EDC suggestions $50-$100?

J

JWpipes

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Jun 1, 2012
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So I'm in the market for a new edc folder. I have been carrying a buck vantage select with a paper stone handle. It feels great in the hand and is a smooth opener. I'm looking to upgrade to a higher end steel and a tougher blade than the hollow grind 420hc blade on the vantage. So here are some rough guidelines: edc folder preferably not a liner lock (not 100% against it though), a higher end steel, g10 or Macarta scales, 3-3.5 " blade, good lockup, Ffg or similar toughness of grind. I have thought of getting the spyderco tenacious but wonder if I will be happy with the steel. Let's try to keep this in the $50 -$100 mark, but if you feel something is really worth the attention feel free to stretch that a bit. Thanks for the posts.
 
I have the Tenacious and love it. Its a no-nonsense, no-frills knife that suits me down to the ground. I'm not a hard user, though, so maybe your needs will vary. Did I mention that I love it?
 
Kershaw Tremor. ZT 0350 (should be able to find one for under $100). Cold Steel mini Lawman, Recon 1, AK47. Plenty of Spyderco can be had with G10 and under $100. Benchmade Bone Collector (mini or regular).

When I got my Tenacious, it monopolized my pocket for quite a while. Great knife, and I've never had an issue with 8cr. I like it quite a bit, in fact. Pretty good edge holding, and easy to sharpen back from dull.
 
Oh... And Mcusta. I've been looking at those a bit lately. Never handled one, but I've read a lot of good things. Decent steel, and some pretty nice designs, and fairly unique.
 
Kershaw blur in s30v 3 3/8" cutting edge or a composite rake with a d2 3 1/2" cutting edge. For the price range and even cheaper yet at www.kershawguy.com He is a forum supporter. You should also be able to get into a Benchmade griptilian series.
 
Maybe a large Doug Ritter Grip. I see you did not want liner lock and assuming you wanted something quicker and stronger.
 
If pure toughness was the main deciding factor I would highly recommend the Cold Steel Recon series. But since you're looking for a higher end steel than AUS8A then I would have to go with the Spydeco Paramilitary 2. They can be had in S30V for right at the $100 mark and in better steels for a little more. The compression lock is great and the ffg blades of the Para's slice like a laser!
 
For around $100 you can get a Tenacious and a Buck Vantage Pro. The Pro is the same knife you have with upgraded steel and the Tenacious has the grind.

Or, add $10 and get a Paramilitary 2.
 
Spyderco Delica, Stretch, or Endura if you're a fan of lockbacks.
All those knives are available in either VG-10 or ZDP-189.

The Delica and Endura are available with either FFG or saber-grind.
The Stretch is FFG only.

Cold Steel's Recon1 is worth consideration.

Good luck on your search. :)
 
you can get a para 2 for about $98. that would match all Qualifications and then some! if you want to try out a little bit bigger knife you can get a military for about $112 with all of the materials the para 2 has. and the manix 2 has a very sturdy strong hollow grind for about $75 bucks. all have g10, liners, good steel's, usa made, hand have awesome craftsmanship with overbuilt/ oversized components and screws.

( all prices are from ebay. i like blade hq alot for my go to place because of their service and shipping speed. but ebay will still save you a couple bucks. but you might have poor packaging or deal with a less ethical salesman )
 
benchmade 710 is what I hs been my EDC for about 10 years , it is a little on the larger side but it works great for me ( not the smallest guy out there ) And I see them come up for 80 to 100 all the time . The newer ones are D2 mine is a 154CM. I have beat the hell out of it and have had no issues at all .

W
 
My little brother just picked up the Manix 2 XL for 98$. Incredible value for such a large s30v blade, g10, and spyderco quality.
 
Mcusta makes a great folding knife for the price, I have owned the cocobolo damascus, and a full damascus, as well as the katana handles, and the normal plain handle and blade. I know longer own any of them as ironically all of them were bought from me on the spot, I always try to EDC them but someone always offers to buy them. They really are nice knives.

Although kershaw and spyderco, and benchmade with some shopping around make great knives for the price range you are in.
 
You could just upgrade to the Buck Vantage Pro. S30V steel heat treated by Tony Bos! Same knife you're carrying, with superior steel, and the scales feel a little more substantial than the paperstone.
If you're wondering about the 8cr13mov steel on the Spyderco chinese lines, they're actually pretty nice. I have a Persistance that I modified to have an "emerson wave" and it holds an edge for a long time. full flat ground is nice too.
Another recomendation would be the Ontario Rat-1 folder. $25-$30... but it feels like a more expensive knife. Very similiar blade shape to the Buck Vantage, but sturdier feeling, with nice ramp on the back and has retained a razor edge for a while now. Good luck!
 
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