Newbie looking for recommendations on a very low cost 3" folder.

[JiffyPark]

If you're worried about it breaking get a Svord Peasant. Doesn't have the serrations, but it's cheap, easy to sharpen, holds a decent edge and will prove difficult to break.

Great knife for $15. Tough and sharp. :thumbup:

 

[ShirraWhitefur]

Eeek, a lot of responses! Allrighty, time to settle in and start replying from the top.

If you don't care for Spyderco's round opening hole (and why not? You used to own a pricey one -- can't be all bad!), you're definitely gonna be fumbling trying to close an assisted opener like the Cryo. There is a strong spring that must be overcome when closing the knife one-handed. Most knife enthusiasts are used to it and don't give it a second thought, but it's not for everyone, especially if you want a fast opening and closing knife.

My suggestion would be the Kabar Dozier folding hunter. Can be had for $20, and can be purchased in a number of colors with your choice of opening hole or thumb studs. 3 inches in length, too. Its not partially serrated, but that's a small sacrifice for a great blade steel that's easy to sharpen.

That sounds like a good option of a knife, and thanks for explaining the why on the closing difficulty. Thankfully, I'm not too terribly concerned about closing quickly or one handed, as much as I am a smooth and fast open.

If you're worried about it breaking get a Svord Peasant. Doesn't have the serrations, but it's cheap, easy to sharpen, holds a decent edge and will prove difficult to break.

That's a sturdy looking design, but unless I missed something, lacks a clip setup and the opening method I'm interested in. Interesting, but not my style.

The Crawford/Kasper folder

Now that's another one I definitely like the look and shape of, as well as the price. I'm going to pass on the Gerber's, because the general feel I've gotten from sifting through things around here is that.. yeah, while better than "junk" knives, I can do better at the same price, if I'm willing to start at $20-25. But that Crawford/Kasper is a very nice looking fit.

Must snip more!

Kershaw Cryo. It's a tank, and a killer deal if you don't mind the weight or the annoying assisted open mechanism and accompanying difficult closing and trademarked Speedsafe rattling noise. That said, you go on to say that serrations are a must, so the Cryo is out. How about a CRKT Drifter? A Bee/Enlan EL01?

Well, I really should go up and tweak that top post. The more I read here, the more I read on the forums, the more I get the general feel that I may want to just give in and grab a lil' 3-4" folding saw to drop into my tool bag instead, and go nice plain and easily sharpenable blade. So serration is definitely becoming less and less of a 'must have'. Actually, I found myself looking more at the Kershaw Zing, as it's possible to find for $25-30, and just seems a 'better fit' for me. Dunno why.
The CRKT drifter also looks like a great option for an affordable knife as well. So many nice choices! The Enlan though.. I'm not to keen on it, especially without the thumb tab. Again, like Gerber, I get the whole feeling that I can get a better knife for the same cost.

Several other good suggestions so far too..

You can find a CRKT M16 for around that price range ,and those come with serrated or non-serrated edges as well.
Also the Kershaw guy has some nice kershaw blems that are way cheaper than what they usually retail for, and they are around your price range.

Ahh, my military friend pointed me at the M16 specifically, buuut the blade size is far too big. And I ended up looking over the CRKT M21 G10 due to being similar in setup. It's still on my list, though the M21-02G specifically as opposed to the combination blade.
As for Kershawguy.. yesss, I was sifting through the exchange area as suggested, and saw his stuff and made 'eee' noises. Those are beautiful beautiful deals. And being that I'm only interested in a knife to use instead of a knife to collect.. just wonderful.

Get a Spyderco Persistence

While I do agree that Spyderco knives are quality, having had one for a short time, I'm still heartset on my thumb-tab opening. Maybe when I have money so that I can experiment again, I'll pick one of those up, to see if I can get the hang of opening it comfortably, but till there's money to spare for what may be a failure to match style to the person, it'll have to be a pass.


My word. Sooo many prompt and helpful replies folks. Thank you very much for making me feel welcome here and the useful ideas. As it stands, if I can manage it, I'll probably be grabbing a CRKT Crawford/Kasper or Kershaw Zing if I keep my heart set on an assisted open. Those two seem the best 'fit' from what I've looked up so far. I also eyeballed the Blur due to Kershawguy's blemishes putting it in the 'if I can drum up a few dollars more' price range, rather than it's much higher retail.

Now another question.. Tanto or drop point blades.. which one is the easiest to sharpen up?

- Shirra

 

[JustSomeGuy]

You could probably find one that suits you in this thread. Lots of inexpensive but great choices in the knives mentioned there.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/866583-SRM-Bee-Enlan-Navy-and-knives-Fan-post

This was my first thought when I read your post. They have a great reputation around here in the "budget" category, and get compared to the $40-50 knives by folks that have lots to compare to.

 

[sebaldus]

Now another question.. Tanto or drop point blades.. which one is the easiest to sharpen up?

I find drop point the easiest edge to sharpen. When you are sharpening a tanto blade...it is like sharpening two knives separately- the upper and lower portions.