A value, travel EDC

[enderwiggin]

Spyderco Byrd. They can be had for under $20.00, and look and feel like a much more expensive knife. They should also be carried in sporting goods stores around the country, and maybe even hardware stores.

 

[rnr]

Been there done that. I picked up a one of these on a trip to VA.

Kershaw Vapor

 

[TheHunt]

Just in Case:

In some european Counties, including good old Germany, Danemark and the U.K. we have some VERY restrictive knife-Laws.

In the U.K. you can get busted by merely carrying a knife. Its the "Offensive Weapons Law" as this insanity is called...

Bladed Self Defense in the U.K.? Not a bridge I like to cross...

Bobbys have handheld metal-detectors nowadays, they can search You for no reason at all.

Beeing a tourist might help, but I would´nt count on it.


In Germany we now have the silly rule: a Fixed under 12cm is good, larger is up for a fine up to 10.000€

Same for locking one hand opened folders.

You´re good to go with a SAK and the UKPK by Spyderco.

The Upside:
If You´re going to Austria, get a Halo III ;-)
These guys are VERY liberal on blades...

 

[knarfeng]

I think a Swiss Army Knife would meet all of your criteria. Plus, they can contain lots of tools that would be useful when traveling - tweezers, scissors, bottle opener, can opener...

I would agree about the SAK.

Yep, and I don't even really like SAKs, but that is really the best answer for your needs. Just don't get a big, fancy 100 blade SAK that someone might want to steal.

I have an older SAK that resides in my toiletry travel bag.

I also agree with the SAK.

Not only are they reliable and reasonably priced, they also have the advantage of being generally recognized and accepted as "harmless" in many places around the world.

SAK is the answer.

A SAK is the obvious answer. I like the Alox Bantam. The Spyderco UKPK is meant to comply with our tough British carry laws and now has non-tactical looking coloured handles. They also do the Danish version for their even tougher laws.

+1 SAK is what you need.

 

[razorsdescent]

blind horse snap knap maybe?
cheap handmade and sturdy. maybe not the most amazing sd knife for quick draws but honestly what do u relaly expect with a 2.5 inch blade. really i cant beleive this knife choice doesnt get thrown around more. throw a led light on it and shazam ur good to go.

spyderco native is a goodun.

 

[elkins45]

I would hate to have to use a SAK as a last-ditch defensive knife. Look at the Byrd line of knives: they are one hand openers and have locking blades. Made in China, but QC by Spyderco, and inexpensive.

 

[TheWayOfTheGun1]

I also agree on the SAK. I like the huntsman plus or hiker. I also like the trekker but its a little bigger but it has one handed opening.

But I will also throw in this "wrench".... IMHO, when traveling, you cant beat a good multi tool for over all utility. A leatherman wave gives you quick access to blades, plus alot of good other tools, and a handful of steel should you have to punch somebody.

Multi tools now come in all shapes and sizes. I like LMs and Victorinox swiss tools. Just my .02

 

[Sharp Eye]

I'm thinking Subcom. Fits the hand well, designed for SD and an excellent non threatening size.

I use a Trance for my travel knife. 2.75" blade. A lot of cutting power for $30

 

[carrot]

I use a Trance for my travel knife. 2.75" blade. A lot of cutting power for $30

I love this one too. Incredible value here for an excellent knife. But the Subcom is definitely no slouch either. :thumbup:

 

[luuqu]

I just got a Victorinox one-handed Sentinel, and it's a awesome beater knife. It's cheap enough to replace (around $21 on ebay), has a locking blade that will keep your fingers safe in a self-defense situation. However, it doesn't fit your colored handle criteria.

 

[Ming65]

I keep a spyderco SALT1 in my travel bag (along with a Victorinox Spirit Multi tool)

It's small and fairly inoocent looking. I won't cry if I lose it. It's completely rust proof which makes it good IWB in steamy asian climes. H1 gets real sharp. For a one hand opening knife it looks very un-tactical, especally if you get a yellow handle.

 

[thermocline]

Before I hung it up a while back, theft from luggage/TSA "confiscations" had gotten so bad the company had to make a new policy. Anything of value now gets fedexed ahead to the hotel. We had a bunch of multitools, lights, knives -- anything valuable and portable -- go "missing" from luggage. One guy even lost his specially-boxed Zippo. What spurred the new policy was when a few laptops/Cisco cards went missing from a case on an emergency run.

Now when I travel, I take a beat-up old SAK Recruit and a Streamlight Microstream. If I wanna take a multitool, it's my scuffed-up Leatherman Kick.

Basically, it you'd feel bad about losing it, don't take it through the airlines. Never thought I'd live to see the day when you had to plan for your luggage to be rifled through flying inside the US. That used to be a "Third World" kind of thing...

 

[sensei78]

I got a Byrd Meadowlark in G10 2 1/2" er for when I go to Chicago for 23 bucks delivered off ebay. Took my dremel to it and cut a nice wave hook on it. Works great:thumbup:

 

[Dagon]

I just got a Victorinox one-handed Sentinel, and it's a awesome beater knife. It's cheap enough to replace (around $21 on ebay), has a locking blade that will keep your fingers safe in a self-defense situation. However, it doesn't fit your colored handle criteria.

I have its big brother: the one-handed Trekker. This one will be the basis of the next official swiss army knife. It's awesome.