Best EDC under 30$

Etna said:
My actual real-world experience with the sub $30 S&W and Schrade knives does not agree with your opinion...
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And my actual real world experience is that they are very poor quality compared to Kershaws, Ontarios and Bucks in that price range. I still have a few S&W that haven't kicked the bucket yet but they were more in the $50-$60 range. Better materials such as G10 and AUS8 steel can be had in the Rat 2 for $30.
 
Seneca18 said:
And my actual real world experience is that they are very poor quality compared to Kershaws, Ontarios and Bucks in that price range. I still have a few S&W that haven't kicked the bucket yet but they were more in the $50-$60 range. Better materials such as G10 and AUS8 steel can be had in the Rat 2 for $30.
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My Schrade SCH105 has G10 and 8cr13mov which is on par with AUS8. And it cost only $18, almost half the Rat2. It also feels a heck lot more solid than my flimsy Buck Bantam BBW which set me back about $20 with inferior 420HC.
 
Etna said:
My Schrade SCH105 has G10 and 8cr13mov which is on par with AUS8. And it cost only $18, almost half the Rat2. It also feels a heck lot more solid than my flimsy Buck Bantam BBW which set me back about $20 with inferior 420HC.
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I'll take Buck's 420HC over Taylor's 8cr13mov. Call it inferior in your world, but in mine it works perfectly.

I have one S&W left in my inventory, and only because my uncle gave it to me as a gift. When it goes T.U. I won't be replacing it.

Kershaw Guy always has a rack of good bargains in this price range. You can get a Nura and a Shuffle both for $30 today.
 
As others have said, it's hard to beat a kabar mini dozier in that price range. That's what I have on me right now.

Mercator, dukduk, and opinel make some good folding knives in that range as well, but they are not one hand openers and the steel is not as fancy. I personally favor the mercator cat knives because they are all metal, slim profile, lock, and can reach the bottom of a peanut butter jar :thumbup:
 
Etna said:
My actual real-world experience with the sub $30 S&W and Schrade knives does not agree with your opinion...
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I have had a couple of S&W and Schrade knives over the years and they ended up broken or in my box of junk knives. I put them in the same grade as the Tac-Force knives they sell on the Bay. They can perform like a KLO (Knife Like Object) but you can do much better.

RAT Model 2 is a good choice, but be careful. There are lots of counterfeit RATs out there. I still have a hard time wrapping my brain around the logic of counterfeiting a $25 knife, lol. The RAT 2 is a fairly light duty knife, too. That liner lock is very thin.

Look at the Byrd Line from Spyderco. These are very well made knives, but the price seems to be creeping up.

The H6S1 from RealSteel are well built knives. Stay away from some of their older designs; they're direct ports from SRM models with variable quality.

Some of the classic SRM models can be had for cheap, but the performance of the steel can be a little spotty. They're not the most ergonomic of knives either, they tend to feel a little "un-finished".

SOME of the Chinese Kershaws are well made, but I've noticed more and more variation from model to model and from lot to lot in terms of fit, finish and quality.

If you can find some of the old Cold Steels in AUS8 on closeout, they're a solidly built knife.

I'd tend to avoid the CRKTs and SOGs until a particular model has proven itself in the sub-$30 price range. They tend to be a little pricey for the sum of materials and performance.

EDIT: I forgot to mention the Buck Vantage. IF you can personally select your knife and find one with good fit and finish, it's a winner. I've seen a lot of Vantages that were a train wreck though.
Also, check out the ESEE Zancudo, a direct competitor with the RAT 2.
 
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Kershaw Chill

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Pick a Kershaw you like the looks of and go with it if you want cheap, reliable EDC action within your requirements. Injection 3.0 is amazing for around $12. If you move up to the $50 mark, be sure to pick a knife with Sandvik steel (Blur, Skyline, Knockout, Leek)

CRKT makes the G10 Drifter for around $20 if you're looking for something small and light. At the $50 mark, the Spyderco Dragonfly2 is a no brainer. VG10 steel is awesome EDC stuff.

If you want a true workhorse of an EDC, the Spyderco Tenacious would by my choice. (Or the Persistence for under 7" mark.)

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Spyderco Tenacious punches way above it's price point.

I have a sprint run blue G-10 that I keep tucked in my bathrobe or pajama pants around the house. It stays on me more than any other knife, now that I think about it....
 
I just got a Kershaw 3480 Valmara in the mail today and it's a very nice knife for $25. Great Les George design and good fit and finish.
 
Many nice options from many companies here, really, that fit your criteria more or less

KaBar Dozier, Kershaw Chill, OSO Sweet, Shallot, Scallion, Shuffle, Nura, Injection, Cryo, Cold Steel Pro Lite, Byrd Meadowlark 2, Ronin, Tern, Finch 2, Ontario RAT and ESEE Avispa or Zancudo, Spyderco Ambitious, Tenacious, Persistence, CRKT, Schrade, Ganzo, SanRenMu, HARNDS, Enlan ...a thousand options out there
Most recomendations above are worth a look, good luck!
 
Hackenslash said:
I have had a couple of S&W and Schrade knives over the years and they ended up broken or in my box of junk knives. I put them in the same grade as the Tac-Force knives they sell on the Bay. They can perform like a KLO (Knife Like Object) but you can do much better..
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The quality of S&W and Schrade are way above the likes of MTech and Tac-Force.
 
banana-clip said:
There are a few Kershaws in that price range, here are a couple.

Kershaw Intellect 1810 Assisted Opening Flipper Knife
Kershaw 1885 Entropy Assisted Opening Flipper Knife
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I just received one along with an Injection 3.5. The latter has just sat. I just ordered a SECOND ENTROPY.

Assisted, tumbled blade finish, deep-carry clip, and excellent grip! I would LIKE to see the liners skeletonized for a bit less weight....but, I've ordered a DUPLICATE. :thumbup:

I'm also a fan of the Dozier K-bar mentioned here, albeit mine with oval-hole opener. It's also a fine value-to-dollar contender in a one-hand knife. Much lighter, too.
 
I'd probably go for the Rat II as well, but just to throw one more log on the fire--the only Kershaw I still carry on occasion is a Thermite. Really nice beater EDC with good ergos for large hands at that price point IMO, and totally disappears in a pocket despite its longer length because it's so thin with super-deep carry.
 
Etna said:
My actual real-world experience with the sub $30 S&W and Schrade knives does not agree with your opinion...
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And neither does mine:

I got for free a Kershaw RJ Martin "Tactical" 1986, with a 3 11/16" blade (almost 3 3/4) and a super positive assisted opening spring that will never cause problems, and, if the edge holds up, it is simply the best folder I have ever owned, better than the $500 Al Mar knife it came free with!: The $500 folder needed badly a professional regrind to be useable, while the free Kershaw, worth about $30 (and free!), took by hand a reduced 12 degree per side edge quite well:

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Except for the lack of jimping on the thumb ramp, the quality, execution and especially the design are phenomenal...: Not the typical slab handle but a nicely shaped one, with the flipper acting as an actual guard... Truly the best folder I have ever owned...

And forget the flipper concept: This is so assisted it is basically an automatic knife, without the hassle of automatics... Even the clip design, super small and very functional, is my favourite of all time...

Gaston
 
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