ti models snagging pocket material on the draw, but not a dealbreaker IMO.  Models with other handle materials don’t have this issue and are also more comfortable in hand than the Ti models; but the Ti weigh less and are easier to clean.

The lanyard attachment point is just a bent piece of wire.  I don’t think I would trust it for anything.  If they were going to be that lazy/cheap with it, they should have either just put a through hole in the handle or left it off entirely.

Overall quality is pretty decent though.  Lockup is generally solid with no play.  I have about half a dozen Myerchins altogether, and the only real issue I’ve encountered is that the spike on my Ti Crew Pro is more difficult to unlock than it ought to be; I suspect the lock clearances are just a bit off of what they should be.

I’m not usually a sheath or belt pouch guy, and these knives are no exception.  But they do come with a nylon sheath with velcro closure.  It is designed to accommodate either vertical or horizontal belt carry.

Ultimately, at only 2.4 oz, the Ti Crew (PE) was a worthwhile addition to my gear for the marlin spike alone, though I didn’t really use the blade.  I’m typically carrying other blades that are better.

The recent change is that I’ve swapped out the Ti Crew (PE) and swapped in the Ti Crew Pro (CE).  If nothing else, it will give me a CE/mostly SE option when the rest of the knives I’m carrying are probably PE.  And if it proves to be good for feather sticks, it will be a worthwhile upgrade indeed.


Clockwise, starting at 12:00…

Gen 2 Ti Crew

Gen 1 Black Captain Pro

Gen 2 Ti Crew Pro

Gen 2 Ti Captain

Gen 2 Black G10 Crew

[AzteCypher]

Very nice!   

I can see the appeal for the Gen1.  I can see myself carrying the Gen 2 Black G10 Crew as an EDC blade, but I agree that I'd rather have a Captain for outdoor adventures.

I looked them up and I'm really liking the wood handle Crew.

[nate j]

IMO, the only reasons to pick up a Gen 1 would be one or both of the following:

- You intend to use a lanyard to avoid losing the knife, in which case the more substantial lanyard attachment will probably serve you better than the small piece of wire on the Gen 2.

- You get a great deal on a NIB or lightly used one.


Advantages of Gen 2:

- They feature pocket clips (my preferred method of carry for these knives), which Gen 1 knives don’t have.

- They have flipper tabs, which the Gen 1 knives also do not have.  As noted above, this likely isn’t a huge advantage for the Crew, but is useful for the Captain.


I initially had some concerns that the quality of Gen 2 might not be on par with Gen 1, but seems pretty close to me.

I don’t have any with the wood handles, but other than the obvious I believe it would be the same as my black G10 Crew.

91mm SAK for scale…

[ElevenBlade]

Just bumping this thread for visibility, in case anyone stumbles in out of curiosity,

I wonder if we have enough interest to run the challenge again in February of 2026.  What's the consensus?

[aicolainen]

Just bumping this thread for visibility, in case anyone stumbles in out of curiosity,

I wonder if we have enough interest to run the challenge again in February of 2026.  What's the consensus?

Indeed I did. Thanks, for the bump! 16 pages of unread goodness.

I don't remember what year, but this challenge is what finally had me commit to acquire a CE knife and carry it for a prolonged period.
At that point I had already tried full SE, which had a somewhat bad rep among internet "experts", but after trying it out myself I was convinced of its benefits and that it had a place in my tool drawer.
If SE had a bad rep, it was just a fraction of all the negative stuff I could find about CE. But after repeatedly busting internet knife myths I was motivated to try this challenge the first time it popped up, not long after I joined. It sealed the deal. My experiences were very positive.
You often hear that CE is too big of a compromise, and you end up with both a PE and SE section that is too small.
That's not my experience at all. I often just need a small section of SE to get difficult cuts started and after that PE is sufficient to finish the cut.
And while Spyderco (my go to for folding knives) "always" leave a small section of PE at the tip of their SE knives, I often find it to be too short for cuts that require PE.
So for me CE proved to be the improved version of SE and I no longer buy SE knives if I can find the same/similar model in CE.
Sadly it seems CE is not as popular anymore, and fewer model gets this option.



I'm definitely up for a February challenge

[Alan K.]

I like combo edge knives.  I'm a definite maybe for a 2/26 challenge. You should start a new thread though, if you want to do this. 

[Crunchie64]

I’m a definite maybe too.

Haven’t done a challenge for a while, and I think it’d be the perfect excuse to add a combo edge Skeletool to go with my Free P2.

[Farmer X]

Looks like the Soldier On! challenge is still a go. That would see me carrying a 111mm with a combo edge. Since I already have the 90-day badge, why not earn the Combo Edge badge, too?

[ElevenBlade]

I posted up a new thread for next years challenge,

here is the link https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,94665.0.html

[Pacu]

I posted up a new thread for next years challenge,

here is the link https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,94665.0.html