I used to have a Kershaw mini cyclone, I LOVED that knife, but then, it was lost about a year ago. replaced it with a Leatherman Skeletool, which is great, but the knife is sort of small for " knife " duties. Is there anything I should check out for under 40 bux before I bite the bullet and just go get another Kershaw?
best sd folder under 40$?
- Thread starter car15bill
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Kershaw Leek?
Would require an extra $5 over your budget.
Perhaps look at some of the less expensive Kabar folders?
Would require an extra $5 over your budget.
Perhaps look at some of the less expensive Kabar folders?
doctorxring
Member
Leek -- Ken Onion's mastepiece
.
You don't have to spend even $40 to get a Leek. This is still my
favorite EDC type knife ever since it came out and I've got
many others. I think it's a masterpiece knife and believe every knife
nut should have one.
see here for a $31 Leek, shipped --
http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Onion...C9Y0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300245775&sr=8-1
My very favorite Leek variant is the one with G10 scales, but that
one costs about $65. Worth every cent though !
And for those that are already Leek fans, check out the Eros.
I just got this knife in and it's like an Uber Leek. A dead
sexy knife, just like the name implies. Weighs 1.5 ounce.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y2DZ2INe1o
dxr
.
You don't have to spend even $40 to get a Leek. This is still my
favorite EDC type knife ever since it came out and I've got
many others. I think it's a masterpiece knife and believe every knife
nut should have one.
see here for a $31 Leek, shipped --
http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Onion...C9Y0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300245775&sr=8-1
My very favorite Leek variant is the one with G10 scales, but that
one costs about $65. Worth every cent though !
And for those that are already Leek fans, check out the Eros.
I just got this knife in and it's like an Uber Leek. A dead
sexy knife, just like the name implies. Weighs 1.5 ounce.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y2DZ2INe1o
dxr
mr.trooper
Member
Have you looked into a CRKT 'Bear Claw'? Though they are a fixed blade, they are no bigger in the pocket than many folders.
They are very strong, and excellent SD knives... and they are like $25... AND they can be carried in multiple ways... AND they deploy faster than any folder... AND they look scary.
Unless your fixed to the idea of a folder for some kind of sentimental reason, this is a no-brainer.
They are very strong, and excellent SD knives... and they are like $25... AND they can be carried in multiple ways... AND they deploy faster than any folder... AND they look scary.
Unless your fixed to the idea of a folder for some kind of sentimental reason, this is a no-brainer.
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
"SD" Folder?
Sorry, car15bill, but I need to have a better idea of what constitutes "SD" for you.
The usual "check your local laws" disclaimer applies.
I would, in the normal course of events, not suggest a Leek or similar knife for "self defense."
Perhaps your needs are different from what I would normally perceive for SD. (You may also have read, here in the NFW, advices against the general concept of self defense with a knife.)
So, before I try to recommend a random $40 knife that I might carry myself, I'd like a little more of your story.
Sorry, car15bill, but I need to have a better idea of what constitutes "SD" for you.
The usual "check your local laws" disclaimer applies.
I would, in the normal course of events, not suggest a Leek or similar knife for "self defense."
Perhaps your needs are different from what I would normally perceive for SD. (You may also have read, here in the NFW, advices against the general concept of self defense with a knife.)
So, before I try to recommend a random $40 knife that I might carry myself, I'd like a little more of your story.
TimboKhan
Member
With all of the usual qualifiers aside, and with my occasionally mentioned bias against using a knife for SD aside, you can't go wrong with Spyderco. A Tenacious or Persistence would probably be right up your alley.
Ontario RAT 1 (3.6" blade, ~$25-30)
Ontario Utilitac II (3.5", ~$40-45)
Byrd Cara Cara(3.75", ~$20-35 depending on the model)
Byrd Flight(3.5", ~$30 for the G10 model)
KaBar Large Dozier(3.66", ~$25)
Prices listed are from online knife dealers.
I'd say the RAT 1 is the best buy of those. It's built really solidly for a knife of that price. It has a nice cut-out for your index finger and decent jimping(on the uncoated blade anyways--don't know about the black blade models but I'd expect the coating to smooth the jimping somewhat.) The blade deploys really smoothly and fast on the RAT 1.
No experience with the Utilitac II, but it appears to be a beefy, well-built knife and looks like the handle is ergonomic. There are actually two different handle shapes available for the Utilitac II and they both look pretty good to me.
No real experience with the Byrd Cara Cara other than handling it at the store. Seems decent if you want something a bit longer than the others. I'm slower at opening knives with thumbholes but I'm more reliable at opening knives with them. You could ghetto wave it with a zip-tie if you want to be able to open it very quickly. Handle seems well contoured.
Pretty much the same comments about the Cara Cara apply to the slightly smaller Byrd Flight except that I do own that one. Lacks jimping but the handle is contoured well enough that I wouldn't worry too much about that.
Not crazy about the handle shape combined with the lack of jimping on the big Dozier, but it's a nice knife for the price, and you have your choice of a thumbstud or thumbhole model of the Dozier.
Ontario Utilitac II (3.5", ~$40-45)
Byrd Cara Cara(3.75", ~$20-35 depending on the model)
Byrd Flight(3.5", ~$30 for the G10 model)
KaBar Large Dozier(3.66", ~$25)
Prices listed are from online knife dealers.
I'd say the RAT 1 is the best buy of those. It's built really solidly for a knife of that price. It has a nice cut-out for your index finger and decent jimping(on the uncoated blade anyways--don't know about the black blade models but I'd expect the coating to smooth the jimping somewhat.) The blade deploys really smoothly and fast on the RAT 1.
No experience with the Utilitac II, but it appears to be a beefy, well-built knife and looks like the handle is ergonomic. There are actually two different handle shapes available for the Utilitac II and they both look pretty good to me.
No real experience with the Byrd Cara Cara other than handling it at the store. Seems decent if you want something a bit longer than the others. I'm slower at opening knives with thumbholes but I'm more reliable at opening knives with them. You could ghetto wave it with a zip-tie if you want to be able to open it very quickly. Handle seems well contoured.
Pretty much the same comments about the Cara Cara apply to the slightly smaller Byrd Flight except that I do own that one. Lacks jimping but the handle is contoured well enough that I wouldn't worry too much about that.
Not crazy about the handle shape combined with the lack of jimping on the big Dozier, but it's a nice knife for the price, and you have your choice of a thumbstud or thumbhole model of the Dozier.
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Exmasonite
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Maximumbob54
Member
I like my Gerber Applegate Fairbairn Mini Covert and it cost under $40.
IMO $50 or $60 is worth it...it opens up a whole new class of folder that are a better dollar value than a $30 or $40 folder.
Think about it, we aren't talking about buying dinner here, we're talking about a tool that will last a long time. Even if you lose it in a year, the extra quality is unquestionably worth it for about 5 cents per day, max.
I know you just might not be willing to spend the extra, but you might not have been aware of the amazing amount of great knives available just...barely...over... your current allotment.
It's like saying I want to spend 5 thousand on a car and looking at Camrys, good dependable cars, but being able to get a Lexus for $500 more.
Think about it, we aren't talking about buying dinner here, we're talking about a tool that will last a long time. Even if you lose it in a year, the extra quality is unquestionably worth it for about 5 cents per day, max.
I know you just might not be willing to spend the extra, but you might not have been aware of the amazing amount of great knives available just...barely...over... your current allotment.
It's like saying I want to spend 5 thousand on a car and looking at Camrys, good dependable cars, but being able to get a Lexus for $500 more.
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Gary G23
Member
Ontario RAT-1 or Spyderco Tenacious
my story is that i am a local truck driver that unfortunately, lives in erie county, new york. i moved over from michigan a few years ago, and i havent even bothered to apply for my pistol permit, because it seems like a pita to get over here, not to mention that i dont really agree with registering my guns.
since i am a truck driver, i couldn't carry a gun most of the time anyway. however, a tire buddy and an assisted opening knife, or otherwise, such as a fixed blade, will work though, as it can be used in my job.
thanks for all the responses, it looks like i got some reading to do when i get the chance friday!
since i am a truck driver, i couldn't carry a gun most of the time anyway. however, a tire buddy and an assisted opening knife, or otherwise, such as a fixed blade, will work though, as it can be used in my job.
thanks for all the responses, it looks like i got some reading to do when i get the chance friday!
bbuddtec
Member
a vote for one of my favs... cold steel ti lite...
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=xWCBTaGLC-GS0QHPgKmACQ&ved=0CDsQ8wIwBA#
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=xWCBTaGLC-GS0QHPgKmACQ&ved=0CDsQ8wIwBA#
How about another Mini Cyclone if you loved it? Nothing else is going to have the exact same size and shape and you'll have trouble finding an assisted opener that's close to it.
I agree with conwict that you'll find a jump in value with another $10 listed because some more durable steels will start to be used. That's an issue with EDC blades, but not so much for a knife solely intended for self defense (I'm skeptical that you actually are looking for an SD knife and are needing a good EDC folder).
I agree with conwict that you'll find a jump in value with another $10 listed because some more durable steels will start to be used. That's an issue with EDC blades, but not so much for a knife solely intended for self defense (I'm skeptical that you actually are looking for an SD knife and are needing a good EDC folder).
I like 2-cell flashlights for carry-anywhere SD. Unless you're fully prepared to "go the distance" with a sturdy knife, a hard blow with either end of a flashlight to bone is probably a better way to defend yourself.
If you do insist on only carrying a knife, I wouldn't pick a liner lock, nor an ultra-skinny knife like many of the Kershaws. A Spyderco Delica would be a pretty decent choice, as would a Native, if you could find a Native FRN that fit your budget.
John
If you do insist on only carrying a knife, I wouldn't pick a liner lock, nor an ultra-skinny knife like many of the Kershaws. A Spyderco Delica would be a pretty decent choice, as would a Native, if you could find a Native FRN that fit your budget.
John
Searcher1970
Member
probably a smart call on the "edc" use of the knife. i type sd, but in reality, i only call it that because I can never call a pistol "edc", where i live.
so no liner locks, and no skinny knives huh? well, i guess i am going to just ask, if price were of minimal concern, what would be a prudent choice? 40-50 is just a baseline. however, if the quality jumps up tenfold for 100 bucks, ill bite.
so no liner locks, and no skinny knives huh? well, i guess i am going to just ask, if price were of minimal concern, what would be a prudent choice? 40-50 is just a baseline. however, if the quality jumps up tenfold for 100 bucks, ill bite.
I don't think you need to go quite that high with careful shopping to see a big jump in quality, but it is also a question of whether you'll see that big a jump in utility.
It is all a question of how and how often you use your knife whether the quality/price/utility is where you can actually benefit significantly.
What do you use a knife for and how often do you use it in each of the ways you use it?
I use a knife around the house/barn/"farm" as well on work sites. I have a knife that stands up to a lot of use/abuse and is somewhat expensive as a result. The quality is outstanding, but the utility is outstanding for what I want so the high price is "reasonable" to me.
There's no great need, other than pride of ownership, to have an expensive using knife if it only opens envelopes or cuts packaging a few times a week. A much less expensive knife with great features for what it will be used for could be an even better choice then.
It is all a question of how and how often you use your knife whether the quality/price/utility is where you can actually benefit significantly.
What do you use a knife for and how often do you use it in each of the ways you use it?
I use a knife around the house/barn/"farm" as well on work sites. I have a knife that stands up to a lot of use/abuse and is somewhat expensive as a result. The quality is outstanding, but the utility is outstanding for what I want so the high price is "reasonable" to me.
There's no great need, other than pride of ownership, to have an expensive using knife if it only opens envelopes or cuts packaging a few times a week. A much less expensive knife with great features for what it will be used for could be an even better choice then.
Gerber Covert F.A.S.T.
Based on the Applegate Fairbairn fighting knife developed for use by the OSS in WWII. Very snappy assisted opening, sharp, and sleek.
Feels high quality. Absolutely no blade wiggle, and a very solid grip. Also long enough to poke holes in organs that shouldn't have holes in them, but small enough to carry in a pocket.
Check out some of the Applegate knife fighting videos on the interwebs. Most of those tactics will work with this knife as well, should you ever need it as a weapon. As a edc knife, it has a partially serrated blade which I find to be of great utility for cutting rope and other textiles. One handed operation is a plus. There's also some discreet jibbing on the backside of the blade near the hilt so you can actually choke up on it and get a good working grip for carving or other delicate detail work.
Plus, it's just plain sexy.
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While it may be "just plain sexy", most LEO will probably identify that FAST as a dagger. Daggers are prohibited from carry in most states. Additionally, that blade profile won't be as strong or useful as many other shapes. So, it's more likely to get you into legal hot water, but less useful in general!
Some suggestions, in approximate least to most-costly order:
Spyderco Dragonfly
Spyderco Delica
Spyderco Native FRN
Spyderco Manix 2
Spyderco Dragonfly G10.
These start around $40, and go up to around $100. The Manix 2, at less than $80 delivered, is the great bargain in the group. With minimal maintenance, you should be able to use it daily for the rest of your life. It is a little heavy for some, though. A lighter-weight but still very sturdy version should be out in the next two months.
I've usually bought my knives from Cutleryshoppe lately.
John
Some suggestions, in approximate least to most-costly order:
Spyderco Dragonfly
Spyderco Delica
Spyderco Native FRN
Spyderco Manix 2
Spyderco Dragonfly G10.
These start around $40, and go up to around $100. The Manix 2, at less than $80 delivered, is the great bargain in the group. With minimal maintenance, you should be able to use it daily for the rest of your life. It is a little heavy for some, though. A lighter-weight but still very sturdy version should be out in the next two months.
I've usually bought my knives from Cutleryshoppe lately.
John
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