Hard use folders for those new to the knife world under $30

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Bishop2Queen's6

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Jun 8, 2011
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Hey all,

I'm looking to purchase some hard use folders for some friends who are new to the knife world and EDC life style, and I want to keep it under $30. It needs to have a pocket clip, and a decent sized handle.

I was considering:

-CRKT M16 or M21 series for them, but the handle is quite thin and the double lock is not really conventional (liner and CRKT's AutoLAWKS).
-Kershaw skyline is great for EDC, but doesn't seem tough enough....
-Buck 110 doesn't have a pocket clip.
-Spyderco tenacious or persistance is a great EDC, but lacks toughness (unless someone convinces me otherwise)
-Cold Steel AK-47 seems a bit thick and bulky
-Enlan knives look like an option but worry fit/finish, and overall toughness.
-No Opinels
-No fixed blades
-Length must be between 3-4 inches

I come from a world of EDCing a ZT303 and ZT120 in my pocket with a BK7 in my truck and a BK9 on my hip at work so this "hard use folder" has to be close to what I see as tough. haha :D

Just throw some brand/models out there so give me more options to decide. Thanks for all the ideas!!
 
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Buck 110, was the one knife I bought and used lightly and it's tiny non-threaded pivot pin set in soft brass, just didn't keep the blade from developing side to side play.

I just don't understand the thought behind this dated design being brought up everytime someone mentions hard use. All I did with mine was snap cut small briers and other green branches and it was loose right away. (sure you can tap it back up tight, but then again it's loose, as soon as it's used) I've had a Kershaw Skyline doing the same tasks hold up, even if it is smaller. Plus, there's no comparison to the weight between these two.
 
Hard use folder under $30? Get a fixed blade. I wouldn't trust any cheap folder to handle whatever "hard use" is.
 
I think the the tenacious is pretty tough. I think it's toughness is on par with a PM2. And what are you talking about, tough blade or tough build?
 
Ontario Rat-1 without a doubt is my first suggestion, I bought one for my brother and it's a beast for the $25 I paid. Kershaw makes some good knives under $30. The Byrd line imported by Spyderco is also good. I have a Meadowlark that is clipped to an evac bag, decent knife for $18. What about Sanrenmu? They can be had ridiculously cheap and seem to be generally well thought of as low end knives go.
 
I would be hesitant to give a friend a "hard use folder". I have this awful image of them trying to baton a log with a tenacious or rat-1 (sturdy, decent quality inexpensive folders) and cutting themselves badly from a lock failure. If I was you (which i'm not) tell them that the folder you got is good quality, and can be used well. Just go over what they should and should not do with it. A lot of new knife people simply don't understand the limits of lock joints.
 
The Tenacious is one of the highest rated clip folders in the history of affordable knives so I'm unsure of where you got that information.
 
None of the knives mentioned can hold a candle to the Cold Steel folders with regard to toughness and robustness. The AK-47 is a lot more than $30 though, but you can get a Large Voyager for under $40. The Rat 1 is a good second. The Tenacious is my favourite knife in this price class but a hard use folder it is not.
 
Kershaw Tremor! 0200 size great knife. Can be had for $25 shipped.
DSCN2119.jpg
 
concho mike said:
The Tenacious is one of the highest rated clip folders in the history of affordable knives so I'm unsure of where you got that information.
Click to expand...

Speaking to me mike? I wasn't dissing the Tenacious, I use one all the time. It is a great knife, just not a hard use folder.
 
I decided on getting the rat-1 because it comes in many flavors. I even ordered one for my self, black blade ODD green handle. Ordered 4 total all different colors.
 
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