Bigger Bang for Your Buck: One-Hand Folders

[ringzero]

This is my first list of "Bigger Bang for Your Buck" EDC items.  (Subsequent lists will cover SAKs and other slipjoints, small lights, and multis.)

These lists are for those among us who want functional, reliable EDC items that don't cost a whole lot.

Maybe you're a struggling college student.  Maybe you've been laid off recently due to the economic downturn.  Maybe you're just a cheap smurf, like me.

(I became a cheap smurf gradually over the years.  I used to buy and carry expensive items, but no more.  Too many nice knives and other EDC items have been lost or stolen over the years.  No longer will I EDC anything expensive.)

Nowdays there is a great selection of good quality, functional, yet inexpensive EDC items:
-Lots of SAKs and other slipjoints.
-Lots of one-hand folders.
-A few multis.
-A few lights.

This first list covers my great bang for the buck, one-hand-opening, folding knives.

A one-hand knife is the bare minimum of EDC that I never want to be without.

These four knives are models that I've owned for a year or more, and I have carried and used them extensively.  All have been used hard but not abused and they all have held up just fine.  All have been used to cut tree branches and vines, for whittling, making fire sticks, breaking down cardboard boxes, cutting rope, paper, plastic blister packs, etc.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of these four knives to anyone wanting a good but inexpensive one-hand knife for EDC.  All four of these knives are of good quality and offer good functionality at very economical prices.  Prices listed are what I paid, rounded to the nearest dollar but not including shipping or local taxes.

   

(1) Byrd Cara Cara G10 ($22 online)
Blade:    3.9 inch long, 1/8 inch thick, 8Cr13MoV steel, hollow ground
Handle:  4 3/4 inch long, 7/16 inch thick, G10 scales
Weight:  5.6 ounces

Good:
+Steel similar to AUS8 holds an edge suprisingly well and is easy to touch up.
+Strong construction with G10 scales and thick stainless liners.
+Lockback is very strong.
+Jimped choil at base of blade allows user to choke up on the blade for delicate cutting tasks.
+Choil at base of blade will prevent injury if lock would ever fail.
+Great ergonomic design with deep jimping at top and bottom of the blade aids retention during heavier cutting tasks and also works well for delicate tasks.
+Cara Cara's rather unusually shaped, hollow ground blade works very well for a wide range of cutting tasks.

Not so good:
-Fit and finish of the G10 scales is a little rough, but doesn't interfere with the functionality of the knife.
-The long, strangely shaped blade gives Cara Cara a "wicked" look that tends to scare non-knife people.
-For those who care, Cara Cara's blade length violates various state and local laws making it illegal to EDC in some places in the US.

Summary:  very strong folder that may be a little heavy for EDC, but it is ideal to carry whenever hard work is expected.  A whole lot of knife for the money.


(2) Byrd Meadowlark FRN ($19 online)
Blade:    2 15/16 inch long, 1/10 inch thick, 8Cr13MoV steel, hollow ground
Handle:  4 inch long, 3/8 inch thick, FRN scales
Weight:  2.7 ounces

Good:
+Steel similar to AUS8 holds an edge suprisingly well and is easy to touch up.
+Strong knife for its weight.
+Lockback is very strong.
+Jimped choil at base of blade allows user to choke up on the blade for delicate cutting tasks.
+Great ergonomic design with deep jimping at top and bottom of the blade aids retention during heavier cutting tasks and also works well for delicate tasks.
+Choil at base of blade will prevent injury if lock would ever fail.
+Decent fit and finish (better than my Cara Cara.)

Not so good:
-Meadowlark is just plain homely to my eyes.  A knife's attractiveness (or lack thereof) is a highly subjective matter, so the Meadowlark might be attractive to a dedicated Spyderco fan.

Summary:  a medium folder that is strong for its size.  Ideal for EDC and capable of handling some serious work.


(3) Kabar Dozier Spearpoint ($16 at local gun shop)
Blade:  3 inch long, 1/8 inch thick, AUS8A, hollow ground
Handle:  4 1/4 inch long, 3/8 inch thick, Zytel scales
Weight:  2.2 ounces.

Good:
+AUS8A steel holds an edge fairly well.
+Decent fit and finish (better than either of the two Byrds.)
+Strong for its weight.
+Lockback seems quite strong.
+Good ergonomics.
+Spearpoint blade and sleek utilitarian handle give this knife a simple, timeless appearance that to my eyes is very attractive.
+Classic spearpoint blade shape doesn't seem to frighten non-knife people.

Not so good:
-Lack of steel liners probably limits the ultimate strength of this knife, although it is more than strong enough for typical tasks.

Summary:  a medium folder that is ideal for EDC.  Simple design and classic lines make for an attractive, functional knife.  Very high value for the money.



(4) Boker Trance ($26 online)
Blade:  2.75 inch long, 1/10 inch thick, AUS8, flat ground
Handle:  3.8 inch long, 5/16 thick, FRN scale
Weight:  3.2 ounces.

Good:
+Knife came out of the box hair-popping sharp - could push cut a cigarette paper.
+Very good fit and finish (much better than the two Byrds.)
+Textured FRN handle scale feels nearly as grippy as G10 to my hand.
+Compact, flat handle and low ride clip are excellent for clipped pocket carry.
+Great ergonomics with jimping at top and bottom of handle for improved control.
+Very secure in the hand, it cuts like a bigger knife.
+Wide, flat ground 2 3/4 inch blade is capable of fairly serious cutting.
+Strong framelock gives a tight lockup with zero blade play.
+Ambidextrous opening using either thumbstuds or flipper.
+Flipper is handy for opening when wearing gloves.
+Very smooth action easily opens and closes one-handed.
+Jimped flipper and handle form a deep choil to aid retention.
+Flipper choil will prevent injury if lock were ever to fail.
+2 3/4 inch clip point blade seems to be less threatening to non-knife people.

Not so good:
-Jimped area on the back of the blade should be longer, to allow improved thumb purchase further down toward the tip.

Summary:  attractive, compact folder is ideal for EDC.  It's amazing that Boker can make and sell a knife this refined at a price this low.  Fit and finish, ergonomics, and overall functionality is the equal of knives costing two to three times as much (Spyderco Native for example.)

I know there are other great bang for the buck knives out there, but I don't own them so I can't review them.  If you own a one-hand-opening folder that cost $30 or less that you think is a great value, why not add a brief review to this thread?  Give the price, weight, blade length, etc.  Describe what you like about it and how it's held up in use.  Obvious candidates would be the Spyderco Tenacious and Benchmade Pika, and I'm sure there are others in this price range.

(I almost included my Victorinox OH-GAK on this list, because it is a one-hand-opening knife.  However, I decided to include the OH-GAK on the list of SAKs and slipjoints that I'm working on.)

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[zepla]

Nice list and good wright up 

[DaveK]

Great idea for a thread too.

[Gareth]

I like it.  I agree that the Cara Cara is a whole lot of knife for the money, a very good buy.

[duckman1975]

very good write up, wish it has pictures.

[ringzero]

very good write up, wish it has pictures.

Sorry about the lack of pictures.

I was all set to include pics of each knife, but something at Photobucket has changed.

Now, every single time I try to log in to Photobucket it crashes my browser!

So, I no longer have the ability to include pictures.

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[duckman1975]

very good write up, wish it has pictures.

Sorry about the lack of pictures.

I was all set to include pics of each knife, but something at Photobucket has changed.

Now, every single time I try to log in to Photobucket it crashes my browser!

So, I no longer have the ability to include pictures.

.

Still great write up, thanks 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Great post mate, and I agree with most of your sentiments too

[Benner]

Good thread idea mate. 

[cliosguy]

excelent wright up great idea too this will come in handy, thanks buddy

[I'm Still Bison]

I like your assessments,and especially that you included the Kabar Dozier,a greatly underappreciated knife in my book. I think there's going to be a lot more people thinking like you.

[ringzero]

I like your assessments,and especially that you included the Kabar Dozier,a greatly underappreciated knife in my book. I think there's going to be a lot more people thinking like you.

The Dozier Spearpoint is a great little knife - especially considering that it cost only 16 bucks!

Plenty good enough for EDC in my mostly urban day-to-day life.  It could also serve well for outdoors use, due to it's light weight.

For the same cash outlay, I'd rather buy 4 Dozier Spearpoints than one Spyderco Native.  (The Native is a superb knife IMHO, but offers way less bang for the buck.)

If I would ever have to abuse a Dozier due to exigent circumstances (prying or cutting against concrete or metal) I wouldn't feel so bad about it, knowing that I'd have a fresh replacement Dozier waiting back at home.  It's nice to have an identical backup if you lose or break your EDC.

Realistically - how often do you encounter a cutting task the Dozier Spearpoint can't handle?

Dozier Spearpoint lacks some of the refinement of the Boker Trance and it may be less strong than the Byrd Meadowlark, but it has better looks than either of those knives and its price is amazing.

.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Good to see you again Ringzero!  Good list too! 

Def

[ringzero]

Good to see you again Ringzero!  Good list too! 

Def

Thanks Def - good to see you again too.

I was hoping people would add their brief assesments of other economical one-handers to this list:
-Buck Vantage in 420HC
-Spyderco Tenacious
-Byrd Raven
-Benchmade Pika
-Kershaw Skyline
-Kershaw Needs Work
-etc.

If you own one of these knives, why not post your brief opinion of it?  Doesn't need to be a full fledged review.

Seems to be tons of decent quality but fairly inexpensive knives out there nowdays.

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[Grant Lamontagne]

I have a Pika- I got it in a trade with another forum member, and while it is nice, it doesn't really "do it" for me, but that has little to do with the knife itself, and more to do with me just not being all that interested in single blade knives anymore.

It does strike me as a modernization of the old BM Ascent/Eclipse series, which were the budget conscious versions of the old AFCK.  As I remember, the series were originally called Eclipse, then after a copyright infringement was discovered, they changed the name to the Ascent series.  Or it might have been the other way around, I can't remember.  It was waaaaayyyyy back in the mid/late 90's when tactical knives really hit their stride, and multitools and SAKs were looked at as mere toys.  In those days, if it didn't have a combo edge, it wasn't worth having, because a plain blade would bounce almost harmlessly off Thinsulate jackets, and we were all very conscious of being attacked at any moment back then.

I do like the Pika, and I take it out and play with it from time to time- it's pretty well pristine, and fits well in the hand.  Here are some pics of it next to some OH SAKs:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=344&Itemid=35

Sorry I don't have any more info on it...

Def

[ringzero]

I have a Pika- I got it in a trade with another forum member, and while it is nice, it doesn't really "do it" for me, but that has little to do with the knife itself, and more to do with me just not being all that interested in single blade knives anymore.
,,,

Thanks, Def - nice pics.  Benchmade Pika doesn't seem to get much love on the various forums I frequent.

My interest in always having a one-hand-accesible blade available on my person stems from a near death experience back in the day.

I was trapped in my car after a bad crash and couldn't get the harness to release.  My left arm just wasn't working at all and my right hand was covered in blood, making it hard to get a good grip on anything.

Had a slipjoint in my right pocket that I managed to get out but in my dazed condition I couldn't get it open.

Then my car caught fire...

Luckily for me, a good samaritan came to cut me loose and pull me out of my car.  He put out the fire with an extinguisher before it got completely out of control.

.
 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I can imagine that having an effect on you!

The Pika I think is one of the "cheap" Benchmades, I think they are "Red Class" or something, and not too many people join forums to show off their discount things!

It's a nice knife, and I like it, I just don't have much reason or desire to carry a single bladed folder these days when a Charge, Skeletool, OHT or other one handed folder does the job just as well, and many other jobs even better!

Def

[ringzero]

I can imagine that having an effect on you!

The Pika I think is one of the "cheap" Benchmades, I think they are "Red Class" or something, and not too many people join forums to show off their discount things!

It's a nice knife, and I like it, I just don't have much reason or desire to carry a single bladed folder these days when a Charge, Skeletool, OHT or other one handed folder does the job just as well, and many other jobs even better!

Def

Yeah, you may be right about the discount things.  Human nature I guess to want to show off the fancier, more expensive stuff.

The thing is, I love all of my knives, multis, flashlights, etc.  Even (maybe especially) the discount ones.

There's just something extra satisfying about finding an item that is fully functional and reliable, but at a low price.

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[Grant Lamontagne]

I couldn't agree more, which is why I am all about the SAKs and the multitools! 

To me, why pay $100+ for a single bladed folding knife when I could pay $50 for a couple of blades, pliers, screwdriver selection, woodsaw, can and bottle openers etc.

Def

[Leatherman123]

I completely agree with that, but I think of it a little differently.. The way I see it as a single blade has extremely limited usefulness; that's why I like LM Charge tools.. They have great blade steel AND a great tool selection!

[ringzero]

I couldn't agree more, which is why I am all about the SAKs and the multitools! 

To me, why pay $100+ for a single bladed folding knife when I could pay $50 for a couple of blades, pliers, screwdriver selection, woodsaw, can and bottle openers etc.

Def

You're totally right about that.

I really love my OH-GAK which cost only $29 from felinevet including shipping!

Probably the best 'bang for the buck' knife/mutli I've ever bought anywhere.  Everything I really need to have with me, except pliers.

If Vic would get their act together and offer a OHT version with a pocket clip, it'd be close to perfection.

The reason the OH-GAK isn't on this list is that I decided to include it in on my upcoming list of 'bigger bang for the buck' SAKs and slipjoints.

It offers so much more fucntionality that it didn't seem fair to compare it against these other one-hand knives.

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[Grant Lamontagne]

How about Micarta and a pocket clip? 





Sorry, couldn't help showing off a bit...

I am certain that the pocket clip on the OHT is coming, but Victorinox tends to be very conservative when rolling out new items, so they are only offering the pocket clip on the single bladed models initially, but I am certain once they catch on they'll be on the OHT next since it's their most popular 111mm knife.

Def

[cliosguy]

i hope, that would be AWESOME

[eodtech]

The new Spyderco Byrd #BY20 Wings is a multi-bladed pocketknife and that is where any similarity ends. It’s a medium sized folder offering the best of both worlds with two full-sized blades made of 8Cr13MoV stainless steel. The Sheepfoot-shaped blade is hollow-ground with 3- 3/8 inches (86mm) of serrated cutting edge. The Sheepfoot’s rounded tip has no point, suiting it well for puncture-free cutting. The second blade is a clip-point shape, also hollow-ground with 3-3/8 inches (86mm) of plain edge cutting surface for intricate and precise cutting. Combined together the blades pack over 6 inches of cutting power in a 5.4 ounce (152g) pocketknife. Each blade locks open independently with its own side-by-side LinerLock that is jimped (textured) along the locking lever for slip resistant lock engagement and disengagement. G-10 laminate handle stays grippy in the hand and its’ pocket clip carries 4-ways: tip-up/tip-down and left- or right-handed. The clip’s end is rounded, lessening wear and tear on a pocket. Includes a nylon belt-carry sheath with snap closure. Street price around US$30 +/-.

NOW ALSO AVAILABLE - The new Spyderco Wings SLIPIT  #BY21 is a non-locking folder in the Byrd line. Its bosltered stainless steel handle is fitted with G-10 scales, housing dual hollow-ground blades. One is Sheepfoot-shaped with 2-1/4 inches (57mm) of serrated cutting edge. The Sheepfoot’s rounded tip has no point, suiting it well for puncture-free cutting. The second blade is a Drop-Point plain edge blade also with 2-1/4” inches (57mm) of plain edge cutting surface for intricate and precise cutting. Each blade is made from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, with the two sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, opening smoothly in opposite directions with the help of phosphor bronze washers. For use with only one blade extended at a time. The handle has full-length skeletonized liners, screwed together construction and a 4-way: tip/up, tip/down left/right hand pocket clip. Street price around US$25 +/-.

[Benner]

Those slippy's are now available over here BTW for pretty fair money. 

[ringzero]

How about Micarta and a pocket clip? 

SNIP!
Gratuitous knife pr0n removed!
SNIP!

Sorry, couldn't help showing off a bit...

I am certain that the pocket clip on the OHT is coming, but Victorinox tends to be very conservative when rolling out new items, so they are only offering the pocket clip on the single bladed models initially, but I am certain once they catch on they'll be on the OHT next since it's their most popular 111mm knife.

Nice knife pr0n there, Def ;>

I've been sorely frustrated by lack of availability of replacement scales for the OHT line.  If the extra scales were available, I'd have long ago added a clip to my OH-GAK.

But, your post reminded me of the new clipped Vic knives...  The OH Sentinel is available in a clipped version, right?

Could I buy 1 OH Sentinel and 1 OHT and then just swap two of the scales?  Seems like I'd end up with a clipped OHT and a non-clipped OH Sentinel.  Any reason that wouldn't work?

.
 

[Anthony]

That's a great idea ringzero..anyone know how those clips are fastened to those single bladed Vics?

[ringzero]

That's a great idea ringzero..anyone know how those clips are fastened to those single bladed Vics?

Apparently it could be done, but it would require modding the clipped scale removed from the OH Sentinel, as it lacks the cutout for the Phillips implement of the OH Trekker.

Cutout for Phillips would have to be created in the OH Sentinel clipped scale by cutting, milling, or filing.

The OH Trekker scale would fit the OH Sentinel, but it would have the redundant cutout exposing a bit of the liner.

Wenger does use the same scale on their Ranger model with Phillips and their single blade Ranger, but Vic uses different scales.

.

[jzmtl]

Thanks Def - good to see you again too.

I was hoping people would add their brief assesments of other economical one-handers to this list:
-Buck Vantage in 420HC
-Spyderco Tenacious

Spyderco Tenacious $36

Blade: 3 3/8" long, 3/16" thick, 8cr13MoV, full flat grind.
Handle: 4 3/8" long, 7/16" thick, G10 with dual stainless liners.
Weight: 4 oz

+Good steel
+Full flat grind, easy to sharpen and cuts well
+Jimping on thumb ramp and lower liner
+Very thick liner lock, in fact it's rated as heavy duty by spyderco, right up there with lockbacks
+Clip can be mounted in all 4 corners
+Open back and screw construction for easy cleaning/tuning

-Has literally no tang, watch your finger while closing it one handed

Summary: Very good size for EDC, love it or hate it look as with most other spydercos. Fits in hand very comfortably.





Kershaw Storm I/II (I is the smaller one, II is the bigger one) $33~$38

Blade: 3" or 3.5" long, 14C28N, full flat grind
Handle: solid 410 stainless steel, with track-tec insert on front
Weight: 4.2 or 5.8 oz

+Strong frame lock
+Good steel, not as abrasion resistant as 8cr13mov but higher stability
+Okay jimping on spine, but the flipper will prevent lower finger from sliding forward
+flipper is fun to play with
+Open back construction and screw construction, easy to clean

-recurve harder to sharpen
-heavy
-clip can only be mounted right handed, and if tip up literally over 1/3 of the knife is sticking out of your pocket
-did I mention heavy, especially storm II?

Summary: Very strong full stainless construction folder. Storm I is pretty good for EDC but a little heavy, II is just too much for a 3.5" blade. Fits hand well.

[ringzero]

Spyderco Tenacious $36

Blade: 3 3/8" long, 3/16" thick, 8cr13MoV, full flat grind.
Handle: 4 3/8" long, 7/16" thick, G10 with dual stainless liners.
Weight: 4 oz

+Good steel
+Full flat grind, easy to sharpen and cuts well
+Jimping on thumb ramp and lower liner
+Very thick liner lock, in fact it's rated as heavy duty by spyderco, right up there with lockbacks
+Clip can be mounted in all 4 corners
+Open back and screw construction for easy cleaning/tuning

-Has literally no tang, watch your finger while closing it one handed

Summary: Very good size for EDC, love it or hate it look as with most other spydercos. Fits in hand very comfortably.





Kershaw Storm I/II (I is the smaller one, II is the bigger one) $33~$38

Blade: 3" or 3.5" long, 14C28N, full flat grind
Handle: solid 410 stainless steel, with track-tec insert on front
Weight: 4.2 or 5.8 oz

+Strong frame lock
+Good steel, not as abrasion resistant as 8cr13mov but higher stability
+Okay jimping on spine, but the flipper will prevent lower finger from sliding forward
+flipper is fun to play with
+Open back construction and screw construction, easy to clean

-recurve harder to sharpen
-heavy
-clip can only be mounted right handed, and if tip up literally over 1/3 of the knife is sticking out of your pocket
-did I mention heavy, especially storm II?

Summary: Very strong full stainless construction folder. Storm I is pretty good for EDC but a little heavy, II is just too much for a 3.5" blade. Fits hand well.

Excellent mini reviews, jzmtl!  Thanks for contributing these to the thread.  Both of these knives interest me.

IMHO, Tenacious is a fairly attractive knife and the price isn't bad at all for a knife that strong.

Similar in appearance to Byrd Raven, but with a stronger blade and lock than Raven.  Tenacious doesn't look awkward and ungainly like a lot of the Spyderco models.  (I know Spyderco makes great knives, but I'm put off a lot of them just by their looks.)

I wasn't really aware of the Storm - Kershaw has so many similar looking models nowdays that it's hard for me to keep track.  Reasonable prices, and the small one looks to have good potential for EDC.

.