Great EDC under ~150

N

nutellarain

Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
29
Hey guys, looking for a new edc around 150 or under

Requirements:

-Blade: under 3.5.
-I don't like liner locks, so something other than that
-folding
-I dislike wide blades like those bokers, or big spydercos
-I can go for a flipper, but I need a thumbstud as well
-150 is my absolute top limit, I'm looking for something around 110-120
- manual, assisted is illegal for me

Any reccomendations?
I can't really go for a Para 2, since I want something that's not super rare as heck.


Thanks!
 
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I second the Benchmade 940 recommendation. The 940 has an excellent blade-to-handle ratio, disappears in the pocket, is very sheeple-friendly, and is strong enough to handle any task. Most functional lock on the market (and one of the strongest). It also boasts great performing S30V steel that takes a superb edge, and the blade design lends the tip strength.

I prefer the 940 to almost any production folder except a Sebenza.
 
If you want a PM2 but think you can't find one, look on the huge well known auction website. There's some on there right now that you can immediately purchase for $120.
 
My simple, non-exciting answer is to push you in the direction of an Opinel #8. Mine has been riding with me for many moons. I have given away a bunch of them...many folks have never heard of the knives and they are amazed at how sharp they get. I also have a KAI 5900 steak knife that rides in the pocket and slices like a razor. Both of these are simple solutions for my EDC needs. Then there are the days when my old 110 gets the nod even though the weight makes me cringe a bit!
 
Another for the BM 940. Excellent knife. BM 530 is a nice knife as well. It's extremely light. I had to open mine up and sand down the scales a bit as they were rubbing the blade, though.
 
So far: Benchmade 940

I think the native 5 for me might be a little too wide.

Does anybody have anything with g10 handles? I think that aluminum might scratch too easily.
 
The Benchmade 940 is great, although i prefer the clip point blade on the 943...
Or there is always the BM 551 Griptillian...it is not G10, but very tough - BM calls it Noryl GTX for the handles...
a great G10 handle option and an incredible knife for the money is the 710 but the blade is just under 4"....
 
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The Para Military 2 is not really "super rare" you can find them pretty easily if you just do a little searching. Another choice would be the Manix 2.
 
Benchmade Griptilian, Benchmade 530 Pardue, Spyderco Caly 3 or 3.5, Spyderco Stretch, Kershaw RAM, Cold Steel Medium Voyager, Cold Steel Tuff Lite.

I understand your distrust of liner locks, but I'll bet you just need to handle some really solid ones. Try a Spyderco Gayle Bradley, perhaps - the strongest linerlock I've ever encountered. I'd seriously trust that lock over some lockbacks I've had.
 
Comeuppance said:
Try a Spyderco Gayle Bradley, perhaps - the strongest linerlock I've ever encountered. I'd seriously trust that lock over some lockbacks I've had.
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+1

I had one and although I was thoroughly impressed w/ it I sold it to raise funds for another knife. Now only about 3wks later I just traded for one that's on its way. I regretted selling it. It's just a tough as nails no BS knife. As you said the liner lock is huge and certainly stronger than some framelocks I've owned.
 
Knowing what I know now, I would recommend the Benchmade Griptilian, 530 Pardue, Spyderco Delica, medium Cold Steel Voyager, Cold Steel Mini Recon 1, and yes, the Spyderco Paramilitary 2, of which a new batch has recently been released.

I'll also recommend to you a Victorinox SwissChamp. Get a nice sheath for it and you're laughing.
 
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ZT 801 fits in you budget and flips like a dream, good steel, Titanium frame. The 801 is great value for money you won't be disappointed
 
olybears57 said:
+1 on caly 3.5.... Almost perfect EDC IMO
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Except that its riveted together, has an allen wrench pivot, and some have unfixable vertical blade play due to lockback and blade not matching up. And it has VG-10 whereas the other knives mentioned have IMO upgraded steel (S30V, 154CM, S35VN). So there's that. Not what I would call perfect, or even almost perfect. Some of us have lower standards I guess...

I accept that I have some bias on this subject but I feel its my duty to warn people of the Caly 3.5. Personally, it was the most disappointing knife I've ever bought.
 
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