Need Suggestions for EDC Knives with 3.75 to 4 inch Blades Under $75…..

One of Spyderco's budget liner locks - Resilience, Emphasis, Astute, etc.... The Spyderhole + a liner lock is good for fidgeting. The flat grinds are easy to sharpen and cut well, and the shapes are comfortable and depending on the person, eye appealing.

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Artisan Archaeo
Artisan Great White
Bestech Fanga
Bestech Swordfish
Daggerr Sting
Daggerr Arrow
Kansept Copperhead
Kubey Darkness
Kubey Drake
Kubey Flash
Kubey Raven
Maxace Ranger
Maxace Zealot
Miguron Velona
NOC DG12
Steel Will Gienah
Steel Will Sedge (large)
Twosun TS81
Twosun TS392
Twosun TS418
 
HP2114B said:
Artisan Archaeo
Artisan Great White
Bestech Fanga
Bestech Swordfish
Daggerr Sting
Daggerr Arrow
Kansept Copperhead
Kubey Darkness
Kubey Drake
Kubey Flash
Kubey Raven
Maxace Ranger
Maxace Zealot
Miguron Velona
NOC DG12
Steel Will Gienah
Steel Will Sedge (large)
Twosun TS81
Twosun TS392
Twosun TS418
Click to expand...

I've had some of these and several examples from some of these companies. Bestech does a nice job and also has good customer service (if you ever need it). Kubey does a nice job too and has really been upping their game lately (including in OEM work for other companies).

I've had a bunch of lemons from Artisan/CJRB and while that could just be bad luck on my part, dealing with their customer service was a real pain.

TwoSun can be a little hit or miss and a lot seems to depend on the specific model. I've had difficulties in trying to get in touch with them over issues in the past but it looks like they've finally got a US website. (They didn't until very recently.) They are also starting to become more available at US retailers, which is nice. They have a huge production library and work with a lot of interesting designers. One place where TwoSun really excels is in budget-focused titanium frame-locks in steels like 14C28N and N690. For instance, check out this TwoSun TS351 in titanium and 14C28N. The stone-washing softened the lines so it is surprisingly comfortable in hand. (It's also fairly large so it might be a candidate here.)

iA5cWpX.jpg
 
I find most of the Spyderco models are easy to open. the Endura Emerson will even open without using a finger. 😊
 
A high quality knife of that size in that price range would be the Cold Steel large Voyager. Very strong, very ergonomic, but not flickable.

A nice Civivi in that size and price range that is flickable is the Tranquil.
 
For the category of knife you are looking for, I would eliminate the Cold Steel models with the Tri Ad lock. They are good knives, but that lock is too stiff for your friend who enjoys something "fidgety". I tried a CS Code 4 and though it was an excellent knife, the lock and me didn't get along. I gave it to my grandson who works some construction as well as being a cook. He really likes it. Not because it is fun to flick around but because it and that tanto blade make for a good working knife. I'm retired and enjoy knives that are easier to close.

Another negative for me are the Axis type locks. Many love them, but I just don't care for them. Too many have a button that is just not that easy or natural for me, to manipulate. They can be fun but I won't try anymore of them. I didn't care for them on a Mini Grip or some Chinese models.

I've probably outgrown the fidgety stage and enjoy Spyderco back locks the most. If I wanted fidgety, I'd try one of the button locks with a good reputation and a good customer service. There seem to be many complaints about sticking and failing. But there are some great recommendations here so far.

The Rat 1 seems to be a classic user knife. I haven't tried one simply because I don't care for 8Cr13Mov. I bought one of the grandsons a Spyderco Tenacious with that steel and it seems to need sharpening too often, especially now that there are other, better steels in this price category. Your friend probably wouldn't know the difference yet and would enjoy a well designed knife in that steel as many have.
 
Off top of my head that I've had direct experience with I'd say Ontario rat 1, cold steel (verdict, voyager or used recon 1) spyderco tenacious or a used spyderco endura. The Kershaw duralock series is pretty good too I've got a heist and iridium. I've had all the above and beat the crap out of them and they've been a good value and get you started on your journey spending money on yet another venture.
 
Grizzly3 said:
For the category of knife you are looking for, I would eliminate the Cold Steel models with the Tri Ad lock. They are good knives, but that lock is too stiff for your friend who enjoys something "fidgety". I tried a CS Code 4 and though it was an excellent knife, the lock and me didn't get along. I gave it to my grandson who works some construction as well as being a cook. He really likes it. Not because it is fun to flick around but because it and that tanto blade make for a good working knife. I'm retired and enjoy knives that are easier to close.

Another negative for me are the Axis type locks. Many love them, but I just don't care for them. Too many have a button that is just not that easy or natural for me, to manipulate. They can be fun but I won't try anymore of them. I didn't care for them on a Mini Grip or some Chinese models.

I've probably outgrown the fidgety stage and enjoy Spyderco back locks the most. If I wanted fidgety, I'd try one of the button locks with a good reputation and a good customer service. There seem to be many complaints about sticking and failing. But there are some great recommendations here so far.

The Rat 1 seems to be a classic user knife. I haven't tried one simply because I don't care for 8Cr13Mov. I bought one of the grandsons a Spyderco Tenacious with that steel and it seems to need sharpening too often, especially now that there are other, better steels in this price category. Your friend probably wouldn't know the difference yet and would enjoy a well designed knife in that steel as many have.
Click to expand...
The Rat 1 also comes in D2.
 
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