(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best hunting equipment

You're asking a very broad question while looking for specifics, making it very hard to pinpoint an answer. I'll give my advice on bug out bag items.

The bag itself - Should be a solid backpacking bag. Keep it light enough that it's manageable. For a very fit individual, the max weight should be your body weight divided by 3. Most of us are not that fit, so adjust accordingly. It should have hip support, well stitched straps, several compartments and a way to attach things to the outside (molle webbing, carabiner loops or exterior straps). Should be weatherproof.
Water - Depends entirely on your location. I live in Canada - Land of lakes and rivers. I wont need to carry a ton of water all the time. I've got a sawyer squeeze as my primary water filter. The collapsible water bottles it comes with work great for water storage as well. Wife and daughter carry a lifestraw as backups. We have some iodine drops as well.
As far as water carrying devices go, i find nalgene bottles work great. Theyre light and strong, and come in various sizes. A canteen is great if you want to use it to cook over a fire. Its not a bad idea either to have a large (5 litre+) collapsible water container. They're plastic and light. I havn't used mine extensively enough to recommend.
Sharp Things - I've got a Kabar as my primary fixed blade. It's tried and true. Good metal, full tang. I've got a leatherman wave multitool. Carry it everyday on my belt. Super handy. I should really add a 3-4" folding knife to my pack as sometimes the kabar is too big, and the multitool is hard to clean.
I also carry a Cold steel shovel. I looked into folding shovels, and they didnt seem reliable. Moving parts means they're more likely to fail. I haven't used this one extensively, but the few times i have tried it, its done an excellent job. If your pack's too heavy, put this one in your car.
Food - Your typical protein bars, dried rice/bean mix, snickers, small jar of PB, oatmeal and dehydrated fruit. A small bit of olive oil packs a ton of calories and adds flavour. It's good to have a small container of salt and pepper, or other spices to add flavour. You can grab MRE's or those mountainhouse dried meals, but theyre expensive. If you regularly buy pepperettes or jerkey, stick some in your bag and rotate it out when you buy it next. Multivitamins can keep you up if youre not getting a ton of food, but dont rely on them. Bring any meds you need, as well as tylenol or aspirin.
Hygiene - Pack a couple rolls of TP. Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant (chuck if too much weight), wash cloth, soap, soap for clothing, feminine products (if applicable), couple garbage bags (can separate dirty clothes), wet wipes, lip balm, hand sanitizer. Sun screen and bug spray in small bottles.
Clothing - Carry at least 7 pairs of good socks. Some warm ones if the location's cold. Extra shirts, underwear are essential. Pants/shorts and sweater are optional (besides whatever you're wearing). Stick your clothing in a waterproof sack. Try to keep only clean, dry clothes in there (no airflow + damp = mold).
-Paracord and rope
-Carabiners
-Sewing kit
-Tent patching kit (if you have a tent or a tarp)
-Tarp (who saw that coming). Doesn't have to be massive. Just know how to set it up to keep you dry.
-Fire Source. Have many. Lighters are cheap, stash away a bunch (7?). The lighter leash is awesome. You should be able to find that cheap at a corner store. Storm matches, for when its rainy. I think these are what I got. You can light them in any weather, put them under water, and they'll still be lit. Not a bad idea to carry regualr matches in a waterproof container. Firestarter packets are great. I just soak cotton balls in Vaseline. Flint and steel is cool, but only useful if youve exhausted all other fire starting methods.
-Super Glue
-Safety pins
-Zip ties
-Light. Hand crank flashlight is awesome. If you have a battery powered one, carry spare batteries. The mini maglite has a belt holster. Those small LED flashlights are great too. Grab a few glowsticks.
-fork and spoon
-emergency blanket or emergency sleeping bag. Only useful if you're SOL.
-poncho
-sleeping bag for your location. If its warm you don't need this. Can use a hammock or sleeping pad. Try and keep these small as they take up a ton of space.
-Compass. Useful if you have a map.
-Map of your location/where youre going.
-Signal mirror and a good whistle.
-Fishing supplies. I've got an emmrod. You can put a fairly small cheap reel on here. I've got the shimano ix2000. It casts a pretty good distance. Hooks, weights, bobs etc. Can all fit in small waterproof containers or camera film containers. Dont forget line! Mines already on the reel. A fishing vest gives you lots of little pockets to keep things in arms reach.
-First Aid kit. There's extensive lists online depending on how large you want it. Some gauze, band aids, polysporin, burn cream are a good start. Try and build it yourself, don't buy the gimmikey premade ones. Keep yours in a waterproof Tupperware container.
-Tiny roll of Gorilla Tape
-Games. Some dice and a deck of cards go a long way. Don't underestimate the value of laughter. If a sudden collapse ever happens, these might save you from depression.
-Headlamp. I've got this rayovac one (i think). Seems easy on batteries and has lasted a few camping trips. Haven't put serious use on it tho.
-Eating equipment. A mug and a small plate go a long way. A folding pan goes a long way, but is heavy. I would love to learn to use a pressure cooker over fires.
-Handkerchief or travel kleenex
-Bandanas. 3 of them.
-Bungee cords can be useful, but they run the risk of snapping and taking out an eye.
-Ziplock bags are handy. Keeps a lot of small things organized and dry.
-Pencils, Pens, notepad/book, sharpie.
-Hatchet is useful, but heavy. Take one if you can. The sven saw is awesome and hasn't broke on me yet.
-Spare pair of glasses (if applicable)
-Some sort of firearm is almost necessary. I don't have one yet, but i was planning on a 10/22 takedown. It's small and easy to pack. Bullets are light. If you need more stopping power than a .22, you're in a heap of trouble. Guns are not my specialty (can you guess), so ill leave it up to you
-In lieu of a firearm, you could grab a crossbow. If that's still too much, a good slingshot will do great.
-phone booklet and address's. In case your phone craps out and you cant charge it.
-A small windable clock is great. A solar watch is better. I think thats the one i have.

All this stuff is useless unless you know how to use it. Do your research, take some courses. Learn the necessary skills to survive, because that's what's really necessary. I like Les Stroud's (survivorman) book Survive!. Learn to tie knots, fish, hunt, forage, fight, build a fire in all conditions, etc.
If you have questions on the use of any of the above items, ask away. Any advice or suggestions, I welcome those too.

Alright, sounds good. A very basic recommendation would be a Spyderco Endura, which is a great knife in VG-10 stainless steel. In this steel you should occasionally oil your blade, but that's really it. If that looks too big, the Spyderco Delica is the same knife, essentially, but smaller. Another good Spyderco would be the Spyderco Stretch, also in VG-10. All three of these have strong back locks.

For a slightly more expensive knife, the Spyderco Manix 2 comes in 154CM stainless steel and a hard-use ball bearing lock.

The Benchmade Griptilian comes in 154CM stainless steel and has the second strongest lock on the market on it- the axis lock. There's also a version with a thumb hole instead of a thumb stud.

The Buck TM Vantage Pro comes in S30V stainless steel- one of the better steels available up until the $150 mark- but only costs about $60, and is by far the cheapest knife of its size available in S30V.

The Kershaw Blur in S30V is an amazing assisted knife in good steel. The Kershaw Junk Yard Dog is a great folder in a composite of a couple of good steels.


The Zero Tolerance 0700 is kind of funny looking but a solid knife in S30V.

So far, all of these are within your price range. Now, I'll move up just a bit and double it- you're now looking at a $200 range.


The Manix 2 XL in S30V is one of the strongest folders out there. It's definitely a hard-use knife and will survive a hell of a lot.

The Benchmade 275 Adamas is probably the strongest folder in existence. It's in D2 tool steel and has an incredibly robust axis lock that was beefed up to take more damage.

The Spyderco Caly 3.5 in ZDP-189 steel is an incredible knife in fantastic blade steel. I wish they made more things in it, I really do.

The Spyderco Techno is a bit smaller but will certainty last nonetheless.

The Spyderco Sage in S30V will do it for ya, that's for sure.

I'd love me some Benchmade Emissary in S30V.

The ZT 0350 is a folding tank.

All of these knives will last for whatever you want to do with them. Some are too heavy to reasonably EDC, like the BM Adamas and the ZT 0350, but others, like the BM Griptilian, are perfect EDC knives.

If you have questions on any of the knives I've linked or about their care and maintenance, feel free to ask.

So in my mind, the basics of an EDC are a knife, a flashlight, a pen, and a notebook. Depending on your preference/level of preparedness, though, multitools are great, a gun is convenient if you're in a dangerous place with any regularity, and a first-aid kit can literally be a lifesaver.

So for the basics I'd recommend:
Knife: a Kershaw Leek or Scrambler. The Leek is smaller, more discreet, very light, and razor sharp. The Scrambler is considerably more robust, has a longer blade (3.5" vs. 3"), but weighs more as well. Both can be found in Kershaw's "Blackwash" finish, which I like both for the feel and for the added rust and scratch resistance. Both are also spring-assisted, which is legal in a lot of places, but check your local laws before carrying either in public. If you can't carry them, take a look at the Cold Steel Voyager. It comes in several lengths, is legal in California, and is very durable, if not super comfortable.

Flashlights: Oh my god, the flashlights. LEDs have become so cheap and so bright over the last few years that it's actually pretty hard to go wrong. Nitecore is currently my favorite brand, but Fenix has some options as well. I would urge you not to buy a surefire; they are undeniably great lights, but unless you expect to encounter truly extraordinary circumstances on a regular basis (any chance your light could fall under a tank or a bulldozer? maybe surefire is for you), they tend to be somewhat more pricey per lumen than a number of other companies. For EDC, the Fenix PD35 2014 edition is almost unmatched. Almost a thousand lumens, takes rechargeable batteries, and small enough to drop into the front pocket of your jeans, if you don't want to use the included clip or holster. If you'd like something more keychain sized, the Nitecore SENS series comes in several sizes and battery types, and automatically adjusts the brightness of the beam based on the light's orientation. Aim it at your feet and you get a soft glow; aim it off into the woods and it grows steadily brighter.

Let's be honest, a pen is going to get lost. The best pen is one you like enough to keep track of, but one you won't miss too terribly should some co-worker walk off with it. I like the Zebra F-301. Writes smooth, classic stainless steel good looks, and comes in RGB & Black. Notebooks depend entirely on personal preference too, but the smallest Moleskine is easily pocketable and has 32 lined pages.

In my mind, there is only one name in multitools. Leatherman has a kick-ass reputation, a 25-year warranty, and a plethora of tools to suit any need. For the casual EDC, I'd go with what I believe is the second-lightest full size tool, the Skeletool. 7 functions include a knife that opens while the rest of the tool is closed, the ubiquitous pliers/wirecutters, two double-sided bits and a driver; and it looks so. freakin. cool.

I dunno much about guns except that of all the things I've listed, a pistol should be the one you consider most carefully, especially whether you need it or not. It's a big investment and a bit of a lifestyle adjustment if you decide to go CCW. I've always heard 9mm and up, so use that as a jumping-off point.

First aid kits are useless unless they're both small enough to be carried anywhere and large enough to contain anything you might need. Making your own is a good idea because you have the best knowledge of your environment, but I found a couple on Amazon which seem to have most of the basics without too much fluff or bulk. The first could be stuffed in a jacket pocket, whereas the second would be useful in a car.

I hope I helped. Good luck!

[Kershaw Scrambler] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I04MOIO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Kershaw Leek] (http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-1660BLKW-Folding-BlackWash-SpeedSafe/dp/B00J14BOBU/ref=pd_sim_sg_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=1MHD47WR72RJ9HJVWCZN)

[Cold Steel Voyager, 3 inch] (http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Voyager-Tanto-Plain/dp/B00322LQB0/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1417535788&sr=1-5&keywords=cold+steel+voyager)

[Fenix PD35 2014] (http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-PD35-Flashlight-EdisonBright-Batteries/dp/B00DR9GWX0/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1417536075&sr=1-1&keywords=fenix+pd+35)

[Nitecore SENS AA version]
(http://www.amazon.com/Nitecore-Flashlight-Active-Dimming-Lumens/dp/B008J4CHNW/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1417536301&sr=1-2&keywords=nitecore+sens)

Zebra F-301

[Moleskine "Cahier" Notebook, pack of 3] (http://www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Cahier-Journal-Pocket-Ruled/dp/8883704894/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1417536675&sr=1-1&keywords=moleskine+small)

[Leatherman Skeletool] (http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-830846-Skeletool-Multitool/dp/B000XU9NXW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417536920&sr=8-1&keywords=skeletool)

[Small bag or pocket first aid kit] (http://www.amazon.com/AAA-Piece-Commuter-First-Aid/dp/B000SL0R9K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417537142&sr=8-2&keywords=first+aid+kit)

Larger car first aid kit

EDIT: aspace

Hi! And welcome!

I like the Gayle Bradley 2 in M4, and the BM Valet in M390, but they are both very expensive to start out with. The Shuffle II is kind of crappy - I'd definitely pass on that one. I have no experience with
the Bartender Defeder, but even the XL version looks too small, as is the Rodie. The Delica and Leek are great knives, and would likely be solid options (their ergonomics are better than their handle lengths suggest, especially the Delica). The CRKT M16 is ok, but it's not great (in my opinion). I've never handled CRKT's Endorser, but it looks like a solid choice.

My best suggestion is a RAT 1 in D2. It's 40 bucks and you get a very well-made knife in D2 (semi stain resistant and will hold an edge for a good long time). The AUS-8 version is good, too, but if you're cutting boxes, the D2 option will stay sharp way longer.

As for some other options, here are some good ones from CRKT:

Foresight - It's big and comfy in-hand, but it's expensive for the materials used (aluminum and AUS-8)

Shenanigan - lighter and cheaper than the Foresight, but with the same blade material (AUS-8)

Outrage - aluminum handle and 8Cr13MoV steel (similar to AUS-8, id est, reasonably stainless, decent toughness, ok-ish edge retention), ball bearing pivot (nice and smooth!)

Ripple - aluminum handle, 8Cr13MoV blade, ball bearing pivot

With these suggestions, it may seem like I'm a shill for CRKT, but I'm not. I'm just a fan of Ken Onion's designs and ergonomics. I also like:

Spyderco Endura - very good stainless steel in a lightweight package, with plenty of handle real estate

Byrd Cara Cara 2 - Spyderco's value brand (basically a cheap Endura with 8Cr13MoV steel instead of the excellent blade steel VG-10)

Spyderco Resilience - big and comfy (G-10 scales with 8Cr13Mov steel), and my daily carry at work

Spyderco Manix 2 - light and medium sized (they also make an XL version), with BD-1 (kinda similar to AUS-8, kinda)

Cold Steel Recon 1 Spear Point - a big knife with lots of grippy G-10 handle space. The CTS XHP steel is the bee's knees, and the Recon 1 is an excellent value, but it may be too expensive as a starting point.

Also, I'm sure some other folks will chime in, too. The guys & gals of /r/knifeclub are pretty knowledgeable and helpful.

Again, my number 1 suggestion is the RAT 1 in D2. It'll be hard to beat interms of construction, ergonomics, and utility.

Happy hunting!

For the record, I feel the same that the Cryo is too slippery - which is why I'm super glad Kershaw released a G10 version of it last year.

I also agree that the Tenacious is just a bit too big for EDC - and they do make the Persistence, which is a shrunken version of the Tenacious, with a 2.75 inch blade vs the Tenacious' 3-3/8 inch blade. If you wanna go even smaller, the Ambitious has a 2.25" blade. All 3 knives share a similar design (though the Ambitious is small enough that the proportions might look a little weird to some).

A few other knives of note that are standouts in the sub-$50 price range:

• CRKT Ripple - Ken Onion design with a more-traditional drop point blade, IKBS, 8Cr14MoV. Usually on most people's "Under $50" list.
  
  
• Kershaw Leek - Again, a little slippery and still Speedsafe but a slightly weaker torsion bar so not as forceful. Some people have issues with broken tips since they're a little thin, but this thing was the best under $50 when it came out.
  
  
• Ontario RAT 1 - At $25 this thing is a pretty great package, if not a little big. 3.5" blade, but it's AUS-8 if you don't like the 8Cr China steels (even if they are pretty similar).
  
  
• SOG Flash II - again, a 3.5 inch, AUS-8 blade. Assisted opening, but much less forceful than Speedsafe.
  
  
• The Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K has blown up since it's release and a lot of high speed low drag tactical types love it for EDC use. $25 makes it a pretty appealing choice and rock solid under $30.
  
  
• The Spyderco Delica 4 is just a touch over $50, averaging about $60, but it's also a go-to knife in the $50 for many people. VG-10 steel on this one is a big selling point.
  
  
• On the same hand, the Kershaw Blur is usually available for about $60, and for those looking for a big folder (seriously this thing is large) it's a great choice. Sandvik 14C28N as standard steel, also available with S30V for about $75.
  
  A few notes here
  
  
• You'll see a lot of sub $50 knives using 8Cr13MoV or 8Cr14MoV. The main difference is a little more Chromium in the 8Cr14MoV, leading to a little more corrosion resistance. A lot of people loved the Skyline, but there were a few issues with minor rust spots on the knives, leading to many companies switching to 8Cr14MoV for some of their knives (most of the budget Kershaws are 8Cr14MoV now).
  
  
• Kershaw has many many options for budget folders under $50, for all kinds of aesthetic tastes. The Chill, Thermite, Link, Oso Sweet, etc. I've owned a handful of Kershaws, and loved all of them, especially for the price.
  
  
• The 8Cr steels (13MoV and 14MoV) are pretty much on par with AUS-8, especially from CRKT, Spyderco, and Kershaw who all do a good job on their heat treats. There's a slight difference in hardness (3 to 4 HRC difference by most counts), but really they're nearly identical for all intents and purposes, mainly sharpening and edge retention. Some people just prefer AUS-8 because they don't like so called "China steel."
  
  
  ETA a few more links and some clarification of my still-awake-at-5am rambling.

Let's get some participation in this sub!

Other things like my wallet, phone, pistol, and keys come and go as a college student-turned-graduate, farmhand, and product distribution specialist, but these are two things I keep with me almost all the time.

Spyderco Endura 4, blue

I've carried this for over two years now. I love it and would quickly and happily buy another, if I was careless enough to lose it. Which is possible.

Leatherman Wave with the frame painted blaze orange.

I can't believe I forgot to post this last summer! (Actually, I can believe it - no internet on the prairie.)

I've carried the Wave for a year and a half. This thing has saved me a few times. A few small things like "Where did I put those pliers/wire cutters" and "I wish I could could snug up these sunglasses" and "Damn, this screw is loose." But the one time it really saved me was one night last summer on my uncle's ranch. I was a recent biology graduate, and unemployed, so I volunteered to help my uncle and cousin on their ranch. I was alone for a few days and was mending fences and checking the cattle - seeing where they were grazing and making sure all the cows, calves, and bulls were healthy and accounted for. I'd just finished up after sunset. There was a young calf that had lost its momma and was wandering all alone. We have a pretty bad coyote problem around here and a possible mountain lion in the area, as well. I'm pretty sure the calf wouldn't have made it overnight. (Sometimes cows "park" their calves in a covered area while they wander elsewhere. In those cases, the calf won't move even if you walk up and touch it. Pretty crazy. In those cases, it's usually best to just leave the calf alone, as the cow will find it again. This wasn't one of those times.) The calf was up and wandering in an area pretty far from where the cows were. I was actually pretty lucky I found it.

After chasing the calf toward where the cows were and reuniting it with its inexperienced, first-time mother, and being very tired, I was driving the John Deere Gator back to camp a little faster than I should have, and ran into/over a small tree stump. Anyone who's driven a Gator for long can tell you it's worthless in low traction and rides stupidly low. So I was looking at having to walk the mile or so back to camp and be Gator-less until I could drive a pickup there to pull it off the stump. But I didn't want to do that. These were the tools I had available to me, as well as the knife, but I didn't include it in the picture at the time, because it was irrelevant. I had tried backing up, rocking it, jamming the pedal down with a stick and pushing with all of my might, stacking branches beneath the tires, and prying it up and off with branches. All of this has taken me about an hour and I'm almost ready to start walking, when I finally use my brain. I couldn't cut through the whole stump, but I could get the tallest part off, and it would have been enough to get it unstuck. I set to work for the next ten minutes with the saw and chiseling out bits of wood with the screwdriver and hammer. Once the top bit was off, the Gator came off rather easily. I drove back to camp, exhausted and pleased with a full day's work.

But as I was undressing, I realized that I'd left my Leatherman in the dirt. So I had to go back immediately. Good thing I got the orange one! Here's a picture of the stump after all was said and done. And the ruts I made. The stump is the gray spot to the right in the center of the ruts.

Just goes to show that your tools are only as useful as your smarts allow. Remember to work smarter, not harder.

I do quality control and put stuff in boxes for a major electronics distributor.

Edited to add what I posted in /r/EDC.

For a general backpack I use a 5.11 RUSH 12, if you want something a little bigger they have ones that are basically the same but larger capacity RUSH 24 and RUSH 72. I use the RUSH MOAB 10 which is basically the RUSH 12 but with a single sling instead of a proper backpack. I have both BTW and you can clip them onto each other if you need more storage or if you travel with someone and you find yourself needing to carry two backpacks at once. Its a great general "all occasions" backpack. That being said it has a hydration pouch which might be overkill for you, its perfect for me because I go hiking. Now 5.11 has other backpacks that are similar that dont have the hydration pack I'd check them out. They are a quality manufacturer and has good customer service. If you want to go a little cheaper its pretty easy to find chinese knockoff backpacks that are almost exactly like real 5.11 ones but much cheaper, 5.11 is probably $110+, the knockoffs are closer to $50, I cant vouch for the quality, could be made in the same factory, but I know the customer service is shit. I wouldnt call it minimalist as they do tend to have MOLLE straps on them, it reduces the amount of stuff you have on the exterior such as pouches and cup holders but its not "smoothe". They have a 25L Dart pack that is pretty minimalist on the outside and is pretty large, you should be able to pack a laptop and a couple days of clothing and supplies fairly easily.

Now if you want security I got my girl PacSafe VentureSafe Exp45, Its minimalist like you want and a little bigger, its basically a carry on with backpack straps but it also has some security features that you seem interested in, you can lock the zippers, the zipper itself is pretty secure and the backpack itself is cut resistant, it also comes with a wire to anchor it to something when your out traveling and you dont want your backpack snatched.

5.11 RUSH 12 https://www.511tactical.com/rush-12-backpack.html

5.11 Dart Pack https://www.511tactical.com/dart-pack.html

PacSafe VentureSafe Exp45 https://www.pacsafe.com/venturesafe-exp45-anti-theft-45l-carry-on-travel-pack/60321100.html

5.11 MOAB 10 https://smile.amazon.com/5-11-Tactical-Shoulder-Military-Backpack/dp/B004D1SMES/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=5.11+MOAB&qid=1566823000&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Lol, alright for example:

• Spyderco Delica 4 FFG: For your price range this is going to be the "best" steel you can get in a near 3" folding knife (VG-10). By best I mean the best edge retention in a stainless steel. However, being over 2.5" in some places (Chacago for example) the knife will be illegal. Also, many people do not like the look of the spyderhole as it can be seen as aggressive in office environments. Also the FRN handles, while very strong, have a cheap/plastic feel to them.
  
  
• Spyderco Tenacious: Compared to the Delica, 8CR13MOV is a "worse" stainless steel (not as good edge retention, more prone to chipping during heavy impacts). However, the extra blade length is better for many outdoor tasks (breaking down tree branches). The handle is also G10, which is slightly tougher and has a much better feeling in hand than FRN.
  
  
• Spyderco Centofante 3: A more "gentlemanly" and "office friendly" version of the Delica with a slightly longer blade. Again, VG-10 and FRN.
  
  
• Kershaw Cryo II: Same steel as the tenacious. Metal handles slightly tougher than G10. Flipper action has "cool" factor. The blade grind makes the tip a touch stronger than on the tenacious.
  
  
• Kershaw Skyline: One of the most iconic of Kershaw's knives. Hollow ground blade makes it great at slicing tasks.
  
  
• Esee Izula: Skeletonized fixed blade. 1095 Steel is significantly better than the other steels listed at "chopping" tasks as it is not prone to chipping at all. It is NOT stainless and so the blade has a protective coating over most of it. The steel will require mineral oil/cleaning to prevent rusting.
  
  
• Becker BK 24: Similar to the Esee Izula but D2 steel which has better edge retention and more corrosion resistance than 1095. It is also much harder to sharpen. Many think the BK24's handle is also less comfortable, the sheath is worse, and there are less available after market modifications.
  
  
• Ontario Rat Series (linked the RAT I. RAT 2 similar but smaller): Ontario's version of the tenacious. Bladeshape generally more people friendly. Another very popular beater option.
  
  
• Morakniv Knives (there are MANY, this is just one): Highly regarded in the "bushcraft" community. High carbon steel (similar to 1095) with a scandi-grind which is great for field sharpening and woodworking. Only partial tangs so not advised to use for battoning tasks or chopping.
  
  
• Kershaw OD-2: Gentlemanly knife with great flipping action.
  
  There are a LOT more suggestions I could add...

OK, I think I got this one.

For the younger brother I'd get the Spyderco Delica in one of the bright colors, as it is quite good (cool) looking blade.

It is also pretty light, so will make a great hiking companion.

Isn't the most heavy use knife out there, but will perform when needed.

For the older one I'd get the CTS XHP version of the Cold Steel American Lawman.

It is one of the best hard working blades out there (great for professionals who use their knife as a tool), has a strong lock for additional safety, steel that will hold up and a G10 handle with great grip to it.

Both are well within your budget (compare prices with other sites as well).

Good luck man, hope this helped!

• ~$7-8 Sanrenmu 7010/710 - You can find these at Gearbest for cheap as hell when they have sales but they're absolutely $30 worth of knife
  
• ~$10-20 Opinel no.6-12 - Depends on blade size/steel/handle wood. #6 is under 3in blade if that kind of thing matters.
  
• ~$20 CRKT Drifter
  
• ~$20 Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara2
  
• ~$20-25 Ontario Rat II or Rat I
  
• ~$30 Victorinox Cadet Alox
  
• ~$30 Kershaw Cryo
  
• ~$35 CRKT Ripple
  
• ~$35 Spyderco Persistence
  
• ~$40 Kershaw Skyline - Often on sale in the ~$30 range
  
• ~$40 Kershaw Leek - Same sales as with the Skyline \^^
  
  Honorable Mention: Case knives. Traditional lockbacks. Hard as nails and pretty to boot. True pocket knives. Your grandfather (possibly great grandfather) had one. Good stuff the lot of them. $25-50 will get you a legacy knife that you can carry and use and then pass to your kid.
  
  You don't need to spend $200 to get a quality, durable, reliable knife. I've owned all of these knives at one time or another and loved every one of them. Sure they needed sharpening more often and sometimes something a little more drastic (Sanrenmus are often cheaper to replace than fix) but the value is insane. Plus, lets face facts; we're much more likely to break out our Cadet when we get box duty than our Sebenza.
  
  Knife enthusiasts (brothers) if there's a weighed and measured cheapo that I forgot, let me know.

Let's see...

http://www.fedtacticaldirect.com/Kershaw-Camp-10-1077_p_49809.html

Kershaw Camp. Great kukri style blade on a budget that performs excellently.

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Cryo-Spring-Assisted--11101

Kershaw Cryo. Hinderer design for a cheap price! Small blade, but feels big in the hand. The Cryo 2, the larger version, will be coming out soon.

http://www.amazon.com/Mora-Made-in-Sweden-511/dp/B004GAVOUU/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1372063610&sr=1-2&keywords=mora

http://www.amazon.com/Mora-Companion-Heavy-Duty-Knife/dp/B009NZVZ3E/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1372063610&sr=1-3&keywords=mora

Moras. 1095 carbon steel, strong and used to do a lot of good things in the woods. Very tough, very sharp, very cheap.

At higher prices, the BK2

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-BK7-Combat-Utility/dp/B001IPMG8K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372063915&sr=8-2&keywords=bk2

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-BK2-Campanion-Fixed/dp/B001N1DPDE


And of course, the tried and true classic Kabar

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Ka-Bar-Short-USA-FightingUtility--16358

A few to get you started, though, with knives, you generally get what you pay for. Generally, you'll want to figure out exactly what you want in knives, especially in how you use them to find the best deals and blades.


Collecting knives is an expensive habit that ends up going into 500 dollars knives and 1k customs. ;) Budget and collecting don't mix!

I’m a novice compared to a lot of folks on here. But, I’ve been diving in deep the past few months. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned. You say I know stuff - look at my flair - I get confused sometimes haha.

Nano oil:
So, if you’re looking for nano oil, know it’s most expensive on amazon. It’s cheapest on eBay and other places. It generally shouldn’t be that expensive.

Many say the best oil is KPL. Knife pivot lube. Available on amazon for $14. It’s the best for washer based knives. Whereas, nano oil is sometimes best for bearing based knives.

My recommendation for strops will follow this post. I got my strop from someone here on reddit and it’s great. Apply compound and when it gets grey with metal clean the strop with a pink eraser.

Lastly, when it comes to sharpening:
I use a sharpmaker to maintain my knives. Unless I buy a used knife that’s super dull, this is all I ever need. A knife shouldn’t get dull enough to be reprofiled, I think.

But, if I do need to reprofile, I use a lanksy system. I’ve got the standard kit but added a course and extra course diamond to help reprofile hard steels like super steels. The luxury solution (in my opinion) is a KME system. It’s too much to go into to discuss sharpening further than a device.

I’ll probably get some KPL when it runs out, but this is the oil I use right now:
Hoppe's No. 9 Lubricating Oil, 14.9 ml Precision Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013R67A6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_S4-kDbW2GR41P

This is my 'setup' right now. It's balanced well and works just fine, though I do take off the air tank to run it as a secondary with a holster.

I would definitely recommend getting this holster -- the one made by Tippmann is utter garbage. This one is adjustable, so it works with most pistols and can fit the TiPX with some work.

12-gram CO2 cartridges fit in shotgun shell loops like a glove. So do 10-round tubes, the best way to reload your magazines as you go.

I use this vest and it fits five extra magazines: two for each of the bottom-forward large pockets, and one in the pocket directly above that with the four shell loops. Those will fit CO2 cartridges perfectly.

A word of warning, though... while this vest works perfectly fine, it's a bitch to clean and I'm starting to regret that I didn't get a MOLLE vest with mag pouches. You can't hold more than five magazines with this vest.

Also, consider getting the FXR carbine-mod when it becomes available next month. And even if you don't like that, the ZetaMag (which is an extended magazine that gives you 20 shots per magazine) is definitely worth a look.

I'd start w/ a rangefinder if you can afford it.

Don't worry about special knives. Any small knife will do the trick to dress a deer or elk in the field. You really don't need more than a 2-inch blade. I keep a sharpener like this in my pack, but don't usually need it till half way through the skinning process, and by that time I'm back at camp/the house.

If you can't drag the deer out, you may need to quarter it, in that case a little saw might be helpful till you get the hang of disarticulating the shoulder and hip joints. Game bags might come in handy if you need to do that. A frame pack is useful for packing out quarters.

Maybe a couple yards of surveyor's tape for marking blood trail, be sure to go back and clean up your marking tape if you use it, littering isn't cool.

20 feet of para cord, it's just good to have.

Good luck out there.

I wouldn't recommend a "titanium" knife, firstly because for $10, it's not titanium. It's probably some chinesium knife that won't hold an edge very well. Secondly I don't recall Camillus having a great reputation due to materials and QC.

If you're looking for a good budget knife, I know Ka-Bar and Becker make good ones, and if you can swing an Izula, that would be my choice. Here are some links. Izula Ka-Bar 1 Ka-Bar 2 Ka-Bar 3.

The reason I'm recommending Ka-Bar and ESEE is that they both use 1095 carbon steel which is an excellent choice in toughness and edge retention. I almost forgot Mora, a superb Swedish knife that is renowned for its steel and edge retention, and used worldwide by folks in the workforce and outdoors communities.

The ESEE and Ka-Bars will run you $40-$60, and the mora will run you about $15. You can get Moras and Izulas at Cabelas, but Amazon is also great. Good luck.

https://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Manix-Black-PlainEdge-Knife/dp/B002ECY7XI

One of the best sub $100 knives you will find with great ergos and an excellent steel to boot. Its a strong design that also cuts really well (better slicer geometry than my Izula). If you look around on /r/knife_swap and dont mind waiting you will see them go for anywhere between $70-80 bucks used still in excellent condition. Delicas and Enduras are also great and Sub $100 if you want something that carries more slim than the Manix.

Morakniv makes some great budget fixed blades, some are quite small and most have a general utilitarian use. Here's a model for less than $17 and these have built a really good reputation for value and hard use.

However, maybe that isn't quite what you're looking for. Maybe you want something thicker, more substantial? Continuing with fixed blades is the ESEE 4P which before shipping is $99. Another option would be the Ontario Knife Company's RAT-7 for currently $63. Being an avid knife collector, I have maybe 150 total knives total. That said, I think if I had only 1 knife to take out with me and feel secure in doing so, the Kabar/Becker BK7 would be it. For ~$78 new on Amazon, it's just a big hunk of steel (1095 steel specifically) that can tear through almost anything you put in front of it from wood to meat to a car door panel lol. I would recommend looking into some customization for it for a couple for reasons. The black plastic handle scales that it comes with are not so great. This can be resolved by using a bike tire inner tube mod OR just grabbing those ~$40 micarta scales that the link suggests below the photos of the knife itself. The sheath is definitely serviceable for your needs, but you may eventually want to upgrade it to a kydex sheath, or even a leather one if you really like leather. Finally, the coating that's on all of the Becker knives has the benefit of protecting the blade very well but the cost is a lot of friction and eventually that coating will wear off and it'll look different. Many modders just strip that coating off and blue or force patina it and frequently oil after use. Or go the other route and spend hours up front polishing it to a mirror polish and now you have a knife that will look really Bowie-ish.

What is your intended use for it? As an EDC knife I think it's not very good. The handle is a bit too thick for my tastes. The hollow grind clip point blade makes it more of a tactical blade. I am not a fan of a combo edge, especially on such a short blade (<6"). Like OldMan said, the 'patent pending' groove on it is pretty crappy too, get a Benchmade Triage if you want a quality cord cutter. The AUS 8 steel, isn't a bad mid-end steel, but for 10$ cheaper than you paid, you could have gotten a Spyderco Endura 4 FFG which has VG-10 steel and has a blade shape TONS better for an EDC blade (can also use a tactical in a pinch). The clip on it, as others say, is pretty awesome. It's one of my favorites.

If nothing else, the Trident does look pretty cool. I'd buy it as a collector just to look at, but I doubt I'd ever use it as an EDC blade.

I had an Ontario RAT-5 for a while. About the same size as an ESEE 5, but with a thinner blade and full-flat grind. The handle was uncomfortably bulky and although it held up to my abuse, I just didn't like it. The blade was thin enough to do finer carving tasks, but it was too wide and the edge profile was terrible. I ended up using my Mora knife and Fiskars hatchet more and the RAT-5 was relegated to batoning duty and even in that I preferred the hatchet. In fact, I carved my first bow drill kit with that Fiskars.

I was considering stepping up to an Ontario RAT-7, but instead I traded the RAT-5 for a KaBar Becker BK7, which is a BEAST of a knife. Longer than an ESEE 5, but just as thick and with a similar profile. It really impressed me with the amount of work it could do and how easy it was to use, but it was heavy and just too fat to do anything but chop and split, so again, I was using my Mora and hatchet for most stuff.

I finally decided to try a different direction and traded the BK7 for a much smaller ESEE 4. Around the same time I bought a Bahco Laplander, and I am in love with this combo. The Bahco eats through 1-2" branches with ease (while generating plenty of sawdust for tinder) and the ESEE is just long enough to baton them into kindling and carve up some feather sticks. The best part is, the ESEE 4 and Bahco together weigh about as much as the BK7 in its sheath, and take up about as much space, but they are FAR more versatile.

I realize the ESEE 4 may be just out of your price range, but Kabar makes a similar knife called the BK16. However, the ESEE comes with a lifetime warranty.

I still take my Fiskars with me occasionally, but for weekend camping, I can process plenty of firewood with the ESEE and Bahco faster than I ever could with any of the bigger knives. If I needed to build a shelter or was venturing into unfamiliar territory, I'd want the hatchet because it's such a capable tool.

The ESEE 5 was designed for downed pilots who can't fit a hatchet or folding saw into their kit but may need to build a shelter, so they made it big and heavy. I understand first hand that big knives are appealing and certainly have their strong points, but their size, weight and thickness can make them difficult to use in a lot of ways and in reality, a big knife will never chop as well as a decent hatchet, because the knife's weight is centered just above the handle, not directly behind a huge wedge that drives into the wood. What you really want in a survival knife is versatility and I've spent a lot of time, money and energy figuring out that size doesn't add versatility.

If you live in a humid area or run a swamp cooler frequently, those security cabinets would not do much against rust even with a dehumidifier as they usually are riddled with holes for bolts and have no good seal (could probably plug them pretty easy though). When I had to store my rifle for an extended amount of time I purchased water/air tight and crushproof case (akin to a pelican) like this one for $109.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0029KDHQI/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1526712166&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=plano+gun+case&dpPl=1&dpID=41oEIZkbqNL&ref=plSrch

As well as a silica reusable dehumidifier to put in the case as, such as this two pack for $20.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015NL95HE/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1526712577&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=silica%2Bdehumidifier%2Bhydrosorbent&dpPl=1&dpID=41Fd%2BG9vMqL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

I keep one in my rifle case and one in my ammo crate as well. The dehumidifiers have a gauge on the bottom which tell you when they need to be reset by putting them in the oven. I had my case sealed for most of a year in a humid climate and there is no hint of rust or even a mildew-ey smell and have also not had to reset the silica gel packs yet either. Added perk, these cases are TSA compliant so you could fly with your guns or any other valuables in this case and they have locking latches as well. The locks would obviously not prevent somebody from running off with the case, but it would have some security benefit surely.
Also comes with pluck-apart foam to customize for your rifle which is a $50 option on a $250 pelican case so it's a good value.

Gerber is like one notch above if not the same really. You don't have to spend a fortune, although you definitely can if you can afford it and get something really awesome, to get a solid EDC knife. You can get a nice Spyderco, Cold Steel, SOG, or CRKT in the lower price ranges that would serve you well.

You could even just get a nice fixed blade like the ESEE Izula-II. Nutnfancy has a playlist of edc folders for under $40 as well that you might want to check out. Uf you've never watched one of his reviews before, he's extremely thorough and should mention the clip.

I'm also a big proponent of carrying a small fixed blade on your off side to aid in weapon retention in case of a gun grab. I carry a Ka-Bar TDI LE which a sweet knife (strong AUS-8a steel) for a great price. The only thing lacking is the sheath that you can always choose to replace later with the PHLster TDI sheath. If you want something smaller and cheaper they also have the Ka-Bar TDI LE Last Ditch knife.

Of the two you mentioned I would get the Ganzo. I love the Axis lock, its the most fun lock type to play with IMO. I carry a Ganzo G727 quite often and it has been holding up great. Its a good size for a big EDC beater, and the blade does most cutting tasks well. It is a copy of a knife that is very popular for a reason.

The Cryo 1 is a much smaller knife than the Ganzo, they have a larger model 2 that is more similar to the G727. Just be aware of the sizes and what you want to do with your knife. The Cryo is damn good knife I will not fault it for anything other than in my hands it needs a pointer finger choil. That is purely a preference thing though. If you want a sub $20 Kershaw I very much like my Kershaw Freefall. It's lightish, full size, deep carry and has great ergo's. Another option is the Volt SS again with great ergo's and is very thin in the pocket.

If you want a great flipper look for something that runs on ball bearings. CRKT makes some amazing ones for $30~40. The Teigh Tac Two Tanto, Outrage, and Ripple 1 and 2 all fit the bill. The Outrage is a very strong feeling knife, but the tip is very thin, and the other two are not overbuilt but solid so make great EDC knives, but are not the beaters a Rat or Ganzo might be.

For fixed blade if you are gonna be using the knife for hard use then I would not recommend a folder. I'm more knowledgeable on folders so someone else may find a better choice. If they don't, this is still a very solid choice, I have never had one, but I did have an izula (which is very similar).

For folder I would go with the Ontario rat, they make this is d2 blade steel which would be better and they make a smaller version (rat 2) but any version of this knife you choose will be the best for the money.

Another fixed blade that is similar to picture is this Schrade. Schrade usually isn't the best company but 1095 is definitely a cheap, good steel. With the blade thickness and steel, I would trust this knife any day.

I use a lee turret press, and that, with a turret, die set, primer and powder drop thingies cost a little over $200.

You will need measuring devices like calipers, a scale and case gauges. That could be $50 or a lot more depending on scale quality. I use a $30 digital one, but I calibrate it everytime I use it. Powder charges, overall length measurements, and headspace length on the brass case are very important.

You will need case prep tools, especially for bottleneck rifle brass. I got this guy to just do it all. $170 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HS7JEB4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You can get trimmers, chamfer bits, and those things that attach to drills, there are tabletop hand trimmers, other electric trimmers, but at the end of the day, the frankford thing is just quick and easy. Trimming rifle brass is easily the worst part of the whole process.

A tumbler and tumble media will clean up all your fired brass, dry vibratory ones work fine and are cheaper. Mine, with media was about $50

Then come random things like reloading trays, case lube, cartridge cases, and more meticulous measurement things like chamber gauges, concentricity gauges, and more. Outside of lube and cases for loaded rounds, it's not really necessary. Plastic 9mm ammo trays from factory ammo makes for great 223 reloading trays. $50 will get you lube and cases.

Then you need powder, primers and bullets. Primers are usually $30-$40/1,000, Hornady 55gr .224" bullets are about $90-$100/1,000, and powder is about $22-$30/lb, or less in bulk, or from pull down suppliers like american reloading... I use this stuff for everything in 556 but match grade reloads, and 16lbs is good for about 4500 rounds. https://americanreloading.com/en/reloading-rifle-powder/2355-wc-844-military-smokeless-rifle-powder-16-lbs.html

You're probably looking at about $500 before the actual powder primers and bullets. That's also assuming you have been saving your brass.

Sorry for the long post, but there is more to reloading than most people initially think. That said, I was able to piece all that together over last summer, and am cranking out rounds whenever I want now.

I have the Manix 2. I don't like the look of most Spydercos but this one I love. I use it a lot, It feels great in my hand, not too heavy, not too light, cleans pretty easy, and it seems like it is going to last a long time.

everyone seems to rave about the griptillian and the 940 from benchmade. also includes their lifesharp service, which is pretty awesome

i have a decent number of knives, but the one i use the most by far is the delica 4 wave-- best $60 i ever spent.

in the end i'd say you could definitely spend a lot less than $200 for a great knife, just depends on your taste

Olight M2R But honestly any flashlight (preferably using an 18650 battery) will be extremely useful and I use mine many times throughout the day/night.

Keybars are also pretty useful, just bought my first one the other day and it really beats using a keychain.

Any good knife will also be useful. I personally carry a Benchmade 940 and I love it.

Maybe a Spyderco Native? I wanna say these come in S35VN which is a pretty good steel.

I'd also consider the Mini Grip although that shipping time is atrocious. These come in 154CM.

A little beefier than a Delica and above your budget but I gotta recommend the HK Axis. I've heard that people don't like the mini's quite as much as the full size model but I take it you like the smaller side of things.

Just kinda poked around for some stuff I like on Amazon.ca. Good luck finding something!

My father bought me this when first son was born. Great product very modular. Still like new after years of hard use. Bonus the flap for the main bag unfolds all the way and makes a great changing pad on the go, and it has a pocket for a camel back bladder which is super useful to keep the kiddos hydrated on days out.

https://www.amazon.com/5-11-Tactical-Mobile-Operation-Attachment/dp/B004D1SMES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500997819&sr=8-1&keywords=shoulder+backpack+tactical+511

http://www.amazon.com/Benchmade-555HG-Pardue-Design-Mini-Griptillian/dp/B00180GQJA

Mini grip in sheepsfoot. Smaller blade, so less headaches for you. Unassisted, but still easy to open, and it locks. Benchmade is a great company with a great reputation. Haven't seen anyone buy this knife and say "Man, I wish I hadn't bought this." It's a little higher than your price range, but not by a ton and is still very reasonably priced.

Restaurant supply store. Full tang, riveted handle (no nooks, crannies, bends, or joints for food/bacteria to get caught). like this

BladeMedic (will let you sharpen serrations!), or I like this smaller one for semi-daily use.

Buy a 10" Chef's knife, a smaller paring knife (~4" maybe?), then personally I bought a 6" serrated ceramic knife which doubles up as bread-knife and lettuce knife. Like this one but ignore all the scammy reviews. Ended up giving away my 6" non-serrated ceramic knife b/c my steel knives were always sharper. I hardly ever use this one but if you find it for a good price (maybe ~$20?) then I'd maybe say go for it. I'd also be tempted by the regular $10 steel one as well, though.

You're in for ~$20 on the chef's knife, $10 on the paring knife, $20 total on the sharpener(s) and optionally another $10-20 on the serrated ones. Most people never use any of the other knives in a block, I keep mine nice and separated, laying flat in a drawer.

Oooh! Last bit... Kitchen Shears, these I actually do specifically recommend, they're great quality and look good too. Instead of slicing a pizza with a knife, you can cut it with scissors. Same with fajita meat. A lot of times I'll use tongs + scissors and am able to process meat right in the same pan I'm cooking it.

So... $75 and you'll have a very nice setup. Maybe I'd add a Santoku or small-medium Cleaver, and then try to figure out table-knives or steak-knives, but that'd follow a similar process for me. I'd be much more willing to buy a fancy set of 4-8 steak knives though than I would a traditional / full wood block setup.

--Robert

IDK if some one has recommended it yet OP, but I hugely recommend getting a Becker by Ka-Bar! I love it cause it’s a tough-ass, fixed-blade knife. 5.25” blade and 10.5” overall = strong enough for prying even. There are like 3 or 4 types of blades you can buy on them... so do a little searching off the link I post below.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CXYFDF9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OdvVCbV72GG8W

Edit: for a few more dollars, you can get their 7” blade. This is the one I almost went with but I didn’t quite want that large of a blade.

https://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-BKR7-BRK-Combat-Utility/dp/B001IPMG8K/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?keywords=Ka+Bar&qid=1555911141&s=gateway&sr=8-16&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app

Edit #2: I totally forgot to mention my foldable...
My nearly 4” blade, CRKT!
EVERY CRKT I’ve owned (4 or 5) has came out of the box with the sharpest blades I’ve ever purchased, by far. For the price, you can’t go wrong. They have a cheaper on that I owned previously: the CRKT M16. Just don’t use these guys to pry anything. Lol

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001A2GO6Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BsvVCbNX7VFHS

lol im really not a gun snob, but i love my full size mk25, in the summer or when i dont have a suit i carry a small sig p938 so i dont mind smaller guns at all. My spyderco that i just lost was a delica 4. heres the link. I loved it! I also carried a cutco folding knife that was amazing
https://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Delica4-Lightweight-Ground-PlainEdge/dp/B003CH3V5E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496332376&sr=8-1&keywords=spyderco+delica+4+knife
https://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?item=lockback-knife#sm.0000tnlyoz18n2dx1qfcjipmxla5a

Some thoughts, feel free to take them or leave them:

• Skip the expensive cottage packs until you're further down the rabbit hole, look for a cheap osprey/granite gear/etc. pack, go to a store and try them on. Find one on /r/geartrade or at an REI garage sale. It's never bad to have a spare pack later for family or friends that want to join you here and there. Since you mentioned losing weight, the granite gear packs have an adjustable hip belt which is really nice.
  
  
• Make sure you practice with that alcohol stove in advance, a canister stove is not much heavier once you account for 6oz of fuel, and is just so easy.
  
  
• Go with a cheaper, easier to use, knife. Opinel's are well respected around here and weigh like 1.6oz, the larger handle makes it easier to use. (Some people will tell you to skip the knife all together, but since you had one on there I thought I'd offer an alternative).
  
  
• Skip the flint and go with a second lighter
  
  
• Skip the cottonballs and plan for a little extra alcohol to use for a fire starter if needed.
  
  
• You can probably go cheaper and lighter with a tent, but I understand the desire to hammock camp, I'm not experienced in it, so I won't comment on any of those items.
  
  
• No need for 3 pairs of socks. Use one pair for hiking and one for sleeping. The last day hike in your sleep socks.
  
  
• Ditch the sawyer pouches and one of the smartwater bottles, get a cnoc or evernew dirty water bag instead. Less headache, makes life better at camp (stove cleaning/cooking water), and if you're hiking a dry stretch you can carry more dirty water with you and filter as needed.
  
  
• Don't use alcohol to clean wounds, water will do. Alcohol will do more damage than good, you're not performing surgery.
  
  Honestly, by nature forums like this foster a lot of upgrade culture/gear nerds, you can make just about anything work for a hike (especially in mild temps in PA). No need to shove out a ton of cash to get the best when you start, just get out there and you'll figure out where your system can be improved.
  
  
  
  

Look at the Kershaw Leek, its got a good 3 inch blade, it practically disappears in your pocket, is basically a modern gentlemen's folder, and can get it in several different colors. Its one of the most popular knives out there and is well made. Only thing to watch out for is the tip, its very thin and can break off if you try and use it as a pry bar. You can find the leek for about 40-60 bucks depending on the model.

Link - Kershaw Leek

If you're looking for something heavier duty, the Kershaw Blur or Freefall would be good buys. I use a freefall as one of my EDC knives and think its a great buy for the money. The blur is very well regarded as well, though I don't have experience with one myself.

Link for Blur

Link for Freefall

If you don't absolutely need the spring assist, another idea would be a Spyderco Delica 4, or perhaps a Spyderco Persistence if you want a little cheaper price. Both are solid knives for the money and aren't too bulky in the pocket. You can get the Delica in colors too!

Link for Delica 4

Link for Persistence

I agree with everything you said with one caveat. (Edit: This is just talking about the non budget series, I reread your comment, but keeping mine because the jist of it still stands. Agree on suggesting the budget series.)


Pelican cases are made to go to war, deal with baggage handlers, get shipped around the world with expensive and sensitive equipment inside and insure they come out the other side just fine.

They’re overkill for many people.

I have 4 pelican cases (yes, I have a problem... I need more pelican cases...) and I love them. But they are overkill for what I use them for.

A buddy was debating between the 1750 (I have one and brought it over for him to check out) and a Plano (this one, I think. Plano Double Scoped Rifle Case w/Wheels https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029KDHQI/).

He ended up going with the Plano for half the money and spent the rest on Ammo. Not a bad choice by any means. For range trips the Plano is perfect. And I’m sure it’d handle just fine if/when he decides to fly with it.

CRKT Ripple is an amazing little knife; good blade length and cool handle. If you want to spend a little more money get the spyderco centofante 3 on amazon. Amazing knife and beautiful aesthetics.

If you like kershaw you can get a blur with S30v steel for around 65$ on amazon if you still want a kershaw. I've never been too impresed with them since I find their build quality to be lacking. They seem to have an excessive amount of blade play and use average quality steels in most of their knives. The a premium steel that can hold a razor sharp working edge. The spyderco delica/endura line is also a great knife. They have full flat ground blades that come razor sharp from the factory with absolutlely no blade play. I personally carry a green delica as one of my edc knives. The dragonfly is also great if you want a knife that dissapears on your person. it is a featherweight knife, that cuts and handles like a much larger knife.

If you are looking for a knife that can take an absolutely harsh beating, I would have to reccomend an Ontario RAT 1 or 2 depending on you size preference. They are a bit heavy in hand compared to other knives it size, but perform just as good as any of my spydercos. It is also on the cheaper side at around 25$.

The benchmades are also a good choice, but I would also reccomend the benchmade mini-presidio.

Anyways, I thought I might as well just post some links to them:

S30v Kershaw Blur

Benchmade Mini Presidio

[Benchmade Griptillian] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q9BOF0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2Q6YQ3PL1NNYW&coliid=I1IO3PSF8569TW)

Benchmade Mini Griptillian (I prefer thumb hole openers, but both griptillians also are offered with combo edges and thumb studs.)

Spyderco Dragonfly

Spyderco Delica

Spyderco Endura

Ontario RAT 1

Ontario RAT 2

Mod told me to post here, post is pasted below:

Currently have several knives, two EDC knives, and one full tang knife. Trolling through many forums, reddits, and tutorials, I was wondering what are the best ways to clean, lubricate, and sharpen knives without ruining them.
Currently have this product for sharpening but I have heard that stones can produce a better edge. Also have not educated on what each part is most useful for.
Thanks in advance!

Consider the purpose of a defensive blade. A blade is deadly force. That means that if you're justified in using a knife, you're justified in using a gun. A gun is a much better defensive tool than a knife under almost every circumstance, including at knife distances. The only time a knife has the advantage over a gun is in the clinch, i.e. when you are not just close but actually entangled with your adversary. Under those extreme conditions a small fixed blade is best, as it's easier to access and deploy than a folder. Two of the best designs for this purpose are the ShivWorks Clinch Pick with a good sheath, and the KA-BAR TDI, also with a good sheath.

You, however, are in a special situation. One, you're in a state that flagrantly violates the U.S. Constitution. And two, you won't do the right thing and bear arms in defiance of unconstitutional state laws. You could spend money on a compromise knife that is meant as a poor substitute for a gun, or you could just get one of the good knives I recommended above while waiting on your state-issued piece of plastic. Given your same constraints, I would choose the latter.

Good luck behind enemy lines.

I decided to go with the Spyderco Manix 2 G-10 ... but I'm not buying it yet. I'm hoping to get it as a gift, so I'm keeping it on my Amazon wish list :)

I would second the Delica recommendation. Amazon has a Delica 4 ffg in Purple that would do nicely. The Dragonfly 2 in a very dark green frn and a yellow H1 salt frn would be great as well. Great gift idea man!

Mask: Avon S10 Respirator + Black tinted outsert lenses

Balaclava: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/141784208641 (Sapphire)

Coverall: http://www.crw-airsoft.com/tgc-cod-mw3-sas-coverall-sale-was-70usd-4838-p.asp

Belt: http://www.crw-airsoft.com/sas-leather-sf-belt-replica-by-tgc-1333-p.asp

Tactical Vest: Thatchers actual Vest is an SAS Pigskin Tactical Vest but I couldn't get one so I used a UTG Swat Vest like this one https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Arms-Gear-Operation-Enforcement/dp/B004R7G33K/ref=sr_1_19?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1467121154&sr=1-19&keywords=tactical+vest or this one https://www.amazon.com/UTG-Law-Enforcement-SWAT-Vest/dp/B001BR1O74/ref=pd_sim_200_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=51ze9lCyrXL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR234%2C320_&refRID=NWY8XRCKHXNYN40KJTF1

Harness: Irvin GQ Abseil Harness (Homemade knockoff made from 1.5 inch green nylon webbing)

Gloves: Northern Ireland Gloves

Holster: Safariland 6004 STX Leg Holster + 1911 Double Magazine Holster Pouch

Boots: Steel Blue Enforcers. I only used these because I had them already for work but something like a Magnum Stealth Force 8.0 or Belleville 998Z WP Tactical Research would also look awesome!

How about a pocket knife? They have the benefit of being both cool and extremely useful. You can get yourself a Spyderco Manix 2 on Amazon for just under a hundred bucks with free shipping. It's a good size for a lot of tasks, but small enough that it can easily be carried in your pocket. An excellent EDC blade for the price.

I love the smell of napalm in the morning. So here are some items that should help you.

You're going to need this to help shield yourself.


Here is a weapon a certain doctor would use.


And straight out of Apature Science...


Best of luck!

Here are my personal essentials.

• Spyderco Delica 4: $60 VG-10 steel, comes in tons of colors
  
• Spyderco Endura 4: Larger version of Delica
  
• Morakniv Companion: $12-$20 A really awesome fixed blade, outperforms knives triple it's price.
  
• Victorinox Tinker: $20-25 classic swiss army knife, really great quality in general. Lots of tools but not too many so it's easily pocket carried.
  
• Victorinox Cadet: Smaller Swiss Army Knife, aluminum handles. Lots of colors.
  
• Kershaw Cryo, or Cryo 2: $20-40 steel frame lock, Hinderer design, good price, tons of colors. The Cryo 2 is the same as the Cryo just larger.
  
• Ontaro Rat 1 or 2: $25-30 Classically shaped folders with a very rugged build for a liner lock. The 2 is a smaller version of the 1.
  
  Also, you're going to want a sharpening system that works for you in the long run. I personally use the Spyderco Sharpmaker But there are tons of good sharpening options out there.
  
  P.S: You're going to get a lot of people hating on your Gerbers most likely, that's because they're honestly not worth it in the long run. They use very low quality steel for the price and they don't have the best quality control. I'm not saying your Gerbers are trash or anything. But they definitely won't last very long. Just about all of the knives I listed will last you a lifetime if you treat them right, and oil/sharpen them correctly.

So you seem pretty knowledgeable, and I trust your opinion. I’ve narrowed it down to 6 I’m choosing between, with some definitely more likely than others. Three are folders , and three are fixed . While I no longer trust MTech for folders, their blade kept decently well, and there’s not a lot of room for screws loosening on fixed blades. I also know Elk Ridge was never mentioned in the tread, but I’ve owned one fixed and one folder from them and they were both great knives, I have faith in the brand

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Law-Enforcement-SWAT-Vest/dp/B001BR1O74/

This is a better vest. I know people like to rag on crossdraw vests, but if you can't blow $60+ on a MOLLE vest and MOLLE pouches, they are hard to beat for airsoft; depending on which one you get, it's a pretty well-rounded setup capable of supporting a variety of guns (pistols, ARs, and more exotic magazines in the top right chest pocket).

You won't regret it, but honestly. I would've gone for this version instead..

http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-Tool-K415KXP/dp/B0030IT794/ref=sr_1_1?srs=3548657011&ie=UTF8&qid=1464407607&sr=8-1&keywords=415kxp

it's slightly bigger, but the same exact model. And easier to hold and better overall :)


if you want you can cancel it and purchase it, up to you however.

the skyline is a great choice.
Spyderco persistance is another great choice. 29$ below.
http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Persistence-C136GP-Plain-Knife/dp/B002IWWYS4
Are you primarily just interested in folders? if fixed blade knives appeal to you Becker bk14 is another wonderful knife for 34$
http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-BK14-Becker-Knife-Eskabar/dp/B004CIQY6K

Spyderco has a wide range of folders under $100. There's the Delica, Endura, Dragonfly, Centofante 3, and Stretch to name a few. All high quality, made in the USA.

The Tenacious line (including the Persistence and Ambitious) is awesome if you want good quality for less than $40. However, if you want to spend more, I would definitely recommend US made knives.

The Kershaw Leek is a good option. And you cant go wrong with the Delica 4 I got the purple one. Everyone on here says great things about the Mini Griptillian which I dont own but probally will at some point. Also you can never go wrong with something from Case, I have the [Trapperlock](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=trapperlock in amber bone and I hear great things about the Copperlock.

My comment was written with most everyday people in mind. They're mostly sharpening bad 440C kitchen knives and don't want to spend a lot of money. Another big thing is that your average person in the kitchen doesn't even know just how sharp a knife can get. The average guy is usually okay with a good working edge. I was recommending the honing rod and the Lansky system because they're inexpensive, easy-to-use, and they last a long time. Plus, most people are never even going to need a Lansky. That's already more advanced than most want to get.

If you have good knives though, everything changes. If you're a knife guy, then yeah absolutely you need to have a more sophisticated sharpening system.

We're both knife guys, so you'll probably agree that it all really depends on which knife you're using.

There are so many factors that go into it.

How thick is the knife?
What's the blade length/shape?
What's the steel?
What's the grind? Convex? Hollow? Full-Flat Grind? Scandi? Sabre?
What's the angle on that grind?
What type of knife is this?
What kind of edge do I want to put on it?

I personally just put a convex edge on most of my knives, so all I really use is a strop and a handful of compounds. For everything else I just use an Apex Edge Pro.

Preference is huge here but a rough guide

• Fixed blade
  
  
• Full tang
  
  
• Flat/Scandi grind (easier to maintain)
  
  
• 4/5/6" blade with a decent belly
  
  
• Good quality steel, carbon if you can maintain it otherwise VG10 or some other respectable stainless steel.
  
  My favourite knives
  
  
• [Becker BK7]*http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-BK7-Combat-Utility/dp/B001IPMG8K(
  
  
• Fallkniven S1
  
  Other ones to look into
  
  Kabar USMC
  
  Bark River Bravo1 <--- people swear by this
  
  SOG Seal <--- I'm not a fan of any of SOGs knives, they seem....petty
  
  Some gerbers seem pretty damn good

the 940-2 is the model that you have, with the s30v stainless, g10 scales, and green spacers. theres also the 940-1 which has s90v stainless, carbon fiber scales, and blue back spacers. as well as the classic straight up 940 which has s30v stainless and aluminum scales.

theres also the 940-1601 , the 940-1701 .. many variants of the 940 design available. same knife, different materials.

i have the same one you do, the 940-2, and i think its awesome. easily my favorite folder

I use one of the Frankford Platinum Series (marketing wank) trimmer/case prep centers almost exclusively.

I have a WFT and its pretty much on permanent loan to a friend that just reloads 100 or so here and there. Pushing a case up into the trimmer and shavings collecting in the housing made it a no go for me for long sessions. If you're not doing a ton of trimming, this should work fine.

I have used the Lee precision Cutter and Lock Stud and don't think this is useful for anyone for more than about a dozen cases at a time, though it does give consistent results.

I have an RCBS Trim pro and I'm sure if it was bolted down to a dedicated spot on a bench it will work just fine, but I don't have that kind of room. Or a bench.

The Frankford Trimmer does a few things I really like. It adjusts with the collets and shoulder guides for a very repeatable cut in just about any caliber imaginable, but most importantly, its comfortable for long sessions. It also busts your $150 requirement, but not by too much.

I place it standing upright in a plastic tub (to catch errant shavings) and use Gloves like these when trimming. I trim relatively clean brass, let the rubber on the gloves grip tight against the case head, and just hold my hand, using gravity and weight, on the case head until I feel the cutter stop cutting. Done. Use the deburr and chamfer tool running off the same drive train and it goes into a bin. I actually worry more about overheating the motor than I worry about being uncomfortable over long sessions. I've used it for thousands of 5.56 and .308, often in increments of a few hundred at a time.

I have two recommendations that have never failed me within that price range and bring a lot to the table for the price:

The Delica4 by Spyderco which is large and stays sharp. It can cut and cut and just won't stop. I use this for my outdoor activities where a pocket knife can be used with some abuse. Also has a great grip on it which comes in a multitude of colors. Only knife better by them in my opinion is the paramilitary 2 for about $100 more.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003CHANLO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1407121452&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40

The Ken Onion designed Leek by Kershaw is my gentleman's knife. Very sharp straight out of the box and won't fail you. Much smaller than the Delica4 by equally as trustworthy. Super fast deploy speed and fits in the pocket nicely with or without the clip. Kershaw is known for cheaply priced big bang for your buck knives that just keep on going...and if you lose it, your wallet doesn't feel it. First folder I bought a few years ago and it is still my go-to most days.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009VC9Y0/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1407121786&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40

nah for that price... not a huge fan.

Kabar USMC would be my choice for camping/survival/etc. Might want to complement with some sort of small collapsable handsaw or something if that's what you intended to do with the spine serrations. Or just get a small hatchet.

Also not a big fan of square tantos.

Maybe it's just personal preference but I can't say i'd buy one for any reason.

TBH just take your khuk your grip and something else that can do the job serrations would and you'll be much better off ;)

might seem like it looks badass but.... meh no, you can do better.

5'11 Rush MOAB 10 with a fr-1 organizer from maxpedition. I love this set up.

It's awesome because of the multiple small organization pouches where I put different stuff in and it will store upto a 15" laptop.

moab 10 pack link

The bag wasn't really designed for multiple lights and or tools. So the seperate FR-1 pouch really helps in organizing that.

FR-1 pouch link

I use Hoppe's #9 Lubricating Oil. I really enjoy it for it's applicator which is really thin and precise and does not spill even if you tip it over. One downside is that it's easy to break off.

I would stay away from WD40. It works just fine, but it attracts dirt easily. Also, stay away from olive oil LOL.

Pockets

• Phone Case - Magpul iPhone 5 Field Case
  
  
• Knife - Benchmade Mini-Griptillian
  
  
• Handkerchief - Fifth&Brannan Charcoal Pocket Square
  
  
• Bottle Opener - New Belgium Globe - Got this for free after a tour there, and it's lived in the small pocket of my jeans ever since.
  
  
• Lip Balm - Burt's Bees
  
  
• FitBit - Fitbit Ultra - Probably going to be replaced by a newer Fitbit soon.
  
  
• Pen - Fisher Cap-O-Matic Space Pen - I will buy this pen over and over.
  
  
• Wallet - Saddleback ID Wallet in Tobacco
  
  
• Gum - Orbit Sweet Mint - It's unbelievable how much of this I have chewed.
  
  
  
  Keys
  
  
• Biner - Nite Ize S Biner Ahh
  
  
• USB - Kingston Digital DataTraveler 8GB - Contents change daily. Mostly client software.
  
  
• Light - FOURSEVENS Mini 123/ML - Throws a ton of light for how little room it takes up.
  
  
  
  
  That's pretty much it. Any questions feel free.
  

I'll give you some options here instead of just one choice.

This CRKT is a wonderful tool.

If you'd like another Spyderco you can't go wrong with a Dragonfly or a Centofante III.

If you've never got a Kershaw they're killer knives for the price. The Leek is a great introduction.

Or, you could buy 2 knives with your fifty. Ontario's RAT I and RAT II are some sweet knives.

Depending on your taste. You simply cannot go wrong with any of these knives.

EDC LIST

(A helpful redditor pointed out that r/EDC doesn't endorse using knives in defense. I wanted to be clear the ka-bar is used for utilitarian purposes and never on anything animate.)

[From top to bottom][I know 'techno-utilitarian' makes me sound 'techno'-cally like a tool.]

• Apple Watch 3 with Marge leather wristband
  
• Bellroy Cardholder
  
• Bellroy Keyholder
  
• iPhone 6
  
• Grey Moleskine ruled journal
  
• Parker Arrow Ballpoint Pen
  
• Asus ZenPower 10050mAH portable charger
  
• Ka-Bar concealed "McStabby" (don't have the name handy)
  
• Spyderco Ambitious Black G-10
  
  The vitamins are technically EDC, too, but I didn't mean for them to sneak into the shot. ANIMAL PAK. No big deal.
  
  E: I'm upgrading the Ka-Bar 'McStabby' with a slightly safer Ka-Bar TDI LE fixed blade, but I'd take other recs. Thanks guys!

Get a blademedic from amazon. Really simple, easy to use, lasts a while, etc.

Took my mother's 40y/o hunting knife from not sharp enough to cut anything to passing the paper test in all of like 45 seconds.

Theyre like $10 and amazing

edit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0085PPSIQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480522527&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=blade+medic&dpPl=1&dpID=41SK1bQyxRL&ref=plSrch

G&G Combat Machine M4-A1 Carbine W/ 9.6v battery and Charger: Black Version

Tan Version

Pyramex i-force goggles [I own them, no fogging at all] : Link

Bravo Strike Steel Face Mask: Black

OD

Tactical Sling: Link

Tactical Premium Elite Force 0.20's BBs 5000: Link

Amazon Total (free shipping) : $23.96

Airsoft GI Total with "2013memorial" Coupon WITH UPS ground: $168.28

Grand Total: $192.64 (This is the price shipped)

Use those $37.36 and get some Camo Clothes from a local store or eBay, you'll get it cheaper than getting them from airsoft stores.

Don't need/want Camo Clothing?

Get a Vest UTG Vest

or perhaps spare magazine: Magazine

Or

Red Dot Scope

Or
Gloves & Knee Pads

That's pretty much it, see you on the field!


Edit: Just to make this clear, I tested my pyramex goggles with my 400FPS KWA SR10 with 0.25, sprayed around 5 shots to the lens and not even a scratch.. They're for about $20+ on airsoftgi/evike.. Amazon has better prices on most of the things.

Edit #2: Thanks to Bily_Mays for the correction on the coupon.

My brother is coming to visit with me and my wife for the first time since we got married. We're gonna go shooting and then have a video game marathon! So stoked!

Thanks for the contest! Wow $50 is huge!

1.21 Gigawatts

MARTTTTYYYYYY!!!!!!

Link

Plano double scoped rifle case for me. Love it. Affordable, durable and legit. Not. Big fan of the pluck foam so I bought some replacement foam for cheap and cut with turkey shears. Works like a charm!

Here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0029KDHQI/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Foam here:
http://www.thefoamfactory.com/opencellfoam/charcoal-R.html

I also have the tactical ar case from Plano and I'm equally as pleased with the quality of the product for the cost!

I have a friend who bought this vest: http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Law-Enforcement-SWAT-Vest/dp/B001BR1O74/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1314551397&sr=8-3

He is about your size and it tightens up nice on him. It has a pretty huge range you can adjust it to. However the top button that covers the zipper broke off. But the rest of the vest seems okay.

I have one like it but it's not leather. Grab you a military style day pack (I think the one shoulder ones are rush bags, maybe that's just the brand I have though) and attach some extra pouches to the M.O.L.L.E. straps. Something like this. There are some for not as many money if super rugged isn't needed.

I don't have one of these but my friend does and says he loves it.

https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Platinum-Case-System/dp/B00HS7JEB4/ref=sr_1_4?s=hunting-fishing&ie=UTF8&qid=1506090133&sr=1-4&keywords=case+trimmer

I can ask him any questions you have about it.

Hoppes #9 oil with precision dropper is great as well. I use this stuff all over the house -- it's great.

http://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-Lubricating-14-9-Precision-Bottle/dp/B0013R67A6

not wd40, you could try this (or a similar bearing lubricant) https://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-Lubricating-14-9-Precision-Bottle/dp/B0013R67A6/ref=sr_1_5?crid=396HZ8CRQE95B&dchild=1&keywords=bearing+lubricant&qid=1574097107&sprefix=bearing+lub%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-5

fan should be accessible through the housing opening to put a drop on the bearing. Though I wouldnt count on it helping.

probably need to replace the fan. yes, opening a PSU is not the safest thing... but if you wear thick rubber gloves (like dishwashing gloves, not latex or cotton gloves), your safe enough. Dont go poking things with metal, just get to the fan and get out.

the BK14 is a legitimate colab between ESEE and Kabar/Ethan Becker so if you want a knife with the same handle, but a bigger blade, that's your best bet. Also you can buy Orange Zytel scales for it as well if you wanted.

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-BK14-Becker-Knife-Eskabar/dp/B004CIQY6K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405386912&sr=8-1&keywords=bk14

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-Scales-Handles-Orange/dp/B0073GZSM4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405386912&sr=8-2&keywords=bk14

I'd say a Japanese waterstone would be the way to go. They're not that hard to use. This Kai 240/1000 would even match most of his knives! A 1000/6000 would also be a good option paired with a fine diamond stone.

I understand that none of these would work particularly well for that half serrated blade. But a little Lansky blade medic could touch it up nicely.

Under no circumstances would I ever turn them in! Getting a trigger lock is a perfectly fine storage solution. And either a gun safe (expensive) or double (two lock) locking storage case designed for rifles is good also.

Here is a case that may work for all three of the firearms.

Plano Double Scoped Rifle Case w/Wheels https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029KDHQI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_sw6ODbFP8H4T5

Can't go wrong with a Spyderco Delica. It's a trusted and well loved EDC knife. Check out some of the reviews on it.

A knife specifically for defensive use needs some unique features that a typical EDC knife designed for opening boxes and stuff won't have. Specifically, you need to be able to take it, bare-handed, and slam it down on something hard like a piece of wood as hard as you can.

Most knives can't do that because your hand will slip onto the blade and you'll slice your hand open (unless you're using what I'd call an unnatural grip). So a defensive knife needs a finger choil or a guard. It should also be fixed-blade. The assumption that I think you should make when looking for a defensive knife is that your attacker is already on top of you, and you'll only have one hand and fairly limited dexterity to deploy it, so a folding knife won't work well. Plus, folding knives don't typically have a guard or choil.

As you can imagine, it's tough to get a guard on a knife that's small enough for EDC, especially concealed. (Really, who wants to walk around open-carrying a giant knife?)

Here are three recommendations, in descending order of price:

Spyderco's Street Beat

ShivWorks Clinch Pick

Ka-Bar TDI

None of them are quite as badass or tacticool as a giant 5" serrated tanto, but there's a reason that serious trained self-defense instructors will recommend stuff like these.

Mine does the same thing in the same spot.

I use Hoppes #9 Lubricating Oil on all my multitools. Great stuff. I advise against WD-40. Although it does work, and does lubricate, it also seems to attract a lot of dirt and smell like WD40 for quite a while. Hoppes or any high-viscosity gun lubricant works best.

Do you have to pay import taxes or anything? I can go grab you a new KaBar at the damn knife store here and ship it to you. I'm happy to help any way I can.

Edit: Amazon has them new for $65.09 with free shipping (to me) with Prime. I can then ship it to you. Should come in under your budget. Let me know if you're interested.

KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001H53Q6M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_12lUAbHERFVKJ

I can vouch for the KA-BAR TDI law enforcement it comes with a sheath with a belt clip, there are different sizes, serrated or non serrated, mix of serrated and non serrated, its ergonomics are great and it comes sharp as a fucking bitch!

It's part of my EDC and I love it!

Here's a video review. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nfmDXy1waQ

Hope it helped!

Plano cases are pretty good for the cost. And this particular one is HUGE with key locks on the latches. It's big enough to warrant the addition of wheels, so it's a bit awkward for someone to sneak or with the entire thing as well.

Popular brands are Nano Oil 10wt,Militec-1,Benchmade Blue lube,Hoppe's No. 9,KPL Knife Pivot Lube,3-in-1 oil,and Tuff Glide dry lubricantjust to name a few in no particular order. I personally like Nano-oil the best but have been hearing really good things about KPL.

Gerber Shard is a convenient little pry-tool for a bargain. It's worth the price just to try it out. Bottle opener, pry bar, and Philips-head screwdriver all in one make it worth the space on my keychain.

For a folder, you won't go wrong with either a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian or a Spyderco Delica. And at the cheaper end, there's the popular Spyderco Tenacious, but I am personally not a fan. Just don't buy anything with partial serrations, and do learn how to sharpen your blade.

Happy trails.

I just started too, and I'm using this knife :

Imperial Schrade IMP16S Stockman Folding Pocket Knife https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037SNATU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_y1IdAbBD32DQ5

I love this knife, it's great, and inexpensive.

For easy cheap sharpening, you can start with something like this :

Lansky PS-MED01 BladeMedic https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085PPSIQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_o5IdAb61TS3Z3

You'll want to invest in better tools if you decide to stick with it, but this is what I'm starting with even though I have other knives and sharpening stones and etc.

Was it the Gerber LMF? I'm pretty sure those are still made in the US and are actually fairly adequate, as long as you don't use it like a throwing knife. It's one of the very few things Gerber still does okay.

If you feel like getting him something that'll kick all kinds of ass, I'd recommend some of these.

I would make sure that your rifle can fit into the case prior to ordering it. I have both the 42" Plano case and the longer case with wheels (this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029KDHQI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). My rifle (20" barrel) BARELY fits into the longer case. It's a great case overall though.

I dunno what you're looking for, but this is what I carry on my offhand.

https://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Enforcement-Knife-Fixed-Blade/dp/B003IXYW3M/

It's small and discreet, great concealability and quick to access. comes with a left/right draw kydex sheath with good retention.

If you're just looking for something to cut clothing for tourniquets or seat belts they also have a serrated version.

Here's the manual for a '42 Royal Arrow (very similar) http://www.machinesoflovinggrace.com/manuals/RoyalArrowManual.pdf
Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-Precision-Lubricating-14-9ml-Bottle/dp/B0013R67A6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381183565&sr=8-1&keywords=needle+oiler
should help with oiling. Enjoy!

If i flip heavy its at least once a week, normally i can tell when my bali needs more lube. I'm a big fan of Hoppe's 9 lubricating oil, you can get a 15ml bottle with a nice applicator tip for like $8 on amazon.

Here is the link if you want it

Now my knife is worn,
but now the best technique.
At least for this knife.
_____
Well technically not that specific model in the picture, but it will serve for my lazy ass. If you know the lighter trick with a knife like this, all you have to do is use the backside of the blade instead of the bottom of the knife.

Initially when I was trying different techniques I used the top end of the handle... but that eventually got town to shreds so I tried the side and it has been working perfectly for about a year now.


Related: if you ever break a Benchmade knife or even find a broken one they don't give a damn what happened to it, they will just replace it.

Swiss Army Knife

Kershaw method

Kershaw Westin

Ganzo FH-11

Byrd Medowlark 2

Opinel #8

Ontario Rat 1

All of these are going to last longer and perform better than the MTech. In terms of appearance and esthetics, nobody is going to look askance if you pull out a Swiss army knife or an opinel. Flicking your mtech will likely be a different story. You should carry what you enjoy, but understand that conventional wisdom is going to look down on the appearance and, if they know about knives, the MTech brand. If you go with the Mtech, don't trust the lock too much and don't be surprised if the assist mechanism breaks.

A bit late, but a few years ago I bought a tactical vest. All the pockets work perfectly with little bottles of alcohol, or medium sized flask shaped bottles. You could combine that with something army-ish? I usually went as a Guerrilla (cargo pants/tactical vest) Gorilla (gorilla mask/gloves).

The Becker Necker and Izula II are both good knives. the Kabar Eskabar has the Necker's big blade, with the Izula's handle... the best of both worlds.

and it's only $34

If I know I am going to be in a survival situation?

Phone + Battery, 50 Flares, vehicle with a full tank of gas would be my top 3.

More serious you say? Just limiting myself to ordering online, mostly amazon -

1. Warbonnet hammock and tarp
   
   
2. Sawyer water filter
   
   
3. 1,000 feet of 750 cord
   
   
4. 50 bic lighters
   
   
5. 12 Months supply of food
   
   
6. Heavy knife
   
   
7. Light cheap knife
   
   
8. Any expensive sleeping bag
   
   
9. Cell phone, including my favorite RPG games.
   
   
10. Solar recharger
    
    
    

• Assumes I am stranded in the forest of the Northwest United States.
  
  
  Given a more specific survival situation, a budget, weight limit or other constraints, I may adjust my list accordingly.
  
  

• 9mm bore brush and patch loop
  
• Patches
  
• Hoppes solvent
  
• Lube
  
  That's the minimum. I would also recommend CLP as a mid-step between solvent and lube, and as a general cleaner and protectant. Cleaning brushes and picks are useful for getting into the harder to reach places. Finally a bore snake down the barrel at the range after shooting from chamber to muzzle a couple times will make cleaning significantly easier.

Easy solution: https://smile.amazon.de/Lansky-3143-Messerschärfer-Blademedic-290008/dp/B0085PPSIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527358948&sr=8-1&keywords=knife+sharpener+camping

Gets every knife sharp enough to work with them in minutes.
And I guarantee you, the blade will not be worse than before.

Spyderco Lightweight Delica, in gray - here. At $58.65 it's just a tad over your stated $50 limit, but I'm confident you'll like it.

7.125-inch open length
4.25-inch closed length
2.875-inch VG-10 steel blade
2.56-inch cutting edge
0.5-inch blade hole
0.09-inch blade thickness
2.5-ounce weight
FRN handle material

If you want cheap, and beginner level, try the Lansky blademedic

I use it in the kitchen when I’m in too much of a rush to use my whetstone. It’s one of those credit card types as you call it. I also have one for my non cooking knives. It’s made specially for quick sharpening, but it’s a bandaid. Whetstones are much better on the steel than this.

It can sharpen and hone, and even get the serrations. Whetstones are definitely the way to go, but have a learning curve to get angles, pressure, and positioning correct, and takes some patience.

What people are hinting at and not saying, is that you can get yourself a really good bag that will do everything you could need (unless your needs are INTENSELY specalized) for around $100. Anyone much over that is either too far into their own hype, or are approaching dimishing returns as far as dollar per feature.

Get a little more specific about what you're carrying around, or what you do regularly and options can be narrowed. Some people carry more, and some less. A 5.11 Rush 10 may be your size, where as others need a larger bag like a Rush 12.

Do you want single or double strap? Do you care about a military type bag or would you prefer a more urban look? Do you carry a laptop? Do you have any hobbies that require special gear? Does it need to be close to water proof? Do you plan to have to carry it around for long periods of time or will it spend a lot of time in the car? Does it need to perform double duty as a school/work bag?

All of these are going to be rugged options. None of these are over $150. Some are larger than others and some are sling packs. Others are backpack style. Some more urban than others.

You CAN get spendy on a pack, but really...I don't see much reason unless you want something that isn't available at a lower price somewhere else. Goruck is well thought of, but their bags seem expensive to me for what they are.

5.11 Rush 10

5.11 Rush 12

5.11 Covert 18

Maxpedition Falcon II

Maxpedition Sitka

Tactical Tailor Concealed Carry Sling Bag

Tactical Tailor Operator Pack

Grey Ghost Gear Light Weight Assault Pack and Stealth Operator Pack

Hazard 4 Plan B Sling Pack

Edit: For what it's worth, I've been carrying around a Medium sized A.L.I.C.E pack (no frame) that I got for $15 online for two years now. It carries whatever I need it to, and comes with me just about everywhere. I've been looking to upgrade for a little bit, but I don't really NEED to. I just like the shiny new packs out there.

If your looking for something with a left handed frame or liner lock they do exist but your going to be paying a high price for them. A lefty sebenza costs $400 and those high end knives will feel like they are built specifically for you, But there are plenty of ambidexterous locks as others have mentioned like a back lock or axis style lock.

What would be a fair price for these. I see them for about 100
Im also looking at this https://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Marine-Corps-Fighting-Straight/dp/B001H53Q6M/ref=pd_sim_200_9?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001H53Q6M&pd_rd_r=P19CMAPTDJDWYET7DZG3&pd_rd_w=QRVXy&pd_rd_wg=44qV2&psc=1&refRID=P19CMAPTDJDWYET7DZG3 The KA Bar I like a little better and is a tad bit cheaper.

It doesn't look like there are any more today that are going to be over 50, but this one is a great knife and they automatically take 10 off the price until midnight PST tonight.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J14BOBU/ref=gb1h_img_c-2_7022_da5f3ce7?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1N3WGG8DTCXKSXSB5924&pf_rd_i=384082011&pf_rd_p=1980507022

It also is coming up on a lightning deal tomorrow, though, at 10:40 CST, and I'm guessing it'll be more than ten off.

I finally got my EDC down to a really slim and minimal setup. Nothing that I don't use on a daily basis. Basically a Pocket-dump.

• Keys
  
• Sandisk Cruzer Brbit 32 GB Flash Drive
  
• Wendy's Free Frosty Keychain
  
• ThruNite Ti3 Black, Blue Light
  
• Herschel Supply Co. Charlie Wallet Black
  
• Kershaw Leek Blackwash Sandvik 14C28N
  
• Google (LG) Nexus 5 White
  
• EMPIRE KLIX Quicksand Grey Case
  
  Thanks for looking.

Alternate View


I work in the tech industry, but I'm not comfortable going too much further than that.
EDC (on my person):

• Cell phone (not pictured): Galaxy S4 with extended battery Amazon
  
• Watch: Invicta 8926OB Amazon
  
• Knives (rotation):
  
  • Kershaw Blur Amazon
    
  • Kershaw Leek Amazon
    
  • Kershaw Brawler Amazon
    
  • CRKT Fossil Amazon
    
• Flashlight: Thrunite TN12 (2014 Version) 2016 Version Amazon
  
• Wallet: Kenneth Cole, not sure what kind.
  
• Gun: S&W Shield 9mm w/ Talon grips
  
• Keychain Amazon
  Thingies on keychain:
  
  • Tile Cell Phone/Key locator Amazon
    
  • TRUE lighter Amazon
    
  • Gerber Curve mini tool Amazon
    
  • Gerber Shard bottle opener (come on, what else is it good for?) Amazon
    
  • House and car keys
    
    
    
    But wait, there's more! Bonus Closeup Images
    

On amazon. It's pretty sweet. It has roller wheels, it locks shut and has an airtight seal.

A BladeMedic is an inexpensive and quite easy approach to get you started. :)

I've gone to my Army Navy Surplus store nearby, and the closest thing I could find is similar to this.
I was considering something like this or this, but if I can find something more accurate it would be better.

Just a bit larger, but not by much, the BK 14.
https://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-BK14-Becker-Knife-Eskabar/dp/B004CIQY6K
it fits perfect in this sheath.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RIEJA8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I always recommend getting analog calipers instead of the digital ones. That way you don't have to worry about batteries dying on you, and in my experience, the analog ones give much more consistent readings.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B5XJW7I

I would also suggest that you skip the Hornady case trimmer, and go ahead and upgrade to something like the Frankford Arsenal Prep center.
https://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Case-Trim-Prep-System/dp/B00HS7JEB4
Yes, it's $100 more, but after doing about 50 cases by hand, you'll be ready to get an electric trimmer, and then you'll just have the $75 manual trimmer sitting there unused (unless you plan on trimming straight-walled cases) The Frankford prep center would also give you a chamfer/deburring tool, and primer pocket cleaners, and you can simply get a military crimp remover for it like this. https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Trim-Military-Crimp-Remover-LG/dp/B0063IDEK6 that would fit right in the prep station (which could be a big bonus if you get into military 7.62x51 brass)
As far as dies, I like the Lee dies, and if you want "precision rifle" rounds, then go ahead and get the four die set, so you get both a full length resizer and a neck sizer die. I also like Lee dies because they include the shell holder and they have the crimping die seperate from the bullet seating die (but that's personal preference)
https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Reloading-Ultimate-Rifle/dp/B00HAN37H8/
Lastly, I can't speak for the Hornady Neck Turning Tool, but I would suggest not getting that yet, and putting that $100 towards the prep station. I don't have experience with neck turning, but I really don't think it'll give you that much added accuracy.

definitely would go nicely with your current aesthetic

https://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-BlackWash-Stainless-Reversible-Pocketclip/dp/B00J14BOBU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3U0TOFIF1PRP6&dchild=1&keywords=kershaw+leek+blackwash&qid=1573955032&sprefix=kershaw+screw%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1

Leatherman OHT

DULEX super Bright Cree Xm-l T61000l

Amazon Basics AA

[Opinel No. 8 Folding Knife Stainless Steel]
(http://amazon.com/dp/B000UGYWTO)


Husky Precision Screwdriver Set

Samsung Galaxy Note II

Just a heads up that this knife has plummeted almost $20 in price since I picked it out last week. Might be a good time to buy if you're interested. I'm going to have to call in for a refund on the difference!

Spyderco C66PBK3 Centofante III Knife https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BT1GAI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_TkZJub0NBH13T

Yep! I run two in the rush series

1. Rush 72 (bug out): https://www.amazon.com/5-11-RUSH72-Tactical-Backpack-Military/dp/B0019MPNNC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YMF5VLO44QJS&keywords=rush+72&qid=1549667428&sprefix=rush+72%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-1
   
2. MOAB 10 (get home/EDC): https://www.amazon.com/5-11-Tactical-Sling-Backpack-Style/dp/B004D1SMES?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_2581599011
   
   In case of the big one you connect one to the other and walk. They're amazing. Well made, well thought out, and durable as hell.

You are also in price range of the Delica 4 and Centofante 3 or Endura 4

These are much better knives than the Tenacious, Skyline or Cryo. VG-10 is much better steel, made with much better quality control from better materials.

Obviously, they are right at your price point, but its a whole-nother-level type of thing when compared to the Cryo and such.

Opinle is a good work knife.


And milwaukeet tool folder is also a good work knife.

I actually went against my original post. I just bought this CRKT Ken Onion Ripple . Thanks tho!!

Are you sure you really want a manual one? This one https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Platinum-Hardened-Scrapers/dp/B00HS7JEB4 has been good to 0.001" in my experience... and its not a carpel tunnel machine.

This seems to be a pretty popular option among the self-defense world. Not sure what purpose you're wanting, but I'm sure this would be more than sufficient.

I'm not a big fan of the 0350 so I'm gonna say Link.

Then for a wildcard I'm gonna throw in the Spyderco Manix 2 Black G-10 PlainEdge Knife.

They're all solid picks though, I wouldn't stress too much, you'll be happy with any of them! Open a picture of each knife in a new tab, and flip between them, it'll become obvious quickly which one is calling to you most of all.

My father was in the marines in the 70s and came home when I was somewhere between 1 or 2. April 22 was his birthday and I always have a hard time finding a present for the old bastard. I stumbled across this on amazon one night trying to get ideas. http://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Marine-Corps-Fighting-Straight/dp/B001H53Q6M/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1462620162&sr=1-1&keywords=ka+bar I have never seen his eyes light up like they did that day. He looked like a little kid on christmas. Apparently before he went in one of my grandfathers friends gave him his kbar that he used in ww2 island hopping in the pacific and he had etched the places he had been in the blade. Some scumbag stole that knife from him just before he was to leave to come home. Definitely one of the best reactions I have ever gotten from anyone I have bought a present for.

Mine batons like a champ. Check amazon.com. I picked up mine for 50 bucks there. I also picked up a plastic sheath for about ten bucks, as it comes in a leather one which probably shouldn't get wet.

http://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Marine-Corps-Fighting-Straight/dp/B001H53Q6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370297639&sr=8-1&keywords=kabar

That's a Benchmade 940. These retail on amazon for $180ish. Being a prototype certainly adds value, but I'm not sure how much. Likely worth $250-300, but could be worth as much as $500 depending on the buyer and how rare prototypes are.

If you like KaBar, their Becker line is better for camping. The old USMC fighting knife is for that, fighting. They are also known to break at the handle under hard use.

I love my Eskabar. Wrap the handle in paracord for a better grip, and some emergency cordage.

The Plano Double Scoped Rifle Case as others have mentioned, would be a great choice. Slightly cheaper here.

For that budget the Ka-Bar does seem like a good choice. If you don't mind going 5 bucks over budget, I would consider this too though.

This Plano case might work. The inside dimensions are listed as 51.5 inches, so it might just fit. I have the 42" version and I'm pleased with it.

I bought the same sharpener a while back on amazon and it was not that good. I would definitely go with a this instead as it is close to the same price, relatively similar but a little better quality.

Just my opinion, but planned or not planned, anyone doing any sort of actual backcountry camping would never have the capacity to carry even a single sharpening stone as a requirement. I've done lots of camping, from campground car camping to multiple weeks, and I can't imagine any situation where having a full water stone set up would be a benefit. You have to soak the stones which is a waste of clean water, and the weight is significant.

Everybody is different and prepares their own way, so I'm not knocking someone who would bring a couple of stones and sharpen their knives as a "fun" way to pass some time while camping in a campground... But to say that you need stones for a backcountry trip in the wilderness is tough for me to wrap my mind around.

I use one of these for camping/vacations:

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-PS-MED01-BladeMedic/dp/B0085PPSIQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1410642777&sr=8-3&keywords=knife+sharpener

Best choice:

Benchmade 940

A little cheaper, smaller, and with plastic scales:

Benchmade Mini Griptilian

Osborn is one of the best affordable EDC.

I got my dad a Spyderco Dragonfly. I looked at many other knives, including the Benchmade 940. But this is the one i think suits him best.

Amazon has them for $70. About the best price you will get.

Try Opinel. They have a bunch on Amazon, and are really durable, inexpensive, and aesthetically pleasing. I personally have the No. 8

An Opinel pocket knife. They're like $15. They're made out of wood and they look really cool. You can use em for kitchen work, or whittling, or just cutting shit. Great little knives, I've got 5 of them all in different sizes. :D

https://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Marine-Corps-Fighting-Straight/dp/B001H53Q6M/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=k-bar&qid=1568318527&s=gateway&sr=8-1

This tried and true classic will get the job done I absolutely guarantee it.

Well, the good news is, it's only around $60.

> Are any of these under 80? They're all gorgeous

Kershaw Leek, Blackwash. $45 on Amazon.com

Absolutely the Spyderco Delica 4 FFG. Quite literally a perfect knife.

As an avid Becker fan and owner, I have to say that the BK11 was a low point for the Brand.

I recommend going for a BK14 instead.

Check out the USMC Ka-bar as well, its a tried and true survival knife.

Maybe there's a reason, but why carry a heavy "axe" (hatchet?) when you can carry a knife like a BK-7 and a folding saw and have most if not all of the functionality of a hatchet with the two?

I'm seriously considering a Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Prep and Trim Center. It looks like a very flexible and fast trimming platform.

Edit: Here it is on Amazon for $143.21

It's more than $25, but looks like this one:

https://smile.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Platinum-Hardened-Scrapers/dp/B00HS7JEB4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=franklin+armory+case+prep+platinum+with+trimmer&qid=1574798866&sr=8-1

Just keep a gun or a knife on you at all times. It could save your life or others.

Throw this https://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Enforcement-Knife-Fixed-Blade/dp/B003IXYW3M

on your belt and start swinging if you need to defend yourself. Aim for the head/neck and get to safety.

Benchmade Mini-Griptilian. http://www.amazon.com/Benchmade-Pardue-Design-Mini-Griptillian-Plain/dp/B00180GQJA/

Spyderco Delica 4 (stainless) http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Delica-Stainless-Steel-Plain/dp/B001PLHP4W/

IMO, both would make fantastic groomsman gifts.

I am a huge fan of my Ka-Bar BK7

http://amzn.com/B001IPMG8K

Hard to beat a spyderco delica for a lightweight edc knife. I just got a manker e02h and it’s an outstanding little edc light coupled with eneloop aaa’s.

Skip this karambit stuff and buy a trusty Spyderco Delica 4 or Endura 4.




http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003CH3V5E/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419378512&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40



http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0052HQMYY/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SS115&simLd=1