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#284372 - 05/01/17 10:58 AM Best Sub $10 EDC Knives?
quick_joey_small Offline
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Registered: 01/13/09
Posts: 571
Loc: UK
Having previously depressed expensive fixed blade owners with a review of the $15 mora robust, I thought I"d get the folder owners out on the window ledge too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYSYoFDoh-E&index=100&list=PL873CAE980DDA64DB&t=23s

qjs

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#284375 - 05/01/17 12:25 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: quick_joey_small]
chaosmagnet Offline
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Registered: 12/03/09
Posts: 3819
Loc: USA
Good share.

Not having handled these knives, my first reaction is that a ~$10 knife is way, way better than no knife at all, and these look decent for inexpensive folders. Actually I'd be impressed at $25 or more for some of them.

Mora has had a long time to (in my opinion) perfect the inexpensive high quality fixed camp knife. I do think it's harder to do the same with a folder. I'd rather carry a Mora and a $100+ folder than a $100+ fixie and a ~$15 folder -- if the pivot or the lock fails on a folder I could be out a knife or a finger, where there's less to break on a fixie.

I'm looking forward to learning more about this company and their blades.

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#284386 - 05/01/17 02:13 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: chaosmagnet]
hikermor Offline
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Registered: 08/26/06
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Those do indeed seem to be a good bargain, but if I am carrying a folder, I have come to prefer a Leatherman Skeletool, since it incorporates good pliers and is a nice, compact package.

I find it ironic that Cold Steel touts their SRK (R for rescue) as essential for such operations, while I have never wished I had a larger knife in rescues. The blade I packed for nearly all my rescue operations was a SAK Tinker, kept nice and sharp. There were plenty of times when I fervently wished I had a good pair of pliers and I wound up packing such a tool....until the dawning of the L-tool era.
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#284388 - 05/01/17 02:22 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: quick_joey_small]
clearwater Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 03/19/05
Posts: 1177
Loc: Channeled Scablands
The best SAR knife is the one that is handy. People carry their $100 tools buried deep so they won't lose them, then when they need to cut a strap on a stokes, they waste time finding it.

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#284390 - 05/01/17 02:24 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: quick_joey_small]
Tjin Offline
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Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
In the Sub-10 dollar mark, also think of the Opinel's. Sharp, easy to sharpen, great quality, cheap and does look scary in any way. Just don't get them wet.
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#284391 - 05/01/17 02:35 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: clearwater]
hikermor Offline
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" when they need to cut a strap on a stokes, they waste time finding it."

Never had to do such a thing. We always preferred to untie our knots, so the strap could be used later.

But this begs a question. We all know that any "rescue" implement includes a seat belt cutter, so that the victim can be extricated from his hopelessly jammed seat belt. Most of my SARs were non-vehicular, so I have little experience with seat belt extrication. From those who have done such, just how common is a jammed seat belt and the need to slash quickly?

I suspect that the seat belt cutter is "SAR bling," more or less.
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#284394 - 05/01/17 03:09 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: hikermor]
M_a_x Offline
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Registered: 08/16/02
Posts: 1203
Loc: Germany
Originally Posted By: hikermor
... experience with seat belt extrication. From those who have done such, just how common is a jammed seat belt and the need to slash quickly?

I have done such quite a bit for several years and we had to open some car doors with hydraulic jaws. The number of actual slashed seat belts I did cut myself, witnessed or heard of was zero. That was not due to lack of cutting tools.
We did cut some seat belts in training but I guess that does not count in this context.
OTOH I regularly gave first aid courses and in about every third course there was a person with a friend who personally witnessed someone cutting a seat belt to save someone from a burning car that exploded shortly after. We did not try to verify the claims though wink.
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#284395 - 05/01/17 04:03 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: M_a_x]
hikermor Offline
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I would wonder if good EMT shears would not do everything a seat belt cutter would do and be more versatile in cutting clothing to expose wounds, etc.

Thanks for your real world imput...
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#284396 - 05/01/17 04:09 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: hikermor]
clearwater Offline
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Registered: 03/19/05
Posts: 1177
Loc: Channeled Scablands
Originally Posted By: hikermor
"

Never had to do such a thing. We always preferred to untie our knots, so the strap could be used later.



Maybe 'knot' have had to deal with rime or freezing rain with cold fingers and a medical emergency.

You must be one of those handsome SAR members, shirtless in the southern California sun, rescuing famous Hollywood starlets.


Edited by clearwater (05/01/17 04:16 PM)

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#284397 - 05/01/17 04:40 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: hikermor]
M_a_x Offline
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Registered: 08/16/02
Posts: 1203
Loc: Germany
In training we tried cutting seat belts with good EMT shears as well. The shears did a far better job. They also where superior to knives. I doubt that this would change in real world scenarios.
Newbies tend to struggle when trying to cut a seat belt with the seat belt cutter without prior instruction on the technique. It is hard to do if you try to cut at a right angle.
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#284398 - 05/01/17 04:45 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: clearwater]
hikermor Offline
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Originally Posted By: clearwater


You must be one of those handsome SAR members, shirtless in the southern California sun, rescuing famous Hollywood starlets.


Only in my dreams....Actually did most of my SAR in southern Arizona (Tucson) and we were usually dealing with the usual stock in trade, 17-24 year old males.

I do remember one victim though. The deputy read the description - "female, blonde over blue, 115 lbs" and the murmur of excitement that swept through the (mostly male) SAR group. I had to walk all night, tracking her for about six miles, but we found her. As always, it was profoundly satisfying to help someone in need..

I am now in SoCal, but you don't get many starlets on the Channel Islands, except for Santa Catalina.

So, J-I, if you are ever lost in the trackless wilds, you can count on motivated rescuers....
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#284405 - 05/01/17 09:20 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: M_a_x]
Tjin Offline
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Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
Originally Posted By: M_a_x
In training we tried cutting seat belts with good EMT shears as well. The shears did a far better job. They also where superior to knives. I doubt that this would change in real world scenarios.
Newbies tend to struggle when trying to cut a seat belt with the seat belt cutter without prior instruction on the technique. It is hard to do if you try to cut at a right angle.


Pull webbing tight and cut at about 45 degree does the trickfor me. What most people without training do is cut at 90 degree and loose webbing, well that takes forever...

For cars, seatbelt cutters build in to a rescue hammer with a proper mount, does seem to be the right tool for the job. Have not seen shears with a proper car mount yet...
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#284406 - 05/01/17 11:02 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: hikermor]
Mark_R Offline
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Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 863
Loc: Southern California
Originally Posted By: hikermor
I would wonder if good EMT shears would not do everything a seat belt cutter would do and be more versatile in cutting clothing to expose wounds, etc.

Thanks for your real world imput...


From what I understand, shears are preferred to hook knives, and very much preferred to conventional knives for cutting belts and clothes away. It's not a matter of jammed buckles, but getting to the buckle past the victim, airbags, and distorted cabin. It's just faster to cut the strap.

FWIW, I've only heard of two cases of jammed seat belt buckle. The first was a jeep that rolled over while off roading. The weight of the driver (~250 lbs) hanging from the belt was enough to jam the buckle. The second was a recall on a child seat. The various detritus from toddlers and preschoolers were enough to gum up the workings of the buckle.

Getting back to the OP, Opinels, some SAKs if you can find them on sale. Work knives (Stanley, Utica, Ontario, Murphy) can be had pretty cheap.

EDIT: If I had $110, I'd go for a $50 fixie and a $60 MT. Better two decent quality knives, then one really good one and one so-so one.


Edited by Mark_R (05/01/17 11:12 PM)
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#284408 - 05/02/17 04:51 AM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: quick_joey_small]
Phaedrus Offline
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Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3148
Loc: Big Sky Country
The list if pretty short if you're looking for a good knife for $10 or less. Depending on where you live, the local laws, how you dress, etc. and if you need a folder or can live with a fixed blade I can think of a few choices. For folders the Opinels are indeed very good knives. They have a variety of sizes in several different steels; the carbon ones take a very good edge. They lock securely and don't look tactical at all. Not easy to deploy one handed though. The Cold Steel Kudo is also a good option. It's a copy of the African Okapi and is somewhat on the large side for a folder (again, check your local laws). It's a bit 'quirky' to operate but very strong with a blade of decent steel.

For fixed blades you can get a Mora for right around $10 if you shop carefully. They're great knives for the money, maybe great knifes regardless of the price. The steel is good and they come shaving sharp (generally, it varies a bit). Lastly the Cold Steel Pendleton Lite is around $13 and sometimes it dips under $10 on Amazon. It's a screaming bargain if you can get it for that price. Last time it got down under $10 I bought five of them.
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#284415 - 05/02/17 01:25 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: Mark_R]
hikermor Offline
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Watching the Weather Channel this AM and they played a very dramatic video showing a passerby working to extricate two young children from a vehicle overturned in a stream. He shouts "a knife....I need a sharp knife" or words to that effect. Video is probably available from other sources as well.

It is always heartening to see total strangers responding to an emergency.
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#284416 - 05/02/17 01:42 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: Phaedrus]
hikermor Offline
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"Lastly the Cold Steel Pendleton Lite is around $13 and sometimes it dips under $10 on Amazon. It's a screaming bargain if you can get it for that price. Last time it got down under $10 I bought five of them."

Reading this I went immediately to the CS catalog and I note that the Pendleton Lite lists for $25. It must be produced in some sort of nondescript steel because there are other versions up to $149 in 3V, I believe. They all have pointy tips and (presumably) a sharp edge.

UST has a line of cheap knives, listing for all on $10. Does anyone have any experience with their stuff? I think they are relatively new and I haven't seen them in any stores yet.
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#284418 - 05/02/17 02:03 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: quick_joey_small]
LCranston Offline
2
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Registered: 08/31/09
Posts: 201
Loc: Nebraska
I have had good luck with Coast Knives. I originally started looking at the line for my 12 yr old boy scout, so I would get less upset when he lost them. I kept one to play with, and gave one to him.
I have carried it for the last 3 months with relatively few issues.

I picked up a blister pack with 2 LX236 for ~14.00, or 7.00 each.

lock back, hole in handle like spyderco 1/2 serrated.
Pocket clip.

Currently a similar model is at Home Depot (BX111) for 8.49.

It is no benchmade, or even a spyderco (ok, maybe a spyderco Byrd), but not too shabby. Clip caught on couch and bent, had to unscrew from knife to fix it, took 5 minutes.
It did NOT like cutting carpet, edge badly dulled in 2 strokes, but less than 2 minutes with a DMT had it cutting hair again.

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#284421 - 05/02/17 03:19 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: LCranston]
Tjin Offline
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Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
Originally Posted By: LCranston
I have had good luck with Coast Knives.


I remember having one of those years ago. First one was pretty good, second one (same model) was really badly build. Looked terrible and things didn't fit properly.
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#284423 - 05/02/17 07:02 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: hikermor]
Phaedrus Offline
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Registered: 04/28/10
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Originally Posted By: hikermor
"Lastly the Cold Steel Pendleton Lite is around $13 and sometimes it dips under $10 on Amazon. It's a screaming bargain if you can get it for that price. Last time it got down under $10 I bought five of them."

Reading this I went immediately to the CS catalog and I note that the Pendleton Lite lists for $25. It must be produced in some sort of nondescript steel because there are other versions up to $149 in 3V, I believe. They all have pointy tips and (presumably) a sharp edge.




I forget the steel, want to say it's Krupp maybe? It's not high end but quite serviceable. Holds and edge fairly wall and isn't difficult to resharpen. Looks I remembered the price wrong- it's more like $17 at Amazon. I have over 300 knives so it's hard to keep all the prices straight. blush
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#284424 - 05/02/17 08:40 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: quick_joey_small]
Mark_R Offline
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Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 863
Loc: Southern California
About KRUPP 4116. Medium carbon, fine grained, and corrosion resistant steel used in brand name German kitchen cutlery
http://www.zknives.com/knives/steels/steelgraph.php?nm=4116

I've had very poor luck with Coast knives, but the Milwaukee knives (~$15) from Home Depot are half decent. Steel is probably Chinese AUS6 equivalent.
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#284464 - 05/05/17 01:22 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: quick_joey_small]
Pete Offline
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Registered: 02/20/09
Posts: 1372
This is not fully consistent. Price is higher.

I happened to buy a Mini Tuff Lite knife from Cold Steel. These are great little knives. Quite small, but remarkably tough and strong. Very handy for a lot of daily chores. Could be used for srlf-defense, in a critical emergency.

But price is higher than $10. Worth it, though.

Pete

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#284474 - 05/05/17 03:17 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: quick_joey_small]
Treeseeker Offline
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Registered: 03/29/12
Posts: 189
Loc: California
I would not limit myself to $10 for an EDC knife. You need a quality, reliable knife. No skimping allowed.

Most of my life I have carried a Swiss Army knife Tinker model. In addition to 2 blades, you have several other tools that I find I use constantly. I use this knife every day. Highly recommended.

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#284477 - 05/05/17 03:48 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: Treeseeker]
hikermor Offline
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Registered: 08/26/06
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Loc: southern Cal
You are right on with a Swiss Army knife. I would only comment that if you add pliers, you have increased the functionality of the item considerably. Yes, I am a big Leatherman fan...

Knives, multitools, any item or gadget - typically there is a range from total junk to absolute perfection, or at least the appearance thereof, and the consumer can pick and choose where on the price/function scale to select an item. usually there is a "Goldilocks" item where price and value coincide, and it typically is well short of the high end. Sometimes the high end items have features that might be critical for specialized situations, but often the price is high because of "bling" and superficial features. It is not unusual to see knives selling for 30 times the price of a Mora. Do they really offer thirty times the value? I doubt it.

I think back to my grandfather, who was a very successful fisherman, consequently with a lot of fish to fillet. Every session began with a quick sharpening and stropping of the nondescript steel knives he used, followed by quick and adroit work. No problem at all with cheap knives.
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#284479 - 05/05/17 04:08 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: quick_joey_small]
Treeseeker Offline
Member

Registered: 03/29/12
Posts: 189
Loc: California
hikermor,

Quote:
No problem at all with cheap knives.


In that case maybe not, but those weren't EDC knives. When I was young and inexperienced, I went with cheap knives for EDC, and they rusted, wouldn't hold an edge, and broke or bent.

For an EDC, I think you need a better quality, but I would agree that you don't need high-end. You can get the Tinker for $20 at Target (with a sharpener).

I would also agree that pliers are nice to have, but a Leatherman probably weighs 3-4 times as much as a Tinker, so I don't EDC one. I do have one in my Go bag though.

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#284480 - 05/05/17 04:29 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: Treeseeker]
hikermor Offline
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The nice thing about L tools is that they are offered in a variety of sizes. Pliers are available on something like the PS4, which is on my key ring right now, through Juice and Skeletool models, up to the Wave, and beyond.

I really like the Skeletool - good knife and pliers, plus screwdrivers, all in an EDC appropriate size and weight. I most often use my PS4, which is a very good value.

And no, I am not a paid shill for Leatherman. No commercial connection, just a satisfied customer.
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#284484 - 05/05/17 06:56 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: Treeseeker]
AKSAR Offline
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Registered: 08/31/11
Posts: 1233
Loc: Alaska
Originally Posted By: Treeseeker
I would also agree that pliers are nice to have, but a Leatherman probably weighs 3-4 times as much as a Tinker, so I don't EDC one. I do have one in my Go bag though.

Originally Posted By: hikermor
The nice thing about L tools is that they are offered in a variety of sizes. Pliers are available on something like the PS4, which is on my key ring right now, through Juice and Skeletool models, up to the Wave, and beyond.

For me it depends on what I'm doing and where I'm doing it. If I'm someplace with lots of mechanical things to fuss with, I like having a multitool. If I'm out hiking the weight of the multitool becomes a factor, and in that situation a good knife is generally sufficient.

I generally always have a Swiss Army "Spartan" in my pocket attached to a Fenix E-01. In town I often also EDC a Leatherman "Kick", a discontinued model with just the basics (pliers, phillips and flat screwdriver, knife, can and bottle opener). If I'm hiking the Spartan is usually all I need (except for a tiny Gerber LST buried in the bottom of my pack for backup).

If I'm hiking with a stove and other such gadgets that might need fixing, besides the Spartan I might also carry a Leatherman Juice C2. It is a good compromise between having pliers hefty enough to be useful, but is still lightweight enough to carry when weight is an issue.

My problem with keychain sized multitools is just that...they are keychain size. At some point if you try to make a pliers too small, it just doesn't have the strength to do pliers type jobs. I also don't have much use for the bit driver kits on multitools. Seems like I always need a bit that is not in the kit.

That's my $.02 worth. Your experience and needs may vary.
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#284485 - 05/05/17 07:29 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: AKSAR]
Russ Offline
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Registered: 06/02/06
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The only keychain L-tool I own is an older Leatherman E-4, to which LM added scissors and now calls the ES-4. The wire strippers work quite well as long as the wire gauge isn't too big -- it handles up to 12ga iirc. Regular keychain size pliers are not that useful imo, small jobs only.

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#284486 - 05/05/17 07:37 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: AKSAR]
hikermor Offline
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Posts: 7705
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heap plenty good comments , Kemo Sabe...

I agree that the further from mechanized gadgets and their fasteners you are, the less likely you are to need various features. I usually leave my wave behind, taking a Skeletool and PS4. The skeletool is just about the weight of the original L-tool that I carried for years and retains about 90% of its functionality.

I hear you about diminutive pliers. My PS4 pliers actually function more like tweezers, although they are surprisingly capable. (Of course, I have big, string hands - just ask me). It wouldn't be perfect, but if all I had with me in the wild was a PS-4, I would not be unduly concerned. Rambo, of course,would be mortified.
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#284491 - 05/06/17 03:19 AM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: quick_joey_small]
Phaedrus Offline
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Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3148
Loc: Big Sky Country
It appears that I am guilty of replying to the header, not the video. blush grin For the record I don't have a single "EDC knife" but rather a metric crapload of knives that may or may not be carried depending on the circumstances.

First off, I'm pathologically averse to carrying a bunch of crap in my pockets! Generally I can tolerate one item in each pocket, and no more. My wallet must be in my back right, my phone in my front left, my keys in my front right with a flashlight also occupying that pocket but riding out the top with a pocket clip. If the pants I'm wearing have a large enough 'watch pocket' I'll carry my light there.

That leaves my back left pocket for an EDC knife. While I'm at work I have all my work keys on a carabiner along with an Olight I3E EOS (AAA light) and a Spyderco Dragonfly in HAP40. The blade is only 2" but it's razor sharp with staggering edge retention. Key is the fact that the whole shebang is just a few ounces.

Outside of work I will be carrying a larger folder in my rear pocket and an HK sidearm on my right side. That knife is generally one of three Spydercos- 1) Delica in VG10, 2) Delica in Super Blue (ie AoKo/Super Aogami), 3) Native5 in S30VN, or 4) Native5 in Maxamet. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool knife nerd and "steel geek" so my collection holds a lot of somewhat exotic stuff. I'll note that the VG10 Delica is a bit more pedestrian but it was the last gift given me by my father before he passed so it has sentimental value.

I find a knife essential in my day to day life and can scarcely imagine not having one. But a folder is sufficient for my needs. I am not trained in knife fighting so I will rely on H2H and/or a firearm for defense so my knife need not be tacticool.

When hiking or camping though I will carry more and larger knives. I like to have a large knife to baton wood for kindling in addition to a Silky saw (and a Fiskar's Splitting Axe when I can spare the weight).

I do have some cheap knives but I have more upscale stuff that I use in the field. Helle, Falkniven, Busse, ESEE, JK Handmade, Crashblades, etc. I took the $10 knife thing as a hypothetical challenge not something I'd necessarily rely on. True, a cheap knife can get the job done, but I like to play around with the swankier stuff.

I do have and use some multitools but it would be a rare circumstance when I'd have one on my as EDC.
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#284514 - 05/08/17 08:31 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: AKSAR]
Mark_R Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 863
Loc: Southern California
Originally Posted By: AKSAR
Originally Posted By: Treeseeker
I would also agree that pliers are nice to have, but a Leatherman probably weighs 3-4 times as much as a Tinker, so I don't EDC one. I do have one in my Go bag though.

Originally Posted By: hikermor
The nice thing about L tools is that they are offered in a variety of sizes. Pliers are available on something like the PS4, which is on my key ring right now, through Juice and Skeletool models, up to the Wave, and beyond.

For me it depends on what I'm doing and where I'm doing it. If I'm someplace with lots of mechanical things to fuss with, I like having a multitool. If I'm out hiking the weight of the multitool becomes a factor, and in that situation a good knife is generally sufficient.

I generally always have a Swiss Army "Spartan" in my pocket attached to a Fenix E-01. In town I often also EDC a Leatherman "Kick", a discontinued model with just the basics (pliers, phillips and flat screwdriver, knife, can and bottle opener). If I'm hiking the Spartan is usually all I need (except for a tiny Gerber LST buried in the bottom of my pack for backup).

If I'm hiking with a stove and other such gadgets that might need fixing, besides the Spartan I might also carry a Leatherman Juice C2. It is a good compromise between having pliers hefty enough to be useful, but is still lightweight enough to carry when weight is an issue.

My problem with keychain sized multitools is just that...they are keychain size. At some point if you try to make a pliers too small, it just doesn't have the strength to do pliers type jobs. I also don't have much use for the bit driver kits on multitools. Seems like I always need a bit that is not in the kit.

That's my $.02 worth. Your experience and needs may vary.


I EDC'd a V-nox Tinker for years before switching to a LM PS4. I've found that the pliers are worth their weight in gold, and I can get by with a peanut size blade if I keep it shaving sharp. Make no mistake that these are not heavy use knives. Heavier use means either adding a locking folder knife or a Deluxe Tinker depending on the requirements.
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#284515 - 05/09/17 02:26 AM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: Mark_R]
clearwater Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 03/19/05
Posts: 1177
Loc: Channeled Scablands
Just ordered a SAK walker, used to be called lumberjack, they are being made again, from amazon. About $16 shipped and has everything I need for EDC in the woods, but very small and compact in the pocket.

Saw
Knife
can/bottle opener/phillips/straight/wire stripper
tweezer
tooth pick

https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Walker-Pocket/dp/B01E414BDM


Edited by clearwater (05/09/17 06:52 PM)

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#284520 - 05/09/17 11:04 PM Re: Best Sub $10 EDC Knives? [Re: clearwater]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
A nice adjunct to any multi tool is some sort of small "sharpened pry bar"implement. I carry a County Comm widgy bar on my key ring and it is very useful for prying and scraping - the sort of tasks that will ruin the screwdriver blade on a multi tool. i don't use it every day, but when I need it, it works surprisingly well. There are lots of gadgets out there that will work as well - cheap enough that you can ruin them at no great loss.


Edited by hikermor (05/09/17 11:05 PM)
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