Basic EDC Knife in the $30 range?

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Let me start by saying I'm not a knife person I'm a gun person. I know nothing about knifes they all seem the same to me. I don't own a single knife and I'm starting to feel like some kind of knifeless weirdo so I want to buy one...

What is the defacto good basic knife I can carry everyday, in the $20-30 range? Something of decent quality and cuts good but cheap enough I wouldn't lament the loss of. It doesn't have to be "tactical" or make a fashion statement. Just something for general usefulness.

I'll be going to a gun and knife show this weekend so if I can make a quick short list of quality brands then I will just pick one I like the look of.

Is there one brand which you can't go wrong with?

I've heard the names sypderco, gerber, benchmade come up often.
 
I couldnt be happier with my Kershaw Ken onion LEEK. Its the half serrated one and it came razor sharp out of the box. It may run you a little more than 30$, but certainley less then 50$. Oh, and its an assisted opener-and for the haters of this type of knife deployment, I've opended it atleast a thousand times so far and the knife still has a solid lock up and open.
 
 
What is the defacto good basic knife I can carry everyday, in the $20-30 range? Something of decent quality and cuts good but cheap enough I wouldn't lament the loss of. It doesn't have to be "tactical" or make a fashion statement. Just something for general usefulness.
Click to expand...

Frankly, it is hard to beat a SAK (Swiss Army Knife) for this. Decide what features you must have and then go here: http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=40 and use the tool to select the proper model for your needs. I have a Tinker and a Soldier that sit at my desks (home and work) for general use. Wallyworld has them and they are cheap.

Rick
 
Help us out by telling us what you're going to use it for. Remember a cowboy's EDC is different from a farmer's EDC is different from an IT Admin's EDC.
 
A lot depends on context. Expected usage? Do you mind heft? Want a slim knife? Office environment? How will you carry it + how will it blend in w/ your everyday apparel?

-Don't get a serrated for a general purpose knife unless you cut a lot of fibrous material.
-DO get a locking knife. (lockback, liner lock, etc.)
-Do you want a knife w/ a clip? Clipless knives have to be compact and light to fit into pockets w/out undue bulge/moving (or a sheath/holster). Clip knives can be clipped in pocket, on belt, IWB, etc.

Buck 112 is solid, well-made, reasonably sharp. No clip.

Spyderco Delica is more in the $40 range, but it's not impossible to find them for less in the secondary market (often excellent condition). The Delica is my idea of the best general EDC. Ergonomic, sharp, svelte. Very good material quality to price point ratio (e.g. better steel). Plastic handle (durable, though, for being plastic) = lighter weight. Clip.

Byrd [Spyderco's chinese line] knives split the difference between Buck and Spyderco. The stainless steel ones are superb for the price (equal to or less than $30). Thinner than the Buck. Very solid. Sharp blades. SS handle. Clip.
 
Victorinox makes a line of locking Swiss Army Knives that are very nice. They run the gamut from having only a few tools to being crammed with gadgets. They aren't very expensive, they are lightweight, and they are useful. They don't have the "classic" scout knife profile of the regular SAK's, but the locking main blade renders all other SAK's obsolete.
 
There are a lot of good knives for under $30, but the most important part of the decision is what to you want to use it for.

one handed openers:

Kabar Dozier under $20
https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=43

Spyderco Byrd under $25
https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=33&products_id=119

One Handed Trekker SAK under $30
https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=53

Myself, I like the One Handed Trekker. You get a lot out one knife. I hope Victorinox comes out with more models like this.

If you hunt through Ebay you maybe able to score a Delica for a hair over $30
 
Right now I have a Svord peasant knife in my back pocket next to my wallet and a SAK army model in mhy right front.
but most of the time I carry one of these

attachment.php
 
Spend an extra $10 and buy a Spyderco w/ VG-10 blade steel. Good blade steel is like Uncle Mikes compared to Galco, etc. Sure, they both work, but the nicer material and craftsmanship is well worth the extra money.

A Delica 4 would be my recommendation. I've carried one since they came out and couldn't be happier.

I would also recommend a good sharpener, as a dull knife is pretty damn useless. Spyderco makes a great sharpening system as well, though it runs another $40.

In the end, you're better off buying a good sharpener and a low end knife if you want any type of long term use out of your blades.
 
I am very happy with my aluminium handled Ken Onion Scallion with the partially serated blade and assisted opening from Kershaw. When closed the finger guard on the bottom of the blade extends slightly through the back of the handle. A push on this is all that's necessary to open the blade. It also has a very comfortable thumb rest on the back of the blade at the dip in the handle. You can see both the finger guard and the thumbrest clearly in this picture of the plastic handled version.
B0001WBFME.01-A2B2TXVNKFJH7I._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V63369955_.jpg



Good product description
http://gallery.bcentral.com/GID3908884P1263330-Kershaw-Ken-Onion-Scallion-with-Aluminum-Handle.aspx

View of all handle variations
http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/prodlist.jsp?Mode=Text&SearchText=scallion&Search.x=0&Search.y=0&Search=1

The plastic handled version is $29.70 and the metal handled version is $35.64 at http://www.knifeworks.com/

Wuchak
 
Thanks for the replies there is a wealth of information. Looks like I'll probably end up buying 2 or 3.

As for the purpose: just a general purpose all-around pocket knife. I work in warehouse most of the time so something for cutting cardboard, wrap, thick zip ties and stuff. One-hand opening would be useful and an action that will definately not close or open on me at the wrong time.

I like the Victorinox One Hand Trekker, it looks very useful but I had many generic ones when I was kid that fell apart or were next to useless which made me shy away from those type of knives.

BTW I used to have the smaller wooden one in the picture many years ago, a French knife if I remember correctly. I had the minuture version also.
 
For your use I think a lockback Spyderco would be perfect for you. Cutting cardboard will dull a knife very quickly. You can open and close the knife very easily one handed, it holds a great edge, and the lockback feature is much stronger than most liner lock knives out there.
 
The Ka-Bar TDI is a great fixed blade. It is available plain or serrated and is right in the price range you are looking at.

JLE
 
Spyderco Native. Solid design, good steel (S30V), big enough to be practical but small enough to avoid scaring people. ~$42 at Walmart (but apparently not every store carries them).
 
Spyderco Native. Solid design, good steel (S30V), big enough to be practical but small enough to avoid scaring people. ~$42 at Walmart (but apparently not every store carries them).
Click to expand...

Beat me to it. S30V for that cheap is a steal. If you can swing just over $40 and it fits your hand well, you'd be hard pressed to find something better.
 
The Spyderco Native is an excellent knife for the price.As stated b4 Wal-Mart
had em on the cheap.They're sold out around here,They were listed #60 in all wally display cases.The Buck 110 style Alaskin Guide in s30v from Cabelas is also a good deal at 65.
 
Legal Issues

You may want to research local laws. While visting a knive store last year in the San Jose, California area, I was surprised by what a sales person told me. He indicated that a folding knife with a blade length greater (I can't remember the actual limit :eek: ) than "X" inches (I think it was in the 3.5 to 4.5 inch range) was newly defined as a concealed weapon, and had to be carried visiblly in a belt pouch or fastened by a clip or other device and be partially visble to be legal. Since 9/11, numerous local ordinances have probably been drafted with good intent, only to frustrate honest citizens. I'm just not happy unless a big folder is wearing a hole in my jeans (I guess that would make it partially visible, right? :neener: ).

You specified a quality requirement, and I do not doubt that the tools suggested so far in this thread mirror that definition however, if you don't like the hi-tech futuristic designs (like myself), a quality traditional design with natural grip material can easily run $100, or more. I have a SAK with everything I got some 20 years ago that cost about that. The tiny wash basin, mirror, and shaving kit paid for themselves long ago. In another galaxy. Far away.

Another consideration (as mentioned in an earlier reply) is function. What will you use it for? This may determine the choice of steel. Stainless steel is considerably more difficult to sharpen than your grandfather's edge, but it holds the edge longer, while granddad could probably refresh his old carbon edge on a handy granite boulder.

I have always carried a least one blade since late childhood and its subsequent end, and have the scars to prove it. It is a tool I would never dream of leaving home without. You may wish to consider one for your person, and one for your vehicle(s).

BTW, what does EDC stand for?

wb
 
EDC = every day carry.

That San Jose deal must be a local ordinance, because it sure isn't state law. I don't know of any municipalities that prevent concealed carry of folding knives. Usually restrictions of that sort are either no open carry or no carry period.

Knife store sales people (as well as Big 5 employees) can be a huge source of misinformation.
 
carpediem

Employees can be misinformed or intentionally instructed to lie to augment sales of one item or another. Being old, fat, slow, and unable to run from trouble, I wear an 11" Puma Bowie knife on my belt in a well worn and polished old Gerber "Big Hunter" sheath. While it sometimes draws frightened looks from strangers, and on even rarer (2) occasions, rude and stupid questions, it serves my purpose: picking up trash around my home, since I can't reach the ground, and more importantly, makes any potential attacker seriously reconsider their options. And, it is still legal.

The whole issue of conflicting rules for different societies is prima facia evidence for the need for change. How many deaths occur world wide due to conflicting road rules? Why peoples fight each other: over personal beliefs. Be it sharpening a knife or worshipping a diety, it does not matter; we will fight over it, and this is not the forum to offer my philosophy, so just keep your knifes sharp :)

wb
 
I am a knife guy........probably more so that a gun guy.
I'd strongly recommend a Buck 110 or 112. Solid users , great ergonomics , inexpensive , lock back and can be kind of pretty if you go a few extra bucks......i.e. silver bolsters or exotic wood scales.
I have had a few that were converted to automatic and a few that were just manual action cutters. Loved them all.
For a fixed blade , I'd look at Bark River knife and tool.
Really well made stuff and not expensive at all.
Like any tool , you really get what you pay for.
If you are going to subject it to frequent use , don't skimp......... or buy a few cheap knives at once ........ because they will wear out and / or fail.
The best advice I'd give you is stay away from imported and especially Chinese made knives........the quality is not there.
J.S.
 
Used to be a real tactical folder guy, but I've gone back to Swiss Army knives and haven't looked back. I only the Victorinox models, and currently rotate between a Mechanic, Super Tinker, and Soldier model.
 
I can't recommend Spyderco's Byrd line enough. I have the Cara Cara FRN and I've handled and am planning on buying a Meadowlark, a Raven and a Crow, along with a few more Cara Cara G10s.
The blades take an edge well and keep it for a good, long time. They range from 20ish to 30ish bucks and you won't cry if you lose one.
They get good recommendations from BladeForum as well.

Hope this helps,
stdlrf11
 
One-hand opening would be useful and an action that will definately not close or open on me at the wrong time.
Click to expand...

The scallion has a small bar that slides over the tip of the blade when closed to keep it from opening accidentally. If you use the pocket clip it's easy to slide the bar to the open position with your pocket as you draw the knife, allowing one handed use. You can also slide it on and off with your little finger. Some people don't like the safety bar but I think it's a nice feature.
 
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