Best EDC (in your opinion) for under $50

[Ian Weller]

I say use your ZT at work. Why not? I carry and use this Arno Bernard iMamba folder for work. I’m in construction so it gets dirty and worked hard. Not a cheap knife, with RWL-34 steel and warthog tusk inlays, but holds up to the job. So so much satisfaction.
View attachment 1562105

Its relatively new but I understand where you are coming from. When you pay for a higher quality knife with better steel then it should hold up, to knife things anyway!

 

[Stelth]

Folding: Victorinox Alox Pioneer X
Fixed: Ka bar Wrench knife

 

[Ian Weller]

Folding: Victorinox Alox Pioneer X
Fixed: Ka bar Wrench knife

Was completely unaware that KABAR made a wrench knife, very cool.

 

[Ian Weller]

I say use your ZT at work. Why not? I carry and use this Arno Bernard iMamba folder for work. I’m in construction so it gets dirty and worked hard. Not a cheap knife, with RWL-34 steel and warthog tusk inlays, but holds up to the job. So so much satisfaction.
View attachment 1562105

Also wow, beautiful knife.

 

[ferider]

If you like the Spyderco Endura pattern: The Cara Cara 2 Ti can still be had in a couple of shops for around $50.

 

[brownshoe]

Steel Will Intrigue. D2 steel $50 at Knifecenter. 3.6" blade. I got one as a present, has held up well. Excellent flat ground blade with nice thin edge. Lifetime warranty, US company, Chinese production.

 

[AntDog]

CJRB Feldspar. Hard to beat in that price range.

 

[A.S.]

Case Sodbuster

 

[JBoone]

Everone should own a delica but I see they have crept up in price. Probably has been a while since they were $50 but I would still say great knife for the price (but I am biased, got my fist one in 1995?)

 

[DocT]

I like the Victorinox Pioneer X. I also like the Vic Pioneer Solo and Spyderco Cat. The Cat has it all: good steel, G10, excellent fit and finish. One of my favorite knives, if you can find one, is the Spyderco SPY-DK. It is a more traditional type of folding knife and requires two hands, but it is a fantastic knife: good N690 steel, slim in the pocket, great ergonomics, you name it.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Last 27 years a spyderco delica G-2 in one pocket and a case trapper in a belt sheath
and recently the serrated delica and a spyderco raven2
pretty simple stuff for edc ranch work , truck door has a moraknif serrated edge

 

[Boattale]

Kabar Dozier design folder in D2. Cannot abide a liner lock knife.

 

[Ian Weller]

Everone should own a delica but I see they have crept up in price. Probably has been a while since they were $50 but I would still say great knife for the price (but I am biased, got my fist one in 1995?)

I think cheapest I have found after searching a little is $85

 

[Billy The Hungry]

Ontario Rat knives. Best $29 you'll spend on a knife.

 

[Bigbluefish]

CJRB Centros or Mini Feldspar.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

I love my Civivi Praxis, but I don't know how well bearings will hold up if you're constantly covered in metal shavings.
The RAT I and II in D2 are great knives for the money, and the new KA-BAR Becker folder looks promising.

I think I'd probably steer you toward the Boker side-opening autos (Kalashnikov, Strike, Kihon), most of which fall below $50. Tough construction, reliable action, and better steel than whatever is on your Gerber. I prefer the handles on the Strike and Kihon to the Kalashnikov

Strike Bowie D2

Kihon Desert Warrior D2

Kalashnikov Desert Warrior AUS-8

 

[Ian Weller]

I love my Civivi Praxis, but I don't know how well bearings will hold up if you're constantly covered in metal shavings.
The RAT I and II in D2 are great knives for the money, and the new KA-BAR Becker folder looks promising.

I think I'd probably steer you toward the Boker side-opening autos (Kalashnikov, Strike, Kihon), most of which fall below $50. Tough construction, reliable action, and better steel than whatever is on your Gerber. I prefer the handles on the Strike and Kihon to the Kalashnikov

Strike Bowie D2

Kihon Desert Warrior D2

Kalashnikov Desert Warrior AUS-8

Wow I really like the look of that kihon desert warrior. Yes the steel on my Gerber is s#!t I haven't been able to find out exactly what it is but its hard to keep a good edge on it. Still looking into CIVIVI

 

[dirc]

yeah, gerber tends to use 3cr13 steel on many of their models, or plain 420 stainless...

those are usually hardened only to the low 50s so they just can't keep a good edge

( unfortunately other companies, like kershaw are also doing 'low cost' models that use 3cr13, named 'starter', 'lifter', 'manifold', 'filter', 'rhetoric', etc... which imho should be avoided )

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

Wow I really like the look of that kihon desert warrior. Yes the steel on my Gerber is s#!t I haven't been able to find out exactly what it is but its hard to keep a good edge on it. Still looking into CIVIVI

It's a pretty sweet little knife. Not ProTech snappy, but plenty strong. It lives on my workbench in the garage. The blade coating, whatever it is, has been surprisingly durable.

 

[mmyron1]

I carried a few Spyderco blades that cost under $50. The Tenacious was $37 and was in my pocket for 5+ years at work.

Now SAK under $50. Never leave home without one.