Best all purpose knife under $50?

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kensclark16

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Sep 25, 2013
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I was looking at the Kershaw Cryo II and the clash. I was told to get a spear point for an all purpose blade though. I just want the strongest multi purpose design. I currently have a crappy Ozark Trails knife from Walmart. I'm not a knife expert so I don't know what my current knife's blade type is. Thanks! Also, I will carry this with me every day. The knife can be more than $50 if I can find it on eBay for less than $50.
 
Well If you're looking at the Cryo II, then you've started at the right place. Also look at the Kershaw Thermite, the Spyderco Tenacious (also the Persistence, and the resilience). I've also heard that the Ontario Rat 1 is an outstanding blade for the money, although I've never had one. Good luck with your decision!
 
Rat 1 is a good choice. Strangely, i can't think of some close to but under your price.
 
Rat 1 or 2 are excellent choices. For a small Edc look at a CRKT drifter.
 
All purpose? Inexpensive? Any number of Victorinox SAK. Farmer you can find the mid-$30 range. Tinker and Camper in the $20 range. They'll handily cover the criteria of all purpose, less than 50 bucks, and spear point.

Vic stock photo
victorinox-farmer-08241.jpg
 
Take a look at the Kershaw Tremor, The Ontario Joe Pardue Utilitac II. These are two hi-value, low-priced, very worthy folders.
 
There is quite a choice in the 50 $ range . Say at least what kind you like - is it a traditional looking , military style , should it have modern sh*ts like one hand opening linear/frame lock , how will you carry it - in the pocket , pouch , with clip or without ....
I don't want to be offtopic so besides the famous tenacious/rat my advise is :
1/ buck 110/112 :
+ solid , nice looking , realy well made , good heat threatment of the blade , strong back lock
- big and heavier than modern knivese , no pocket clip
2/ queen cutlery country cousin :
+ nice durable tool steel , pocketable size , don't look dangerous to non-knife persons
- d2 can get rust if you are not carefull , can be dificult to sharpen if you are unexpirienced
3/ SAK farmer
+ thick aluminium handles , good number of tools on it , nothing on the back side which makes it more pleasant to use , good enough steel for pocket knife that is quite easy to sharpen
- can't find one , maybe the lack of any locking mechanism but it doesn't bother me .
 
All purpose and a great price, the Spyderco Tenacious is a classic option to go with and is a "gateway" knife for many people. Plus it is around $40 depending on what version you get.
 
The Buck Vantage Force Avid is a great knife in that range. 13c26 Sandvik steel, lummie handles and black oxide coated plain edge make for a decent knife.
 
Ontario RAT-1 is a nice knife. you should try this one.
another is Spyderco Delica. I believe if is above 50$.a bit but it is a really nice EDC knife concept.
while I like the Delica more than the RAT1, the RAT1 is much more better knife for outdoor tasks because the liner lock makes it easier to clean.
 
Mini-grip or Delica are about the two most popular single blade EDCs for a reason. Scrounge up the extra $10 and get one of those. If not, a Victorinox SAK (flavor of choice) should always be in a guys EDC.
 
I do not own one, but have been tempted to get a A G Russell utility knife, one hand opening in clip or spear point.
 
When you said "spear point," Victorinox was the first name that jumped into my head. You can buy a really nice one for fifty bucks, and a perfectly capable model for $15-$35.

Take a look at the AG Russell Featherlite if you want something more 'modern' with a single locking blade. Very affordable, good steel, one-handed, interesting lock. Not quite a 'normal' spear point, but very functional and utilitarian anyway.

If you want to trim back the budget a bit, the Opinel Garden Knife has an excellent spear point, more of a drop point perhaps. $15 or less.

In short, practically anything will be a step up from the current Ozark Trails line.
 
I know i may get blasted for it but the SOG Flash II is my choice, i have owned many of them but i only carried one the part serrated satin version and it is still a good knife, spent 4 years in my pocket every day being used for box cutting and other light to medium duty task. Only sharpened it once or twice. Pocket clip finally gave way and i haven't requested a new
clip because i retired it.Next option would be the rat 1 great knife for the money.

God bless and good luck!
 
Welcome to the forums kensclark16.

The above mentioned cutlery is all good.

Do yourself a favor and get a good one at this point in your collection.

My new EDC, right now, designed by the champion Rick Henderer and built by Kershaw is the Thermite. I consider it such a bargain that it is like an early Christmas gift from Kershaw. The warranty dept. at Kershaw, just bit down the road from me, moved the clip to tip up for me in a few minutes without issue and I'm right-handed and wear xl gloves:

t3ww.jpg


qg88.jpg
 
kensclark16 said:
I was looking at the Kershaw Cryo II and the clash. I was told to get a spear point for an all purpose blade though. I just want the strongest multi purpose design. I currently have a crappy Ozark Trails knife from Walmart. I'm not a knife expert so I don't know what my current knife's blade type is. Thanks! Also, I will carry this with me every day. The knife can be more than $50 if I can find it on eBay for less than $50.
Click to expand...

Ken, three points...

First, don't equate low price with low quality. There are several low price knives that are very well made, very durable and very capable. The fixed blade Mora and folding Opinels are two. There are others. It is not always true that you get what you pay for. Often, what you pay for the luxury of confidence that you have something good, where "good" = "expensive".

Second, "all purpose" and "multi purpose" are too generic and open ended to give any meaningful guidance to you (beyond the obligatory "I own such and such" posts).

Describe the range of things you do and want to do with a knife and you can get better guidance. Different knives are better at some things than others.

Third, you might just want to ignore the second point and get something you like the looks of and go from there. You need to like your knife and the usability issues come with experience.
 
If you're looking for multi purpose, look to Victorinox. If you're looking for strongest, I don't think anything compares or even comes close to Cold Steel in that price range. I heartily recommend the Voyager series, the Pocket Bushman, and theTuff Lite, the former two I own.
 
When I hear "all purpose" I immediately look to my belt sheath which houses my SwissChamp(over 50) or my other SAKs(under 50). A blade-only option wouldn't be my first choice for all purpose unless I only needed it for cutting. If I could figure out a way to carry it daily and let's say I wasn't allowed any multi-tools I could see myself carrying my Bucklite Max fixed blade. It's not Armageddon yet so I don't necessarily need to carry it around daily but for under 40 it's an awesome blade that I'd be glad to have. The Victorinix MiniChamp is keychain size but has a decent amount of purposes.

Long story short...
Blade only option IMO = Bucklite Max (4 inch blade, easy to sharpen and great)
Whatever Victorinox SAK I could buy for under 50
 
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