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Best $50 Pocket Knife

I see the Tenacious as a "gateway knife". Good to get started but you'll soon be looking at other Spydercos (and better steels). The Resilience, Persistence, and Ambitious are all in the same family. Same 8Cr13MoV blade and G10 scales, and all are good values IMO.

The Spyderco Dragonfly 2 is another sweet knife. VG-10 blade, FRN scales, and right at the $50 street price. I'm also a fan of the Cat if you like a shorter blade (or your local laws require it).

Stepping up another $10 or so gets you into the Delica range. Great knives that have been the cornerstone of the Spyderco catalog for years (for good reason).

The Ontario RAT1 and RAT2 are also great bargains. AUS-8 and nylon scales.

I don't own any Kershaws but there are several at that price point that are popular. Others can speak to them.

But IMO the best "only one knife" to own is a Swiss Army (SAK). There's a lot to choose from for $50 or under.
 
My favorite EDC knife when I started collecting was a Kershaw Leek. That was actually my only knife I used exclusively for almost a year with no problems before I started buying more knives.
 
Becker 14 is my favorite, I realize it's a fixed blade, but it fits in my pocket so that counts, right????
 
A carbon steel Boker, made in Germany, is about the best traditional you can get for $40-50. Excellent quality (very consistent) and beautiful materials. Something like this perhaps?

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If you're looking for users (which I'm sure you are at that price point) you should hit up kershawguy.com

Dave has awesome prices on Kershaw blems. You're bound to find something that tickles your fancy.
 
I'd recommend the Spyderco Delica. I own several of them - and still use my first one from 1992.

TedP
 
Spyderco dragonfly maybe,or you can get a new benchmade mini grip for $69 off the bay or even less for slightly used ones. One of my personal favs but the spydercos are so thin and light yet functional.
 
I really like the looks of the Spyderco Endura and the Kershaw Blur S30V. After doing some research I've read bad things about both, such as the Enduras flexing and the Blurs blades touching the handle. If it came down to these two which would you guys choose?
 
I live in Hawaii and only knives I've had issues with rust/patina are with my Opinel knives. The Spyderco Tenacious and Spyderco Persistence has been rust resilient so far and I've had them for about a year now.
 
Stick to reputable well known companies. With that said, you will have to look at the options listed here and decide for yourself which you like best. Here are the one's I would consider:

Kershaw
- Thermite
- Cryo II (Original Cryos too small, trust me.)

Cold Steel
- American Lawman (All the other models are very gaudy and/or large.)

Ontario
- Rat 1 (Can't go wrong here, probably the most popular affordable folding knife.)

SOG (This companies a tricky one. Some people seem to love them, others hate them. Do some research and decide for yourself.)
- Trident
- Aegis
- Flash II
 
TheGoldenSaber said:
I really like the looks of the Spyderco Endura and the Kershaw Blur S30V. After doing some research I've read bad things about both, such as the Enduras flexing and the Blurs blades touching the handle. If it came down to these two which would you guys choose?
Click to expand...

Order the Blur from Kershawguy on here, he will knock your socks off with the quality and consistency of the products he sends out. Plus you'll get your delivery so fast you'll think he's hiding in your mailbox.
 
Definitely an s30v blur IMO, but the recurve takes a little time to learn to sharpen on a bench stone, so if you're looking for something a little easier in that department I'd say go with the Tenacious

Best of luck!
 
Tenacious, dragonfly, or skyline. Depends on the size you want. If you are ok with a used knife, get a used Stretch for about that.
 
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