Cheap, small, EDC for a newbie

M

malachy

Joined
Dec 26, 2012
Messages
14
Howdy, Im new here and im looking for a good knife. i have narrowed it down to the gerber mini swagger, ontario rat one (the biggest i would go on the blade), the maxpediton ferox straight edge, and the kershaw cyro. Im welcome to suggestions, and would like to keep the price close to $50. thanks!:)
 
If you like kershaws I would check out kershawguys blem thread on the dealer forum. Great prices and there is at most a cosmetic blemish but usually nothing on the blades he sells. For his prices you may be able to get the 2 that look that best to you, keep the one you like best and sell the other on the exchange. You could also keep both and switch up the edc from time to time. :)
 
Hey Malachy, among the group you mention, I like the Rat-1 and Cryo. Both are nice EDC knives, but for different reasons. But for me that Rat-1 rises to the top. I characterize it as one of the best value knives on the market.
 
I'd pick the RAT 1 if I were choosing from your list. It has a pretty good rep here on the boards for what it is. Also have a look at KaBar's series of Dozier-designed folders. I used to carry one of those and it performed far above its price range.
 
I love the RAT-1, but if you want a good solid folder a little smaller, take a look at the Outdoor Edge Pocket-Lite.
 
Cold Steel Medium Voyagers can be had for around 40-55 bucks and sport AUS-8 blade steel as well as a Triad-Lock. Then you've got the often over looked KA-BAR Mule which is pretty hefty, and also has AUS-8 blade steel. Speaking of KA-BAR there is the Phat Bob which is kinda unconventional with it's rounded blade profile, though it has a nice set of Micarta handles, not for everyone, but worth mentioning IMHO.
 
Tenacious, Rat, Buck s30v... All great choices.
For a beginner tho, I'd say spend a couple bucks more and grab a Spyderco Delica, or Endura. I really like VG-10.
 
Check out Kershaw Guy for Kershaw blems, and you can get a Kershaw Blur for not much more than your price range. Great knife and it is usually hard to find the blem. Usually only slight cosmetic marks.

Omar
:rolleyes:
 
Thanks for all the quick responses! I really love the Rat and the Tenacious, But I think I like the rat a bit better.
 
As others have said, I would definitely consider a FFG Spyderco Delica 4.
Personally, for edc, I would not advice on getting a Cryo. For edc I think it really weighs too much in regards for the amount of cutting edge and all that. I don't really use mine a lot, except for playing a bit with the assist. The biggest pro on the Cryo would be its deep carry clip, imo. There are better alternatives out there for the same price, though (such as the Skyline, if you want to stick to Kershaw).
 
The RAT-1 is indeed a spectacular value knife (perhaps one of the very best around, imo,) but it is neither small nor light per se. You should be able to still find the US made Kershaw Zing for around the $35ish range. Excellent bang-for-the-buck factor... 3" blade at around 3oz, excellent manual deployment using the thumbstud or flipper, great fit & finish, decent materials, fairly people-friendly..

orzing01.jpg


Good luck, OP! :thumbup:
 
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The Rat is really nice, I agree. However, for EDC use, the Tenacious is better for fine work using the edge closest to the ricasso. For example, sharpening a pencil is safer with the Tenacious. While you can choke up on the Rat's blade, it is less comfortable, and there is nothing protecting your index finger from sliding onto the edge if something unexpected happens. Also, the thumb ramp on the Tenacious is a bit more useful.
 
Dragonfly 2
Buck vantage (avid or pro)
Delica (if you like a larger blade)
Cryo (awesome knife, little heavy for its size)
And other number of kershaws
Any number of victorinox Swiss Army knives (alox models are awesome)
 
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