Inexpensive knife ideas

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bratch

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I'm getting bags for Christmas and will be putting some kits together. One will be a Med kit that I will take with me when I travel and attend classes, the other will be a road bag for when I go out of town for work. I'd like to get a knife to leave in each bag. I EDC a Zero Tolerance 350 and a Kershaw Chive so the new knife would be backup or get used if I didn't have my EDC knives.

These will see normal cutting chores. The one in the med kit would open bandage, cut guaze, etc. The other would open boxes and packaging, just normal day to day activities.

I'd like a blade in the 2-4" range probably around 3". One hand opening with a lock. Prefer made in the US not concerned with blade or handle material. I'd like stay in the $20-$40 range but want a decent knife not a flea market special.

Any suggestions?
 
Walmart has a plastic handled partially serrated folder with a 2 3/4" blade for $1 and it's not as bad as you might think. It comes sharp, holds an edge on par with the average $20-$30 folder, and doesn't just fall apart with use. It does feel a little light and shouldn't be used for heavy duty jobs or prying but it's great for opening packages and letters, eating an apple, etc.

*edit to add: The brand of the knife is "Ozark Trail"
 
I'd suggest a Swiss Army Knife of some sort - maybe one of the new "issue" models if you really want one-hand opening. I've found models with scissors to be useful with med kits, so that's something else to consider.

Not made in USA, but high-quality, high-value & useful.
 
My roommate bought this Kershaw from Knife Center for $15.00. He has been very happy with it and it is his work EDC over a couple of other much nicer and more expensive knives. I like it, but do not own one.

Kershaw Half Ton

Stepping it up a little in price, I have had a chance to carry and use a Spyderco Tenacious for a few weeks now, and I have been nothing but impressed with it's quality and construction. It is a touch over your price range, but only by about 4 dollars. After using one, I am with a whole raft full of other people that think it is about the best "cheap" knife there is.

Tenacious

Whoops! I glazed over the made in the US part. Well, by god, I have a suggestion there too! The Buck Vantage in 420HC is made in the USA and is a steal at $25.00. It would be behind the Tenacious on my list on account of the superior G10 handles that Spyderco uses, but I like this knife well enough that I am buying another one. I now have about 5 different knives that I carry depending on my mood that day, and this is definitely one of them. Also, this has a flipper. I am normally not a big flipper fan, but Buck's works as advertised, and it is a nice feature. There is a smaller version of this knife that is about 6 bucks cheaper.

Buck Vantage
 
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The one in the med kit would open bandage, cut guaze, etc.
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That's what the shears are for.

US made and inexpensive are about mutually exclusive when compared to a simple Mora. $20-$40, US made and "decent" make it even more difficult.

Look at Buck, Bear, Case, KaBar, Old Hickory, Queen, or Tops for US made by US companies making decent knives available for under $40.
 
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Moras, Opinels.

... i myself got surplus german army knives.
Paid like 4$ per piece. Bought 10.

i keep them everywhere :) and they´re great tools.

( and +1 on HSO with the shears. Being hurt and on adrenaline is not good ... use those nonpointy shears )
 

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Back when I started in the fire/ems service over 30 years now. God am I old. The first knife I bought was a Buck 110 and I still have it today. A little worn looking but still holds an edge. I also +1 on Medic shears I carried them as soon as they were available and they will actually cut a penny in half so for 3-4 bucks you can't go wrong. I had recently added this little folder to my collection and I like it a lot. Very sharp and I paid 20 bucks at amazon.




31Hxd4q6q0L._SS500_.jpg
 
I didn't include the Kershaw because they're a wholly owned division of Kai Corporation (Japan) and many of their knives are not made in the US (China). I also didn't include a favorite of mine, Spyderco, which is a US company that has always had the majority of their knives made in Japan, but has some made here as well. Gerber is a US division of Finnish Fiskars and they have knives made in Japan, Italy, China AND the US.
 
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Spyderco Tenacious and- soon - Ambitious would be my first choices for inexpensive quality knives. Not made in USA, but better knives than most that are.

J
 
My Kershaw OD-1 model 1775 was Made in USA and cost about $40.

It has pros and cons versus my departed Taiwanese Dozier Designs Ka-Bar but is domestic make.
 
Thanks guys keep them coming.

I have a set of shears for the med kit. I'm assuming there will be times when a knife might be handier than the shears but I could be wrong.

For the past year or so I've been activley trying to support US businesses with my dollars when given the oppertunity and the products are of an equal or greater quality. However if the superior products in my price range are not domestic I will look at what is best.
 
Ignoring the US made part and the lock, I recommend two Vic Swiss Army knives (SAKs). Choose one with a sissors for the med kit and one with some basic tools that you prefer for the "out of town" kit. For the price, they are hard to beat.

On the US made side, I guess I would suggest a couple small Case knives. I buy Case knives and I'm quite fond of them for using knives along with the SAKs.
 
Kershaw "Needs Work"
Gerber.....don't know the model....but uses a Stanley utility knife blade. I have one...use it daily...it is a cuttin' fool, and only about $12. Folds up compact, has a clip for pocket carry, linerlock. Everyone should have one of these for sunvisor or toolbox or EDC they are goooood.
 
I'm assuming there will be times when a knife might be handier than the shears but I could be wrong.
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If you go to some emergency aid courses you'll find that rushing with a knife to do what you can do with EMT shears almost as quickly just isn't worth the inherent risk. Every aid kit should have a small knife, but it won't be used for first aid typically.
 
If you go to some emergency aid courses you'll find that rushing with a knife to do what you can do with EMT shears almost as quickly just isn't worth the inherent risk. Every aid kit should have a small knife, but it won't be used for first aid typically.
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I agree I wouldn't imagine using the knife the cut away clothes or work next to skin. Like you said every kit needs a small knife.
 
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