EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – No surprise here, I’m a knife guy and have been since I was about 9 years old when I got my first pocket knife – a souvenir from a trip to Yosemite. I enjoy collecting knives, using them, looking at them and talking about them. I also really enjoy learning about a new knife brand I have never heard of before. Recently, the folks over at Shieldon reached out and asked if I’d like to take a look at some of their offerings and share them with my readers. Shieldon Empoleon Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM Of course, I said, "Yes." What is EDC? Here is a look at some daily carry items About a month later, I had three Shieldon knives in my mailbox. Got a confession to make: I had never heard of Shieldon before they reached out. But it wasn’t too long ago that I hadn’t heard of RoseCraft or Vosteed either. Shieldon is a Chinese company that has been around since 1998. It started off manufacturing knives for other companies and making its own line of budget knives. In the past decade, they have branched out and are starting to make more mid-range and upscale models. Have to admit, I’m intrigued. Shieldon Empoleon with a nylon sheath Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM I know some people will have a problem with buying from a Chinese company. But RoseCraft and Rough Rider both make their knives in China. Even American icon Buck makes some of their knives in China. Rough Edge EDC: A tale of 3 knives comes back to friendship I also have to say that Chinese flashlight company Olight is one of my all-time favorite companies to do business with, considering their lifetime warranties, frequent sales with freebies and their great customer service. So I am going into this with open eyes and an open mind. For the past week, I have been using a Shieldon Empoleon pocket knife. It has a 3 ½-inch drop point blade made out of D2 steel (a budget steel that has a reputation for holding an edge). It’s about 4 ½ inches when closed up with black G10 (resin mix) handles that are made to look like pricier carbon fiber. It has a super sharp edge, nice action when opening and its liner lock seems to fully engage. It’s a great little EDC knife, except for one negative. I don’t like the pocket clip. It is really narrow and feels like it could snag and get bent. Rough Edge EDC: Simpler the better on Swiss Army Knives Fortunately, Shieldon included a nylon sheath that I have been carrying the knife around in. So far, I really like it and think it is a cool little EDC knife from a company I am just starting to learn about. The Empoleon is listed as discontinued on the Shieldon website and is currently being sold for $19.99, reduced from $42.99. You can also buy Shieldon knives on Amazon. Shieldon Empoleon with G10 handles that are made to look like pricer carbon fiber. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM Here is a link to the Shieldon website where you can order knives directly from them. Here is a link to the Empoleon.  Shieldon also sent me two other knives – the Bulbasaur and the Rain. I will be showcasing each of those knives in the coming weeks. Here are some YouTube channels on EDC gear that I enjoy and find informative: Big Red EDC J.O. Ventures Outdoors Zach’s Stuff Randy’s WSG Uncommon EDC Pocket Razors HT’s EDC Baxters Blades “Tired Tiger” Knife Delights Bryan’s Knives Surviving the Daily Last Chance Knives Pens and Pen Blades RadioGeek Blades SouthernKnifeLife Tar Heel Steel Sanctified EDC Gear