Budget EDC folder

Crimson Cloud said:
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.
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That DW knife from kilimanjaro gear is pretty cool. Most their other knives look like hot garbage but that one is a cool Winkler design.

Also those Honey Badger knives are getting pretty popular lately.
 
sabre cat said:
Like I've said before, I own a Benchmade 531 but it will be replaced with a Bugout if I ever loose the 531.
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I recently picked up a 531. Damn nice knife, certainly "spiffier" than the Bugout. I like having both, the Bugout for my around the house carry, and the 531 for when I'm out and about. I think they compliment each other.
 
colin.p said:
I recently picked up a 531. Damn nice knife, certainly "spiffier" than the Bugout. I like having both, the Bugout for my around the house carry, and the 531 for when I'm out and about. I think they compliment each other.
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Yep. Very nice knife. Personally, I feel the Bugout is a little nicer as an EDC. Better blade steel, and it's more comfortable in my hand but, the 531 is a class act. No question.

As for the 531, REI.com offers a version with green scales and updated S30v steel. The neat thing is that it is still cheaper than purchasing the Bugout and upgrading the scales. I can't help but feel the REI version is your best buy. I forgot about it when I purchased mine.

Look up some post about the 531 here at BF.com. You will find some great pictures featuring the gold box version.
 
I'm pretty stuck on my Kershaw Atmos. The thing carries deep, doesn't shred my pockets, and is light as a feather.
 
Another vote for the Kershaw Injection 3.5. I got mine for $15. It has no business being as nicely made, and functional as it is.
 
Maine20 said:
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....
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If your going to buy from Amazon or ebay, be cautious of clones of whatever it is your getting. It's a huge bummer cause they are very bad and or not the correct materials or even very poorly made. It's hard to tell from some of the vendors because they say it's legit when it's not.


Edit:
Would be idea to check with the manufacturer/brand if the vendor of your choice is on the authorized dealer list or purchase from a vendor here for piece of mind.
 
Mo2 said:
If your going to buy from Amazon or ebay, be cautious of clones of whatever it is your getting. It's a huge bummer cause they are very bad and or not the correct materials or even very poorly made. It's hard to tell from some of the vendors because they say it's legit when it's not.
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Good to know. Thanks.
 
Maine20 said:
Thoughts on the Kershaw Fringe?
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Kershaw Atmos has:
  • Same blade steel. Tie.
  • Same blade length. Tie.
  • Carbon fiber insert. Tie.
  • Uncoated blade (my preference)
  • Tip up (my preference)
  • Unassisted (my preference)
  • Famous knife designer from Belarus (can't go wrong here)
 
Maine20 said:
Thoughts on the Kershaw Fringe?
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My first thought is that it's a long jump from the Benchmade Bugout

9mKVgEf.jpg



To the Kershaw Fringe.

AeFGswu.jpg



My second thought is to wonder what prompted this, because there is very little in common between the two knives.

The Fringe is going to need sharpening more often. Kershaw gets the most out of the Cro-moly steels, but there is only so much edge retention to be had.

The Bugout will potentially be a better slicer, although I'm not going to say for certain.

The Fringe is slightly shorter, but it is going to feel wider in your pocket, because of the thumb ramp, and the flipper tab. It is also going to ride higher, making it easier to draw. The Bugout offers two clip-mounting choices, while the Fringe's pocket clip has to stay where it is (barring customization). With one of the Bugout's clip mounting choices, there is the possibility that the side of your hand will scrape against the back of the blade when you reach into your pocket.

The Fringe is a frame lock, and while there is nothing wrong with framelocks or liner locks, there is some remote possibility that the lock will disengage if you're trying to shove it through a cut. There have been instances of Benchmade knives with broken Omega springs, allowing the lock to pop out of engagement, too. The broken spring is far less likely, but it also gives you far less warning before the knife folds closed on your fiingers. In either case, the chances are very remote. But every object from the hand of man can fail.

The two are going to handle very differently, too. The design of the Fringe will make it easier to engage the tip of the knife, and it looks like the Fringe is both wider and thicker, making it easier to control in detailed cuts. The Bugout's steeper belly offers more flat edge for making long cuts, even though it will require more work from your wrist to engage the point during flat cutting. The Bugout is going to be easier to choke up on for fine cuts, because the spine of the blade is smooth, and there is a less pronounced choil than on the Fringe.

The Bugout lacks steel liners, and some people have expressed disappointment with the fact that the handle slabs can be slightly compressed, with enough pressure. Likewise, the lightweight construction can make it feel insubstantial, in contrast to it's design, which is evocative of a "bushcraft" knife.

The steel slabs on the Fringe are going to make it heavier, and more rigid, even though it is a smaller knife which is slightly harder to use in anything but the sort of "fencing grip" you see most people holding a knife in for advertising photos.
 
Shorttime said:
My first thought is that it's a long jump from the Benchmade Bugout

9mKVgEf.jpg



To the Kershaw Fringe.

AeFGswu.jpg



My second thought is to wonder what prompted this, because there is very little in common between the two knives.

The Fringe is going to need sharpening more often. Kershaw gets the most out of the Cro-moly steels, but there is only so much edge retention to be had.

The Bugout will potentially be a better slicer, although I'm not going to say for certain.

The Fringe is slightly shorter, but it is going to feel wider in your pocket, because of the thumb ramp, and the flipper tab. It is also going to ride higher, making it easier to draw. The Bugout offers two clip-mounting choices, while the Fringe's pocket clip has to stay where it is (barring customization). With one of the Bugout's clip mounting choices, there is the possibility that the side of your hand will scrape against the back of the blade when you reach into your pocket.

The Fringe is a frame lock, and while there is nothing wrong with framelocks or liner locks, there is some remote possibility that the lock will disengage if you're trying to shove it through a cut. There have been instances of Benchmade knives with broken Omega springs, allowing the lock to pop out of engagement, too. The broken spring is far less likely, but it also gives you far less warning before the knife folds closed on your fiingers. In either case, the chances are very remote. But every object from the hand of man can fail.

The two are going to handle very differently, too. The design of the Fringe will make it easier to engage the tip of the knife, and it looks like the Fringe is both wider and thicker, making it easier to control in detailed cuts. The Bugout's steeper belly offers more flat edge for making long cuts, even though it will require more work from your wrist to engage the point during flat cutting. The Bugout is going to be easier to choke up on for fine cuts, because the spine of the blade is smooth, and there is a less pronounced choil than on the Fringe.

The Bugout lacks steel liners, and some people have expressed disappointment with the fact that the handle slabs can be slightly compressed, with enough pressure. Likewise, the lightweight construction can make it feel insubstantial, in contrast to it's design, which is evocative of a "bushcraft" knife.

The steel slabs on the Fringe are going to make it heavier, and more rigid, even though it is a smaller knife which is slightly harder to use in anything but the sort of "fencing grip" you see most people holding a knife in for advertising photos.
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What prompted this? Just weighing my options. Thank you for the info. I am not a knife collector or expert so this input is appreciated.
 
Maine20 said:
Looking for recommendations on a folding pocket knife for around $50. Something like the benchmade bugout but a little more budget friendly.

Thanks.
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A.G. Russell K-31. $40 with AUS8, $50 with VG-10.

The special back lock lets it just fall closed, with the right technique. Can't believe I didn't get one 20 years ago.

 
Another vote for a kershaw leek. Light, cuts like a razor, and I find it comfortable for a small knife. Rat 1 or a spyderco tenacious for a meduim duty knife
 
Maine20, A discontinued Benchmade Mini Griptilian or Griptilian, both in 154CM can be had at Knifeworks.com for 27 and 34 bucks more then your budget respectively. Roger's team does a great job and the mini (or a little larger grip) would be a huge step up if the 3.9" handle fits your hand. This opinion and 5 bucks will buy you a mocha grande:).
 
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Insipid Moniker said:
Tons of good suggestions here, I'll add the Buck 112 Slim as a nice, very affordable option that's made in the US.
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I love Buck a whole lot but I can't recommend any of their plastic framed folders as every one I've owned loosened up on me in about a year. Buck eventually recommended I stick with their sturdier metal framed models.

I EDC an aluminum 110 most days but that's not budget knife territory.

The stock brass 110 can be found for under $40 and that is a good sea.
 
My picks for the price:
Ontario RAT 1 or 2
BRK Esee Avispa
Kabar Dozier
Kershaw Blur Factory Second or used
Kershaw Leek

But for me, for the price, Rat 1 is really hard to beat.
 
bruno_go said:
My picks for the price:
Ontario RAT 1 or 2
BRK Esee Avispa
Kabar Dozier
Kershaw Blur Factory Second or used
Kershaw Leek

But for me, for the price, Rat 1 is really hard to beat.
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I'd recommend a coast dx338
 
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