Starting to narrow down my choices for next EDC $175 or less

J

JDX

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Mar 2, 2014
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Hey everyone! Okay so I came to the realization that I just DO NOT use my DPX HEFT 4. So I plan to sell it and a few other knives and use the money from that to fund my next purchase.

I live in Connecticut, so knife laws restrict me to a blade less than 4 inches. And my preference is 3-3.5 but it's not crucial.

As the title states, my budget is $175. What I plan on doing with this knife:
-General EDC tasks such as cutting cardboard, opening mail, and those plastic packages that are impossible to open by hand.
Mostly work tasks though which include:
-cutting through various cordage (Various sizes and types of rope, 550 cord)
-cutting through plastic straps (the ones used to secure products to pallets)
-slicing through plastic that has been heat shrunk (on the thick side, difficult to stretch by hand, and not to be confused with plastic wrap)
-opening canvas and burlap bags, cutting fabrics (for example, cutting up an old shirt to use as rags)


But I also want to bring this knife with me everywhere, like fishing trips, so cutting line, cutting up bait, cleaning fish.


So I guess my needs would be:
-steel that can cut through various materials but also not rust easily (salt water)
-comfortable ergos for long periods of time. (No hotspots)
-one handed open/close

I do not have preferences in terms of handle material or steel. Although I'd prefer a drop point, wharncliffe, or sheepsfoot blade. Preferably no blade coating. It just makes me think "tacticlol"


I have been looking into Zero Tolerance, Benchmade, and Spyderco

But I'm open to suggestion, and I'm firm on the price so please don't mention a knife that's $180. And again, MUST be under 4 inches for legal purposes and personal preference.


I own knives that are capable of these tasks, but I'd like to add to my collection and expand my rotation.

I own:
-Ontario Rat 1
-Ontario Utilitac II
-Buck 110
-Kershaw Blur S30V
-Spyderco Delica 4 FFG FRN
-Cold Steel Recon 1 (tanto)
-Spyderco Paramilitary 2
-Zero Tolerance 0350




I appreciate all of you taking the time to read this and I appreciate any and all answers! Cheers guys
 
I just bought one - if you look, you can buy the LionSteel TRE G10 for $175 shipped.
It fits everything you are looking for:

M390 Steel
Flipper on bearings
2.91" blade
Titanium framelock
And Lionsteel won manufacturing quality award of the year at Bladeshow 2014
AND the TRE won overall knife of the year in 2015

That said, I haven't gotten mine yet. Should be here this week...:)

EDIT:

Alternatively, I was considering the Spyderco Mantra in M4. They seemed very similar, and I went with the LionSteel because I wanted to try a new brand.
I'll probably end up getting either the Mantra or the Gayle Bradley 2 just to try out M4.
 
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How about something different. Boker mini kwaiken with a Big Chris regrind. $175 should cover the whole job.
 
SE Spyderco Pacific Salt, perhaps? ...Serrated H1 is good stuff, a little bit larger than you prefer but meets the other criteria quite well IMO. Rust proof. Well under your budget. Ergonmic and lightweight. I was on the fence about H1 for a long time due to the 'tales of Meh' surrounding PE H1 edge retention. But, I took a baby step and bought a SE Ladybug Hawkbill aka the 'Ladyhawk'. That knife comes with me everywhere. Next was an Aqua Salt, also with me whenever I'm not at work. If you haven't tried H1, you should. :thumbup:
 
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Paramilitary 2 or Manix 2. If you want better steel you can opt for the S110V versions that are available. They may not be the sexiest options, but both will just get the job done.
 
craytab said:
You have a ton of recommendation threads already. Perhaps pour through those to see if there is anything you missed: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/search.php?searchid=11799878
Click to expand...

I'm aware of what threads I already have out there. Once I get recommendations I don't want I realize I have to add more details as to what I want or don't want. If I try to reply to a current thread, I don't get any more recommendations. So I start a new one. Thanks for your concern buddy
 
Knave said:
A Benchmade Ritter Grip would serve you well.
Click to expand...

Insipid Moniker said:
Paramilitary 2 or Manix 2. If you want better steel you can opt for the S110V versions that are available. They may not be the sexiest options, but both will just get the job done.
Click to expand...

I have owned all three of these, and each one is excellent. They all have fantastic ergos, great steel, (especially the m390 Ritter Grip and S110V PM 2) and they all function without fail. You couldn't go wrong with any of them. I would lean more towards the S110V or standard S30V PM 2, or Manix 2 because of the better quality handles though. Just my opinion. You could always add some aftermarket scales to the Ritter Grip down the road if you go that route. Here's some pics of my daily user versions! The Ritter Grip was traded, but the PM 2 is my new edc. (Please excuse the over dramatic pics. Just took them today for other threads)

24608832783_d00ff96e3d_c.jpg

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25118744892_ce0be8d344_b.jpg
 
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Sounds like you need a benchmade 940 in your collection.
look up the 940, 940-1501, 940-2, 940-1, and 943.

 
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I don't think we realize how many recommendation threads the OP has started since this thread 8 months ago. There is certainly a more current one if you want to suggest something that he is asking about now.
 
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