Looking for a $30-$40 EDC folder...

S

savageman

Joined
May 27, 2005
Messages
149
I want a EDC folder that I can stuff in my pocket and carry with me hiking and camping. Also one that will fit my larger hands, so something with a 3"-3.5" blade and I like FRN handles. I need a good steel that holds an edge and sharpens up nicely. I looked at the Benchmade Pika II and I like the style and blade. Anything else I should look at?? $30-$40 limit please. Thanks
 
The Spyderco Native at Walmart might work. :thumbup:

Right side, 4th from bottom:
feb-2.jpg


cheers
 
Go to www.eknifeworks.com and click on the little red Victorinox logo. Personally, I prefer the Farmer model and I have relatively large hands. If you want a simple single blade that's larger than usual, try their Solo with the red composition handles. It's a great knife and it's dirt cheap.
 
powernoodle said:
The Spyderco Native at Walmart might work. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I also have large hands and love Native, great ergos :thumbup::thumbup: and S30v is a great steel. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Just $40 at walmart, if your localwalmart doesn't have, you can buy it at their website and knife will be delivered to walmart.
 
You should be able to find a BM Vex in that price range. Check gpknives.com and newgraham.com

Phil
 
I'm going to go with the Spyderco Native as well.
I picked it up from a suggestion made by others in the forum. Love the way it feels in my hand and the way it looks.
-Cheers
 
Next to the Native in the W-M display is the Buck 110 - a real fine camping folder - for $24.88. I have both - both are made in the USA (The Spydie even states 'Earth'!) - but that 110 is a traditional hard to outgrow camping knife... definitely a little longer than you stated - and heavier.

Stainz
 
Get an Endura at New Graham for 49$.
The 110 was awesome in carbon steel and decent now.
The Byrd line or Benchmades Red Box line
I got a Fenix folder for 6$ when I bought a light and it is excellent G10 handles and the same black coating on the stainless(same as Byrd) blade as their lights.
Check out the exchange. Be careful it is addicting.
 
Any of the Kabar AUS-8 Doziers. BM Mini-Ambush or Snipe. You can get some interesting out of production folders on thE Bay in that range - Timberline, Outdoor Edge, old (good) Gerbers, USA made Schrades.

And as others have said, Byrds, the Wallyword Native, and Victorinox. I'm pretty sure all the CRKTs in that price range have crap steel, but go back to thE Bay and look for bargains in AUS-8 CRKTs. While you're there look for bargain prices on Cold Steel Voyagers, too. Cold Steel has crap for marketing and makes some flat-out bad knives, but their Zytel folders are solid.
 
savageman said:
I want a EDC folder that I can stuff in my pocket and carry with me hiking and camping. Also one that will fit my larger hands, so something with a 3"-3.5" blade and I like FRN handles. I need a good steel that holds an edge and sharpens up nicely. I looked at the Benchmade Pika II and I like the style and blade. Anything else I should look at?? $30-$40 limit please. Thanks
Click to expand...

Yeah, there is.
Look at the KaBar Large Dozier. 3.6" AUS8 blade, lockback, FRN
Review is here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=483426&highlight=dozier
 
I have the Spyderco Native, and it is a great folder with a lot of bang for the buck, however . . .

I discovered pocket-sized fixed blades last year. With a Bark River Mini Canadian in a pocket sheath, I find that I rarely carry folders anymore. The Native is excellent though.
 
How about a Blade-Tech Pro Hunter Lite? They can be found for in the $40 area and are real nice for the money. Also the Kershaw Needs Work would be good if you wanted speed assist. GOOD LUCK! Kevin:)
 
Ok I have seen some things that I like. I really want a thumb hole on the blade for opening and need a 3"-3.5" blade. Here are a few I like the looks of:

1. Blade-Techs Pro Hunter Lite
2. Benchmade Vex
3. Spyderco Native FRN (Not really sure if I like the stubbie blade and handle)

I dont really have a preference on lock types, which out of these three is the best?? Any other suggestions is appreciated. Thanks
 
Have you handled a Native in person yet? It doesn't seem particularly stubby to me; the blade comes to a sharp point and the handle fills the whole hand nicely, especially if you use the choil.
 
savageman said:
Ok I have seen some things that I like. I really want a thumb hole on the blade for opening and need a 3"-3.5" blade. Here are a few I like the looks of:

1. Blade-Techs Pro Hunter Lite
2. Benchmade Vex
3. Spyderco Native FRN (Not really sure if I like the stubbie blade and handle)

I dont really have a preference on lock types, which out of these three is the best?? Any other suggestions is appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...

Which is the best depends on a number of your personal preferences about knives and how you use them.

The Native has a good lock and a shallow hollow grind. That grind completely turns me off, but that's a personal preference. You do not get an adjustable pivot either which is another peeve of mine, but I have some knives I like quite well that don't have an adjustable pivot. Looks like the FRN comes in S30V which is a premium steel.

The Blade-Tech I have no experience with. I've only seen pictures and read next to nothing about them. Again, a lockback and a good steel (440C) with an adjustable pivot. Seems to have made good choices in design, just not my taste in design though.

The Vex has a steel pretty close to 440C. A nice high flat grind and an adjustable pivot. It's a linerlock which I think is a strike against it but the ones I've tried and I own 2 have been well made linerlocks that pass the standard tests easily.

I don't think any of them are bad knives. The Native has lots of fans. Of the three, I prefer the Vex for its design and execution even though it has a lesser steel and a linerlock. And it's done all I've asked it to do.

Phil
 
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