Sub $75.00 EDC. Your thoughts please

[Joe58]

All great recommends from very experienced forum members. It's a tough call to narrow just to one, so that's why you're seeing so many super options being thrown out there. Everyone has their favorite set ups mostly from years of trial and error to meet their needs. I long ago gave up that plan and now have a "pile" of EDC knives that I'll grab from for a day or two. But I do have one or two favorites amongst the herd.

In my earlier post, I should have also mentioned the Vic Electrician. Quite reasonably priced. This will give you the bullet proof alox, a large spear blade, and the the small wharncliffe shaped blade which can be sharpened amazingly sharp and is quite useful. The Electrician model is what moved the Soldier out of my pocket just due to the second blade, and the fact I have never had a need for the can opener. I have since had a couple modded, replacing the small blade with a small pen shaped blade, but that was just me. Never satisfied. I still have a few in stock form too however. You will need to be wary of the alox pox though. It tends to spread rapidly.

Good luck in your decision. I'd be surprised if you end up with just one. Although many folks are happy with that, those that lurk around these forums soon seem to see their checking account being assaulted fairly regularly. Lol.

 

[jc57]

Yes, I forgot to mention the Victorinox Alox-scaled knives. I have the Electrician model that Joe58 mentioned and the smaller Cadet, both in silver Alox. I find them to be exceptional daily carry knives for the types of average daily tasks that I encounter. For the past month the Cadet has been the only knife I've carried in my pocket.

 

[Carbon12]

For opening clamshell packages I find the sheepsfoot blade on a stockman to be very useful. A Case or Buck is a great choice. For bigger cutting chores or garden work it is really hard to beat a sodbuster (jr). Add a basic Swiss Army Knife (SAK) and you have a trifecta of traditional goodness IMO. I am not implying carry all 3 but for me which one or two I carry depends on what I have planned. I think you could by all 3 for about $75 total.

 

[300Bucks]

I usually stay quite in these opinion battles, but today because I am getting ready to spend several hours doing yard work I have a attitude...~-( ....So I think I will give a Buck option for the OP and because Carbon mentioned Buck. I read all of the other opinions and they are good knives, each poster believes in their knife. But today I chime in with what I think is the nicest Buck traditional being made at the moment. Check the Model 303 Stockman or 309 2 blade, brass bolstered rosewood scaled models out in this photo. Both will ride lightly in your pocket, and as the "Cult of the Peanut" says you can do just about anything with one. You may need to go to a good web seller or a major outdoor store to find it and it will likely be clam packed. Yes, I dislike those also. Good Luck 300Bucks

Smaller stockman three blade 303 on bottom, and the two blade is closed and showing its backside on left. The 303 may just be a over 5 inches in length when open but I have watched my friend gut an elk with one.....steel is 420hc SS, Bos method heat treated, yes they are not flat ground but they can be found for under $50. Made in USA.

 

[Will Power]

I've been VERY pleased with my Böker Germany carbon knives. In particular the Whittler and Small Stockman, compact three blade knives that wont murder your pocket-in any sense of the word.

I like the Buck Small Stockman in Yellow, CASE Pen-Knife or Mini Copperhead should not be overlooked(slim but with decent blades)CASE Small Texas Jack and Swayback Jacks are other compact pocket knives I favour. RR do a lot of inexpensive knives that are decent enough for sure.

Do let us know what you decide on and how it works out, you may start haunting this place....

Thanks, Will

 

[Codger_64]

I am in the group that thinks that you would like to explore a few different patterns before settling on one to carry every day for years on end. One can certainly find a group of three different lightly used traditional patterns for $75 if one takes the time to look. Ebay, pawn shops, flea markets and junk shops. Some patterns that I find useful and easy to pocket constantly are small jacks and barlows (2 blades), a premium slim stockman (3 blades), and a pen or muskrat knife with a blade on opposite ends. Schrade, Camillus, Case and Buck are among the promanent brands found in lightly used condition and are inexpensive due to the quantities made over many years' time. Besides having a small variety to try to see what is just right for you, it gives you the fun of the "hunt". Good luck!

 

[leghog]

My two daily carries together didn't cost 2/3s of your $75 budget. At $75 there are tons of quality knives available.

 

[jkulysses]

The Buck 303 Cadet is hard to beat at its price point. Right around $33 last time I checked. With that being said I love my Boker Tree stockman! Carbon steel & with the rounded bolsters it carries very nice in my pocket. About $50 shipped.

 

[Old Hunter]

Randy, if you are going to cut boxes and blister packs with your EDC (and who dosen't?) you need a knife with a Sheepfoot blade. A Stockman in your price range, gives you literally hundreds of choices in the 3-1/4" to 4-1/4" range (personally I like 3-3/8" to 3-1/2" size). Just pick the brand, steel, scale, and blade configuration that appeals to you. OH
Ps. Pictured is just one example (besides the others already shown) of a 1970's vintage 3-5/16" Stockman, fully open and with Sheepfoot.