Good All-Around Pocket Knife for Under $50?

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heathah

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Apr 26, 2005
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What's the best all-around pocket knife you have found for under $50? I have yet to find a perfect pocket knife in this price range and I'm not sure if there even is one. By pocket knife I mean any kind of folding knife that will fit in or clip onto your pocket with a maximum blade length of 4 in.

I personally can't see spending more than $50 for a pocket knife that I may (and probably will) eventually lose. Has my searching been in vain? Please advise.
 
You have several choices.

Benchmade 550 Griptillian ( a little more then $50 but well worth it)
Benchmade Mini Ambush
Benchmade Monochrome
Spyderco Delica
Spyderco Calypso Jr. (sprint run but still pretty plentiful)
Spyderco Salsa (closeout but still prety plentiful Check SFO)

How about a slipjoint from Queen knives?

These are just a few that came to mind; there are several others and I'm sure that there will be more people along to make even more suggestions.
 
I am not sure about the different grades of steel. I just bought a Kal 74. Someone let me know. It has aus8 listed.

Thanks,

roadmasterforyou :eek:
 
I bought a Spyderco Cara Cara a couple of weeks ago. It is quite similar to Spyderco's Endura, but since it is made in China, it is much less expensive. If you want something a little smaller, look at Spyderco's Meadowlark. I bought one for my mother-in-law to use when gardening. Both knives are made with 440C steel and are shaving sharp. The Cara Cara has a 3 7/8" blade, and the Meadowlark has a 3" blade. Both are very solid. New Graham carries the Cara Cara for $18.71 and the Meadowlark for $17.47, prices that won't kill you if you lose either one.
 
Easyrider gave very good suggestions.I would add Camillus EDC.,Spyderco's Endura or Delica and the Goddard model if they are still making it.
 
Stockman said:
Spyderco Calypso Jr - Around $40.00 would be my pick every time.
Click to expand...

I second that. Best one hand, pocket clip, good steel flat grind that there is for 40.00 IMHO.
 
I'm happy with nearly all of my knives, and most of them cost under $50. Can you be more specific what you're looking for?

"Hi-tech" plastic, or classy natural material?
A pocket-full, or a gentleman's knife?
Locking, fixed blade, or slipjoint?
Outdoor use, construction site, or office setting?
Prefer American, German, Japanese, etc.?
Something easily replaced, or a family heirloom to pass down?

A few years ago one of the knife magazines' cover story was "The Best Knives for Under $50" or something similar. Maybe you could track it down somehow.

Good Luck in your search,
Bob
 
How about a Camillus EDC with 154CM? Great knife design, perfect size and shape for EDC, framelock, and a premium knife steel. All for about $50. It would be my choice pretty much all the time, but then again I am partial to recurves.
 
What about the Gerber Applegate/Fairbairn Mini Covert? I noticed it has a 154CM blade and averages about $35-$40. Anyone have any experience with this knife?
 
Bob W said:
I'm happy with nearly all of my knives, and most of them cost under $50. Can you be more specific what you're looking for?

"Hi-tech" plastic, or classy natural material?
A pocket-full, or a gentleman's knife?
Locking, fixed blade, or slipjoint?
Outdoor use, construction site, or office setting?
Prefer American, German, Japanese, etc.?
Something easily replaced, or a family heirloom to pass down?

A few years ago one of the knife magazines' cover story was "The Best Knives for Under $50" or something similar. Maybe you could track it down somehow.

Good Luck in your search,
Bob
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob.

To answer your questions:

Hi-tech or natural.
Pocket-full.
Locking or slipjoint.
Office setting and occasional outdoor use.
Prefer American.
Easily replaced (as I said before I don't want to lose something > $50).
 
heathah said:
I personally can't see spending more than $50 for a pocket knife that I may (and probably will) eventually lose. Has my searching been in vain?
Click to expand...
50 bucks? - are you nuts!?
$50 LoL!

For $50 all you can get is.......

3 knives!

choose one of the following 3 Victorinox SAKs -

Victorinox Waiter for about $10
53891_l.jpg

incredible number of functions for a single layer/backspring knife - and the quality is astonishing.

or
if you want scissors - for as low as about $21 - the Victorinox Compact -
54941_l.jpg

but it adds more than just scissors, also a ballpen, straight Pin in the handles and the very useful mini jeweller's scredriver stored in the corkscrew (which you can purchase separately to add to the Waiter above)

The corkscrew can make you a hit at parties....

or
Pliers? - the Victorinox Mechanic for as low as about $21 -
53441_l.jpg

changes out the corkscrew for a Phillips screwdriver

and add -
for dressy occassions the Victorinox Bantam Alox for as low as about $13 -
53949_l.jpg

anodized alumimum handles - very slim about 5mm or 0.2" that it's almost not there - can even be stored in a wallet - but packs 5 functions.....

and add -
Opinel #8 for under $10 ......
123080.jpg

in stainless steel or if you want to mix with the experts the carbon steel version.... but then you won't have time for any discussion as you'll be cleaning/caring for the plain carbon steel :)


That's only $33 for the cheapest combination of 3, or $44 for the most expensive......

$50? don't make me laugh :D

You might want to check out this thread -
Minimalist SAKs

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
heathah said:
What about the Gerber Applegate/Fairbairn Mini Covert? I noticed it has a 154CM blade and averages about $35-$40. Anyone have any experience with this knife?
Click to expand...

My edc folder is a Gerber A-F covert. The only problem I have had with it is the pivot screw comes loose, which I reccomend fixing with either bowstring wax or loctite. If its bigger sibbling is any indication, I would reccomend the mini covert.
 
I handled the KaBar Dozier designed folding hunters at a knife show, and they looked pretty good, and you could get 2 for $50. The were very thin, pretty easy to carry, and not to obvious.
 
Calypso Jr. Watch the classifieds for the next month or so because there is a new CJ coming out with a better steel and some people might sell their old ones when they upgrade...

But even brand new, they are an absolute steal.

Mark
 
Hi-tech or natural.
Pocket-full.
Locking or slipjoint.
Office setting and occasional outdoor use.
Prefer American.
Easily replaced (as I said before I don't want to lose something > $50).
Click to expand...

Now we're getting somewhere. I recommend two knives based on this. First knife, a small slipjoint with natural materials for the office. Something by Queen or Camillus if you prefer American.

Second knife, a lightweight locking knife. AG Russell FeatherLite One-Hand knife, Spyderco Endura/Delica, Opinel, BuckLite, etc.

Happy shopping,
Bob
 
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