Best thin EDC knife under $40 that meets these criteria:

E

elliottsdad

Joined
May 15, 2016
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3
Hello,
I was just given a $35 gift certificate for Amazon. Because I don't really want for much, I decided to use it to replace my small Buck Avid Vantage that I use for EDC. It's looking a little beat up, and although I've been carrying it for 6+ years, it is a little bulky, and doesn't fit in my hand all that well.

Here's what I'd like in a replacement EDC knife:
3.25-3.49 inch blade (usually bigger blade means bigger grip/will fit my hand better, but over 3.5 inch blade is illegal for carry in my state)
non-serrated blade (just a regular, decent steel blade)
Thin/lightweight
liner lock
pocket clip that allows knife to ride LOW in pocket (well concealed)

I've been looking at Ontario, Kershaw, and CRKT. What would you recommend for this item? I know a 35-40 dollar knife isn't much of a purchase for some, but it sort of is for me, and I'd like some suggestions to make the most of this purchase!
Thanks!
 
If you want to make the most of this purchase in terms of quality, leave CRKT off the list. Best choice for the money would be a Kershaw Leek. Go for the colored handles; those are aluminum and have a liner lock. The all-steel versions (my personal choice) are frame locks. The liner locks run $38 or so; the frame locks run $41-47.

I've read and seen on Youtube that the Ontario Rat 1 and Rat 2 are excellent knives but I have no experience with them. Either is easily in your budget and both are liner locks. However, they have thicker scales and I don't know how low they ride. The ESEE Zancudo/Avispa ($32-35) are framelocks that are thinner. I've got a Zancudo and it's a fine knife but not one I intend to keep (too many knives, upcoming move to a much smaller place, and too many other frame locks I prefer). Ironically, it also uses the stock Leek clip.

At this price point I doubt you'll find many low ride clips. There are low-ride clips available for the Leek on Etsy and probably elsewhere, but they're a separate purchase that'll run you 1/2-2/3 the price of the knife. There are two alternatives, though: 1) inside the waistband carry (belt goes over the clip) or 2) clipless carry in the pocket. I don't know how well the Leek safety will work for clipless carry. The Zancudo has a very strong detent that will keep it closed and I assume the Avispa's is similar. Again, I don't know how strong the RAT detents are, but given how smoothly they're said to open, I doubt they're that strong.

Not on your list but also well reviewed are the Spyderco Persistence and Ambitious in your price range ($35-36). Low-ride clips are available aftermarket. Hope this helps.
 
Does anyone know if the Skyline can take the deep carry clip from the Cryo? If so, that's the direction I would go of I were the OP.
 
I think a Leek or Cryo would probably fit your tastes but I think you should take a look at some Byrd knives. I recently traded a Byrd Caracara2 for Kershaw Kuro at a local bar. I went straight
home and bought another CaraCara2
 
If you carry the Skyline tip down it rides pretty low, but tip up the clip is useless. Otherwise it is one of the best light and thin EDC's for $40.
 
Broker has upped it's game and has been offering very nice, quality built knives with premium materials at that price point.

For instance, there's the Boker Plus Kalashnikov in those specs with a semi-deep pocket clip (sits at edge of handle). They even have a knife with a latch type clip for easy, no tool on and off. Pretty cool design.

Boker's offering is miles above Kershaw, as this point, IMO.
 
RAT 1 or RAT 2 depending on what size you want - can't go wrong with either.
 
Thanks for the replies so far!
I like the Rat 2 and might go that route, but the clip position makes it not-so-discreet
The Kershaw Skyline is tempting, too! I honestly prefer it to the other Kershaw's that have assisted opening (I'm not a big fan of gadgets on my products; I operate on the K.I.S.S. principle for product reliability)
 
I just placed an order for an Ontario RAT 2. It's a slightly smaller blade than I was looking for, but otherwise the specs seem to be good, especially for the price. I thought long and hard about the RAT 1, but that's a big blade (some sites say 3.6", which would make it a no-no for me). The Skyline was another one I thought hard about, but after shipping it was just a few bucks more than I wanted to spend.
The RAT 2 should be here Friday; if I remember to, I'll let you know how I feel about it in hand!
Thanks for all of your input and helping out a relative newb!
 
It's not a liner lock, so forgive me, but the Bucklight Max might be worth looking at. The price is right and if my dad's opinion is to be believed, it's a good EDC cutter. The clip puts it completely out of sight. Plenty of reviews on YouTube.

Zieg
 
Kershaw Thermite or CQC 6K are my favorite knives at this price. You can't beat them. The Thermite is a Hinder design assisted flipper with his Spanto tip. It has the deep carry clip you seek and is just an unbeatable design for the price. I love the Emerson designed cqc 6k just as much with the pocket wave feature. Both are hollow ground making them excellent slicers and both have frame locks for easy one hand closing. Both have G10 front scales and stainless steel backs. I personally love the looks of each as well. Here they are. The Thermite is kershaws signature blackwash and the cqc 6k is black coated.
0ab4873e32ac5d9099a91a284d5f97cf.jpg
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LoneStarNinja said:
Kershaw Thermite or CQC 6K are my favorite knives at this price. You can't beat them. The Thermite is a Hinder design assisted flipper with his Spanto tip. It has the deep carry clip you seek and is just an unbeatable design for the price.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Thermite at that price. It's the only Kershaw I still carry from time to time. Nice long handle that is very comfortable in my large hands but has a very thin cross-section so doesn't clog the pocket, and the deep carry clip makes it basically disappear. Good useful blade shape. It's not exactly lightweight, but I find it very pocket-friendly.

That said, for $40ish at Amazon I'd go for a Real Steel e571 or H6-S1. Reasonably discrete carry, better materials (carbon fiber laminate handle in the H6-S1) and fit/finish than most anything else at that price point, and same Sandvik steel as the Skyline. Every one of their knives I've handled has a beautifully smooth action. Both are frame locks, but some compromises are inevitable on a budget. Since OP is using a gift card, both available on Amazon for $45 (I would link but not sure whether it's okay to link to Amazon here).

EDIT - Ugh, just realized that the OP already said he bought a RAT2. It pays to read the thread, I guess. Nice knife--have fun with it!
 
Look at the SOG Slim Jim. Decent steel, DEEP clip, great knife. SOG Flash II is another suggestion.

Aus8 steel, light, thin. Assisted. Only criteria it doesn't meet is It's a back lock. Its a mid back lock though so very easy to use. The Flash II is a side lock.

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Last edited:
elliottsdad said:
Here's what I'd like in a replacement EDC knife:
3.25-3.49 inch blade (usually bigger blade means bigger grip/will fit my hand better, but over 3.5 inch blade is illegal for carry in my state)
non-serrated blade (just a regular, decent steel blade)
Thin/lightweight
liner lock
pocket clip that allows knife to ride LOW in pocket (well concealed)
Click to expand...

You just described the ZT0770. It's over your budget but this knife has it all.
 
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