In the market for a new edc folder

J

JDX

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Mar 2, 2014
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I was hoping to get some opinions. So on a day to day basis, I need a good blade for breaking down cardboard boxes at work as well as home. I need a blade that is relatively cheap but can also be a beater. My budget is 80 at the most, but I'd prefer something closer to the 50$ range. A few brands I'm familiar with are: spyderco, kershaw, Ontario, and kabar. As of now I'm using an s30v kershaw blur. I like it. Its a good blade, but it's too light for me. I like beefy knives.

I'd like the steel to be aus8, or better. (no 8cr13mov)

Any help would be appreciated
 
I think you'd like the Spyderco G10 Manix. A bit above your budget though.

Other than that, maybe the Ontario RAT 1?
 
Kizer ki306/ki3306

Only reason I don't own one to add an affordable Kizer to my EDC rotation is because it is aus8: I'm just not a huge fan of it, aus8/8cr13mov/440, personally I prefer 440c but prefer the 8cr13mov from reputable sources over the others; all 3 being "roughly about" the same quality grade, (and along with 420hc from Buck only, the lowest grade stainlesses i'll take in a knife, usually won't even consider regular 440 or aus8), i've just have liked my edges better with the Chinese version. To each their own.
 
Opinel #8.

"Beefy"? enough, feels nice and solid, and can be had for eight dollars.

IDK how you feel about carbon steel though. You can also get a version in stainless 12C27 Sandvik steel.
 
I second the Kershaw Link using a ZT pocket clip for deep carry.

But a true beefy knife would be Zero Tolerance or any brands similar. Once you get them, you will never go back.
 
Actually, on 2nd thought, you might find the Kizer handle smallish like the blur;

Buck Vantage Force Pro comes in an s30v blade and definitely has a meaty handle. Just bought one for my dad for Father's day coming up. Its a solid simple design

Crkt shenanigan is another one; considered it before buying my free range; aus8 was why I didn't buy one, but its a lot like the blur, (which i love my blur); a similar ken onion design with a beefier handle though.

Kizlyar Bloke X: is a beefy Russian made knife, bigger at a 3.75" blade the way I like, that I considered buying in aus8 just last week. Added it to the 100+ in my bladehq wish list instead. One day.

Ontario RAT model 1 (model II has a thinner handle) Meyerco MaxxQ isn't a bad little (cheap) assisted blade for its unorthadox design, gave one away a little bit ago to a buddy, actually left it at his house, forgot about it, and told him he could keep it then when he found it, since he didn't have a half decent blade to call his own and it (only) cost me around $30. He's a good friend though.

Just a few ideas in your price range.
 
Ontario RAT Model I - 3.25, AUS8, and Beefy!

KnifeWorks has some exclusive models too and all still under $50.
http://www.knifeworks.com/search.aspx?find=Ontario+Rat


But nothing cuts cardboard like a long, fully serrated edge like that on the Sypderco Endura or Pacific Salt.
Endura SE - http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercoendura4frnhandlefullserratededge.aspx#.VUp6y_lVhBc
Pacific Salt - http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercopacificsaltblackfrnhandlefullserratededge.aspx#.VUp7O_lVhBc

The Pacific Slat also comes in 'Lose-Me-Not' Yellow which you can easily dye to darker colors.
http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercopacificsaltyellowfrnhandlefullserratededge.aspx#.VUp7kPlVhBc
 
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I wouldn't call the rat 1 beefy, especially compared to its beefier brother: the Utilitac II.
 
The Cold Steel Tuff Lite and Mini Tuff both meet your criteria. If it was me breaking down boxes, I'd stick to a dedicated box knife.
 
+1 on the Ontarios- the rat has a better blade for box cutting imho, the utilitac is a little beefier all around. Id look at the lansky responders if I were you in the same price range, the 3.5 inch comes in 440C and the 4 inch comes in 12cr I think, so a step up in steel which should hold thier edges better.
Also, lots of kershaws to be had in your price range, pick a shape you like and you cant really go wrong.
All that said my box cutters I grab most often are a CRKT edgie or a vintage Camillus 67 stockman from the bay carried as back ups to my main EDC.
 
WuGod said:
Also, lots of kershaws to be had in your price range, pick a shape you like and you cant really go wrong.
Click to expand...

If you're gonna be using it hard, check out someone like kershawguy.com even and pick up a factory blemish model, still every bit of knife, for well less then market price...
 
If you want beefy but still a good slicer, check out the Coast FX350. It's one of my favorites, with a 9Cr18MoV steel blade and full flat grind. I carry one hiking and camping in conjunction with some sort of 1095 or 5160 carbon fixed blade, preferring it to other folders because it works well with gloves on.
 
In keeping with your guidlines. In my collection I have a CRKT Hammond Cruiser which I alike alot. This is a very beefy handle plus it has a double blade lock system to protect you when you are cutting up boxes. Yes I know the 8Cr14MoV is not ideal but it is easy to sharpen. Current price on BladeHQ is 34.99
 
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