Good first time Folding Knives?

[22-rimfire]

By your post, I sense you mean small and reasonably priced.

The Victorinox Small Tinker is a great regular carry knife. There are a lot of Vic swiss army knife models to choose from. They are very functional when you get above the Classic size.

The Great Eastern (GEC) #14 Boys knife is great. The GEC #48 (improved trapper) is great. These are pushing the cost up toward the $100 mark.

The Kabar Dozers folders are a real value and both practical and functional.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Get a small Sebenza
Last “small” knife you will ever need

You can start and finish you journey into knives with one move. I think it is good advice , but most take a longer and very likely more costly route- buying and selling to get to this point.
Certainly would be bold.

 

[Revolve]

Kershaw knives.
There are many models to start with.
When you say small, do you mean blade length?

Yes, and overall size. However, I do not want it to be too small. I need to be able to carry it around easily in my pocket.

 

[Revolve]

Define small.

Coin pocket sized?

Front pocket loose carry sized!

Front pocket clip carry sized?

Front pocket loose carry sized.

 

[rubberdog]

Steel Will Modus if you want a flipper, or Rat 2 if a thumb stud is your preference. Whatever you get just make sharpening equipment your next purchase.

 

[Lapedog]

Hi,

I've been looking for a reasonably small folding knife. Do you guys have any favorites/recommendations for a beginner?

Edit: Sorry, I wasn't specific enough in my question. I'm looking to easily carry it in my front pocket. My budget's under 50 if possible. I'm in California, so subject to the California knife laws.

Lots of good suggestions in this thread. Here is some from me;

Steel Will D2 cutjack, comes in a large and a small size

Any Civivi brand knife, some are 60$ but well worth that extra 10$, if it must be under 50$ there are some that are around 45$

Ruike 801, if you want an all steel and fairly slim knife.

Kershaw Emersons; if you are looking for a knife with some self defense capability

Spyderco Dragonfly; quite a small knife but excellent knife from excellent company. For abit more money you can get a Delica which is bigger.

Byrd Meadowlark Titanium: this is basically a Spyderco Delica produced by Byrd which is a subbrand of Spyderco. Except this knife has a titanium handle which is considered top of the line material typically only found in knives around the 150$+ range.

 

[USMCPOP]

Small, light, inexpensive - Buck Rival. Three different sizes - the #364 Rival I is small and light. Made in USA.

Ontario RAT II in D2 is nice.

 

[Earl1]

If you want a light knife for simply carting in your pocket there are endless knives that fit that. Here's a couple
Case caliber
A buck 501 or 503
Buck 303 stockman
Case medium stockman.
These are all USA made knives that range in price from 15 to around 50 dollars

 

[Dogdrawz]

^Unless the pointy thumb stud drives you crazy but more on that later...

My lord yes. I had a large Inkosi that I flipped & flipped cuz it was that good. Next day...thumb & finger was all bust.

P.S. Kershaw Skyline has my vote.

 

[tony281sc2]

Kershaw volt II, $30, A/O, great ergonomics, thick liner lock, good clip, and you can get em plain edge, serrated, bead blast or black blades.

 

[ATJ999]

Byrd meadowlark 2, Ontario RAT1 or RAT 2, Real Steel Sea Eagle, Spyderco Tenacious. All are at different price points, and they are all quality blades.

 

[cchu518]

This might be just my luck but all of the meadowlarks that I have had, had horrible thick edges and awful grinds.One had an issue I couldn't fix maybe a burnt grind/heat treat issue.

Whereas each of the Cara Cara's that I've had from the same Byrd line were great.

I've had about 3 examples of each. The Cara Cara's I proudly gave away/ did GAW's for after putting hair whittling edges on them whereas the Meadowlarks I just tossed in as bonuses on knife trades.