best $40 or under knife for everyday carry?

baraqyal

baraqyal

Joined
Nov 30, 2000
Messages
860
Assuming some of us are on a budget, and a tight one at that, I present the following question:
If you were on an extremely tight budget - e.g. retired/pension/starving student/etc. and wanted to purchase a knife for every day carry - which one would it be?
For purposes of this question, the knife can be any new knife under $40, which can be readily purchased from a web site (e.g. no - "I found a NIB large sebenza for $40 at an auction") The knife should function as both a utility knife and a self defense knife. Also, the knife will be the ONLY carry knife for a period of at least one year.
I've been thinking about this for a few days and have no definite idea. Good thing I just ordered a new BM 710 and this small of a budget isn't an issue.
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Anyways, it would be a useful thing to know. Many of my friends carry SAK or multitools, but are unwilling to spend the money for a real quality single blade knife. $40 seems a reasonable quantity to spend, and is within most peoples range (at least - in the U.S.)
So, what do you think? In your opinion, either pick only one, or if you want to pick multiple knives, the total combined price has to fall under $40. Include why you think it's the best. Shipping cost should not be included in the $40.
I know it's hard to choose - thats why I have to ask.
Thanx!
Rob
 
Let me be the first to say Spyderco Endura, still one of the best bangs for the buck. Carried one for years, served me well. The Buck 110 of my generation.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
I've carried a knife for, as near as I can figure, 44 years. Most of them have been well under the $40.00 mark. My favorite price point has always been around $20.00, since it generally means a useable blade, that can readily take an edge and it won't break the bank if it's lost or regulated to the hard use catagory. I guess these days, $40.00, adjusting for inflation
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, isn't unnreasonable. Don't get me wrong, I love the higher quality offerings,but I get real misty eyed at the thought of seeing tape gunk on my SOCOMM, when an Old Timer would open that tape just fine. I guess I'm an old skin flint at heart
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.

Among my favorites that always seem to be in my pockets: ( or around my neck)

Kershaw Lever Lock

Any Schrade, but for the ultimate in scary sharp, the Old Timers.

Impulse, the smaller one.( Not really fair, since I just bought it yesterday, but it will replace my $70.00 BM Leopard Cub.)

Stiff Kiss-Great restraunt steak knife, possibly the best thing going since it looks like restraunt silverware until you look real close.

The sorely missed Benchmade Panther
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My own 100% of the time car console companion.

YMMV, but my selections are based on what I use mine for. My own knives usually: Get lost. Get resharpened out of existence. Get so gunked up they are unpresentable. Cut nasty enough stuff, that no amount of cleaning can erase the "where it's been" factor. (The dog's tonails in case you wondered) Get broken or nicked. Honestly, it wasn't until a couple years ago that I felt underequiped without having an expensive knife. Now I have a whole safe full of them, but still go back to the lower priced ones for everyday carry/use. *

*NO the others aren't for sale. Just casue they were expensive don't mean they ain't loved
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And for the record, self defense use for me, means something I can get my hands on while groveling, sniveling and generally pleading on my knees,,,followed by a quick cut to whatever is available. Might not be the best or most macho tactic, but at my fat old age, it might be the best.

[This message has been edited by Hal (edited 12-17-2000).]
 
If you shop very carefully, the Spyderco Delica, Endura, Calypso Jr, and Native can be found within or very near your specified price range (not including postage.) All offer great value for the money and are highly regarded knives. The Calypso Jr. and Native both feature what I consider to be premium steels and the greater bang for the buck.
 
Endura or a Buck Odyssey. The Buck 110 is the all time best bang for the buck (pun alert) but is fat, heavy and not as well suited for self-defense; sorta like many around here.
 
Buck 110 or Spyderco Calypso Jr.

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Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
I got my Native for $40 shipped. Excellent design, steel, size and Spydrerco customer service is very good.

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Brian
 
Zytel handled Magna from Outdoor Edge. It's a production version of one of Kit Carson's customs. Usually retails around $39.00. Not quite the beast that its metal brother is, but still impressive. Also has the nice integrated clip flush with the scale instead of sticking out to interrupt your grip. More features and function and full size for a great price.

Phil



[This message has been edited by phatch (edited 12-17-2000).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by sgtmike88:
If you shop very carefully, the Spyderco Delica, Endura, Calypso Jr, and Native can be found within or very near your specified price range (not including postage.) All offer great value for the money and are highly regarded knives. The Calypso Jr. and Native both feature what I consider to be premium steels and the greater bang for the buck. </font>
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Ditto Sgtmike88 and Stjames RE Spyderco. Esp since "self defense" implies on-hand opening. If not, one can certainly go with a SAK or (for really tight budget) and Opinel, of course.
 
Spyderco Delica, Calypso Jr Lightweight, Native, Endura, or Wayne Goddard Lightweight.

Personally, I have owned high end Benchmades, Spydercos, a Sebenza, and played with just about all the rest.

I carry two Wayne Goddard Lightweights, one in each cargo pocket, and a Delica.

And a Spyderco Mouse to keep from scaring people.

And a Swiss Tool for all the rest.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

&gt;&gt;---&gt;Bill Siegle Custom Knives&lt;---&lt;&lt;
-http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives-

Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!

Fire Page, metal match sources and index of information.

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
I own most of the knives mentioned, and with the limitations you have placed (i.e., ~$40 price, general purpose, likely to be only knife) I will also vote for the Spyderco Endura.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by baraqyal:
<snip>
For purposes of this question, the knife can be any new knife under $40, which can be readily purchased from a web site <snip></font>
Click to expand...

How about a CRKT Pointguard or whatever you like from them? You can get some of the M16s, the Grey Ghost, the Urban shark, the Kasper, etc

 
CRKT, esp the point guard. Spyderco Goddard Lightweight. Possibly opinel. Possible fixed blades: WKC neck knives, such as the LP. (Stretch the budget a bit, he offers the 4" US Marshall with cord wrapped handle for $65.) Cold steel all-terrain hunter.
 
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