Looking for the best EDC for $50 or less

[jkwithawave]

Kershaw skyline and spyderco delica are the 2 that battle for pocket time the most they are awesome cant go wrong with either

I'll second these suggestions. Phenomenal edc knives. For a slim lightweight folder they're tough to beat.

 

[Egnar T Seinnhoj]

I have used a few, actually, and they are junk. In addition, your opinions about my opinions sound like mere speculation.
Though I don't feel compelled to explain myself to you, I will for the OP's sake. Every knife Ken designs has some gimmicky blade shape that only makes it harder to sharpen, or ridiculously weak. For instance: I've never seen anyone with a Leek that still has its tip after a week of every day use. Given that the steels are trash, that makes for more work sharpening than time spent working with the knife itself. It's a false economy.

Therefore, I recommend you don't waste your time on any Kershaw brand knives. They suck.

Addendum:

The aforementioned "every day use" was pretty light stuff, like cutting single thickness cardboard and plastic bags and tape. Nothing severe at all.

I didn't give an opinion on your post, just asked a question and stated a fact because you hadn't clarified any actual use of their knives. No need to get too defensive, man, we're all just a bunch of knife knuts here. We all have varying opinions and will agree and disagree. That's the best part about these forums. For instance, I agree on the weak tips. I'm lucky my Leek still has its tip. I can't really consider it a good EDC due to that. Great for more formal gatherings, office jobs, etc. but it can't really handle a lot of medium to hard use, from my experience. YMMV. Just out of curiosity, which Kershaws have you used? There are a few I'm on the fence about and your opinions would be valuable even if they don't apply to ones I am currently considering. They'd also be valuable to the OP.

 

[InSpectre Gadget]

I didn't give an opinion on your post, just asked a question and stated a fact because you hadn't clarified any actual use of their knives. No need to get too defensive, man

To clarify: "Your opinions sound like..." <--- everything that follows this phrase is an opinion, not a fact.

I will defend my position, and I don't think I was being heavy handed about it. As for your question, where I work there's a pretty high turnover rate, and it seems like every Tom, Dick, and Harry that comes through the door is carrying a Kershaw--and it's usually a Ken Onion, sometimes a skyline.

The main problem with Kershaw seems to be either the heat treat or edge burning. I can't figure out which. All I know is that when someone gives me one to sharpen it takes a year and a day to get it dull from unusable, then another year and a day to get enough of a burr on it so it'll cut something for 5 minutes before the burr breaks off and it has to be sharpened again. I've given up sharpening them for free. I charge for them now, and see little business.

The models I've seen/handled/used/sharpened from best to worst (keeping it simple):

Skyline
Blur <--- Blur and Shallot are a tie, actually
Shallot
Leek
Scallion

All of them mostly shredded on my DMTs and polished to high shine on ceramic. None of them was what I would call "sharp" when I got done. That's about it.

Also, recurves are a nightmare. I hate them. Limited utility, zero re-sharpening potential. I've been meaning to look up some tutorials on how to better sharpen them, but my suspicion is you need a special stone. I've been dragging my feet because I have no use for an 'S'-shaped blade.

 

[Frisky]

I'm no expert, but I've carried an Endura for a bit over 15 years. It's a great EDC blade! It stays in the pocket more securely than a Delica. However, it has a little more blade than I usually need. Mine has a highly polished blade in AUS8 and a molded clip. The modern version seems much nicer with VG10 and other refinements.

Joe