looking for low end EDC

N

nazgulnarsil

Joined
Sep 7, 2009
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8
I basically have it down to two knives after a ton of deliberation.
BM mini ambush
Buck Vantage Avid

in this price range I know the spyderco tenacious is recommended a lot but I don't like liner locks without a carson flipper which prevents you from closing the knife on yourself because the flipper hits your thumb.

I really want a pink mini grip :D, but I can't justify spending $60+ on a knife.

if anyone has these two (neither seems super commonly mentioned so I doubt it) or even just one i'd love to hear about it.
 
Welcome to BF. Nothing wrong with your two choices. I don't have personal exp with either of them tho.

A few other choices to look at...

Boker Trance/Hyper. Framelocks so they are thinner due to no scales on the framelock side. $25+

Kabar Dozier (reg or large) - Lock back $20+

Spyderco Byrd knives. A few to choose depending on blade size. Most are lock backs. $12-25

Buck 110. $30+

Kershaw JYD, Storm $30+

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=618919&highlight=mini+ambush

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=644462&highlight=Buck+Vantage+Avid
 
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I have neither, but from what I've read, I believe the Buck Vantage Avid would be your best choice, and it is USA made. The Sandvik steel, 13C26, is a good grade of steel that will take a razor edge, and is fairly easy to sharpen. For about $16.00 more the Vantage Pro is available and with it you get G-10 scales and S30V blade steel, both options are upgrades and well worth the extra $16.00.

Btw, welcome to BF!:D
 
Welcome!

There are lots of good low priced knives, I don't want to say cheap b/c you can get a lot for your dime these days. It really depends on what you want to use it for.. if you really just need it to open packages/mail/snip thread/general use.. any of the above will work.

Byrd makes nice low cost knives. The Buck Vantage Pro is a good buy with S30V blade also. I have a large BM Ambush and it is nice but big and heavy. I've not held the mini. The BM mini grip is a great knife. I have a black one w/ Satin blade. It is really great for the $ and an easy EDC. If this will be your only pocket knife, I say get what you want the first time and be happy.

Ahhh... I remember when I thought I would never pay $50 for a knife.. the good ol' days. $50 seems like a steal anymore.. especially if only for one.

Good luck and happy hunting!
 
Always get the knife you want as you will probably get it eventually, and by getting it first you will save money and enjoy your first choice the whole time. So I say get the Grip, yellow is pretty nice too.
 
You will eventually end up with the Mini-Grip if that is what you want. And it is a great knife too!

If you buy something else now then it will just be that much longer before you get the Grip. In fact you will likely end up with 3 or 4 $30 knives and still not have the Grip, and that would be sad. :(
 
Kershaw Skyline is nice and can be had for about $35 at your local Walmart, plus has G10 and a flipper that acts as a guard for your pointer finger since I know you mentioned wanting a guard, and the Sandvik 14C28N is no slouch, it's not a super steel but it's great for light duty EDC.
 
I have the fullsized Ambush; my scale says it's 6.0oz. I think the mini uses the same steel and has similar heat treat, but with a zytel handle. If that's the case, it will be a fantastic knife.

Though, if you want a flipper, go for the Kershaw Skyline.
 
nazgulnarsil said:
I basically have it down to two knives after a ton of deliberation.
BM mini ambush
Buck Vantage Avid
Click to expand...

Of the 2... Buck Vantage Avid

An extra choice in your price range

Kershaw Skyline
4 1/8" closed linerlock.
Stainless drop point blade with satin finish.
Dual thumb studs. Integral guard.
Black G-10 handles with lanyard hole.
Reversible stainless pocket clip.
Made in USA.
1760FRONT.jpg

1760BACK.jpg
 
Vantage Avid or Sypderco Persistence. Want a big knife the Byrd Cara Cara...poor man's Endura IV. I own all three and they are each excellent value knives. Personally, the Avid is top choice but I do like all three a lot.
 
I love my Spyderco Native III. I have two of them. And, I also love my Spyderco Byrd Crow. So, if you want a good inexpensive folder - go with a Byrd.
 
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Kershaw Storm II might be nice. 3.5 inch Sandvic 13C26, flipper, frame lock...what's not to like? About $ 35.

Or step up to VG-10 steel (same blade length) and G-10 scales in the Lahar. Another flipper (Tim Galyean design) about $ 50.

And welcome to the forums!
 
thanks for the help a lot of interesting choices in the low end range these days (great time to be a knife enthusiast on a budget). thank you gazz98, didn't know there were extensive reviews on a lot of knives here.

I considered the skyline and the vantage pro, but I really like that resin/wood handle on the avid more than g10 (i'm sure the g10 feels nicer though). wish I could see both IRL. Byrd cara cara is a bit large for the sheeple.

I had considered getting both an ontario rat 1 and a crkt drifter so I would have a sheeple friendly knife and a decent hiking knife...but like others have said...as the costs inch upwards I might as well go with the mini grip and call it a day.
 
I have to second the Spyderco Persistence suggestion. It's one of the few blades that hasn't been rotated in and out of my EDC lineup, staying in my pocket for over a month. I love that little guy.

To be fair, though, any of the knives suggested will do you very well. Let us know what you decide on.
 
Try going to your local knife shop and try to handle some of the models we've mentioned. Ergos and the feel in hand are both important, it might even open you up to more ideas after you handle them. You might find a knife there that you "have" to have that you wouldn't have thought about before.
Either way you can't go wrong with what's been suggested, let us you know what you end up buying.
 
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