$100 and under hard use EDC folder help

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Noah

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Hey! It's nigh approaching Christmas and I'm thinking about a new EDC knife, sort of a long term upgrade from my current Kershaw Tremor. No real issues with the Kershaw, but it is a $25 liner lock imported from China with no thumb studs. And I was never able to get the clip to reverse to tip up.

The knife will be used for all forms of cutting, from opening letters and boxes, cutting rope/string, to cutting up cardboard and wood. I do carry a knife all day, every day, so it has to be tough.

Since I can't carry a gun, or a fixed blade, this knife is also my "emergency tactical" blade, so strength and good retention ergonomics are my #1.

I get minimum wage, so I'd love to keep the price in the $35-65 range, but if it's amazing, I could pay $100 or so. I'd like to use this knife daily for many years.


Looking for a 3-4" blade, 8-9.5" overall. Grip size is more important to me than blade length. Assisted opening is a plus, but a very nice manual would work. Need a really strong lock, preferably not a liner lock- don't like how it un centers the blade in the knife and such. Tip up carry possible. Not a tanto, no serrations. A multi purpose cutter.

So what have you guys had good experiences with? Cold Steel Recon 1? SOG Aegis? SOG Trident? Is a Benchmade Barrage really worth $120? Or is that all relative? :p
 
Perhaps a Buck 110 folder. It comes with a belt sheath. Only downside might be the weight for pocket carry. I believe Amazon has them for about $30. They certainly have a reputation for toughness and reliability.

Jeff
 
Kershaw Blur is pretty tough to beat, fast opening, well-built and definitely suited for hard use. Regular version around $65, S30V version can be had for $85 online. However, I like my Barrage also and I think it is worth the $120.
 
Spyderco Manix 2 or Manix 2 XL. Both large knives (the XL might be a touch longer blade than you want at 3.8"), sturdy locks, great steel. Bargains at about $79 and $85. Open smoothly and lock decisively.

John
 
I carry the small Buck Vantage Pro a lot. Decent steel, useful blade shape, flipper works well without risking it opening in the pocket, decisive locking (I like that phrase, John!), and can be carried tip-up. I carry the small version because I take the clip off and drop it into a rear trouser pocket to carry discreetly work. They also make a larger version that works well for clip carry, but doesn't disappear into a pocket as well.

The Force Pro looks a little more 'tactical' and is a wee bit larger - it may be better suited to heavy daily use.
 
Benchmade 555 has been my edc for more than a year for use just as you describe. Opens extremely quick with the thumb hole and locks up SOLID. The blade is still sharp after a years use and the pocket clip is very sturdy and keeps the knife securly in my pocket. I paid about $85 for it and believe it was worth every penny and then some.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pd_lpo_..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=073GJJJ7W89T8C0FZGEX
 
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I am looking to get a Kershaw Junkyard Dog 2.2 , on amazon for around $65 looks like it will be a good, tough edc blade :) however, I do not believe the clip is reversible to carry point up.
 
Another vote for the Spyderco Manix family! They are just rock solid.
 
I'm a Buck fan so I'd suggest the Vantage Pro also if you want a tactical.

I noticed that Wally has the large Bantam in orange or fall camo for $20 this Christmas season. Might just be the thing for someone on a tight budget. I occasionally carry the small Bantam and its a nifty little knife so I'm hoping that someone in the family picks up on the hints I've been dropping...
 
I'm not sure what "hard use" is, but I recommend an axe or crowbar for that. Or this...

maul2.jpg

If you want a knife under $100 to cut stuff with the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is my current favorite.

spydercoparamilitary2im.jpg
 
under 100 bucks, closer to 50....... any number of things. I've been very impressed with the ganzo and enlan knives in the cheap bang for the buck category: esp the g704, g710, and enlan el-02b. they're a bit heavy (disassemble and grind out the middle of the liners helps a lot and the steel is nothing awesome, but the designs are solid {ganzo is benchmade copies} and they're cheap enough to almost be disposable)

kershaw makes a lot of good value blades. chill, skyline, cryo all appeal to me as edc blades. spyderco has the tenacious/persistance line that is pretty nice as well. The manix knives are way nice, super smooth and strong, but they are the size of a brick and weigh a ton. The ontario rat 1 is supposed to be real nice, but I have never handled one. there is always the crkt m16 line and the walmart version of the ripple.....

As far as non-chineese knives, I like the benhcmade griptillians. check ebay and see if you can find a used one.

haven't really seen anything in the sog, gerber, or cold steel offerings that I thought looked very interesting. But good luck.
 
I occasionally carry the small Bantam and its a nifty little knife so I'm hoping that someone in the family picks up on the hints I've been dropping...

I carry the medium Bantam mostly at work with a Leatherman Blast for the tools. What that poor knife has been through......

And it is still going. :eek:
 
I have become a big fan of the knives from Great Eastern Cutlery. I know they are of traditional patterns, with out thumb studs or assisted opening but they are great knives.
 
Good way to keep a sharp blade! Carry a Gerber EAB. It's a very handy money clip size. It can be used as a money clip, carried in the change pocket of you jeans, clipped to your waist band under your belt your belt, or any where. It takes contractor razor blades. Using a pocket knife every day I've never seen one that didn't dull. Put a good quality blade in an EAB. Why dull a good knife opening boxes and such. A contractor blade will cut the **** out of stuff. In five years it'll be sharp because all you have to do is put a new some blade in. I carry one in addition to knives I EDC. The older style has the screw on it's topside and is best for one hand opening. Even as a last ditch weapon. Hate to see even one slash from such a blade. I think they are about 24 bucks. Maybe you could even ebay one for 14.
 
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Gotta second the Manix. I sniped a Manix 2 on ebay for $55 many months ago, and I've been edcing it every day since. Occasionally I'll rotate in a newer blade, but I consistently find myself returning to the Manix. It's just so comfortable in my hand and it takes anything I throw at it, be it opening packages, whittling wood, or cutting up a nice block of Jarlsberg or Smoked Gouda. I think I like the caged ball lock more than the axis, it's just so smooth and buttery. Zero blade play in any direction after beating on it for months. Edge retention is good enough. 154CM is great, but I think I'm going to splurge one of these days and get a CTS-XHP or M4 model.
 
The Manix 2 looks great. I owned a Paramilitary 2 and will say it's a damn refined knife that you won't outgrow. The PM2 may be worth a few extra bucks you'd have to pay over the Manix 2. Not to knock the Manix at all but the PM2 is very "purty."

In the slightly smaller and WAY cheaper category you can look at the Spyderco Tenacious blue G10 limited edition run. I gave my dad the Ambitious in blue a while back and was VERY impressed.

It has a liner lock but honestly the concerns over locking mechanisms are overblown at least with good quality brands. Testing is done to ensure the lock suffices for the tasks a knife would be used for, and if you use a knife properly there is virtually zero chance it could actually close on your hand anyway.

571746429_tp.jpg

You may be able to snag a Native 5 for right at $100. I think this is probably the best blend of "ultra tough" and "refined" and it really has incredible, unbelievable fit and finish and tough materials.

C41GP5-3[large].jpg


That's what I mostly carry now. It's not unrealistically big, but big enough for almost anything you would want to do with it. You can choke up or down which makes it very versatile, and it feels big in the hand despite folding up very small. And it is absolutely built like a tank.

Heck if you wanted a real deal I have to say the Native 3 is one of the best deals around still at about $55-60.
 
I carried a Native 2 the majority of the time for more than 10 years.

I expected to love the 5, but I don't. :confused:
 
Well, I have 2 lightweight 2s, and I bought a 5. I've been carrying the 5 lately, but only because my Manix 2 Translucent lost its clip, and the Manix 2 XL's clip is loose. :rolleyes:
 
Opinels especiall the Carbon steels are one of my favorites for daily carry.
Right now it's a#10 carried in a flashlight holder on my belt.
Inexpensive, scarey edge capable AND they are a lockback!
 
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