I know everybody loves to hate Benchmade, but I still love my Bailout, green aluminum handled version.
In my opinion, for a true EDC knife, stick to knives with bronze washers for the pivot. Screw keeping bearings clean when you’re truly carrying it everyday. I don’t have anything against ball bearing pivots on knives for occasional carry, but every time I’ve tried to carry one for a week or more straight they start to bug me quick, while several knives with bronze washers stay just as smooth for way longer between deep cleanings.
Spyderco PM2 is a close second for me, but it’s Billie than I like to carry nowadays. Bailout disappears in the pocket. Still eventually want a Chris Reeves Umnumzaan eventually, but it seems covid completely fucked their production capability.