$20 and under

M

Marc123

Joined
Feb 4, 2002
Messages
482
I took a little bit of time to compile a list of gadgets, lights, knives and weapons that can be purchased for under $20. I was forced to do this because on my honeymoon I spent $200 on knives from the Grohmann Knife factory. My wife trapped me by saying I could buy anything I wanted. So I did. After we left the store she informed me that I couldn't buy any more "toys." We have to save our money due my unstable job, poor economy, paying off the house, etc... If I want something, I am to tell her and she will buy it for me for Christmas or my birthday. Needless to say I will be getting my Spyderco Kiwi for Christmas. I am able to swing a $20 "toy" every now and then if I use my "allowance" wisely. I compiled this list as a result. Most of the products are items I have or have handled. Most of the places listed I have bought from and I tried to shop around via the net. Please add or comment on the list. You may have found more "toys" and/or at cheaper sites and stores. Hope this helps.

Gadgets
Spy capsule $5.00
Fox whistle $5.50
Leatherman Micra $18.00 Target
SwissTech MircoTechnicain $8.99 www.keychain-tools.com
SwissTech Utility Key $10.99 www.keychain-tools.com
Fisher Space Pen $14.95 Staples
Benchmade Rescue Hook $19.99 www.1sks.com

Knives
Spyderco Ladybug $18.95 www.knifecenter.com
Gerber MiroLight LST $13.95 www.key-tools.com or $12.95 www.knifecenter.com
SAKs (too many places to list)
CRKT $19.95 www.discountknives.com
Cold Steel Bushman $19.95 www.knifecenter.com
Cold Steel Mini Pal $17.99 www.keychaindefense.com or www.knifecenter.com $19.95
Spyderco Spydercard $16.99 www.eKnifeworks.com

Lights
Photons I&II $11.95-17.95 www.pocketlights.com
CMG Infinity Lights $19.00 www.pocketlights.com
CMG Q4 Mini Task Light $15.50 www.pocketlights.com
PAL Survival Light $18.95 www.pocketlights.com
Pelican L1 $13.95 www.pocketlights.com
Krill Luminescent Light $19.00 www.glow-bug.com

Weapons
Cold Steel Sjambok $7.49 www.tacticaloptions.com
Comtech Stinger $9.95 www.keychaindefense.com
Executive Ice Scraper $5.00 www.keychaindefense.com
Blowguns $7.95-14.95 www.blowgundepot.com
 
THe Kershaw Vapor and Vapor II folders can be had for around $25. Hell of a value if you ask me. :) I carry one every day!

~Mitch
 
The problem with the "Under $20" category is that if you just stretch that by $5-$10, a whole new range of better items are available. Just that 5$ or so makes a huge difference, when the prices are that low.
 
Hey, with only 98 more shopping days 'til Xmas, a list like this can be a pretty handy thing to have around.

Under a twenty-spot, eh? Well I gotta toss in the Snow Peak Titanium Spork! Under ten bux right here at 1SKS baby!

This thing rocks! {Well, except if you're eating yogurt.. then it sux) But HEY!... No need to use yogurt tubs no more cuz Go-Gurt is on the shelves at your local supermarket, also less than 20 bux by the way. Now get out there and attack the rest of the culinary world with this bad boy.
 
I LOVE it! The titanium Spork that is. Suddenly I have the urge to get one, well may be 2, or 3...

But anyway, under $20 lists are great for Christmas time.
 
THe Kershaw Vapor and Vapor II folders can be had for around $25. Hell of a value if you ask me. I carry one every day!
Click to expand...

They have them on Ebay for a Buy-It-Now of $17.99. That fits your bill. There are 3 left. I would say, Time to spend some allowance.
 
You might want to add the Brinkmann Legend LX flashlight to your list. It's kind of like a budget version of the SureFire flashlight with Xenon bulb and lithium batteries for just under $20.00 at Walmart. I got one and it is far and away the most intensely bright flashlight I own. Even brighter than my D-cell Maglites and my Underwater Kinetics SL4.
 
Originally posted by misque
You might want to add the Brinkmann Legend LX flashlight to your list. It's kind of like a budget version of the SureFire flashlight with Xenon bulb and lithium batteries for just under $20.00 at Walmart. I got one and it is far and away the most intensely bright flashlight I own. Even brighter than my D-cell Maglites and my Underwater Kinetics SL4.
Click to expand...

Ditto That! Don't get me wrong, I love my E2E for daily carry but IMHO there is no better "night stand flashlight" out there than the LX. I have four scattered around!:D It is brighter than my E2E and can stay in drawer, glovebox, etc. long term for emergencies!:D :eek: :D
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have recently gotten into flashlights and the Brinkman sounds like a good deal. This month's allowance is used up, but October is right around the corner.
 
Arc AAA is right at 20 from Texas Tactical and probably others.
Swisstech Screwzall - 12ish - I reach for it before leatherman or other bulkier tool, and even a "real" screwdriver many times.
 
Man, I have looked for those damned Brinkmanns at my local WallyOWrlds and never found one. I have a bunch of Surefires, but it would be nice to have a light like that. Cheap enough so I don't feel a huge compunction to have to take good care of it.
 
Don't forget the excellent and cheap "basic" Swedish knives from Frost (www.eKnifeworks.com and www.shop.woodcraft.com) and K.J.Eriksson (www.ragweedforge.com) and the equally excellent "basic" Norwegian knives from Helle and Brusletto (www.ragweedforge.com). Ontario's "Old Hickory" line of knives are also great candidates for inexpensive "knife fixes" and they were available until just recently at Wally World. Some locations may still have them. Also at WW are Schrade 8OT pocket knives for $19.95 and smaller Schrades are available for less. Ragnar (www.ragweedforge.com) also has various Opinel and other interesting "international" folding knives for well under the magic "double sawbuck" figure,too.
 
Originally posted by Marc123
[BI was forced to do this because on my honeymoon... she informed me that I couldn't buy any more "toys."...If I want something, I am to tell her and she will buy it for me for Christmas or my birthday...I use my "allowance" wisely. [/B]
Click to expand...

WHAAAATISSSSH! (sound of a whip)

Dang! She didn't even let you get though your honeymoon before she layed out for you how it was going to be!:p :barf:
 
fulloflead,

The worst part is the guilt. She doesn't spend a dime on herself. A large box came for her a couple of months ago and I started teasing her about buying stuff for herself. It turned out to be a case of english/spanish dictionaries that she bought for her students who were unable to afford them and were having trouble with english as second language. I'm lucky she supports my habit/addiction. I'll admit it I'm whipped and it started way before the honeymoon.

John,

Thanks for mentioning the Swedish knives from Frost. I forgot all about them.
 
I don't know what your regular toolbox has in it, or what purposes you have in mind.
On bike rides I like to carry a 7" pair of vise-grip pliers (you can also get them in 5" pocket size). That's about $14.
I also like to carry a hand-held ratchet screwdriver. It fits in your palm, provides some torque (a much nicer grip than with usual screwdrivers) and carries the bits inside the handle. There are a bunch of different versions of these now; they range from $5 to $20 or so. There was even a type that didn't have a ratchet--it had some other 3-d mechanism to keep it turning only one way, something invented by NASA. $10 by the counter at some hardware store back east (I gave it to a friend and didn't get one for myself, alas).
Lee Valley has some kind of pocket wrench for $6--if you do a search you will find it. Looks nice, but I haven't seen it myself.
Don't forget about laser pointers.
Now, I think I get more use out of my Handspring than all the rest combined--but maybe you could class that as a "legitimate" expense.
 
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