Sub-$50 Folder for Friend-- Recommendations?

J

Josh Feltman

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Feb 12, 2001
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I have a friend who is looking to purchase his first folder. He doesn't want to spend more than around $50. He want's a folder with a pocket clip, 3-3.5 inch blade, one-handed opening. So far he is looking at the Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops for around $20. I'm sure that you folks can come up with some better suggestions than that, so lay 'em on me:)
--Josh
 
Check out the CRKT small Crawford/Kasper folder. It's in the $40 range. My brother got one for Christmas and I was pretty impressed with it. Nice blade shape, smooth opening, solid lockup with no blade play and it's comfortable in the hand.
 
How about a Buck Odyssey or a Spyderco Delica FRN. Both can be had in your price range and if you shop on line you can get an ATS34 Odyssey around $50.
 
A Spyderco Delica from the Bladeforums store should come in around $50 with shipping included. Get the new one with the 3" VG-10 alloy blade and the sharpness will make your friend a new believer.

For more like $60.00 a Browning Ice Storm has a more tactical look and a 3.5" VG-10 blade.
 
Someone has a SOG AutoClip up for trade on the trade board. I think he's looking for about $25 value in trade.
 
If he'll go close to 4" I suggest the Spyderco Endura. It can be had on eBay for $50 or less, delivered.
 
what dullone suggested, plus also consider:

Spyderco delica

After a lot of mistakes, I now only trust the bigger boys like Spyderco, Benchmade and I prefer better steel like VG10 or S30V for corrosion resistance and edge holding.
 
I'd say either a Spyderco Calypso Jr or a Native III.

I like both of them quite a bit but for different reasons.

N2
 
Hey, the Kershaws Chive and Scallion Assisted openers may be a good choice. Even based soley on the reason that its rather entertaining to just open and close em. :) Not to mention recurve!

The Chive goes for about $30
The Scallion for somewhere around $40

Then theres always the RAINBOW versions to consider (very nice finish)
 
Get him started right, Spyderco Endura (now in VG-10 and better than ever).

Many of us can say it was our first one-hander.
 
Here's another vote for the Delica. It's the number one selling Spydie for a reason. Get it, neither you nor your friend will be sorry.
 
i say, talk him into the Endura. excellent ergos, and a great size. i bet with a Delica, he's gonna start wanting a little bit more edge. if he just won't go for it, though, stick with the Delica.

abe m.
 
The Delica is a great knife and was my EDC for a while, but my wife got a Native and I really prefered that to my Delica. Both are great, I just find the Native to be a little nicer.

As for the Endura it too is a great knife if you need/want one that sized, but since he's looking for 3-3.5" you should stick with the Delica or Native.

I dissagree with allyourblood, I've carried knives larger then the Delica/Native and found them to be more then I needed. My favorite EDC is something in the 3" blade range. I started with the Delica and tried things larger, but I ended up going back to that same size with my small Sebenza.
 
Try this one http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=36B3R74C2VCK8G086UQQVW23LEQ00KKB


It is my personal EDC right now and I work construction-punchout on new homes. I am constantly cutting vinal/carpet/plastic/cardboard...etc I even use it more than occasionally to fit pieces of shoemold or other trim is strange installs that require somewhat precise carving. It holdds a decent edge and I find it very easy to sharpen.

Hard use will result in the tiniest bit of blade play but for the money I think they are a great bargain!!!

Although the m-16 is the only one of this manufacturer that I own I wouldnt be to afraid to recomend the rest of thier line.
 
P.S. looks like the first link was outhttp://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3907


Also I saw a recommendation above for the buck oddessy Had that one to-used it even harder than my m-16 so far and it held up great. I lost it for two months in the woods until a friend of mine found it while hunting, cleaned right up! I finally broke about a half inch off the tip cutting a thresshold cover off a exterior door (I no it wasnt really the knifes fault, I fked up and snaped it, it couldve been a strider and id have snapped it):rolleyes:

So I ground the tip back on from the back of the blade (to try and save the temper) and used it for another year;)
 
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