Recommendation? Campus-friendly folder

Might be a good idea to consult the school handbook or call the appropriate office regarding their policy on knife carry.

If it’s a reasonable policy I’d recommend an ESEE Zancudo in D2.

If they are touchy about knives, then I echo the suggestions for an SAK. That way you’ll have something discreet and if anyone pops out their monocle over it you can tell them, “It’s just a Swiss Army knife.”

 

SAK is a good suggestion. As an alternative, consider a Leatherman Micra. Even non-knife enthusiasts see a SAK and think “knife.” But Leatherman series is more readily seen as a tool, and in my opinion, may cause even less problems. Though neither should.

 

Opinel

 

Lots of great ideas so far. I EDC a roadie and it does just fine. A Pingo would be another option if you can find a cheap one. I'd really be looking at what is your demographic, including your major. There's a lot of things that not everyone can get away with. Work within your restrictions. A SAK of really any sort would do quite well, and cheap enough that if you had to loose one its not really a heart breaker (and they are available used easy enough) Stainless opinel #6 is a good EDC size. Spyderco makes a lot of little blades, manbug, or ladybug can be had inside your price. Manbug salt is a bit above your price, but its a good size and depending on what you do having the worlds smallest rescue knife is kinda neat.

 

Another SAK vote here, get one with the bottle opener.

 

Check the student handbook. Some schools have a zero knife policy, but some have a no weapon policy. You need to know how they define a weapon, or how it is defined in your state. It would be a real mistake to get thrown out of school over this. It matters whether your college is in say New York City or Carbondale, IL.

 

This is a great idea. For many schools, this information is available and easy to find on the web. At my alma mater, which is considered a very liberal school in a very liberal state, it was a maximum blade length of 2.5". No autos or assisted. I carried a Camillus lockback and a variety of SAKs while I was there. Since, I have worked at several universities and the rules were pretty similar. Of the six I either attended or worked at, only one (in NYC) had an outright ban.

 

Kershaw Blur, Link.

 

Another vote for SAK. My #1 choice for environments where you don't want to freak out people and keep costs low.

I also always recommend getting something with scissors. Very useful to have. Super Tinker is a great choice assuming you check out your schools policy on knives as suggested above.

 

You don't need a knife sitting in a lecture hall. Focus on completing your degree getting the heck outta there ASAP. You can then carry whatever you want without jeopardizing 4 years of hard work.

JMHO

 

I agree that you need to focus on completing the degree first. But if you routinely carry a knife, I would feel that something is missing and would carry a knife unless absolutely forbidden. I used a knife a lot in college even on campus. The Buck was a good suggestion.

 

Can you focus on anything when you feel unnatural and naked ?
I know I sure can't and without a knife and watch I just don't feel right, if I can have a knife on me I do.

 

Use their 25 year warranty in a few months and hope to get the New Wave plus model.

 

SAK.

 

SAK

 

That does not matter Leatherman will take it back and give you warranty on it.

 

This is the first advice to take. Don't call or talk to anyone at the school. Most people you would talk to don't actually know the real rules and will just give you whatever they imagine the rule to be (and almost always will be wrong). It could also create issues if you talk to someone with an ignorant view on knives.

Not to be negative to any other members, but I got out of school about two years ago so I would guess I have more recent experience than many.

My school was considered public, and pretty much just said no firearms in school property and otherwise no weapons per state and local laws.

That left it virtually open other than automatics and knives carried with criminal intent (which obviously didn't apply to me).

When I was in school I carried everything from a Cold Steel Talwar XL to a GEC 22, and a Sebenza to a SAK. I even carried fixed blades (concealed) every now and then.

Honestly, the Swiss army knife was the most useful and I'd guess will be for you also. You can get a myriad of tool combinations for under $40. Find the one you like.

Are you looking more for a modern style knife?