looking for a small cheap folding edc knife

Z

ZippyDan

Joined
Sep 30, 2005
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im looking for a small cheap edc folding knife. small so its easy to carry. small so it doesnt scare anyone. small so i wont likely have to worry about any blade length laws. cheap so i dont have to worry about abusing it or scratching it or losing it or anything. this will be a tool and very unlikely to be a weapon and i want it to look the part

requirements:

1. 2" - 3" blade
2. all grey or silver metal, no plastic (i might entertain wood. im looking for something with style and class, not something that looks far out or "tactical")
3. folder (preferably assisted)
4. $20 - $40

so far im thinking i like the:

CRKT Mt. Shasta (http://www.crkt.com/14ksummt.html)

but i wanted to know what you guys think of it as far as quality, lock, and steel type before i picked it up. obviously im not expecting much out of a sub $40 knife, but if you know of any others in the same price range that offer more for the money, let me know.

i was also considering the following 3 inch blades: CRKT M16(M1612 http://www.crkt.com/m16alumn.html) for ~$40 or the Benchmade Monochrome Eisen (BM10300S http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10300) for ~$35, but Im pretty sure i decided I prefer the look of the Shasta better, plus the Shasta is a good inch smaller when closed and cheaper. i could be convinced to change my mind though

any recommendations?
 
Spyderco has a lot of knives in that category that you might want to look at. The steel-handled versions of the Cricket and the Dragonfly go for around $40. The Kiwi SS is about $50 and the Navigator 2 costs around $60. They all use premium blade steels and are well built.

I’ve had a Dragonfly and an old, G-10 Navigator for several years. They’re both great knives and they’ve seen a lot of use. I think I’ll probably get a Navigator 2 at some point.
 
Benchmade Monochrome or Kershaw Vapor. If you can swing just $10 more, a Camillus EDC is possibly the cheapest knife with 154CM steel, way above and beyond AUS6 or 440A.

For the materials, lock, and quality of the CRKT Shasta, you can do far, far better with your money.
 
Hey, the Victorinox Soldier is the epitome of classy and non-threatening, besides being so useful you won't know how you ever lived without one (it's my EDC, as you may have guessed). It's not assisted, and actually doesn't even lock- pretty impressive scar on my first finger to testify to that, oops- but I think you only listed assisted as preferable, not vital.

$24 shipped from New Graham.

Here's a pic I had handy, Soldier is the silver one, Vic One-Hand-Trekker is behind:
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Planterz,
Froogle.com returns Camillus EDC's starting at $19.50 before shipping. Definitely within budget!
Mike
 
I would stay away from that CRK&T Mt. Shasta because of the poor blade steel. I would get the Monochrome. Very good knife for the money. The blade steel is also way better then 420J2 which is a cheap steel. And of course it is a Benchmade. Just my .02

TBG
 
spyderco knives look... ugly to me :( i dont like the general bulbous shape of most of their blades

i have enough saks im looking for a folding pocket knife only

the kershaw vapor and camillus edc both look good

it seems every is saying the shasta sux, so i guess ill take it off the list

no one has really said anything about the crkt m16-12?

right now its looking like (in order from most liked to least liked - visually only)

1. Camillus EDC
2. Benchmade Monochrome
3. Kershaw Vapor

CRKT M16-12??

so how do these rate in terms of relative durability and steel? they are all three about 3 inch blades, 4 inches closed :P

i still feel like i want something a little bit smaller... like the Shasta. any recommendations around that size?
 
MSCantrell said:
Planterz,
Froogle.com returns Camillus EDC's starting at $19.50 before shipping. Definitely within budget!
Mike
Click to expand...
Hm, I didn't realize that there was more than 1 version of the EDC. As I remember it, the EDC had a 154CM blade and usually cost around $50. I can't seem to find this version very easily on any of the major dealers though. What I'm finding instead is a 420HC version at half the price. Of the 420HC EDC, Kershaw Vapor, or BM Monochrome, I'd say the best buy is the Monochrome.
 
How about something traditional? Most of those CRKT/Benchmade/etc. products are nice enough and quite functional, but they don't scream out "style and class".

BruckmannGroup.jpg


These Bruckmann knives are common on eBay, in new condition, I think due to a large warehouse find several years ago. The generally sell for $20-$40. Handles are sometimes wood, but more often fancy celluloid or cattle horn. Bruckmann knives went out of business in the 1950s, but I've read they made no knives since before WWII. The quality is very high, among the best of German brands.

Something to consider. AG Russell, Queen, Case, and Camillus also sell traditional simple pocketknives.

Happy shopping,
Bob
 
Victorinox Tinker would be a good choice which can be had for under $20.00. But nearly any SAK in your price range you won't go wrong with. Maybe a Sears Craftsman Stockman in two different sizes 3 1/4" and 4" either one for $16.88.

Sears item #00995312000 and Sears item #00995315000 Or found here
 
I'd simply go to your local Wal-Mart and pick out one of the Kershaw or Buck models in an all steel make up. The Vapor is a fine knife for the money, although the steel is sub par. The Kershaw Scallion is a great little assisted opener but probably a bit higher $ than you want to spend but not by much.

Also Buck and Gerber both have several models there at my local store that look to fit the bill for what you are wanting to spend. Most all of these are going to be 420HC or 440A steel at best though. If steel matters to you and I assume it does, then go with a stainless Delica by Spyderco at get a premium steel like AUS8A or VG10.
 
They are now making the Camillus EDC with AUS-8 alloy blades. If you can find one at a discount on the internet it will probably be under $35.00 shipped. The blade is around 3" long and it is a very strong blade that folds into a very compact handle. This one carries very well.
 
I kind of like the simple yet refined looks of the EKA line of knives. My suggestion would therefore be: EKA Swede 88

EKASwede88.jpg


~Paul~
 
The M16s with AUS8 meet those qualifications and, though they cost 40, are worth 70 easily. Definitely comparable with my benchmades and spydercos.
Good steel for the price, beautiful knife, good ergonomics, one of the best flippers in the industry period, which means one of the best actions. And it's pretty tough. Comes in a lot of different versions so you can find something for you. Also try the M21

phpYgCwgT.jpg


The Spyderco Centofante is a knife everyone forgets about, but I think is actually quite good. It's about 40 dollars, has great steel (VG10), has a handle that looks and feels WAY better than the delica in my opinion.

SC_C66PBK3.jpg


The Kershaw Storm is another classic that no one knows about. Uses the least of the three steels, but it's decent. Hard to sharpen, I find. 13C26. Really beautiful recurve blade, good handle, though some people (me) don't like the sandpaper inserts...but they wear down after a month. Really nice action, decent flipper, and a great deal, 30 dollars.

storm01.jpg
 
If you would consider wood, consider the Buck Taclite, 19.99 at www.eknifeworks.com. It's one of my dress EDC's. has a classy, almost custom look to it. small and light. The Vapor is also a good choice, but a tad heavier in theh pocket.
 
For 4 dollars overbudget, you can get a Buck Rush at Wally World. Lifetime warranty, classy, AO, non-threatening.

I have a Shasta, the blade is too thin, the handle is too heavy.

Spyderco Navigator is my EDC-This may also work for you. $30 at Smoky Mountain Knifeworks.

Mike
 
Could you link to the navigator? I assume you're talking about the II, but that could make a big difference. The Navigator II is something like 70 dollars at NGK. I can't find it on smoky mountain. But if I could get an SS handle VG10 knife for 30 dollars, it would make most knives obsolete--and it would be perfect for my nephew.
 
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