Best knife for 50 or less

[EZ Bake]

I am rocking the crap out of this Coast FX350 ($27 and it's seriously impressive). There's also the Kershaw Injection 3.0 or 3.5 (depending on what size you want). These two are probably the most impressive sub-$30 folders I own.

Also good (once you de-assist it) is the CRKT Heiho

 

[Charlie_K]

Exactly how many Victorinox options do you want mentioned?

 

[razorsdescent]

As far as neckers go, the Izula and the Becker Necker are both great blades. I have used both extensively, and I have to say that the Izula is a little handier given the low weight. The Becker is a wee bit heavy for neck carry. I personally have never enjoyed neck carrying knives, and went through a phase where I was pocket carrying an Izula, I enjoyed it immensely. Also, you are at an age where the bottle opener on the Becker is of no use to you. I throw my hat into the Izula corner on this.

When I was around your age, the Kershaw Blur hit the market and it fast became my favorite knife at the time. I highly recommend a Blur, they are at the high end of your asking point, but if you look around a few major online retailers have them for 47 dollars and free shipping (Hint: one of their names starts with an A). I am sure you can find one for less if you really look. They have a great blade profile, and are really well made knives. The assisted opening gives it an awesome wow factor and is just downright fun to play with. The handle is solid and sturdy and reminds me of some higher end knives. The blade profile is awesome. I really haven't heard anything negative about them and they have been out for years.

It's nice to see young guys that are into collecting knives, I like to see young blood refreshing the hobby. I was unfortunate at the time I was your age I lived with my parents who are staunchly anti-gun/knife/sword-younameit. You're a lucky kid.

 

[K.O.D.]

My suggestion? Get a Leatherman Piranha for like $30 and then get a Spyderco Tenacious for about the same. Its $10 more than you have, but you get the best of both worlds IMO.

 

[Comeuppance]

Leatherman Wingman - pocket clip, decently-sized blade, screwdriver.

If you ditch the screwdriver aspect ( which you should, as blades are not tempered for those kinds of stresses and will snap. ), I would suggest a Cold Steel American a Lawman or a Code 4. Very robust folders. Other than that, maybe a Spyderco Endura or a Ontario Utilitac II.

If you want something you can relentlessly beat on without worry, get a Cold Steel. If you want cutting performance and edge retention (at the cost of sturdiness) get a Spyderco.

 

[Spyder328]

Does anyone have much experience with the esee izula because I like it but at a full 2 oz it might be slightly heavy on the neck

I carry my Izula every day (carrying it now) and it is one of the knives I probably won't ever sell. I carry it on my belt and with a tshirt on, you don't even notice it. Its not to bad on the neck but I prefer it on the belt because you forget its even there :thumbup:

 

[Cereal_killer]

I am rocking the crap out of this Coast FX350 ($27 and it's seriously impressive).

I forget I have one of these, got it when I had some stuff to return to Home Depot for store credit. Its in the living quarters of my sisters/mom's horse trailer (I'm the only one that has a rig and can tow it, its a 32' goose neck) but it gets used hard by my sister and all the other barn hands pretty much daily and has no problem holding up to a bunch of non-knife people beating on it.

 

[BenchCo Spydermade]

My favorite <$50 is the CS Tuff-Lite. I guess you could use the spine as a screwdriver in a pinch. But overall, I am constantly amazed by this knife.....

I gotta agree. You lookin for entry level, cheap and sturdy cold steel would have some good options.

 

[BenchCo Spydermade]

That's not my only flipper I have a few. I'm slightly new to knives. I've always had them but I never really got into quality ones and collecting them until about 2-3 months ago. The one thing I don't have is a neck knife and I've been wanting one and I was looking at the crkt minimalist because of price but I'm really starting to like the izula

Sorry should have read more. Izula is a great option. Nice colors too.

 

[K.O.D.]

Love my Izula as well.

 

[Presumed_Lost]

I looked at the Becker and the Izula (and even the Black Jack Knives 155 neck knife until I realized who made it). I wasn't really thrilled. Next to my skin especially, I want some real chrome in the steel. I guess if you never have to exercise/sweat unexpectedly.. but for me even D2 is not enough for a daily inside-the-shirt carry.

Just a day or so ago I happened across pics of the new Enzo neck knife and what people (mostly in the UK) were doing with them, and as soon as I found a US source I ordered two of the naked (no scales) scandi-grind (zero-edge) version for less than $30 each. I'll probably put scales on them eventually. Now, I really like scandi for working knives, but they also have a flat-grind version. Might be worth a look. I'm optimistic, I've seen other Enzo knives, blades, and knives made from their blades, and the quality seems very nice indeed.

 

[K.O.D.]

Hmm, I have had no corrosion issues whatsoever with my Izula, as a neck, belt or pocket carry. I take care of my blades though.

 

[Presumed_Lost]

Hmm, I have had no corrosion issues whatsoever with my Izula, as a neck, belt or pocket carry. I take care of my blades though.

I know, I know, someone always responds that way. To each their own. I have a lot of carbon-steel knives, and I do appreciate their qualities... but I've had even full-stainless rust on me (the Spyderco folder I tried to carry back when I was running miles most days) because of sweat. Also, I've spent a lot of time on and around salt water, and these days, IMHO, the steels are good enough that I don't see a compelling reason to use different knives depending on how close I am to a body of water. I've pretty much decided I have ENOUGH inland-only knives, thanks.They say 40 percent of the world's population lives within 10 kilometers (about 6.5 miles) of a shoreline. I can tell you from experience that on board boat, or in places like Bermuda just about as far as you can get from the water, carbon steel will rust in a drawer just from exposure to the air in weeks, maybe faster. Yes, I'm sure if you take every one out and wipe it down with something every so often you can prevent that.. . but life is too short. Given equivalent functionality, or even near-equivalent, the less time I have to spend maintaining possessions the more I like them.

 

[Tantan]

My suggestion? Get a Leatherman Piranha for like $30 and then get a Spyderco Tenacious for about the same. Its $10 more than you have, but you get the best of both worlds IMO.

I have the spyderco persistence so I don't want a tenacious. I got the persistence because I liked the size at the time over the tenacious

 

[Tantan]

I looked at the Becker and the Izula (and even the Black Jack Knives 155 neck knife until I realized who made it). I wasn't really thrilled. Next to my skin especially, I want some real chrome in the steel. I guess if you never have to exercise/sweat unexpectedly.. but for me even D2 is not enough for a daily inside-the-shirt carry.

Just a day or so ago I happened across pics of the new Enzo neck knife and what people (mostly in the UK) were doing with them, and as soon as I found a US source I ordered two of the naked (no scales) scandi-grind (zero-edge) version for less than $30 each. I'll probably put scales on them eventually. Now, I really like scandi for working knives, but they also have a flat-grind version. Might be worth a look. I'm optimistic, I've seen other Enzo knives, blades, and knives made from their blades, and the quality seems very nice indeed.

You'll have to let me know how u like yours

 

[dwong]

fixed: mora robust
lg folder: buck 110
sm folder: spyderco dragonfly h1

 

[Presumed_Lost]

You'll have to let me know how u like yours

Does it seem like something you'd be interested in? Obviously, there's influence here from the Esee Izula, but it's a bit larger at 7", about the same sizes as the Becker Eskabar/D'Eskabar, but I like the design, the steel and the scandi grind better.I see one dealer is listing the Izula in stonewashed stainless as "Coming Soon"... but it also says "2013", and we all know how long the Izula folder has been coming.. but maybe.

 

[Firestrike]

The CRKT minimalist is a great knife made from crap steel. If only they had made it in AUS-8 or better...

 

[Quillan]

+1 on the Eskabar. You might also look at the Condor Bushlore.

 

[Spyderco-man]

Does anyone have much experience with the esee izula because I like it but at a full 2 oz it might be slightly heavy on the neck

I've had one for about a year. It took some getting used to because of weight. I sometimes just carry it in my pocket or throw it in my backpack with the sheath it came with. I also bought a custom sheath that I can wear on my belt. It's a great knife and one of the few that I own and actually use regularly.