Beater EDC Knife ($60 or under)

N

Nitiwat

Joined
Jun 9, 2012
Messages
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Hello wonderful folks of BladeForums. I need a recommendation for a relatively decent beater EDC knife. Open to any brands/suggestions. The Spyderco Manix 2 is pretty much the perfect EDC for me, but I'm looking for something with similar characteristics but cheaper. Also does anyone know if they make a Manix 2 clone?

I would prefer:
- Blade length 3.20" - 3.70" plain edge (preferably a black coating)
- Non flipper
- 1 hand operated locking mechanism (ideally something like BM AXIS or Spyderco ball bearing)
- Open to any blade steel (but not too crap that I have to re-sharpen every weekend)

Would like to it to be under $60, but if a tiny bit over I'll still consider it.

Knives that I don't want: Tenacious and RAT 1.

Thanks!
 
I would really just save up and get a Manix 2 if that's what you want. You can find one at about that price off the exchange. A lightweight one just went for $65 brand new. You could get a gently used one in lw or g10 package for nearly that if you look around. There awesome knives so if that's what you want don't settle.
 
luke86 said:
I would really just save up and get a Manix 2 if that's what you want. You can find one at about that price off the exchange. A lightweight one just went for $65 brand new. You could get a gently used one in lw or g10 package for nearly that if you look around. There awesome knives so if that's what you want don't settle.
Click to expand...

I actually own the Manix 2 XL and I didn't realize people were selling the Manix 2 for less than half of what I paid for my XL! Either way, one of the main reasons I posted this was because I was hoping to get something I could purchase in-store or order online in my country. I live in Thailand and shipping tends to be a little expensive here, so if I were lucky enough to get a regular sized Manix 2 for $60-$70 and have to pay another $20+ for shipping it kinda kills the deal for me.

But thank you for pointing me to the exchange, I just checked it out and there are definitely some good deals there. I'm going to keep my eye and see if I can snag some used goodies.
 
Tons of options. The Kershaw Blur is a good beater and the Sandvik steel is great.

If you really like the Manix2, I'm curious why you don't like the Tenacious????? They share the same DNA:
24050211214_abcd903f31_b.jpg
 
I was using a cold steel voyager as a beater knife until i lost the damn thing. A back lock can be operated with one hand.
 
How about the Manix2 lightweight BD1 with FRN? It's a little over but gives you what you want.
 
Kershaw Blur in Sandvik 14c28n is can be found under $60 (near $40 for blems). Easy one handed opening and closing (you can also de-assist it if you'd like) with what I think are the best thumb studs of any knife I own.

My tan with black coating Blur was $53 shipped from Kershaw Guy
 
The Ontario Utilitac comes in a black blade finish version. Tends to run about $30.

You mentioned that you don't want an Ontario RAT 1. The utilitac is a sibling of the RAT 1, but a totally different design, so it might be worth looking into.

And any specific reason you don't like the RAT1/Tenacious? Its hard to recommend other alternatives when arguably two of the most popular recommendations are blacklisted. So it would help to know why they've been ruled out.

Good luck finding something :).
 
Nitiwat said:
Would like to it to be under $60, but if a tiny bit over I'll still consider it.

Knives that I don't want: Tenacious and RAT 1.
Click to expand...

Those are the very best ones made for under $60, if you don't want them then maybe visit your local gas station and see what they have for sale.

But seriously, runners-up at under $60 might be various Kershaw models such as the Blur.

A couple of years ago I bought a used G10 Manix 2 for about $65.
 
Just $15 more and you could get your perfect EDC, which you will end up getting later on anyway. When I bought my Manix 2 I didnt even like it at first, then I started carrying it because I considered selling it and wanted to make sure. Now I think it is probably Spydercos all around best knife and certainly one of those that I would consider perfect. I wouldnt buy a cheap substitute and for the love of God dont get a Chinese rip off clone just to have something that looks like the knife you want.
 
You could look for users on the secondary market. You could potentially get a nicer knife and you are going to use it anyway.
 
Asking about clones around here is like picking the forbidden fruit.

I agree, a Manix from the exchange is a great idea.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 
If I were you I would buy the manix 2 or a griptillian and never look back. They're worth the extra $$$. Lifetime warranty on the BM.
 
There's the HK Axis knife. You can find it for around $60 on a certain auction site right now. But I've seen them as low as 50 in great condition. Comes with D2 steel and axis lock.
 
As another suggested, I would take a look at the Kershaw Blur. It is around your price range and I loved mine. Never carried it over my other knives so I sold it to a friend. Almost wish I hadn't, it is a great knife and should take what you throw at it. Good luck.
 
abbazaba said:
Tons of options. The Kershaw Blur is a good beater and the Sandvik steel is great.

If you really like the Manix2, I'm curious why you don't like the Tenacious????? They share the same DNA:
Click to expand...

Wow I've never held both of those together, they look almost the same. Well the reason I ruled out the Tenacious is because although I don't own one personally, I've gotten to play with one extensively and the liner lock and blade deployment felt "gummy". Maybe I just had a defect? Can you guys confirm this is not a common issue?

As for the RAT1, I have one, beat it but still works. Just looking for something different.

From reading your suggestions, it seems like a used Spyder or a Blur would suit my needs well.

Thanks for the suggestions!
 
I've carried a Tenacious for about a year, used the hell out of it.
Chipped like crazy, and the lockbar touched the opposite liner after that period, lock rock.

My PM2 has been true worse for longer, no problem there.
Can't speak for the RAT1.
 
snooka said:
I've carried a Tenacious for about a year, used the hell out of it.
Chipped like crazy, and the lockbar touched the opposite liner after that period, lock rock.

My PM2 has been true worse for longer, no problem there.
Can't speak for the RAT1.
Click to expand...

Did you have any problems opening/closing or it feeling sticky or anything?
 
Nitiwat said:
... The Spyderco Manix 2 is pretty much the perfect EDC for me, but I'm looking for something with similar characteristics but cheaper.

I would prefer:
- Blade length 3.20" - 3.70" plain edge (preferably a black coating)
- Non flipper
- 1 hand operated locking mechanism (ideally something like BM AXIS or Spyderco ball bearing)
- Open to any blade steel (but not too crap that I have to re-sharpen every weekend)

Would like to it to be under $60, but if a tiny bit over I'll still consider it.

Knives that I don't want: Tenacious and RAT 1.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You can just buy another brand new Manix 2, bd1 blade, pretty much the perfect knife for you, for a "tiny bit" over $60... Maybe a "wee" bit, but not much.

Or look for a used Manix or Griptilian..?
 
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