$25 folder recommendations

Z

Zorobabel

Joined
Nov 6, 2019
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A friend (non-knife person) asked me about a knife he was thinking of buying (some bear grills crap). He wanted it for road trips and hiking and when I tried to sway him to an Opinel, he said it has to be able to cut wood if need be (he probably watched one of the stupid shows). Knowing him, the knife would mostly be cutting salami and packaging and I'm sure he will abuse it at some point (judging by his kitchen knives). He seems to like the tactical look, but I'm not a fan and don't know much about tactical folders, which is why I started this thread.
The decision is mine as I plan on gifting him the knife. I won't gift him a fixed blade, as I don't want to be blamed for his incarceration (California). Due to the expected salami use, I'd prefer a flat grind. The blade must not be rust prone (non-knife person). No half serrated blades as I hate them.
I was looking at the Ontario Rat 1 in AUS8, but I think the handle is overkill and it's somewhat heavy, but at least it's not an eyesore to me. Anything better in this price range?
 
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Look at the Kershaw Atmos or Fraxion (both inexpensive flippers); If he wanted a assisted opener,try Kershaw Oso-sweet, Volt 11 or Halogen. Then there are dozens of SAK models to choose from (probably the best bet).
Rich
 
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Zorobabel said:
A friend (non-knife person) asked me about a knife he was thinking of buying (some bear grills crap). He wanted it for road trips and hiking and when I tried to sway him to an Opinel, he said it has to be able to cut wood if need be (he probably watched one of the stupid shows). Knowing him, the knife would mostly be cutting salami and packaging and I'm sure he will abuse it at some point (judging by his kitchen knives). He seems to like the tactical look, but I'm not a fan and don't know much about tactical folders, which is why I started this thread.
The decision is mine as I plan on gifting him the knife. I won't gift him a fixed blade, as I don't want to be blamed for his incarceration (California). Due to the expected salami use, I'd prefer a flat grind. The blade must not be rust prone (non-knife person).
I was looking at the Ontario Rat 1 in AUS8, but I think the handle is overkill and it's somewhat heavy, but at least it's not an eyesore to me. Anything better in this price range?
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How about the Ontario Rat 2? Or the Buck Bantam or Vantage Select? The Bantam and Vantage Select come with 420 hc which is heat treated very well, so it will hold a decent edge, be very corrosion resistant, and will take a nice keen edge.
 
Ruike p801 SF. Around $30, but a really cool tough knife. Bought one for my son for Xmas and had to get one for myself.
vP9M4LB.jpg

bottom one.
 
Do you think he'd like a Swiss Army Knife (SAK) ?
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Knife-Camper--25397

Large blade for food, small blade for packages (the reamer is good for thick plastic clam shells too), a saw for when he wants to cut down a tree, a corkscrew to open wine for the ladies, and a bottle opener for the beer.

It checks all the boxes but it isn't tactical. Sub 3" blade and non-locking might be good for Cali too. SAKs are good at not intimidating people too.
 
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The Kershaw Nura comes in a 3” version for ~$17 and a 3.5” version for ~$20 from authorized vendors and a bit more on that auction snakepit site that shall not be named. These have straight edged 8Cr13MoV blades and SS scales, but I’m not sure about the type of blade grind. It’s a good knife for tasks I wouldn’t want to use a costly knife for, easy to sharpen quickly with a pull-through sharpener and a good “first knife” that’s probably destined for mistreatment and an ugly, early death.
 
Thanks a lot for the suggestions so far, I'm going through them. To my mind, the blade should be long enough to slice bread/baguette, 3" doesn't cut it :)
 
DocJD said:
Cold Steel Pro Lite . Tri-ad lock ,decent steel/HT , bargain priced . Several different blade patterns besides the Tanto are available . :cool::thumbsup:

Video with entertaining rant :

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These are on sale over at BHQ for like $20 right now.

KnifeCenter has the Kershaw Link on sale for $30, damn good deal.

Or give him the Opinel. Sure, it ain't "tactical looking", but it's a salami cutting / package opening superstar.
 
gazz98 said:
Do you think he'd like a Swiss Army Knife (SAK) ?
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Knife-Camper--25397

Large blade for food, small blade for packages (the reamer is good for thick plastic clam shells too), a saw for when he wants to cut down a tree, a corkscrew to open wine for the ladies, and a bottle opener for the beer.

It checks all the boxes but it isn't tactical. Sub 3" blade and non-locking might be good for Cali too. SAKs are good at not intimidating people too.
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I second the SAK idea, Spartan, Tinker, Huntsman are some of the popular choices, pretty easy to maintain and very ulitarian.

If you really want a bigger knife and stay within budget, 111mm Sentinel is a lockable one-hand blade with larger blade.


dirc said:
in that case, look at the buck 110 LT - it's on sale for $24 at knifecenter - you can't go wrong and it has a 3.75" blade

eyJidWNrZXQiOiAiZmlsZXMua25pZmVjZW50ZXIuY29tIiwia2V5IjogImtuaWZlY2VudGVyL2J1Y2svaW1hZ2VzL0JVMDExMEJLU0xUXzEuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOiB7InJlc2l6ZSI6IHsid2lkdGgiOiA1NDUsImhlaWdodCI6IDQxNSwiZml0IjogImNvbnRhaW4iLCJiYWNrZ3JvdW5kIjogeyJyIjogMjU1LCJnIjogMjU1LCJiIjogMjU1LCJhbHBoYSI6IDF9fX19
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Like the Buck 110LT too, decent performance and very light weight.
 
Definitely a Buck 110LT.
Probably the best knife you can get for $20, and he can find it at his local Walmart which is probably where he's shopping if he was gonna get a bear grills knife.
 
Size would be a big factor, but My Top choices in that "range" +/-

Buck 110 slim...

I Still love my Kershaw Scrambler, a robust knife, a bit heavy but a good knife at that price and currently on sale for <$25 at bladehq...
Neither is flat ground though...

Kershaw Natrix

Rat or Rat II are good choices too.

Esee Avispa or Zancudo
Byrd Harrier 2
CRKT Vox Batum
CRKT ruger windage is flat ground, has a pocket clip like the swindle though, not sure how that would fly...
 
Buck 112 slim select are in the $25 range and the 110 slim select is around $30. They have thumb studs and pocket clips and some new colors.
 
Fire Beard said:
Ka-Bar Dozier folder. Awesome knife, and not just for the price.
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I found mine didn't slice all that well at all and the little stud hard on the thumb ( only do two handed traditionals these days though ), I don't remember for sure but I think I gave it to my dad when he lost the junk knife he was carrying for work.
I'll have to ask him if I did and how he liked it.

Quality wise it seemed okay though.
 
Everybody recommending the Bucks - he said he’s looking for “tactical”. I love em too, and have my 110 FG in my pocket right now, but...

I don’t know what the going definition is these days, but I wouldn’t look at a 110 and think “tactical”.
 
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