Fixed blade for edc under $20?

No offense... but I don't think there is a fixed blade out there that is worth a damn that is less than $20.
 
Mongo said:
No offense... but I don't think there is a fixed blade out there that is worth a damn that is less than $20.
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Mora makes several models for under $20, but those have already been ruled out as being slightly big, and if a slip join covered everything other than cutting cardboard, just about any grade of fixed blade should be fine.

James, since your waiting to buy a slightly nicer knife, I recommend a BK11 with a Kydex or Leather sheath, but that will cost more like $60-$70 total, given the starting price of the knife itself, and then the custom sheath is about $30 on top of that. If you take that option, I recommend SkyStorm Leather Works (BFC approved craftsman) for all your BK leather needs, and for Kydex, I recommend AzWelke or Godspeed! (BFC approved Kydex benders). All 3 have Becker knives in house and premade templates, so there is no need to send in a BK11/14 if you chose to go down that path, all 3 are top shelf quality with clearance rack pricing.

If you don't want to go above the $40-$50 your looking at, skip on the custom sheath and just remember to file the edge side of your 11/14 sheath. It will prevent dulling due to the glass reinforced nylon material that the sheath is made out of.

Also keep in mind, the 11 and 14 have a black oxide/epoxy coating, so rust should not be an issue in the city, unless your slip-joint was capable of batoning steel and concrete.
 
Thanks again guys, definitely some food for thought here.
I'm really liking the skeletonized knives like the Becker Necker (may be a bit too long) or the Izula.

The carbon steel thing is still a concern though.
I know that these knives have coatings, but the one part that can't be coated is the most important part; the edge.
I shave with straight razors, and the primary cause of blunting of these carbon steel razors is rusting of the edge. Now, rusting of a razor is easy to control, but that's because they are used briefly and put away.

I don't live in the City (*shudder*) but on Long Island. Being surrounded by ocean, it gets unbelievably humid here. Last night, there was a thick fog, and when I went outside to put out the trash, the crystal of my watch got beads of condensation on it. I tried to smoke a cigarette, and it wouldn't burn properly.
On a hot day with close to 100% humidity, you sweat but it can't evaporate, so it just soaks into your clothes and sits there. Everything has a coating of moisture, the cash in your pocket feels damp. anything that is made of plastic or metal gets beads of moisture all over it. It's gross :(

I have a Kershaw Chive which I carried in the coin pocket of my jeans for a while. On a hot humid summers day, I got home to discover large patches of flash rust all over the stainless (AUS-8?) blade.
I know stainless can still rust, but it's a lot more rust resistant than plain carbon steel.
I don't want to have to oil my carry knife because oil gets on your clothes, comes into contact with your skin, and gets on any food you may cut with the knife.
Also, I don't care for the taste that carbon steels give some foods, notably acidic foods like fruits.
Stainless works great for me for knives that I carry, and that's what I want.

I was at Walmart yesterday, and I looked at the Buck Paklite Skinner. I didn't like the blade shape (much too wide and not pointy enough) or the handle shape, and since I try to avoid Buck knives wherever possible anyway, decided to pass it up.

I think that the type of knife that I want is something along the lines of the Izula/Becker Necker/Swamp Warden type small skeletonized knives.
Something about 6" long and in some flavor of stainless.
 
Another Mora vote. Aside form being fantastic knives, they also look very tame and low key. I think that will be a huge bonus for a knife used in the city. Just a thought, but I would steer away from the tactical looking blades in general.
 
How about that little Kershaw skinning knife? I don't carry mine often but I've had zero problems with rust. It looks to be about the size of an Izula.
 
tknife said:
Another Mora vote. Aside form being fantastic knives, they also look very tame and low key. I think that will be a huge bonus for a knife used in the city. Just a thought, but I would steer away from the tactical looking blades in general.
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I know, I really tried to get the Mora to work (I have a couple) but it just felt like I had a broom handle stuffed down my pants when I tried IWB.
I considered making a different sheath, maybe Kydex, but then the handle is still too chunky. Also, the rubberized handle on mine tended to grab the skin on my torso.
I really really love Moras, and I genuinely tried to make it work, especially as I already have them, but it just didn't work for me.

As to the city thing, I have lived in NY for three years now and have only been to the city a couple of times when my family have visited from the UK.
On those rare occasions when I have been to the city, I just carry my peanut.
 
Mr. Bob said:
How about that little Kershaw skinning knife? I don't carry mine often but I've had zero problems with rust. It looks to be about the size of an Izula.
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ALSO BINGO! :D
I have a great love of all things Kershaw.
My RAM and my Skyline are two of my favorite knives, so much so that I honestly believed that I had found my holy grail knives and never needed to buy any more. Worked for a while too, until this 'gravity knife' nonsense happened.
I even have a Chive, despite hating the shape of the Ken Onion series.
 
Grease said:
I would second this, adding that I use the Pendleton as a box cutter all the time and it works great. They're probably some of the best knives you can get for under $20. They're budget knives in price only. Mine came shaving sharp and holds a decent edge, and the handle is really comfortable and well sized.

(I believe my Pendleton was AUS8 though, not 4116 Krupp.)
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actually i just checked and the pendleton is 4116 krupp. and yes great series of knifes
 
Mongo said:
No offense... but I don't think there is a fixed blade out there that is worth a damn that is less than $20.
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The AG Russell Hunters Scalpel is $19.95. I've been carrying one for years and it's been great. Easily carried in pocket, super lightweight, hard locking sheath for safety, lanyard, and a perfectly useful blade shape.

It's my primary knife for hiking and backpacking, motorcycling, and wearing to work (carried it daily for five years on a drill rig). It's easily performed every cutting task I've ever asked of it, and it's still in good condition. Mine is the old version; the new ones have a different shape and feel, and better steel.
 
I like the Mora 2/0. The blade is still .098" thick and just shy of 3" long. I sanded down the sides of the handle to flatten it. Groved it to give a little better grip and voila - a better fixed blade edc. What is the fixed blade length you are allowed to carry? Oh I forgot to add, the knife with sheath is under 2 oz.
 
Check out the Boker/Krein Pocket Bowie - it's a great little knife for the price. (under $25) 440C blade, G-10 scales, and comes with a kydex sheath.

pb1l.jpg
 
I own a benchmark backpacker and it is stainless. They went to 440a or something, but websites still say 1095. I know this because I tried to patina the lil bugger and nothing happened, I then promptly asked on bladeforums and got answers indicating the stainless switch. It is still a good knife, I would trust it over mtech and meyerco.
 
Buck paklite? Opinel 8? Izula? If you go to knifemaking.com there is a knife made by jantz that is in the small fixed blade category, also many other models(without handles)
 
Bo T said:
I like the Mora 2/0. The blade is still .098" thick and just shy of 3" long. I sanded down the sides of the handle to flatten it. Groved it to give a little better grip and voila - a better fixed blade edc. What is the fixed blade length you are allowed to carry? Oh I forgot to add, the knife with sheath is under 2 oz.
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Hmm, I am tempted to rehandle one of my Moras, maybe grind some of the blade away to make the tang longer and completely rehandle it.

Bizarrely, there is no blade length restriction written into NYS law, although there is a 'dangerous knife' section so I won't be strapping my Kabar to my leg and wandering around Stop & Shop.
In the City, there is a 3" (or maybe it's 4") blade length restriction.

I feel a bit like you guys were the worst people to ask about this!
I've received so many good suggestions that there's no way I'm gonna end up with just one knife, it'll end up being a rotation, and a big one at that!
The more I look at these little beauties, the more I want to own them all! It's just going to be folders all over again...

The Meyerco Necklance arrived today, and for the $10 shipped that it cost me, I'm pretty impressed.
The handle feels a little light and plasticy (though it's glass filled Nylon so it should be pretty strong) but the blade is nice and came sharp.
I haven't had chance to use it much, but I have done some food prep and sliced paper into ribbons.
If it retains its edge well, then this little knife may well fall into the 'cheap but awesome' knife category.
For hot days in light clothing, I imagine it will be great because it's extremely light weight, and it has a forever warranty too.


Interesting about the backpacker being stainless.
Provided I can be sure of getting the stainless model, I definitely want one.
How would you rate it? Does the heat treat seem good?
A lot of people look down on 440 series steels, but if it's heat treated properly it's one of my favorites.
 
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Boozoo Chavis said:
Check out the Boker/Krein Pocket Bowie - it's a great little knife for the price. (under $25) 440C blade, G-10 scales, and comes with a kydex sheath.

pb1l.jpg
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Now THAT is a fine looking knife!
Definitely on the list.

My wife's gonna kill me.
I'll just tell her that the bigger boys bullied me into buying knives :D
 
I've had a couple of the meyerco necklance's and they're not bad at all for money. I've used one along with a hammer to make holes in a coconut and it held up fine. sturdy little bugger. My only complaint is that i've never really been able to put a good edge on it. it's pretty thick behind the edge but if you're cool with the factory grind it's good.
 
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