First off, I'd like to say what a great place I think this is. Over the past few months I've learned so much that has really opened my eyes about a lot of things. One of the things I've realized is that I should really get a good EDC knife. I've done some searching on the board and found all sorts of opinions about various knifes but would like to hear some more. Since I'm a student, money is a little tight so I'm trying to keep anything I get under $50 (at least until I make some cash for the RSK Mk1). I figure that isn't so low that I wouldn't be able to find something half-way decent. I've pretty much narrowed it down to a Spyderco, SOG, or a KA-BAR. Since I haven't owned any of these, which brand would you regard as best and what models would be good for basic preparedness? Are the Spyderco knives difficult to open due to the lack of thumbscrew? My only requirements are the price and it be a folder with single hand opening capability w/ pocket clip. I hope my post wasn't too long. Thanks.

If I were you, I would go to a knife store and touch them all. Open them, close them, etc. Get a feel for them and let that help you decide. I knowe it sounds trivial, but sometimes the knife you think looks good, feels bad.

I second your post. A knife as a tool should feel right in your hand. Since we are all different, we do not all carry the same thing. But I believe that most on this forum will agree that their EDC knife "feels right" in their hand. Invest some time, then invest your money. You may be carrying this knife for years to come. And welcome aboard.

Welcom to the forum. You can put me down as a third agreeing on the feel. If you are in the east Tennessee area go by the Smoky Mountain Knife Works. SMKW

They carry all three brands you listed. If their prices are similar to the prices for Victorinox Swiss Army, you can expect about a 50% discount. They also carry models in the showroom that are not currently listed on the web page.

I wish I had the 1970s dollars equivellent of $50 buying my first knife. By all means save for Doug's RSK. The sales keep him a happy website owner <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But meanwhile NEVER ever think of any tool as 'decent' or somehow inferior to some wunder steel excalibur with a coded DNA locking mechanism so only you can open it. There are LOTS of GREAT knives out there for a piece of paper with that dead civil war general on it. And as for Spyderco? Those folks started the whole one handed opening feature with that thumbhole. Whatever you buy, don't forget to name and bond with it watching Rambo burn up calories running around the forest. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'd suggest a KaBar Dozier folding hunter, which you can pick up for $25, shipping including. I think you'd be very satisfied, and you could put the remaining $25 toward the fund for the next knife (there's always another one waiting to be bought).

I carry my KaBar Dozier as often as my Benchmades & Spydercos. Heck of a knife for the money.

I've always enjoyed dealing with the folks at New Graham Knives. Here's a link, should you feel like checking them out:

http://www.newgraham.com/

I carry a ritter knife everyday. One thing you might need to look into is the legality of carrying your knife where you live. This would include state, city and workplace regulations. I think it would be too bad if you didn't have it with you at the time of some emergency because you can't carry it everyday, the best survival knife is the one you have on you when trouble happens right?
For california i looked here:California Knife Laws

Another issue is the reaction people will have when you use it (if it's a nice knife, you will be tempted to use it). My old spyderco made people nervous when i would use it for opening boxes, eating lunch etc, something about that serrated edge. There are lots of stories on bladeforums about this, see http://bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=379247 The ritter is a lot less threatening looking and the wide blade makes a great cream cheese spreader. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The Kabar Dozier Spearpoint is a pretty nice knife for $20!!! I bought one for my new Boy Scout son as a "loosable" locking blade knife.

But honestly, my advice is to save up some beer money and/or make a deal with your folks to combine birthday & Christmas presents and then maybe add some of your own money to get the mini-Rittergrip for EDC. It really is a FANTASTIC knife!! You won't be sorry.

I have to very, very strongly recommend you give a Spyderco a shot. For a first knife, I would definitely recommend a Spyderco Delica 4. Spyderco makes GREAT knives, and the Delica is their most popular model. They just recently released a great new version of it, the Delica 4, which is a great upgrade over the previous versions. It is just under 3" long, with a VG-10 blade. For the price, (~$40), you will not find a better knife. It holds a great edge, and is VERY sharp right out of the box. It is also very durable, with a strong lock. I've carried a Delica for years, and it has seen a LOT of abuse, and it is still going just as strong as day 1.

If you don't like the looks of the Delica, at least check out some of their other models. The quality of their knives is top notch, they have a great warranty, and you can even stop by their forums (www.spyderco.com) and have a chat with the owner of Spyderco, Sal Glesser.

Roger that one. The only things I'm less likely to buy without trying on would be shoes or a suit.