New guy, First EDC in different $ ranges

O

onikage01

Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
7
First of all, hello everyone as this is my first post.

I'm looking to buy my first knife for EDC and have been fishing for reviews the past few weeks. I have seen plenty of recommendations in the form of written reviews, but I was hoping to open up a more personalized discussion.

Basically I need a folding knife that would fit the bill of being light (or at least not overly heavy for it's class), durable as can be (for its class), and that can be used for multiple things (occasional utility and SD if it ever came to it). I live in California by the way.

I have three price categories that I believe should work for three separate recommendations:

1) The cheapest while not being dubbed as "crappy"

2) Less than $50

3) Less than $100

Knives I have seen frequently recommended are mainly Spydercos such as the Enduras, Centofantes, and another I can't remember at the moment that was around $40 recommended by cutlerlylover on youtube.

I am not partial to any knife or brand. Thanks for reading!
 
The cheapest knives available without being crappy is quite broad. Spyderco Byrd line, Benchmade Red class, Boker CLB line, Buck, and many Kershaw models fit the bill. To start you off, look at Benchmade Vex, Spyderco Tenacious, and Kershaw Skyline.

The other two criterias are even broader and include more brands. If you don't know your way around yet, just stick with the big 3 (Benchmade, Spyderco & Kershaw).
 
yeah, you really can't go wrong with any of those 3 brands. I have used them all, and while I'm a spyderco man for the most part, I do love my kershaws and Benchmades.
 
Yep, Byrd, Spyderco, Kershaw, Benchmade would be the way to look. But you also might consider a slipjoint Case, Queen, or Fallkniven.
 
under $50-Spyderco Tenacious
a little over $50- benchmade mini-grip
under $100- Caly3, Ritter mini-grip
 
onikage01 said:
1) The cheapest while not being dubbed as "crappy"
Click to expand...
Gerber L.S.T. Ultralight ($10-15 on-line)

06009_LST.jpg


onikage01 said:
2) Less than $50
Click to expand...
Kershaw Leek ($35-40 on-line)

product00001006.jpg


onikage01 said:
3) Less than $100
Click to expand...
Spyderco Endura ZDP-189 ($85-95 on line)

Spyderco-C10PGRE-rw-8294-3433.jpg


Would be my personal choices in those price ranges. :cool:
 
It's always a plus if you can handle a knife before buying.
If you have a Sportsman's Warehouse close by, go and fondle
all the knives you can and pick one that "fits". If that's not a
possibility, go to wallyworld. They have a few really nice Kershaws
and I think they may still carry a Spyderco or two.
 
Thanks for the recommendations thus far. I am compiling a list for comparisons sake. Keep the opinions coming :)
 
onikage01 said:
First of all, hello everyone as this is my first post.

I'm looking to buy my first knife for EDC and have been fishing for reviews the past few weeks. I have seen plenty of recommendations in the form of written reviews, but I was hoping to open up a more personalized discussion.

Basically I need a folding knife that would fit the bill of being light (or at least not overly heavy for it's class), durable as can be (for its class), and that can be used for multiple things (occasional utility and SD if it ever came to it). I live in California by the way.

I have three price categories that I believe should work for three separate recommendations:

1) The cheapest while not being dubbed as "crappy"

2) Less than $50

3) Less than $100

Knives I have seen frequently recommended are mainly Spydercos such as the Enduras, Centofantes, and another I can't remember at the moment that was around $40 recommended by cutlerlylover on youtube.

I am not partial to any knife or brand. Thanks for reading!
Click to expand...


1) Cheapest while not being "crappy" would probably be something like the Buck Bantam.

2) Best folder under $50 would have to be the Spyderco Tenacious.

3) Caly3/Para if you can find it.
 
svrider3 said:
If you have a Sportsman's Warehouse close by, go and fondle
all the knives you can and pick one that "fits". If that's not a
possibility, go to wallyworld. They have a few really nice Kershaws
and I think they may still carry a Spyderco or two.
Click to expand...

This is good advice, you can't find a knife you like by reading reviews and watching videos. The best thing to do is to try and find as many local places as you can that carry decent knives (Buck, Spyderco, Kershaw, if you're lucky Benchmade) and handle them.

At Walmart you should be able to find a Spyderco Tenacious, Kershaw OD-1 or a Buck 110, all good quality knives. I think a decent under $50 knife is a great choice to start out with.

Oh and unfortunately a bunch of the Sportsman Warehouses are closing, they normally had a pretty good selection of knives. I remember picking up a well priced Kershaw Offset from them one time.
 
Take a look at the Kabar Dozier designed folders. I got a clip point hunter and its become my new EDC since I got it. Around $20 too. They're super light since the handles are don't have liners.
 
Sep said:
The cheapest knives available without being crappy is quite broad. Spyderco Byrd line, Benchmade Red class, Boker CLB line, Buck, and many Kershaw models fit the bill. To start you off, look at Benchmade Vex, Spyderco Tenacious, and Kershaw Skyline.
Click to expand...

I would add the Benchmade Monochrome to that list.

For $100 and under, I recommend an Endura 4 ZDP-189.
 
No one's mentioned Victoniox? Hard to find a much better knife at any price.

Every day that I've worn pants for the past six years I've carried a Soldier. Cost all of $18 and has never let me down. I also carry a Benchmade 710, but it's just a bit over your $100 range.

I'd also give some real hard consideration to the Endura. It's a great knife, feels good in the hand and despite it's size, and you don't even know you're carrying it because it's so light.
 
I would have to agree that you look at the spyderco tenacious and kershaw skyline
 
"Cheap" - Byrd Crossbill, Cara Cara, Kershaw Skyline or Oso Sweet..as mentioned above, any SAK...real cheap - Rough Rider

Sub $50 - Kershaw Leek, Blur, Pack Rat...for another $10 your options get really diverse...Lahar, CB-CPMD2 Leek and JYDII...

Sub $100 - Kershaw Shallot in ZDP-189 or S110V (best deal going, both under $85 last time I checked)
 
For under $50, I recommend a Boker M-type or a Spyderco Tenacious.

For under $100 (online, not full retail), I suggest a Kershaw Shallot in S110V or ZDP-189 or a Spyderco Delica or Endura in ZDP-189. If you look hard enough, you may be able to find a Sypderco Sage for around $100. The Sage is a fantastic knife with a S30V blade, textured carbon fiber handle and high quality workmanship.

Oh, and welcome to BladeForums.
 
Last edited:
under 50= spyderco tenacious, or Byrd Cara Cara

just a bit over 50= Spyderco Endura4, or Endura 4 waved (probably around $20 bucks more)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top