A good sub $60 folding knife for edc

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SURVIVAL&WEAPONS

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Feb 2, 2014
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So i'm looking for a new edc folder. My budget is $60. I'm right handed, i would prefer a pocket clip on it, the orientation doesn't matter to me. I live in california so no auto's or butterfly's. In the city i reside there is a stand against spring assists, as i talked to a few officers about which knives would be legal to carry. No real blade limit. Knife will be used for general utility cutting tasks. I'm not going to use on food for food prep, i'm not going to be using this knife for cleaning/gutting fish or game. There are gangs and increasing violent crimes going on in my city (shootings, murder, stabbings, robbery, assaults w/ deadly weapons, armed robbery, home invasions) so self defense capabilities would be a good benefit. Also i want a knife that can be used hard if you needed to put it up to the task, like lets say something you could be comfortable having to survive and put your life in the hands of the knife; i'm a person that always has the thought in mind ( i want my knife to we capable in case i'm in a survival or bug out situation and i have "this" knife on me). The knife will also have at least one other knife as its back up so it wont be doing all the cutting all the time.

Preferences:
Black blade & scales (preferred, not required)
combo-edge/partially serrated (preferred, not required)
$60 or less (required)
opening: Manual ( ideal, but may have some wiggle room with assist)
blade length: 3.5 inches is fine. (flexible, less or more is fine too.)
handel material: Anything is welcomed
lock mechanism: Any are welcomed
brand: Any, my ears are open
steel: I would like to stay away from like the 420j2, but i'm open to suggestions.
Opening mechanism: Thumb studs and flipper are preferred but i can work with thumb-holes.
Weight: Doesn't mater
grind: Doesn't matter.
Blade style: Drop point would be preferred. ( i also like tanto's but i'm not good at sharpening them yet.) any style is welcome.
One hand opening (ideal)

blades that i can buy for below $60 to name a few are:
-spyderco manix 2 & lightweight
-spyderco delica 4
-benchmade griptillains both full size and the mini in all variations and colors in 154cm.
-kershaw blur & ken onion family.
-almost a lot of the kershaws
-spyderco dragonfly
-spyderco endura 4

knives i own already:
-sog sogzilla
-spyderco ladybug 3
-kershaw cryo & skyline & kuro
-crkt pazoda
-opinel 8
-ka-bar doizer
-spyderco tenacious
-some $15 schrade tanto liner lock
-smith and wesson border guard 3 serrated

i really appreciate the feedback and input in advance and welcome all suggestions, they will all be thought about and taken into account. I may be able to move the ceiling to $80 only if i feel that the knife is right for me. I'm in college so any dollar saved helps. But again thank you all for helping me out.
 
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto. Black G10 handle with optional black coated blade and serrations. Tri-Ad lock. Should be around 70 bucks. :thumbup:

Larger size tanto serrated CRKT M16 could work for you, too.

Both pretty fun knives. Good luck in your choice. :)
 
A cold Steel Recon 1 would def be something to consider for self defense and hard use. The Tri-ad lock will not likely fail.
Also Consider a Soyderco Endura 4 which is a great knife, I loved my endura was great for edc and long blade for self defense.
 
Benchmade Grip in 154CM would be my suggestion. Is a tried and true workhorse with simplicity as its main feature. 154CM is a great steel that takes a wicked edge and good edge holding properties. The Axis lock on the grip is also one of the strongest locks around. Manix is also a good choice as is the Native. Blur is ok to in S30V but I'm not sure if could be had at $60, but I'm not a fan of SpeedSafe.
 
If you can find a good user, benchmade grip

Otherwise, you can get great gerber folders for about 40$ USD
 
stog75 said:
benchmade grip in 154cm would be my suggestion. Is a tried and true workhorse with simplicity as its main feature. 154cm is a great steel that takes a wicked edge and good edge holding properties. The axis lock on the grip is also one of the strongest locks around. Manix is also a good choice as is the native. Blur is ok to in s30v but i'm not sure if could be had at $60, but i'm not a fan of speedsafe.
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i can buy knives from the manufactures (kershaw,benchmade,spyderco) thorough a program because i am a retail sales person at a sporting goods store so my discounts range in percentage by brand from 55%-65% off retail; which really works in my favor on leeks,blurs,grips,manix,delica,endura, and other knives that are in stock at the current time.
 
knifeandgun said:
a cold steel recon 1 would def be something to consider for self defense and hard use. The tri-ad lock will not likely fail.
Also consider a soyderco endura 4 which is a great knife, i loved my endura was great for edc and long blade for self defense.
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would you recommend combo,spyderedge, or plain? With the more higher grade steels i'm a little more comfortable with plain edges.
 
Yes i have thought of the recon 1 & tanto version in all black serrated; i think it's about $55 on amazon. That is one knife that i have been eying for a while.
The m16 is another knife that i think is good, i think the steel is decent and is another good knife in my opinion that i have been eying. As of right now im weighing pros and cons with the recon,m16,endura, and grip. I also am looking foward to other peoples opinions because i cant think of everything at once and have a few choices available that i can weigh out against each other really helps me in my decision making. I don't want to end up with buyers remorse even though i love all knives.
 
I bought my Recon 1 tanto online without ever handling one previously, and as nice a knife as I think it is in many regards, I found it to be a lot bulkier both in my pocket and in my hand than what I prefer for true EDC use. I consider self-defense a requirement of an EDC knife, and honestly decided the Recon 1 wouldn't serve that purpose for me, although I didn't go so far as to return it. Instead, I've decided on the Kershaw RJI, and couldn't be happier. It's available with a combo edge and black finish if that's your thing. I have two of them myself as "discontinuation insurance" because the first one impressed me so much.

http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/rji

You might also try to track down a Kershaw Groove tanto. Not sure about serrations, but they did come in black (tanto version only) and are not assisted. Unfortunately, they are discontinued, but still show up if you're willing to buy somewhere online without your aforementioned discount. I have the original Groove (two of them as well) and it is my favorite folding knife on the planet.
 
Not sure if its been said or not, but the Kershaw Blur could be had for that price and meet all of your requirements. It is assisted but there is a detent hole drilled in the blade and it can easily be deasssisted. I did it to one of mine and it made for a fairly nice manual knife.
 
Check out the Buck Vantage Force line. Black blades and scales with several choices of scale material and blade steel (plain and partially serrated) plus they are flippers and all except the Force Pro are between $40-$60.
 
Badhammer said:
Check out the Buck Vantage Force line. Black blades and scales with several choices of scale material and blade steel (plain and partially serrated) plus they are flippers and all except the Force Pro are between $40-$60.
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I second BadHammer, Buck Vantage is one of the best deals in knives, imo. You can get Black G10, S30V with Bos Heat Treat and the Forever Buck Warranty for about $60 new.
 
SURVIVAL&WEAPONS said:
i can buy knives from the manufactures (kershaw,benchmade,spyderco) thorough a program because i am a retail sales person at a sporting goods store so my discounts range in percentage by brand from 55%-65% off retail; which really works in my favor on leeks,blurs,grips,manix,delica,endura, and other knives that are in stock at the current time.
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Hook a Brother up! :) Glad you get a discount, if that's the case I'd go with the Manix 2 or Endura. The Manix 2 has "better" steel, although I love the Endura's VG10. The Manix is also much more solid of a beast at least the regular version.

In the end, you'll end up getting all the blades on your list if you get bit by the bug.
 
I think Kershaw and Spyderco have a deathgrip on that price point. Anything you want or think you need, they have with a quality product and a world class customer service organization.

Given what the OP said, I would tend to steer clear of tactical knives. Nor would I put any emphasis on using this for self defense. If you are in a knife fight, you've already made a series of mistakes in judgment that could and should have been corrected earlier. I speak from experience here.

I am a fan of the Leek for EDC, but the Leek is out (as are all the Ken Onion/Kershaw collaborations) because of the spring assist. I get it.

One option that you might not have considered is the CRKT Ripple, also a Ken Onion design, but not spring assisted. It has a wonderfully slick ball bearing blade pivot and a flipper. Awesome knives! And can be had in upgraded steels. They are also beautiful. They have a combo blade option. My original Ripple has a combo blade, but I've never really needed it for the way I use my knives. My Ripple2 in bronze is a plain edge and it's freaking gorgeous!

As has been mentioned, both the Delica and the Endura are incredible valules for EDC. There's a reason they've been in production for more than twenty years. They are awesome knives. Between my girlfriend and me, we must have at least ten variants of those two models and I just got in two more (actually, one is due in tomorrow). Another upside is that they don't appear tactical and yet their blade steels are head and shoulders above what you can get in a tactical looking knife at that same price point. They come in plain edge, combo edge, and fully serrated. The fully serrated blades are quite nice. They come in saber grinds, full flat grinds, whatever you want. You can get an FRN handle (which I like) or all steel, or titanium, and there's a sprint-run in bone if you prefer that. If you want the H1 steel which can sit in salt water for years without rusting, get a Pacific Salt, which is the 3d generation Endura with an H1 blade. Mine is fully serrated, but you can get them plain edged if you like. I would avoid the Matriarch and the Civilian because POKEY DEATH STICK!

Seriously, if you can't find a Delica or Endura that you like, you aren't trying. You can buy used and new Enduras and Delicas just about every day on the Exchange here and if you don't like it, you can sell it again for what you paid for it. Excellent knives. And I say this as a total Zero Tolerance fan boi (and I have a Spyderco Dragonfly clipped to my vest pocket right this second and a ZT 0777 in my back pocket--also a Damascus Leek in my RFP).

I also like my Mini-Grip. I have a plain edged 556 with the thumbstuds in M4 steel (cuz I'm a steel snob). The Valox handle has excellent ergos, the blade shape is excellent, and you get the Axis lock, which some people love, Love, LOVE. I'm just OK with the Axis. Not really a fan boi. Lock aesthetics to one side, this is one superb EDC blade. It might be a little pricy compared to your needs, but I am a supporter of buying the very best hardware you can afford. That minimizes failures which could lead to exciting consequences. I'm old; I'm not a fan of exciting anymore. While on the subject of Benchmade, I would avoid the 530 because POKEY DEATH STICK! The 940-1 just came out and I'm getting one the moment they are released to retail. Awesome little knife! The regular 940/943 are excellent choices, but a bit more expensive than your target price.

Odds and ends:
- I like my Emerson Mini A-100 (can't remember what I paid for it; it might be out of your price range). No wave, which is my personal preference.
- Boker Kwaiken is another interesting knife; I have one that was pimped by Alexander Dietz and it's an amazing knife, but the factory knife is merely OK in my view (I know, I'm harsh).
- The Leatherman Skeletool CX, which has a 154CM one hand opening liner lock blade, but also comes with a screwdriver and pliers (I have one in my pocket--yeah, I clink when I walk). Not at all tactical, nothing to spook the boss or little old ladies. Can be had in a combo blade if you are willing to give up the 154CM.
- Small fixed blades can also be had in pocket sheaths or neck sheaths that carry very well. I don't do them, personally, but I know it's an option and I'm surprised that the Fixed Blade Posse hasn't yet made that comment. Maybe the target price is too low; I don't know.
- A traditional slipjoint knife is also a possibility here. I have several really fine examples of good EDC knives. I have a Hen and Rooster Congress that I carried daily for years, and recently acquired a Boker Whittler that I haven't yet carried, but probably will once I sharpen it. Also a really inexpensive Rough Rider (Chinese brand) Congress that is surprisingly well made with excellent carbon blade steel. Canal Street makes their with D2 blades. Nice!

If you are interested in higher quality, higher price point knives, you can cruise the Exchange here. I know this is out of your reach, but I did see a user Strider SMF for about 40% off retail. Hard to beat that, if you like Strider knives (sadly, they are very tactical). Solid deals there every day. I have purchased a half dozen knives there, including the ZT 0777 sitting in my back pocket. Believe me, this is not going to be the last expensive knife you buy.
 
SURVIVAL&WEAPONS said:
Blade style: Drop point would be preferred. ( i also like tanto's but i'm not good at sharpening them yet.) any style is welcome.
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Tanto blades are easier to sharpen than most people think, especially the Recon 1, it's pretty easy to get it hair shaving sharp. I would skip the tanto and get the clip point Recon 1 or Voyager, or the spear point Recon 1.
 
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