[teCh0010]

I need suggestions for a knife to replace my missing everyday carry knife, which was a Gerber Mini-Covert. Needs to be in the same size range as the minicovert, which is:

Overall Length: 6.63''
Length Closed: 3.62''
Length of Blade: 2.94''

The options I'm looking at currently are the mini-covert and the SOG mini X-ray. Budget should be under $50 since I am prone to losing knives but I can stretch it to $65 for the right knife. That is one disadvantage of of the mini-covert, the clip loosens up over time and it keeps coming off of your pocket.

Steel should be ATS-34 at a minimum, or possibly 440C. No 440A.

[rugerfreak]

Spyderco Delica

[hso]

The following companies produce good knives at the price you want in the quality and materials you desire.

KaBar, Randal King, SOG, Spyderco, Timberline.

[Stainz]

Spyderco 'Native' #C41PBK - $39.48 at Wally World. Check around - it is currently 'o.o.s.' from them via 'on-line', so check stores for current stock. It's not 440... it is S30V - is that okay? Seems like a deal!

Stainz

[JShirley]

A Native or Delica would be a perfect choice.

[Tomcat47]

I love Masters Of Defense... They have a variety to chose from. The CQD series is one of the toughest knives made in America.The Mark 1 is a little large but includes a seat belt cutter and glass breaker,The Mark 2 is about the size you are after and loses the cutter but has the glass breaker. I made these for three years for MOD. They are tough!

Go to www.blackhawk.com

I also recommend RKK Knives. I carry a Phantom Reflex assisted opener most of the time with a CQD Mark 1 in my truck. The 875 series in MOD ..I cannot say enough good about it for an everyday carry and there are a lot of blade options for this knife. The MPAK is an all auminum version of the 875 and then there is the smaller version of the MPAK the mini.

go to www.blackhawk.com go to knives for full info on each listed item.
RKK is www.randallkingknives.com I made knives with Randall Also.... nice knives!

[hso]

Length of Blade: 2.94''; stretch it to $65 for the right knife

Do you prefer thumb studs or blade holes?

[teCh0010]

No preference. I carried a Spyderco for a long time before I started carrying the Mini-Covert. I didn't find one better than the other, it just needs to be able to open fast.

I don't really like the native because it is a lockback. I would prefer easier one handed closing.

[Fosbery]

Poster says:

"Budget should be under $50"

And Tomcat47 reccomends MOD and Randall! You could barely afford a SHEATH from Masters of Defence for $50! :neener:

For a $50 I'd go to Spyderco. Might want to look at Byrd too. That's Spyderco's 'budget' line but they're great quality, best value for money knives going in my opinion. Also the Boker SubCom is fantastic value if you want a smaller folder, but still capable of doing anything a bigger knife can do - also one of the best value for money knives around and probably the best performance knife of its size in my opinion. You could get a Subcom AND a Byrd for $50 :)

[Stainz]

Well, my wife ran up to Wally World last night (<1mi) - and shocked me with the Spyderco Native - $43.03 inc s/t - I guess I looked at it too longingly Sunday PM when we stopped by for some food supplements. Well made - great value - and, yep, you could shave with it as it comes from the box.

I reminded her about taking her to the gun store and trying that to no avail - even drooling on a display case over a new S&W - or while longingly staring at a new RR black rifle (I've never owned an AR...). She reminded me of how that knife was affordable - and didn't require ammo - or a safe for storage.

Good bargain - I left this unfinished and went to the range (Actually, I forgot about the computer...). Three more guys are stopping by W-M's on their way home for one. One fellow lamented that a box of ammo would soom eclipse that price.

Stainz

PS Next on my list - a plain S30V bladed Kershaw Blur - now $75-$90 on Evil-Bay.

[JTW Jr.]

S30v blue , $81.95 everyday at Knifeworks.com ;)

[hso]

Uh, guys, teCh0010 said $50 ($65 max) on price.

I know there are tons of knives we love above that price (gee, I can toss in the small Sebenza I carry at $300+ or the first litter $200 Max-Q I've been pocket testing or the $500 JWSmith my wife carries), but what's the point of suggesting them if we're trying to actually help him? :scrutiny: C'mon, give the guy a break.

[Tomcat47]

Sorry! Guys didnt catch the money constraints......:uhoh:

In those $$ constraints I would probably go with a CRKT Carson Design M16
I have a M16-12Z and you can find them for around $60.00 or less. There are several designs for the M16 and there is a small version of the M16 actually sold at Wally World and I think it is under $30.00

All models of the M16 Series are perfectly balanced, and every detail has a working purpose.

M16®
M16-12: Combined Razor-Sharp and Triple-
Point Serrated Cutting Edge
MSRP U.S. $79.99 I have seen them as low as 49.99!

Blade: Length: 3.0” (7.6 cm)
Thickness: 0.12” (0.30 cm)
Steel: AUS 8, 56-58 HRC
Closed: Handle length: 4.25” (10.8 cm)
Open: Overall length: 7.375” (18.7 cm)
Weight: 3.3 oz. (94 g)

good luck..good product for the $$$.The 12Z is shown in the middle. www.crkt.com

[JTW Jr.]

my bad , I saw stainz reply and thought he was thread originator for some reason , doh ! sorry HSO

[teCh0010]

I now think I am going to get a Benchmade mini griptillian with the combo drop point blade. I foud it for less than 65 shipped and the vendor has a good reputation on bladeforums when I searched the name.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9984/69472baz3.jpg

I was able to handle one at a local store and liked the axis lock, the only thing turning me off to the spyderco native is the lockback and the fact that the combo blade has too much of the blade serrated.

I'm still thinking about getting a Native with a plain blade as a skinner, I like the blade shape for that application and the grip design with your hand close to the blade should give good control. It should be as good a knife for that task as the buck alpha fixed blade but a folder with premium steel. Thanks for pointing that knife out.

[hso]

Not a problem, guys. It almost always happens when one of our members says, "Hey, I got $X to spend on a new knife. Any suggestions?". (I've done it a time or two.;))