Friends asking me about knives

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a Trexler Ranger

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OK so my friend Kole asked me about a knife in the price range of $30 or under. He doesn't care were it's made as long as it's quality. He wants it to be an unassisted flipper with a black blade and black handle. No preference on handle material. I suggested the Kershaw Skyline at $40 but he's very firm on his $30 budget.

Knives I've suggested:
Kershaw Chill
Kershaw Skyline
CRKT Copacetic
CRKT Directive

Let's see what you guys think
 
Buck Vantage select is under $30 but it doesn't have the black blade. The vantage force does but it retails for about $35 (which is basically $30 since a lot of places will give free shipping). If he shops around he might find one for under $30.
 
"Quality" unassisted flipper for $30 or less is a tough one.

Real Steel has been making some solid budget friendly knives, I'd tell him to check it the e77.
Kershaw is also a good bet. 1st one that came to my mind is the Kershaw Nura. But not a black handle.
Buck Vantage Select or Browning No Boundaries would round out my top 4 recomendations.

At that price point, everything is hit or miss though, as long as he keeps that in mind.
(Buck's warranty and the fact that it's made in America very well may might make it a top contender)

*edit - missed the black blade part. Though the Browning fits the bill.
 
Kershaw anso fraxion fits the requirements and I'm digging the design but I have no experience with that model.
 
Also, check out the schrade line at under $20.

Many folks hate them, "cheap china crap" if you will, but reality is that build wise they're no worse then most of your sub $50 Chinese made knives, still hit or miss, but with simpler "generic" designs and no designer name attached. They do however use 9cr18mov steel instead of 7cr17 or 8cr13 like the rest, so if you do get a good batch, with a good HT (a question you have with any cheap made in china knife), you'll have a much better performing blade steel...
Something akin to 440a (8cr13mov) vs. 440c (9cr18mov)
 
i always recommend something with s35vn or something usa made (or both) something usually from kershaw. OKC Rat w/ D2 works for an affordable knaf. also recommend buck 420HC as its easy to sharpen and holds an edge better than the low end Chinese steel thats not worth it. i want to recommend something good, something thats not a copy of something else etc. dont recommend ganzo's cause they copy other knives. not worth giving your friend a poor ripoff of a knaf thats not very good at all despite what these people may say. if you give a damn about the knife community you will avoid them.
 
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For a firm 30 dollar budget, I recommend the Buck Vantage Select, although he will have to compromise on the black blade. If he would be willing to increase his budget some, he would have much better options.
 
For $30 I would honestly tell them to get a ganzo. Cost them around $20 or less if they shop a bit.
Ganzo G7533
 
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I will second the suggestion about the Ganzo's. I would add the name of Enlon. They both make very well made knives fully the equivalent of ANY production inexpensive knives in America. I have knives from both manufactures and like them as inexpensive beaters. Take a look at Gearbest.com for them or do a google search. You won't be sorry.
 
Ontario Rat 1... probably gonna be the best option below 30. They do have a black blade option as well. Check them out on amazon.
 
Ontario RAT-1 or RAT-2 is my suggestion. Not a flipper (has a thumbstud) but fits all other criteria.
 
Having started out on budget blades i can say I don't think there's a whole lot in terms of flippers... Most of mine were spydies/thumbstud openers. Kershaw might have a few, or maybe CRKT (the Jettison is a flipper but I don't know the price tag).
 
OK so my friend Kole asked me about a knife in the price range of $30 or under. He doesn't care were it's made as long as it's quality. He wants it to be an unassisted flipper with a black blade and black handle. Let's see what you guys think

If he can get over the assisted part, here is a decent affordable blackwashed flipper.

KERSHAW - Blackwash CRYO Hinderer G-10 Assist SPEEDSAFE FLIPPER Knife 1555G10BW

Check it out. Kole will not be disappointed.

 
I've seen numerous Schrades and Bokers in this price range online. Some of both are even full autos (see what the laws are in your state)
 
pretty good advice so far. You have to decide where you stand in regards to companies that try to sell knock-offs, regardless of pricetag. Give him the ideas, and let him pick, maybe one of the others will speak to him. Also maybe mention that a cheap flipper won't be as awesome as he thinks it will be, so he can spend 30$ to get a decent knife, or chuck some more to get a decent flipper, then even more to have a decent knife that flips. I'd rather spend 30$ on blade than on pivot, but then I'm never in a hurry.
 
I'm gonna add another, if he can get past assisted opening, the Kershaw Scrambler is a great edc knife, well designed and put together. Tough. And though not black coated it can be had black washed with black g10, and has a rugged but classy look to it.
KAI-(Kershaw/ZT); does a/o better then most.
 
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