Looking for a good small knife

ISX

Joined
May 10, 2013
Messages
9
I am looking for a $50-ish knife similar to the one in the pic to give my dad for his birthday. He asked me for one a long time ago and I didn't have one to give. He just wants a small general use one and the one I use in the pic works very well for this. It is a switchblade but that isn't a requirement. The one I use is just a garage sale junker. I want something that can actually hold an edge. Any ideas? Thanks for helping in advance.

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Your $50 limit may eliminate some brands like Spyderco & Benchmade. They have some <$100 small folders, but I don't know of any at $50 or less. Kershaw has some <$50 knives. Also, ESEE and KA-BAR have some folders in your price range that are pretty good general use knives. AUS8 is a good steel that takes a great edge and is easily resharpened. It's not the best at edge holding, but it's good.
 
For a small knife, a Dragonfly2 in ZDP-189 is hard to beat, but it comes in at $65 or so, a bit above your price range. If you're willing to go that high, the steel is pretty incredible. The regular Dragonfly2 falls at around $50, but VG-10 isn't nearly as impressive for edge-holding. If the Dragonfly doesn't do it, there's also the Spyderco Cat, which is a tad larger, and about $45.

Outside of Spyderco, (and also less expensive) the Kershaw Scallion is pretty close to that size, but the blade shape may or may not work for him, and the 420HC isn't particularly exceptional. Kershaw also has the OD-2, which is almost exactly the same length as the pictured knife, and is absurdly fun to play with. Finally, the CRKT Drifter is usually brought up for tighter budgets, but is still good enough to merit mention whenever you discus small knives - it's shockingly good.
 
The Kershaw Leek has 14C28N steel...great stuff. And, the Leek is assisted opening, very slim, and comes in a variety of color choices.
http://www.knifeworks.com/kershawonionleekstonewashed.aspx

The Spyderco Cat, which has 440c steel (good but not a super steel) is a great knife. http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercocatc129gp440cbladesteelblackg-10plainedge.aspx#.VHSaPtKUejE

The Spyderco Dragonfly is the king of small knives. http://www.knifeworks.com/spydercod...g10plainbladeblackfrnhandle.aspx#.VHSau9KUejE

I have several of each of these. They are good choices in your price range.
 
The Victorinox Farmer is also a great knife in your price range. The Buck Stockman is a good USA made knife in that price range as well.
 
The spiderco just looks a little bulky. But its the closest one to what I'm looking for. Not looking for the multi-tool knives. I can go over 50 just dont wanna go too far. It's kinda like when you look at a car and start adding options you think you need and next thing you have a 50k car with laser guided missiles.
 
The spiderco just looks a little bulky. But its the closest one to what I'm looking for. Not looking for the multi-tool knives. I can go over 50 just dont wanna go too far. It's kinda like when you look at a car and start adding options you think you need and next thing you have a 50k car with laser guided missiles.
If you want to get a really great knife in the $70 range the Spyderco Manix2 L/W is really nice.Made in USA!
 
The Ontario Rat II or Esee Zancudo would be perfect. Kerhsaw makes many that might fit the bill: Strobe, Cryo, and many others. Right at your budget, a little bigger, but USA made there is the Kershaw Knockout.
 
I'm a huge fan of the RAT 2 after buying one for my brother. Same size as my Delica and BM 556, but way cheaper at $30. I'm gonna pick one up for myself one of these days.
 
Several good choices in the <$50, <7", 2.25" blade range ...

Kershaw OD-2 - 2.25", 8Cr13MoV, GFN, 2.4oz (my office EDC)

Kershaw Kurai - 2.5", 8Cr13MoV, Aluminum, 2.4oz

Ka-Bar Mini Dozier - 2.25", AUS8A, Zytel, 1.0oz

CRKT Drifter - 2.875", 8Cr14Mov, G10, 2.6oz

SOG Flash I - 2.5", AUS8, FRN, 1.3oz

Buck Vantage Select - 2.625", 420HC, GRN, 2.3oz
 
Several good choices in the <$50, <7", 2.25" blade range ...

Kershaw OD-2 - 2.25", 8Cr13MoV, GFN, 2.4oz (my office EDC)

Kershaw Kurai - 2.5", 8Cr13MoV, Aluminum, 2.4oz

Ka-Bar Mini Dozier - 2.25", AUS8A, Zytel, 1.0oz

CRKT Drifter - 2.875", 8Cr14Mov, G10, 2.6oz

SOG Flash I - 2.5", AUS8, FRN, 1.3oz

Buck Vantage Select - 2.625", 420HC, GRN, 2.3oz
I love my Kershaw kurai. I bought it specifically to wear to formal occasions and its perfect for that IMO. The 8Cr13MoV holds an edge great when it hardly ever cuts anything lol.

I dunno if the design is what you're looking for, but I'm getting my Dad a Kershaw squaw creek carbon fiber. Its discontinued but I know they can still be found from some retailers. Not sure on overall length but its got a 2" blade.
 
"modern"--Cold Steel mini recon 1 (I have the clip point)

"traditional"--Case has many nice options at that price.

and of course, a Victorinox SAK... I have a 20+ year old fieldmaster and if I was not a knife-nut, that SAK would have been fine for over 95% of my edc cutting needs. Well, maybe 93%

:D
 
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