Best EDCs Under $40... Your List

J

JNieporte

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Nov 1, 2004
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I wanted to compile a list of some of the knives we EDC, either folders or fixed blades, but the only condition being they have to cost under $40 brand new. Maybe this will stay active for a while and help out some of the new-comers.
My list is below, in no particular order, with a brief description of each...

1. Kabar Dozier Folding Hunter. There are several in the series, and they all have 3" AUS-8 blades and Zytel handles. Lockbacks, tip-down reversible pocket clips, and thumb studs (or a thumb oval on one model). Lanyard hole. Costs around $18.
2. Spyderco Tenacious. 3-3/8" 8Cr13MoV steel, thumb hole for opening. Linerlock with black G-10 scales. Open-back design. Clip is reversible for tip up or down carry, left or right hand. Lanyard hole. Costs about $35.
3. Buck Smidgen / Hartsook. Both are fixed blade necker knives, and are the same exact thing except blade steel; the Smidgen is 420HC and the Hartsook is S30V. 1-7/8" blade, 4-1/2" overall. No handle slabs. Friction-fit sheath. Small 550 cord loop attached for grip. The Smidgen costs around $15 and the Hartsook around $23.
4. Byrd Cara Cara. This is thought of as the poor-man's Endura, but it's great. 4" blade made of 8Cr13MoV. Lockback. Lined Zytel handles, thumb hole for opening. Four-way pocket clip. Lanyard hole. Costs about $20.
5. Boker Subcom. 1-7/8" AUS-8 blade. Opens with thumb disks and is a frame lock. Zytel scale provides grip. Clip is reversible for right-hand tip up or down. Lanyard hole. Costs about $20.
6. Victorinox Farmer. There are dozens of Swiss Army Knives (SAKs) to pick from, but the Farmer is my workhorse. Metal handle scales, large blade, wood saw, can opener / screwdriver, reamer, bottle opener / screwdriver, and keyring. Costs about $25.
7. Rough Riders. The Rough Rider brand is available in just about any pattern that a Case or Boker slipjoint is, and they all are very well-made. They cost anywhere from $6 to $20.
8. CRKT Dogfish. A fixed blade neck knife. 2-1/4" blade, made of 3Cr13. No handle slabs. Friction-fit plastic sheath. Lanyard hole. Costs about $20.
9. Kershaw Needs Work. 3" blade made of Sandvik steel. Assisted opener, lined FRN scales. Tip-down right-hand only clip. Linerlock. Great value at $30.
10. Buck 110 The trusty 110. 3-3/4" blade of 420HC. Lockback. Lined hardwood handle scales. This is the most copied knife design I've seen. Opens with a nail nick. Costs just under $40.

I'm sure there will be lots of replies different than mine, so let's do it. What are your favorites?
 
1) Spyderco Tenacious
2) Ontario RAT I Folder
3) Boker Subcom
4) Spyderco Ladybug
5) Any SAK (personal favorites are the Rambler, Pioneer Rancher and Farmer)
6) Byrd Cara Cara - too big of a blade for my tastes but it is quite a nice knife for the $
7) Buck BBW
8) KaBar Dozier Folders
 
1. Kershaw Scallion
2. Kershaw Needs Work
No China crap like CRKT or American Knife companies who produce in China get my vote!
 
Benchmade Monochrome. I prefer it to my Benchmade Griptilian.
Kabar Large Dozier
Kabar Doziers
Any of the Byrd knives.
Buck 301
 
  • Browning Ice Storm
  • Buck 110
  • Any SAK
  • Opinel #7 or #8
  • Kershaw Leek (you have to shop)
 
a couple more that i think are great...
1) Case Soddie Jr Yeller and CV can be found for as little as $20 Nuff said:thumbup:
2) Buck Nobleman, around $20 classy looking and excellent liner lock alot o' bang for the Buck:D
3) Case medium Stockman, Yeller Cv right around $30 give or take
4) Most of the Rough rider knives, great if ya wanna try a pattern out first or to get a kid excited about slippies:thumbup:
5) Gerber Mini fast draw (i know i know) tough SOB though i abused the hell outta mine finally retired it last year to my sons collection
6) Any SAK ya cant go wrong with them and they have something for almost everybody
ivan
 
I'll add the Boker Trance. Good ergos, decent steel, rides well(tip up or down) and simple design. Under $30.
 
Best under $40.00?

In no particular order.....

Buck 110
Timberline Workhorse
SOG Fusion Salute
Spyderco Native from WM
 
All have been noted before, but my pics:
My favorite is the Kabar Dozier, b/c that guy knows how to design a knife - it's got great ergos in a lightweight package for around $20.
Another super blade in a slim package is the Boker Trance
But if you want something bigger the Browning Ice Storm simply can't be beat for value - it's a $100 Mcusta for $40 or less.
 
Restricted to knives I have personal experience with...

  • Whichever 2 or 3 layer SAK that has the best assortment of tools for you. I'd rather carry one than any plier-based leatherman-esque multitool.
  • byrd Wings Slipit: The choice of a SE or PE blade, whichever is appropriate for every situation, in one compact package without the drawbacks of CE.

Hmm. All my other sub-$40 knives are sub-$20 pieces of junk dating from before I discovered quality knives. I should do something about that... lots easier to feed the habit with cheap good knives than expensive ones.
 
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