Best EDC for under $50

I recently got my father an opinel #7 in stainless steel. Don't cost much, and hold a crazy edge. More so with the carbon steel. Anyways he loves it!! He skinned a deer with it last week. My knife collection consists of about 75-80 knives and I carry (and use) my opinel #7 everyday. Can't pry with it or use it for a screwdriver, or battle a ninja/pirate, but for cutting and holding an edge it does well.
 
-Delica 4, FRN, VG-10 blade: I would say the standard for a $50 EDC knife.
-Byrd Cara Cara G10: uses 8Cr13MoV, which is like chinese AUS-8. For $30 or so, these are very solid knifes with great attention to detail. I actually like the way it fits my hand better than an Endura, but the quality obviously isn't the same.
-Spyderco Tenacious: G10 handles, linerlock, full flat-ground leaf shaped blade in that same 8Cr13MoV. Spyderco's low-end model is still very well built. I traded mine for a G-10 Byrd Crossbill, but just because I wanted a Hawkbill blade.
-Kershaw Skyline: the perfect small EDC. G10 handles, single liner, 13c26 blade, tip up or down right handed clip, flipper and ambi thumbstuds. This knife is right about 2oz, has a very useful blade, and is just very satisfying to hold - an extremely well-designed knife.
-Kershaw Leek, framelock - assisted opener, framelock, 13c26 (or now 14c26n, i guess) steel, great ergos, very slim profile is good for dress pants, tip up or down right hander.
-Kershaw Lahar: a bit above $50, but a great knife. Thick liner lock, VG-10 steel, G10 handles, very solid.
-Kershaw Shallot: Like a bigger leek, but with a recurve blade. VERY fast opening, not sheeple friendly in the least (especially if it's the black model)
-Benchmade Griptilian/Mini Griptilian: axis lock, 154cm steel, poly handles, basically what many people consider the standard of EDC knives. I like the Delica better but this is a great knife.
-Kershaw Mini-Cyclone: aluminum handles, 13c26 steel, assisted open with an on/off switch (which is nice), fantastic design, very solid knife, very "cool" if that's your thing. I love mine.
-Kershaw Junkyard Dog II: the smoothest flipper folder I own. Kinda big. G10 handles, big liner lock (some models like the SG2 have a framelock in certain versions, it gets confusing with limited production Kershaws, honestly)
-Kershaw Groove: My favorite EDC knife, usually fighting for the honor with my ZDP Delica 4 and Kershaw Skyline. RJ martin designed manual flipper, framelock with G-10 overlays, SO smooth, has those nifty RJ Martin striations in the blade. Can't say enough good things about this one.
and what i'm getting myself next, I think it will make a great EDC:

-Kershaw Zing, Kershaw's second production version of an RJ martin design. same cool striated blade pattern as the Zing, a bit smaller, with thumbstuds and a flipper. textured poly handle. new 14c28 steel, too.


the good news is there are SO many choices for a great <$50 EDC knife. The worst part is picking ONE.
 
Benchmade Monochrome is one of the most outstanding values available. $35 online gets you a framelock with excellent N690 steel.

Buck 55 is 1/2 size version of the 110 that fits in the pocket. It also runs about $35 online.

Any of the Byrds.
 
The Endura is a little too big for EDC and might scare the general population. The Delica is a better, smaller, choice.

I don't think anyone has mentioned the Benchmade Mini-Ambush, but it is a nice, conveniently sized AUS 8 knife with the Axis lock for $35.
 
I'd say you've got a lot of options. Maybe consider a Delica 4 or a Benchmade Grip. Either are fantastic EDC knives, and they can handle most anything an ordinary knife user would be able to throw at them. Both are available at hartknives.com, the Delica for about $ 47.00 before shipping and the Grippy for about $60.00 before shipping. You can't go wrong with either one.

Good luck on finding the right blade!
 
lava_lamp said:
The Endura is a little too big for EDC
Click to expand...

I've been EDCing my E4s 90% of the time for the past 5 months. Compared to all my other EDCs, (even some smaller ones), I cant even feel the thing in my pocket. It is an Excellent EDC. Of course, I'm a big guy with big hands, so I like a bigger blade. Sorry for not being PC (well, not really), but scaring the "general population" doesn't mean a whole lot to me. I've used mine several time in the student center on campus to open mail and boxes and such and most people just say... "wow.. big knife", but they don't cower.

I do have a D4 coming tho. :D
 
I bought my dad a native. He has never carried a knife with a clip on it before and he LOVES it. Goes with him everywhere and he uses it tons. I wish I had as much stuff to cut as he does lol. I always try to go made in U.S.A. when I can.
 
Kershaw Blur. Tanto blade, partially serrated, and spring assisted opening, and only 54 dollars at Walmart!!
 
The two on top Kershaw
027.jpg
Leek and Needs Work...
 
I agree with the monochrome recommendation, I have one and I chose it as my EDC over some more expensive knives.
 
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