Carry Knives under $40

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sxcamaro05

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I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good everyday carry knife with a blade length of 2.5'' or less. In my state and places I frequent pocket knives with blades 2.5'' or under are legal. I like brands like Gerber, Spyderco, and Leatherman but I am open to others. Prefer locking flips with thumbs assist. Any good deals out there?
 
Smallish

I guess I had forgotten how small 2.5 inches actually is.

Heck, even a Case Sod Buster Jr has a three-inch blade.

I've measured a number of my EDCs and found that I don't have many with blade length <= 2.5 inches.

The medium stockman knives are all between 2.75 and 3.25 inches including the Buck Cadet.

The Case Peanut and Case Pocket Hunter come in at 2.25 inches. The Peanut can be had for around $40, but the Pocket Hunter (which I prefer) comes in at more like $50.

The first one I found that measures right at 2.5 inches is the Lone Wolf Paul Presto, locking knife with a push-button-pivot mechanism. I can open it one-handed with an overhand flipping motion, but it takes practice. Naturally, there's no way you're going to find this one under $40. MSRP is $150, street price $100.

I have a Camillus Army/scout style knife: 2.75 inch main blade, so no joy there (oops, and no longer in production).

You might have better luck with a Wenger Evo S10 SAK; those have a main blade length of 2.5 inches, and the main blade locks. It's a very "friendly" looking knife and has all the usual SAK tools. The Evo S10 can be picked up most places for under $25.

Now, if style isn't a problem, I do believe Kershaw makes a couple of smaller assisted one-hand openers in the 2.5 inch range. And I think they can be had in the $40 to $45 range.

Gerber has the Paraframe Mini (2.22 inch) and the LST (2.63 inch). Both inexpensive, but probably not what you're looking for.

Oh, wait -- hang on a minute -- doesn't Spyderco make a nice little compact folder . . .

. . . wait right there, be right back . . .

Found it! The Spyderco Ladybug Salt. The 2-inch blade is made of rustproof H-1 steel. Has a thumb hole for one-hand opening. The only thing is, it's gonna run you more like $45, even at the introductory price, so if you're really set on "under $40" that could be a small problem.

Here it is in yellow.
ladybugpic7.jpg


And again in orange.
ladybugexclusivelarge2.JPG


Also available kydex neck sheath.
ladybugexlarge3.JPG



Hope this has been helpful.

 
Some to consider:

Spyderco Dragonfly 2 (thumbhole opener & lockback) I think you can find it online for close to $40 but it may take some searching. Best blade steel of the list along with the Ladybug.

Spyderco Ladybug 3 (thumbhole, lockback)

SOG Flash 1 (thumbstud opener, spring assisted opening, piston lock)

SOG Twitch 1 (flipper opener--it also has thumbstuds but the flipper works better, spring assisted opening, lockback)

Kershaw OD-2 (flipper, liner lock)

Kershaw Scallion (flipper--also has thumbstuds but flipper works better, spring assisted opening, framelock or liner lock depending on which model you get)

Kershaw Chive (basically a smaller Scallion)

Kabar Mini-Dozier (thumbstuds, lockback)

Anything smaller than about a 2.25" blade seems too small but that's just my preference. That rules out the Ladybug 3, Twitch 1, and Chive for me, but if you're open to something that small those are a few more options. I'd put the Dragonfly 2 as my top choice then probably the Scallion. The OD-2 and Mini-Dozier are my picks if you're pinching pennies. The Flash 1 is really lightweight for a knife with a 2.5" blade & assisted opening if size/weight ratio is a primary concern.

LOL Guess I'd better add the Boker Subcom(thumbstuds, framelock) to the list since I got one in the mail yesterday. Have to eat my words about not liking blades that are smaller than 2.25", too. Liked it well enough to buy it, anyways. I got the Subcom Titan. I'm still not sure how much I'm going to like it. Odd knife.
 
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If you can manage a 2.75" blade, the new Spyderco Persistence is a winner IMHO. Twenty bucks gets you one here, while supplies last: http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/spydercopersistencec136gpnew.aspx Screaming deal, IMHO - I have its bigger brother, the Tenacious, and it's a lot of knife for not many $$$. If you are OK with liner locks, that is.

And they have its little brother, the Ambitious, with a 2.25" blade, for $24.30 - http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/spydercoambitiousc148gp-214blade-g-10handle-threeounceworkhorse.aspx

If you'd rather have a lockback, the Spyderco Dragonfly is a neat little knife that doesn't know it's little. SC-28PBK is the stock number for the Clipit type plain blade, and it comes in under your price point at several outlets on the web. Note that there are several models of the Dragonfly with different handle materials and a couple of blade steels (and higher prices). This one has a 2 5/16" blade.

hth,

lpl
 
Spyderco Cricket is about 10 bucks higher than your limit in VG-10 but that blade shape is great for fine work.
 
The Dragonfly is a terrific knife, and big enough to be an EDC. I haven't gotten my hands on an Ambitious yet, but the Tenacious, Persistence, and Resilience are all terrific knives.

John
 
In a blade that small, I wouldn't be so worried about super quick opening like a flipper, but that's just me.

I like my Gerber Mini Paraframe for my front pocket (and it has a clip too). I can actually open it with one hand... hold on, let me check... Yup... I can open it with one hand... :)
 
Exceptional suggestions guys. Yes, I had an idea but was not 100% certain until I started measuring that out of my 30-35 knives only 4 were in the "legal" carry range. My NRA gift knife (no thumb stud), a cheap Winchester pen knife (no thumb stud and small 1'' blade) and a Chinese job I got for free from a mail in deal which is 2.25'' but it is fixed.

The Ladybug salt is acutally the corrosion resistant blade made for using near the ocean etc. It is a very nice knife but I was looking for something with a thumb stud. The standard Ladybug is well within my range (25-30) I believe.

Never been a fan of Wenger and I probably never will lol.


Ones I am considering
Spyderco Ladybug/Crick.
Gerber Parafram Mini
Sog Flash I
Ka Bar mini doz.

Those three all look very promising. I will now do research materials etc that each one is made of and all that. Any other suggestions?
 
I have posted the link several times here, but Tracy at USA Knifemaker's Supply makes a thumbstud that locks onto the blade with a tiny torx screw. If lack of thumbstud is holding you back from anything, I can get you the link again
 
The Ladybug is *tiny*. It's better than no knife, but not a good EDC, IMO. I think the Ambitious or Dragonfly FRN will meet your needs better.

John
 
Dang you Arf'n!!!

Thems the Spydies I was talking about with you, Lee, and someone else around here.. forget... gosh darn it <kicks snow, shoves hands in pockets> I want...I want...

sxcamaro05,
I have a "little" trigger time with a Case Peanut. Just a wittle bit. Naturally I recommend one.

A similar knife from Boker Tree Brand with rosewood handles, is also recommended.

Don't overlook Case Blackhorn.

I personally do not like thumb studs, still the Blackhorn is easy to open one handed...
 
Take a look at the SOG Twitch II. It was one of the first knives I bought other than slippies and SAKs. It is a fine knife. I mostly think the Flash series are junk. Good Spyderco choices.
 
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I agree that the Twitch series is better built than the Flash, but the Twitch II blade is longer than 2.5 inches. Maybe the SOG Blink(similar to the Twitches) if that's still available? I haven't handled that one, but I think it comes in under his blade length requirement and has a longer blade than the Twitch I.
 
Yeah, it's close. Probably close enough to grind the tip back a hair and come in at or under 2.5".
 
The shortest point between the point and the ricasso is the convention used for the length of a blade. Measuring along an edge could produce an absurdly large length if your blade had serrations.
 
I carry a Gerber (fast) knife every day.
A bit longer then you asked for. but a great knife.
One hand to open.
I payed around 35 bucks at a local Gander Mountain.
 
I am with the majority about taking a gander at the various spyderco offerings. I am building a knife collection pretty rapidly at this point, but Spyderco is my favorite company by a long shot on account of consistent quality, reasonable price and excellent performance. The persistence is a fantastic knife, and would fit your description nicely, but so too would a number of other knives. If you lare open to owning traditional design and don't want to spend a ton, I recently bought a Kissing Crane mini-trapper to add to my growing collection of Trapper models, and though I can in no way testify to it's long term performance, I am pretty impressed with it so far. It was under twenty dollars at that. CRKT also makes some traditional designs for around that $40.00 mark.

Now, if you steadfastly refuse to buy Chinese products, or if you just want more options, then I think a small Buck Vantage might be up your alley. It's just a touch over 2.5 at 2 5/8ths, but it fulfills your every request: Flipper, thumbhole, locking. Also, a nice deep clip if thats your bag. Under $40.00 for the 13C26 version, and a shade under 20.00 for the 420HC version. I own a larger version and it gets carried and used often.
 
I do enjoy Spyder co products. I purchased a G-10 Byrd Flight with half ser. a few months back for $20. I thought it was going to be 2.5'' but when it came it is well into 3.75'' (misread the site at the time). The knife is sharp, well crafted, and I like the style. This recent search is prompted more by a buddy running into trouble carrying a pocket knife. He had a 3'' Buck Knife brand folder on him that got him a hefty fine and a whole mess of trouble. I should be purchasing in about two weeks when I get paid. It will definatly be one of the ones mentioned in this thread.
 
It's 1/4" over your blade limit, but the Spyderco Native is a fantastic small knife. I think you can find them in your price range despite their higher MSRP.
 
I have the Gerber Mini-Paraframe as my primary EDC.

It's a decent knife. Not particularly sharp, and I'm told the steel isn't very good, but it is very cheap and good enough.

I can open it with one hand, but only by holding the blade with thumb and forefinger and throwing the handle open. This is not particularly secure, and I cut my thumb doing this one day with slightly oily fingers.

The open frame can be a bit of a nuisance to clean, which may or may not matter, depending on what you cut with it.

I'm not planning on replacing it anytime soon.
 
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