Any one able to help?

Caleb M.

Caleb M.

Joined
Dec 22, 2012
Messages
157
I thought this would be a good place to ask, do to the fact that you survival guys know more than I do. I was wondering if anyone knew of a folding knife for under $20 and could be used as a back up survival knife or an EDC? Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Ontario rat 1 runs in the 20.00 range,maybe a bit more,but it is the most robust knife I've handled in that price range.
 
German or Dutch army surplus “SAK”. You can get a good size one with a decent length of saw too for a lot less than you'll pay for an equivalent sized Victorinox SAK. And the quality is there as well..........................Ontario RAT is a fantastic suggestion. It's a lot of knife and a great outdoor knife. That said, it might be too much knife for EDC if you do a lot of urban............................The SRM 710 at 91g offers a slim light knife that's handy for a backup or EDC, [I don't EDC any of mine because my backup urban EDC is usually a Spyderco Police and fully serrated]. They work great for what they are. Don't let the measly price or the made in China mislead you on that either. There's a socking great long SRM fan thread on this forum somewhere you might want to find. You'll probably come across some whining if you look those up, don't trip on that. SRM is an Original Equipment Manufacturer for lots of knives branded as something else. Same as other stuff, like assembling computers or whatever, those that know get the OEM plain white boxes and people that want bragging rights can buy functionally the same thing with pretty pictures and a fancy logo for more money............................Opinels have a lot of cutting power if you don't mind the maintenance and agricultural look.
 
Assuming we aren't talking SAK's, my advice would be to wait until you have another $20 to spend - $40 gets you into a much better class of knife. But in staying within your original parameters - RAT 1 would also be my choice. After that would likely be something from the Kershaw China line with a liner lock and G-10. Something like the Tremor or Chill. I have one from this line - can't remember the name - but the G10 and liners are very robust - the problem is that cheap stainless steel they use and hollow grind. The G10 and thick liners won't do you much good if you snap the blade in half.
 
Here's a few I have used and found to be decent knives for that price range.

Under $20.00
Buck Bantam's, especially the 285 models
Several Opinel models
Gerber Profile folder
SOG MagnaDot

At $29.99, the RAT 1, for just a little more money, is a whole other ballgame, just an amazing folder for such a low price.

Another one that tips the scales at around $28.00 that I have found to be a solid, well made knife, is the SOG Fusion Salute.
 
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Rat1
kershaw dozier folder
opinel #8
kershaw chill
CRKT drifter
about 20 different Buck models
a cubic metric boatload of vitorinox and wenger swiss army knives
 
Check out second hand stores, pawn shops, yard sales, auctions etc. You might find a good used SAK or Buck lockback or etc. for under $20. Check out the play in the blades and that all the tools are there and functional.
 
SAK or Kabar Dozier would be what I recommend. I have heard good things about the RAT 1, too. One of my favorite current knives is also my cheapest, a Buck Bantam. Not the greatest steel, but a good solid knife.
 
Cold Steel has some bad reputation around here but check the pocket bushman, it is quite a robust and well made knife in my opinion.
Best Regards
 
Caleb, is there a perticular reason you want a small folder for a back up survival knife?

The reason I ask is that you can get a small hand made fixed blade knife like this for that price
DSCN1493.jpg

Or if you do not like clip points a drop point might be more to you liking.
IMG_0663.jpg

That is a small hand made fixed blade and a kydex sheath for the price you are
asking about.

Or even your own design.

Just wondering,

Bryan
 
Victorinox One Hand Trekker. I carry and use one everyday.
Cost is greater than $20 but not really expensive when you see all it will do.
adding a Mora down the road should fill all your needs.
 
sicily02 said:
Caleb, is there a perticular reason you want a small folder for a back up survival knife?

The reason I ask is that you can get a small hand made fixed blade knife like this for that price
DSCN1493.jpg

Or if you do not like clip points a drop point might be more to you liking.
IMG_0663.jpg

That is a small hand made fixed blade and a kydex sheath for the price you are
asking about.

Or even your own design.

Just wondering,

Bryan
Click to expand...

OK, I don't know about the OP, but you got MY attention with that drop point -- specs please?
 
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