Budget EDC folder

[Crimson Cloud]

My sister got me in the sibling Christmas raffle this year ($50.00 limit). I had her get me an Ontario Rat 1 in carbon fiber, which came in at $42.00. I also looked at the Kershaw Skyline and a bunch of Bucks. The Kilimanjaro Gear DW Folder is a pretty good knife in the price range, on sale.

 

[dsalazar]

You can get a nice Kershaw blem from Kershaw guy. Still very functional moat just have a cosmetic issue. But for a user they are great.

 

[GermanyChris]

I'm always the contrarian

 

[Maine20]

Thanks for all the recommendations! Super helpful!

 

[SALTY]

RAT 1 D2 gets my vote under $50 every time. If you need smaller go with the RAT 2 D2

As suggested above, I would look at Steel Will; you're getting a pretty good value with these for the cost. For something a lot less expensive, consider the Kabar Dozier models.

Ka-Bar Dozier folding hunter
Ka-Bar Mule
Gerber Harsey Air Ranger
Cold Steel Pocket Bushman

Cold Steel Pro Lite Clip Point with the Triad lock.

It's on sale at BladeHQ for 22 bucks, and it even has blue scales like the Bugout. Here's a link:

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Cold-Steel-Pro-Lite-Clip-Point-Tri--51989

All good choices here. I am a RAT 1 (and RAT 2) fan - just be mindful of the weight compared to some of the other suggestions. D2 is one of my go-to steels and I am really a carbon steel guy who appreciates some of the qualities of stainless steel ... especially in a pocket knife.

Cold Steels lockback, the triad Lock, is a feature that is hard to ignore if lock strength is a consideration.

This is a great time to be into knives; the offerings at budget price points is stunning compared to years past.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Tons of good suggestions here, I'll add the Buck 112 Slim as a nice, very affordable option that's made in the US.

 

[bolabeenz]

Kabar Dozier folding hunter. Under $20.
I took the clip and opening stud off mine and carry it loose in my pocket.
Kicked my Delica right out of my pocket....
I always wanted to say that.

 

[Maine20]

I have seen rat 1 and 2 come up a lot. Do they still make it in D2? All I saw in the web site was AUS 8 steel. Is this still good?

 

[Velitrius]

I have seen rat 1 and 2 come up a lot. Do they still make it in D2? All I saw in the web site was AUS 8 steel. Is this still good?

Their AUS-8 is good stuff. With the FFG it is very easy to get wicked sharp with really little effort.

I can touch up good AUS-8 on the bottom of a coffee mug and strop with a newspaper and be ready to roll.

Some folks won't do this good ol' steel but I have no problem with it whatsoever.

 

[HolyMuffDiver]

I have seen rat 1 and 2 come up a lot. Do they still make it in D2? All I saw in the web site was AUS 8 steel. Is this still good?

Don't let the cheaper price of the rat in aus8 scare you off! I just recently picked one up after I read on here and many other places how good of a knife it was and I wasn't disappointed. The fit and finish is excellent. I hear great things about the d2 as well but I don't see why aus8 wouldn't meet your needs.

 

[SharpieB]

Their AUS-8 is good stuff. With the FFG it is very easy to get wicked sharp with really little effort.

I can touch up good AUS-8 on the bottom of a coffee mug and strop with a newspaper and be ready to roll.

Some folks won't do this good ol' steel but I have no problem with it whatsoever.

This. I love my RAT1 in AUS8.

I dread sharpening steels like M390, S90V, etc., but AUS8 is a dream to sharpen IMO.

 

[teddy1093]

Another vote for rat 1. My work knife. Easy to sharpen great ergos and the price. Not bad

 

[Mo2]

I have seen rat 1 and 2 come up a lot. Do they still make it in D2? All I saw in the web site was AUS 8 steel. Is this still good?

You might want Aus8 for easier sharpening. If you have diamond or silicon carbide it's not so bad sharpening d2. On the other hand Ontario only heat treats there d2 to around 58hrc to make it a bit easier than most other brands.
Knifeworks should have them in d2

 

[Shorttime]

The Medellin might be an option. About the same size as the Bugout, although it may feel a little different in the hand.

"Vanilla" versions of the Kershaw Cyclone still show up on the auction site, sometimes.

 

[HolyMuffDiver]

View attachment 1040515 Another vote for rat 1. My work knife. Easy to sharpen great ergos and the price. Not bad

Awesome picture! Shows your not afraid to use it ,gives it character . Good example of the durability

 

[James Y]

I have carried this Kershaw off and on for 20 years. It’s been great but the rubber grips are failing and the blade has developed some play. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

That knife was called the Kershaw Liner Action, or Kershaw Liner Lock. The 3"-bladed model was my first quality, name-brand, modern, one-hand opening knife, back in 1997. I also got a smaller and a larger version of that model. Good knife, and flew open once you got the hang of pressing the stud down then out. But it taught me to dislike rubber grips on knives.

Jim

 

[poking_stick]

Looking for recommendations on a folding pocket knife for around $50. Something like the benchmade bugout but a little more budget friendly.

Thanks.

Like a Bugout in what way?

• weight?
• cutting length?
• deep carry clip?
• powdered steel?
• axis lock?

Lots of great suggestions above, but my vote is to get the Bugout if that's what you want. Since you've kept that Kershaw for 20 years, you've accumulated lots of knife cred points which along with $115 can get you that Bugout. Benchmade's lifesharp program is nice to have on a knife you plan to keep for a while, so that premium price isn't without its benefits.

 

[sabre cat]

Like I've said before, I own a Benchmade 531 but it will be replaced with a Bugout if I ever loose the 531.

 

[Lapedog]

I bought a Steel Will Cutjack and the Steel Will Modus. The Cutjack is very nice; the MODUS is superb...right at 40 bucks or so. D2 steel...excellent.
I plan to buy another MODUS, as I enjoy this knife a lot.

I think the Modus is also a sexier knife than the cutjack.

How’s the tip strength of the modus vs cutjack.

 

[Maine20]

Like a Bugout in what way?

• weight?
• cutting length?
• deep carry clip?
• powdered steel?
• axis lock?

Lots of great suggestions above, but my vote is to get the Bugout if that's what you want. Since you've kept that Kershaw for 20 years, you've accumulated lots of knife cred points which along with $115 can get you that Bugout. Benchmade's lifesharp program is nice to have on a knife you plan to keep for a while, so that premium price isn't without its benefits.

Good point, I have been thinking the same thing. We will see what I end up getting for gift cards over the next few weeks....