Recommendation: Thin EDC choices under $35

Jessero said:
Hi,

I am looking for a new EDC that is as at least as thin as an FRN Delica. Will be used for light tasks like cutting open packages.

-Locking blade around 3.5" and preferably open hand opening.
-Not a spyderco, want something different.
-Already tried the kershaw skyline but just never "warmed up to it" so sold it.
-In the $35 price range.
-Preferably not FRN handled

Any suggestions?
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I'm shocked this hasn't been brought up but why not buy a Byrd knife? They are Spydercos produced overseas. They are excellent knives. I have had the Meadow lark (delica) in both plain edge and rescue serrated. It was a great knife!! I also have had the CaraCara2 (endura), it was also another great knife!!! If you are wanting a delica get a Meadowlark. You won't be disappointed and they are roughly $20 each!! Do yourself a favor and look.
 
Not a style for everyone but it doesn't get much thinner thanClaude Dozorme Thiers knife. Been carrying one for about 8mo. now with no complaints.
claudedozormelinerlock1.jpg

I use it to cut boxes open all day and it holds up well. One hand opening takes a min. to master but possible.
  • Closed: 4.25"
  • Blade: 3"
  • X50CrMoV15 Stainless l Standard Edge l Bead Blast Finish
  • carbon (0,50%) while also containing 15% chrome and 1% molybdenum
 
I did a little search and some purchasing for a slim back-pocket folder and the Ruike P801 was in the mix. It was a little heavier and wider (still very slim though) than I wanted. What surprised me was the fit and finish and the blade. It was easily nicer than several higher end blades in the mix (Benchmade 943 Osborne specifically, which is a great design but the blade grind was abysmal and shoddy). For the price ($30) you will be hard pressed to find a better folder that simply looks nice, has an excellent edge and superior fit and finish. The other inexpensive folder that really impressed me were the Kershaw Al Mar (AM3 and AM4) assisted folders...very nicely done for the low price-points. Forgot to mention the Kershaw Amplitude; another sub-$30 folder (assisted at that). It was a little heavy for my requirements (but less than what I typically carry in a front pocket). This was the larger black-wash version and was well finished with a very decently ground and sharp blade with an excellent steel frame-lock and lock up.

I had about a dozen knives I tried out and the Ruike P801 had far better fit and finish than:

Benchmade Osborne 943 (still one of my top choices though)
Boker Mini Quaiken, titanium handles
Boker Urban Trapper (Ti frame)
CRKT Crossbones

The Benchmade Emissary and Kizer Splinter (framelock) were pretty impressive with their fit and finish; third was seriously surprising $30 Ruike P801.

The Ruike didn't make the final cut for my parameters, but for a front-pocket EDC, I would easily have considered it for three times the price ever since I put hands on it...it's a surprisingly excellent knife at a remarkable price-point.

So, my recommendations for a $30 EDC:

Ruike P801
Kershaw Amplitude
Kershaw Al Mar (AM3 or 4)

ROCK6
 
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Did the op ever get his budget edc knife? If not I second* third* fourth* the kershaw leek; it’s super thin, easy one hand open / close and I can have it out - use it - and back into my pocket without missing a beat. It’s been my primary edc since they came out and I’ll still buy just about every used frame lock version I come across at a gunshow or swap meet that’s between $20-30.




 
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Here's something I picked up based off of the board mind:

A Mercator. Oh boy, am I glad I did. Its a lot more nicer, more substantial than it looks. It's built with high precision and with a very simple design, the blade and the handle. Its close in feel to a SAK. The blade is beautiful and cuts just as well as a large SAK such a Sentinel. It's more SAK then it is Higonokami.

All for $30. That's amazing. Its joined my top favorites. For its simplicity and thinness.

IMG_20180315_2240217.jpg


IMG_20180315_2240396.jpg
 
wensynch said:
Here's something I picked up based off of the board mind:

A Mercator. Oh boy, am I glad I did. Its a lot more nicer, more substantial than it looks. It's built with high precision and with a very simple design, the blade and the handle. Its close in feel to a SAK. The blade is beautiful and cuts just as well as a large SAK such a Sentinel. It's more SAK then it is Higonokami.

All for $30. That's amazing. Its joined my top favorites. For its simplicity and thinness.

IMG_20180315_2240217.jpg


IMG_20180315_2240396.jpg
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The Mercator cat knife is an awesome thin slicer to be sure. However I believe the OP wanted one hand opening.

You could always get the Mercator and add an aftermarket thumb stud. They have a variety that you just slip over the spine then tighten a screw which secures it to the knife.

I like the Mercator very much too though. It is an ideal thin knife.
 
Well, this is all very interesting. Not sure what the OP is going to do, but I'm ordering a Ruike P801 right now. BF strikes (my wallet) again!
 
For my budget blades my top choices are the Ruike P801, Steel Will Cut jack, and now my favorite, the Steel Will Modus. The Modus is perfect in every way for a light task edc and has replaced carrying my benchmade and spydercos at work and running errands. Camping and working around the yard is still go for one of my benchmades or spydercos though.
 
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