View Full Version : Under $50 EDC recommendations.
mattiooo
06-16-2017, 16:33
As much as I'd love to spend $150 or $200 (or more) on a high quality knife, I can't.
What would your recommendations (or stay way away froms) for a $50 budget.
Thanks,
Matt
hurley842002
06-16-2017, 16:36
I haven't bought an under $100 knife in awhile, but I've heard good things about the Spyderco copies, Bird I think is the name of the brand. CRKT is the last "cheap" knife I bought, they seemed to work well enough.
They don't come up for sale too often on here, but if you could spare an extra $40, that Zero tolerance 0350 that just sold on here was a great knife for $90.
Spyderco has some 55$ models w Chinese steel as well.
.40isthenew.45
06-16-2017, 16:45
Just slightly over your target price, but mine has been rock solid for the two years I have had it. It has been in the ocean several times and carried daily. It's light and solid, but as always YMMV
https://www.ebay.com/p/Kershaw-1870olblk-Knockout-Folding-Knife-With-SpeedSafe-Olive-Black/1025286262?iid=352060859074
Kershaw Knockout
70957
(https://www.ebay.com/p/Kershaw-1870olblk-Knockout-Folding-Knife-With-SpeedSafe-Olive-Black/1025286262?iid=352060859074)
sellersm
06-16-2017, 16:49
I think you can find the Kershaw/Emerson collaborator knives for around that price. Mine has been carried daily for a few years with no issues.
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I just got 2 of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-Tool-M16-13ZM/dp/B001H3QXHI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497653691&sr=8-1&keywords=crkt+m16+desert
It's light, flips open easily, and is sized right for my needs.
hurley842002
06-16-2017, 17:00
I think you can find the Kershaw/Emerson collaborator knives for around that price. Mine has been carried daily for a few years with no issues.
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I forgot about these, Sportsmans warehouse sells them, and priced in your budget.
newracer
06-16-2017, 21:09
I really like the Kersha Brawler.
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thedave1164
06-17-2017, 08:41
I just got 2 of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-Tool-M16-13ZM/dp/B001H3QXHI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497653691&sr=8-1&keywords=crkt+m16+desert
It's light, flips open easily, and is sized right for my needs.
I have one of those, FREAKIN SHARP!
Tip up left (off) hand deploy is a must for me.
In that regard, I like the SOG Flash II. I won't cry if I break or lose one (have not yet). The handle is pretty beat up from opening beer bottles too and it doesn't bother me one bit.
https://www.amazon.com/SOG-Flash-Assisted-Folding-TFSA98-CP/dp/B000BSZDRQ/ref=sr_1_1?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1497727706&sr=8-1&keywords=sog+flash+II&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011
blacklabel
06-17-2017, 13:54
I'm a big fan of the Kershaw Cryo and Cryo 2. They're well within your budget and well designed.
kidicarus13
06-17-2017, 16:04
+1 for the SOG Flash II
newracer
06-17-2017, 16:45
I also like the SOG Flash II.
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mattiooo
06-22-2017, 11:36
Thanks everyone for all your input. I had a knife I was really unhappy with. I bought it when it was on sale at Big 5. Initially I really liked it, but then I started carrying it. It had really rough edges all over and on the clip. Just kept chewing up my cuticles going in and out of my pocket for things.
Turns out that was the Kershaw Brawler.
There were so many great suggestions that I'm not sure where I'm going to go next. I'm liking the looks of the SOG that was most recently suggested, the CKRT, the Kersahw Knockout and the Kershaw/Emerson knives.
In the meantime, I got a Kershaw Freefall to tide me over. I have to say, I really like it because it fixes everything I didn't like about the Brawler. It's nice and smooth, even with the handle covered in Kershaw "K"s for grip. It feels much more tight, in a good way, than the brawler. Smooth going in and out of my pocket. Opens fast and locks tight. There is zero wiggle in the blade. The lock is barely protruding from the handle, but very easy to unlock. It was only $16 at Sportsman's Guide.
Any tips for loosening the tension on the clip? It's so tight it would hold if someone was being shaken upside down. Makes it a bit hard to rip it out quickly.
71006
sellersm
06-22-2017, 12:02
Nice looking knife you obtained!! For loosening clip tension, what I've done is take it off and "unbend" it a bit with some pliers until it's where I want/need it.
There's probably a better/cooler/more sophisticated way, but what I did suited my purposes... YMMV.
I haven't bought an under $100 knife in awhile, but I've heard good things about the Spyderco copies, Bird I think is the name of the brand. CRKT is the last "cheap" knife I bought, they seemed to work well enough.
They don't come up for sale too often on here, but if you could spare an extra $40, that Zero tolerance 0350 that just sold on here was a great knife for $90.
The Byrd knives are produced by a division of Spyderco, and represent an outstanding value. They are built in China, but in a facility Spyderco owns, on equipment they own, using materials they provide. The only thing that comes from China is the labor to push the buttons. I happen to be a dealer for them, and the most expensive knife in the line is about $80 retail, considerably less for forum members.
https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/category/byrd
mattiooo
06-22-2017, 12:57
The Byrd knives are produced by a division of Spyderco, and represent an outstanding value. They are built in China, but in a facility Spyderco owns, on equipment they own, using materials they provide. The only thing that comes from China is the labor to push the buttons. I happen to be a dealer for them, and the most expensive knife in the line is about $80 retail, considerably less for forum members.
https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/category/byrd
Nice, TFOGGER. Thanks for letting me know. What shop do you own? (Sorry for not knowing)
Nice, TFOGGER. Thanks for letting me know. What shop do you own? (Sorry for not knowing)
TFOG Wheelsports in Golden. We're a motorcycle shop, but also a Spyderco dealer for about 15 years.
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