$25-$35 edc

bpeezer

bpeezer

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Jan 27, 2013
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I'm looking for a cheap EDC knife and I was hoping for a couple of recommendations.

Ideal features: Deep carry pocket clip, flipper, plain edge blade, blade between 2.75-3.25", right side tip up carry, liner or frame lock, full metal construction (aluminum OK)

Everything I've found is missing some aspect, but I'm willing to compromise on one or two aspects. So far the knives I've considered are:
Kershaw Cryo - Blade geometry a little wide for my preference. It has the deep carry pocket clip, but the holes for tip up aren't placed for actual deep carry.
CRKT Ripple - I absolutely love the IKBS, but I'm not a fan of the pocket clip at all.
Kershaw Volt II SS - Really like the blade geometry and SS construction, but not the pocket clip.
Kershaw Zing SS - Once again, like the full SS construction but not the pocket clip.
Gerber AR 3.0 - Like the look, but no flipper and no tip up carry. Has deep carry pocket clip for tip down at least though.
SOG Flash I - Love the pocket clip, but different lock, no flipper and no metal handles (the aluminum handled version is more expensive).

My current cheap EDC is a Kershaw Chill, I absolutely love it and wouldn't mind something similar. I would appreciate any recommendations of other knives or input regarding the knives I already have listed. Sorry for the long winded post, and thanks in advance for the help :o
 
The KA-BAR Bob Dozier signature folding hunter in AUS-8/FRN is a reliable lightweight choice that probably doesn't meet your exact specs, also there's the Byrd Cara Cara 2 in G-10 that is very well made given the price. The Ripple though has really impressed me a great deal given the price, I own both the Acuto version and the cheaper one, and I must the the less expensive Ripple is a grand knife for the money especially when you take into consideration the IKBS, which makes the knife, to a certain extent.
 
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How about a blem Leek. Or for just a little bit ($3) over your stated range, you could get a blem CB Leek. It doesn't have a deep carry clip, but it seems to fit all your other criteria. 3" blade, flipper, stainless steel handles, framelock, right side tip-up (or down) clip position.
 
I don't want to get a blem kershaw because I want to get both of those knives sometime down the line :) the byrd cara cara 2 in SS looks pretty nice, I'm not very used to lockbacks anymore though. The Boker Trance looks pretty nice too. Do any of these knives seem potentially worse than the others? My list is just longer now :confused:
 
I think that Kershaw Volt 2 is a great choice...Im sold on Kershaw`s speed safe flipper opening!
 
Check out the Kershaw Brawler! I got it in a pack with a flashlight and tactical pen for 20 bucks at WalMart! nice blade, but i can't carry it where i live :(
 
Of the ones you've listed, I like the Cryo and Flash 1 best. The Cryo is a solid, stout folder. In the tip-up position, the knife still carries pretty deep (see pics below). The Flash 1 is as invisible an EDC knife as I've carried. The deep carry clip completely buries the knife in your pocket, and it is so small, thin, and lightweight that you don't even notice it's there.

Here are the Cryo, Zing, and Flash 1 in pocket (right-side, tip-up):
Cryo_Zing_Flash1_pocket_800x398.jpg
 
Probably not what you want to hear, but my best advice to someone looking for a $30 knife is to save up a bit longer and go for a $50-60 knife. In the $30 range you're pretty much limited to junk and a few low end Kershaws, but at $50-60 you're in spyderco delica and benchmade griptilian territory, which are both absolutely excellent edc knives that absolutely blow everything in the $30 range out of the water.
 
Id have to say a buck vantage/ vantage force fits your criteria. All around great edc and one of the best pocket clips ive seen
 
dantheman1536 said:
Id have to say a buck vantage/ vantage force fits your criteria. All around great edc and one of the best pocket clips ive seen
Click to expand...

This. Deep carry, flipper, solid knife. USA made.

Probably not what you want to hear, but my best advice to someone looking for a $30 knife is to save up a bit longer and go for a $50-60 knife. In the $30 range you're pretty much limited to junk and a few low end Kershaws, but at $50-60 you're in spyderco delica and benchmade griptilian territory, which are both absolutely excellent edc knives that absolutely blow everything in the $30 range out of the water.
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No way. 30 you can get a great blade. I'm a big Spyderco fan, but I also use and love my lower price blades are are constantly impressing me. The craftsmanship for the price of Svord (Peasant), Case, Victorinox, Becker (BK14), Buck (Vantage), Leatherman (Sidekick/Wingman), Mora, Ontario (RAT 1), or Gerber (yes flame me, never had an issue with their blades or multitools) can easily fall in the 30 dollar range.

The Delica new is 55, and 80 for the Grip. You're only going to find a used one for the 50-60 dollar price range.
 
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mkjellgren said:
Probably not what you want to hear, but my best advice to someone looking for a $30 knife is to save up a bit longer and go for a $50-60 knife. In the $30 range you're pretty much limited to junk and a few low end Kershaws, but at $50-60 you're in spyderco delica and benchmade griptilian territory, which are both absolutely excellent edc knives that absolutely blow everything in the $30 range out of the water.
Click to expand...

I have more expensive knives, but my little $18 kershaw chill is invariably the one I end up carrying. 8Cr13MoV is good enough steel for my needs right now. I like the look of the buck vantage, if that had a metal handle I'd probably buy one right now.
 
bertosknives said:
for under $30 you can get a rat 1 or a utilitac wich are better than alot of $50 to $60 knives.
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Both great knives, but both a little bigger than I'd like to EDC.

flarp, thanks for the pictures. The Cryo carries a little nicer than I thought, so I certainly can't rule that one out now.

Runawayemu, my Walmart doesn't carry that package :(

Lots of great suggestions, I might have to just tape pictures to a dart board and let fate decide :p
 
Yo Mama said:
This. Deep carry, flipper, solid knife. USA made.



No way. 30 you can get a great blade. I'm a big Spyderco fan, but I also use and love my lower price blades are are constantly impressing me. The craftsmanship for the price of Svord (Peasant), Case, Victorinox, Becker (BK14), Buck (Vantage), Leatherman (Sidekick/Wingman), Mora, Ontario (RAT 1), or Gerber (yes flame me, never had an issue with their blades or multitools) can easily fall in the 30 dollar range.

The Delica new is 55, and 80 for the Grip. You're only going to find a used one for the 50-60 dollar price range.
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I think he meant the mini griptilian. And yes you can get a mini grip for $60
 
There, isn't that easy to decide? :)

All those suggestions are good ones and there isn't a dog in the bunch. For me, I would 'double down' on a RAT 1, but that is just me.
 
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