Need a decent cheap knife

[25cschaefer]

I am going to Germany in December and the only knives I own are autos or big. Germany says the blade has to be less than 8cm (little less than 3.5in) one sharpened side and assisted open is kind of a gray area. I like liner locks that I can flick open with my wrist but back lockers and thumb open are fine. I want a knife that wont break if I have to use it, I wont care if it gets confiscated and I wont mind keeping around if it doesn't.

Also, no serrated, pocket clip and less than $25.

Thanks

 

[Devonai]

Gerber has a few selections that meet your criteria. I got mine at AAFES, do you have the chance to visit one before you go?

 

[Dutchman195]

I am a fan of Gerber and CRKT. I carry a CRKT M14. little over your price range but worth it. I bought it off Amazon, but here is a list with some prices:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...x=aps&hvadid=7898992299&ref=pd_sl_jlu168hl5_b

 

[hso]

Why not just buy one when you get there and you'll have a souvenir to bring back?

 

[Bobson]

Gerber has a few selections that meet your criteria. I got mine at AAFES, do you have the chance to visit one before you go?

AAFES is only for military members, so unless OP is active duty, reserve, or retired military (or a dependent of someone who's one of the three), he can't shop at one.

 

[Devonai]

I assumed the OP was military by his handle. I could be wrong. MOS 25C: Radio Telephone Operator.

 

[sixgunner455]

Spyderco Tenacious. If that blade is too long, they have a similar, shorter one, but I can't remember the name of it.

Otherwise, buy one when you get there - get a Puma or something German.

 

[blarby]

Spyderco endura.

buy it there, save yourself the airline hassle.

Stuffing it in your checked bag is very likely to leave you knifeless in the field...

 

[zhyla]

Spyderco Tenacious. If that blade is too long, they have a similar, shorter one, but I can't remember the name of it.

Spyderco Ambitious. $21 from Amazon. Bought one for a relative recently, heck of a knife for the price.

 

[Piraticalbob]

+1 on Spyderco Ambitious. I have one clipped to my pocket as we speak. Blade only 2.25". Great knife.

 

[T.R.]

M Tech makes good knives that hold an edge well. I bought mine off Cutlery Corner.

TR

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Get a French Opienal when you get there.

 

[Magoo]

CRKT Drifter. $15 or so. Heckuva knife for the money.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Another vote for The Spyderco Ambitious. I already own its big brother, the Persistence, and like that,too. I just had two of them delivered a couple days ago ( one's for my brother.) The Ambitious is an extremely "decent" knife, especially for this kinda money,and reviews are almost all very positive.
And at under $25, if it gets lost/stolen/confiscated, then you ain't all broken hearted.
I also got mine from Amazon, right now they're $24.89, which is 11 cents shy of getting you free shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Ambi...SDHO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322147131&sr=8-1

 

[25cschaefer]

Thanks for the options guys. I am currently in the inactive reserve and just got my new ID so I can visit the commissary in Stuttgart to buy big American steaks for Christmas dinner. So I think I might pop into the PX, knife prices where ridiculously cheap in Korea, I bought a Gerber Guardian Back Up for $15.

I am really liking the CRKT Drifter, it looks pretty thin and a lot of my buddies in the army had their M16 which seemed to be a decent knife unless abused. (I saw a guy climb a HESCO with two like one of those peg boards in high school.)

The Spyderco Ambitious looks thin as well and has alot of blade for a positive open. But I think I like the Tenacious better.

As for the M Tech, they look a little wider in the handle than I prefer.

25C is Radio Operator Maintainer, or "Hey commo guy." (usually followed by something about their cell phone not charging or "My computer is doing this thing when I do stuff.")

 

[MIL-DOT]

No worries, there is nothing "thin" about the Ambitious, it's a very solid knife. And, the Tenacious is nice, lots of folks love them,but I had one and found it to be larger and heavier than I wanted to drag around in my pocket all day, so I sold it to my brother who uses it at work, often opening large boxes. I later purchased a Persistence, which I think you should consider over the Tenacious, if you feel the Ambitious is too small.
Here's a You-tube comparison, of all 4 knives in the "Tenacious line"......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZtnecQoNzs

 

[ArfinGreebly]

PX

Also check to see if your PX carries the Buck Vantage line.

At PX prices you might be able to beat $30 for a Buck Vantage Select. Maybe $40 for a Vantage Avid.

Light, legal, sharp, durable, easy to open with one hand (thumb or flick).

 

[MIL-DOT]

I read good stuff about the newer Bucks ( and I have a couple older pocket knives from my grandfather buried somewhere).
If you can get something American made within your price range, I say "go for it".
And, the advice to buy something once you're in Germany is pretty solid,IMO.

 

[blackseven]

I'm looking for a knife myself for EDC and came across your thread. I just got back from Landstuhl three weeks ago and visited the "new" AAFES exchange at Ramstein. It's HUGE and they have a great selection of everything. Go there and pick up a knife.