Yesterday I posted about a couple of hand tool upgrade recommendations, as a way to gauge interest in a Holiday 2019 tool gift guide. It was a fun post to write up, and I have been enjoying your feedback and comments.
Today, I came across another EDC knife deal, and instead of just another deal post, I challenged myself to create a quick gift guide offering a couple of inexpensive knife recommendations.
It’s easy to recommend pricier knives, folding knives with $75+ price tags. But for under $50? That’s tougher. Under $30? This is a great starting point for one’s first “real” knife that’s separate from utility knives of whatever a multi-tool is equipped with.
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EDC, or everyday carry, is a broad descriptor for pretty much any knife that you could or would carry in your pocket, tool bag, or car. These knives aren’t strictly for carrying either, you could keep them in an office or workshop drawer.
Please let me know what you think of these recommendations, and if you have any suggests, requests, or ideas for the next Holiday tool gift guide chapter!
Kershaw Scallion (Olive Green Handle)
Right now, Kershaw Scallion knives are on sale, and for some reason this green-handled version is a couple of dollars less. There’s a nylon-handled version for a little less, but the anodized aluminum has a great feel to it.
The Scallion is a smaller knife, with 2.4″ blade. It features a 420HC stainless steel blade, liner lock, anodized aluminum handle (there are also stainless and nylon versions), and SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism.
Kershaw says the Scallion is a:
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Great companion for anyone in need of a compact and reliable EDC- hunter, backpacker, gardener, hiker, hobbyist or angler.
That’s pretty accurate. This is a great compact knife for about as cheap as they come, and it’s made in the USA.
Other colors are on sale at the moment too, but for ~$36.
Price: $29
Buy Now via Amazon
See Other Scallion Colors on Sale
Leatherman KB and KBX Folding Knives
I’m a big fan of Leatherman multi-tools, and am especially fond of their Skeletool multi-tools.
These Skeletool knives are also pretty easy to recommend. They’re slim, lightweight, and comfortable to use.
The Skeletool KB and KBX knives feature 2.6″ blades made from 420HC stainless steel, and they weigh just 1.3 oz. The knives lock in place with a liner lock, and also feature a dual-use pocket clip that doubles as a bottle opener.
The KB has a plain edge blade and the KBX has a partially serrated blade.
These knives aren’t on sale, $25 is their everyday price and a good value. As with other Leatherman tools, you get a 25 year guarantee.
Price: $25
Buy Now: Plain Edge Blade via Amazon
Buy Now: Partially Serrated via Amazon
See Also: Skeletool Review, Skeletool CX Review
Mora Craftline Fixed-Blade Knife
We talked about Mora Companion knives the other day. The Mora Craftline knives are similar, but a little smaller.
There are Pro and Basic versions, with the Pro featuring a slightly taller blade. The length is the same – 3.6″.
While Mora knives are often considered for outdoors use, they are also very popular as work knives.
Keep in mind these are fixed-blade knives.
It’s a great bargain for what you get – a well-made (in Sweden!) and comfortable-use knife for under $10.
Price: $8-$10
Buy Now: Craftline PRO, Carbon Steel via Amazon (as shown)
Buy Now: Craftline Pro, Stainless via Amazon (blue and black)
Buy Now: Basic, Stainless Steel via Amazon (lowest price)
Buy Now: Basic, Carbon Steel Blade via Amazon
Ruike P801 Frame-Lock Knife
Anthony reviewed the Ruike P801 folding knife for us, describing it as “the new king of budget blades.” Indeed, he was right. I ordered one for myself, and was impressed that they can give you a smooth-action flipper and frame lock knife for $30. Right now, it’s a little less on Amazon even.
The P801 has a 3.5″ blade, making it the longest folding knife discussed here today.
Price: $28
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via BladeHQ
Gerber Paraframe I
I have a soft spot for the Gerber Paraframe I knife, as it was one of my first “real” knives. I bought it about 14 years ago. I couldn’t decide between this and another inexpensive Gerber, and so I bought them both. I still remember the sting to my wallet, but the Paraframe was reliable and useful.
Mine is the partially serrated version, and I don’t remember carrying it at all, this was an apartment/office knife. I later purchased a Paraframe II on sale, but didn’t like it as much – it was too much larger and a bit stiffer.
The Paraframe I has a 3″ blade and liner lock. Its skeletonized frame has polarizing aesthetics, but I liked it.
Price: $16-20
As a reminder, you are responsible for knowing your local knife laws before buying or carrying any pocket knife. Here’s a good resource to start with. Assisted opening knives are sometimes mis-categorized and misinterpreted. When in doubt, full-manual knives under 3″ are the safer choice.
Adam
For the money, those Mora knives really are great. I bought one the last time you posted for general use and would gladly take another so I have one for carving. $9 well spent.
Blythe
The title for the Mora section is spelled More, just fyi
Stuart
Thanks! *Fixed*
Koko The Talking Ape
(sigh) It used to be that 440C steel (not A or B) was considered good enough. Now it seems like 420HC is the new norm.
Maybe that’s okay for a multitool, but for an actual knife, I wouldn’t get a 420HC from anybody other than Buck, who seem to have figured out how to harden it into something serviceable.
Tom D
What exactly does moving to a knife such as the above get you over something like a multi-tool with blade?
Stuart
Faster use, greater comfort, better ergonomics.
I was lured by a Kershaw Leek (review here: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/kershaw-leek-knife-review/%3C/a%3E%29 and it changed my views and usage habits.
Not everyone needs a pocket knife or to get into “EDC.”
I think either of the Skeletool knives would be good “exploration” knives to see if it’s worth it for someone to use more than the blade built into their multi-tool.
The Scallion would be my second choice, and maybe the Ruike a third.
Apparently I wrote about buying the Leek, before it became my “gateway” knife. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/kershaw-onion-leek-pocket-knife/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Michael
Personally I would have put the Ruike first
Stuart
These are in no particular order.
jobo1004
Ontario Rat Model 1 or 2 in AUS-8 if you want to stay $30 or under. I’d probably spring for an extra $10 to get it in D2 though.
Tyler
I’ve been using the Ruike P801 Frame-Lock after receiving it last year for Christmas. So far it’s been a great knife, but the pocket clip snapped in half about 6 months ago. It took a bit of back and forth emailing to get a warranty replacement. I never got a confirmation that it would be replaced, but a replacement clip randomly showed up in my mailbox one day. Even with my clip issue I continue to recommend it to everyone.
Lloyd Worley
Thoughtful of you to include a reminder to be aware of local knife laws. My personal experience is that I have had more issues with workplace rules than local laws. Had to remove the blade from a Leatherman once to remain “workplace compliant”, lol!
PAntonvich
I’ve been carrying the Leatherman CS (PS for traveling) on my key chains for years and use them all the time. Lately I’ve started carrying a$7 pocket knife from horror freight (the clip is unusable as it’s so tight that it’s impossible to slip on or off a pocket). Two weeks ago I bought the dewalt xmas set of knifes for $14 – the HF is so much better..
After reading this post got the Leatherman KBX – smaller, lighter plus the clip actually works with out ripping your pants. But now I have to order another KBX as my wife wants one as well….I tried to pass off the HF to her but she said it was too heavy – lol
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Stuart
mwahahaha My job here is done. =)
Patrick
I know it’s double the price range, but have you had your hands on a Civivi Elementum?
Stuart
Not yet, but I might explore the WE Knives budget brand in 2020.
Patrick
What do they have that you consider ‘budget’ knives? Is there something <$100 USD in the pipeline?
Oleg K.
I still think that Milwaukee Hardline are the best EDC knives you can get for the money, nothing else comes even remotely close in my experience, not even ColdSteel, with their cheap s35vn knives that look good, cut well and are made with superb steel but aren’t nearly as nice to use on daily basis as Milwaukee Knives. I’ve owned the same Milwaukee Hardline knife for years now, got it the first day they were available and it never let me down! It’s easy to sharp, doesn’t rust easily, is reasonable light and, most importantly, is very well made… So multiple drops and other environmental impacts that would surely destroy a lesser knife are of no significant importance when using Hardline.