heavy duty EDC for under $35

T

Travis91

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Nov 29, 2013
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I seem to break pocket clips off of knifes very easily.. Currently i either carry a Cheap(11 dollar) camo knife that came from a rack at the parts store. or a husky folding utility knife. I Enjoy fishing on my free time, Horses, Four wheelers, outdoor activity's. I wont have a knife with a serrated edge or partial serrations. Must have a pocket clip and some sort of thumb stud or finger hole, not into the assisted opening knifes like the kershaws that have the safety lock at the bottom. While made in usa would be top of my list, I have quality tools that are made in japan, Taiwan, and places other than China so that's not out of the question. I have a hard time spending over 35 on a knife because If i spent 100 on a knife that i some how lost i would be sick. What are the best recommendations for a good edc that will hold a edge.
 
Ontario RAT 1. It's made in Taiwan but its a good knife within your price range ($28-34).

Overall Length: 8.60"
Blade Length: 3.60"
Blade Material: AUS 8 Stainless Steel
Blade Detail: Plain Edge Drop Point
Handle Length: 5.00
Handle Material: Black Nylon 6
Weight: 4.0 oz.
Safety System: Liner Lock (not sure if this is what you meant by "safety lock at the bottom")
Carry System: Stainless Steel Pocket Clip
 
Someone on another review said the pocket clip had alot of movement in it after minimal use and that is what had me worried about that one
 
Travis91 said:
Someone on another review said the pocket clip had alot of movement in it after minimal use and that is what had me worried about that one
Click to expand...

That is what Loc-Tite and Super Glue were invented for. Are you carrying your knife outside your pocket? I know a guy that carries knives that way and he loses about one a week. He thinks the pocket clip is a belt clip, I've explained this concept to him dozens of times. As they say, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make em think. ;)
 
Ive had a RAT 1 for 2 years and its in great shape. The liner lock wears in a good bit but its a really solid knife that performs like a more expensive knife than what it is.
 
Another nod to the RAT 1. I love mine. It's one of the best all around EDC's in my collection regardless of price.
 
Byrd Cara Cara. The large lockback takes a very nice edge and is one of the easiest stainless steels to sharpen. They need very little maintenance and nothing special or unique in their care. Keep clean and don't let it rust is about it.
 
Kershaw Thermite can be had on a certain mass-online retailer for under $35. Hinderer design and tough as nails.
 
Rat 1. Rat 2 or the Zancudo if you prefer something smaller.

Spyderco also has some pretty good inexpensive knives. Tenacious, Ambitious, Persistence. Again, depending on size preference.
 
I am going to agree on the Ontario knives, they have the Rat, Zancudo, utilitac, and there might be one more in your price range. Also check out some of the Schrade offerings, they have so 25$ stainless steel framelocks which are heavy but very robust and overbuilt. From the reviews I have seen they look fairly decent if you do not mind the weight. Check out the Buck Bantam series as well, might not be as overbuilt as some of the others but USA made for 20-25$ and make great EDC knives.
 
Take a look at some of Cold Steel's offerings. They're tough as nails. The Tuff Lite is within your $35 budget, if you can spend a bit more then I'd go for a Voyager (40-50 bucks depending on the size).
 
My Utilitac II is one of the toughest knives I have regardless of price. My ZT 0350 is just a little tougher, but not anywhere even remotely near five times tougher to match the price. I'm a destroyer of knives, and the Utilitac II has taken everything I've thrown at it. It's now my primary EDC I'm so impressed with it.


 
So far i Really like the

-Rat 1
-Utilitac

-Buck Bantam blw(love the blaze orange handles and that its usa)

-I like the enlan knifes expessially the el01 series..

- I like the samrnu 710-althouh i feel the blade is a little small but for the price ill probably get one in addition to one of the others.


for out of the Ontario, bucks, and enlan which has the best quality blade as in the steel and ability to hold a edge?
With that said.. Which has the best quality steel?
 
+1 on the Rat 1...almost impossible to beat for the money (and Ontario's warranty on the Rat series is superb, as on their US made knives, if you're worried about a loose clip or anything else). Kershaw's JYD II (Junkyard Dog 2) can be had as a blem from Kershawguy for $55...somewhat over your desired budget, but is a big folder with very good composite blade steel and is many people's idea of great hard use (subjectively, budget) folder.
 
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