Small, light, durable EDC for under $150

M

M. Johnwell

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Jan 8, 2015
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Just wondering if anyone had some recommendations for a new edc for me. I currently carry a spyderco stretch in superblue or a blacked out Kershaw leek. I generally use the knives for lightweight tasks such as opening letters or cutting fishing line or preparing food, but they could be used for heavier tasks such as cleaning fish or large game. In all actuality, they most likely will be used for the latter.

Basically, my spydie isn't cutting it for me because it's developed some blade play and also because I want something slightly smaller and more corrosion resistant. I like the size of the leek, but I broke my tip off and I'm not a huge fan of the steel or assisted openers.

I'm thinking a blade around 3" give or take a little bit is perfect and I'd like to have a nice steel like s30v or something similar. I like the idea of a titanium frame lock over a back lock, but as long as it's going to hold the blade securely and not develop blade play in a year I'll be okay with it. Weight is also kind of a concern, I don't mind carrying the stretch or the leek, but lighter is definitely better and the stretch is on the heavy side.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
 
Well, here are my heroes in the size that you are speaking of... all are 3 inch blades in S30V...just plain wonderful folders...
The Spyderco Sage 3 Carbon Fiber, bolt-lock, is wonderful...
Sales link here, plus a pic:
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP1...-plain-blade-carbon-fiberg10-laminate-handles


and then, my favorite of the Series, the Sage 2 framelock in full titanium scales...
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP1...nife-3-inch-S30V-Plain-Blade-Titanium-Handles


Below is a Sage 1, also excellent...a liner-lock.. sales link only...
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP1...knife-3-s30v-plain-blade-carbon-fiber-handles
 
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MCusta Tsuchi, they have many handle options.

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Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight in S110v?

Mid sized, very durable and great steel
 
For something a little tougher you might check out an Emerson CQC-7A or the mini.
Also a mini-Commander. 154CM--good steel; easier to sharpen.

Both should fit your needs. Might be slightly over budget new but there are good used out there. They are not 'light' knives however.
 
I don't have any experience with them, but am tempted to pick up an Al Mar Ultralight. The Hawk is a little under 3" and the Falcon is a bit over. Slim, light, refined. The AUS-8 steel isn't "super," but it should be durable and easy to sharpen. Quality and overall fit and finish are generally rated as very good.
 
Those MCustas are some pretty knives..

I thought about the sages, but I was worried they would feel kinda heavy in pocket
 
M. Johnwell said:
Those MCustas are some pretty knives..

I thought about the sages, but I was worried they would feel kinda heavy in pocket
Click to expand...
My knife interests have gone 180 degrees. As much as I love giant knives and I really do love them. More often than not an Al Mar Osprey fits my lifestyle better.

I do wish I had more of a rugged outdoor lifestyle but I don't. Currently for moderns the Al Mar Osprey, Mcusta Tsuchi and Cold Steel Lucky are on top of my own next to get lists!

I had the Sage 1, 2 and 3 didn't like any of them as they take up too much room in the pocket and the hard chamfered edges of the scales bother me.
 
Sunyata said:
Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight in S110v?

Mid sized, very durable and great steel
Click to expand...

Manix 2 Translucent Blue was my first thought. The BD-1 steel works well enough, its under 3 oz, and under $90, leaving you $ to buy another knife. :D
 
3" knives are really in between sizes for me, but if I had to go three inches it would be a Delica or a mini Griptillian. The flat ground Delica in VG10 is very well done. The 154cm in the Griptillian is no slouch either. I have had good performance out of the 154cm in my Griptillian.
 
I have an Orange Ritter Mini Grip with M390 and it is a nice user but some do not like the stock scales (they are fine with me) and I also have a ZDP-189 Delica that is a really nice, lightweight everyday user so I would say it would be hard to go wrong with either of those two. They also both have great steels and are under your price point! The Ritter is $130ish new and the ZDP Delica is $90ish but I heard that your Stretch has developed some blade play so you may be wary of another Spydie. I don't have a MCusta but they do look nice.

My EDC at the office is a ZT 0770cf but they are hard to find under $150 although they do carry well for a beefier knife (3.25" blade but about 3 oz) and can be had on the forum in lightly used condition from time to time.
 
Boker plus Urban trapper gives you 3.5" of vg10 steel with a deep pocket clip at less then 0.4" thick and under 2 oz. Weight.
 
M. Johnwell said:
How durable are the MCustas? Do they have a pocket clip (preferably tip up)?
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The Mcusta Tactility is tip up and the clip is reversible, dont know how durable they though. but if i were going to buy a user for that much money i would go with a spyderco sage 1 or the benchmade 940 instead
 
emmknives said:
The Mcusta Tactility is tip up and the clip is reversible, dont know how durable they though. but if i were going to buy a user for that much money i would go with a spyderco sage 1 or the benchmade 940 instead
Click to expand...

That's kinda what I was thinking. I wouldn't want to drop that much money on a brand I haven't heard much about. I'm sure they're great knives, but I can't bring myself to do it.
 
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