Reddit reviews Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K Folding Pocket Knife (6034), Manual 3.25-Inch 8Cr14MoV Stainless Steel Blade, Features Wave Shaped Opening Feature, Thumb Disk, Frame Lock, Reversible Pocketclip, 5.1 oz.
We found 18 Reddit comments about Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K Folding Pocket Knife (6034), Manual 3.25-Inch 8Cr14MoV Stainless Steel Blade, Features Wave Shaped Opening Feature, Thumb Disk, Frame Lock, Reversible Pocketclip, 5.1 oz.. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
3” blade is made of 8Cr14MoV stainless steel with dual blade finishes offers excellent edge retention and wear resistanceModified clip-point blade is ideal for delicate handiwork, opening packages, cleaning small game, aggressive animal defense and preparing kindlingDesigned by Emerson Knives and precision engineered by Kershaw for uncompromising function, fit and finishVersatile pocket carry and ideal companion for wilderness guides, hunters, backpackers, landscapers and knife enthusiastsManual blade opening with a thumb disk, Emerson’s patented “wave shaped feature”, a favorite feature among military, rescue and law enforcement
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:
A few notes here
ETA a few more links and some clarification of my still-awake-at-5am rambling.
You can check out the Ontario RAT 1 as it fits most of your requirements (except self defense, but we don't promote that in this sub anyway (self defense with a knife) as you would probably be better with a good pepper spray or other non-lethal for that).
The Kershaw CQC-6K is also a nice option.
If you need something smaller and slimmer - check out the Tekut Zero I reviewed earlier.
In general, I don't recommend you plan to use a knife as protection. Running shoes and a strong flashlight would be a much more viable plan. Especially, If you are apparently not trained enough to know the "names and stuff" surrounding which knives would be best for your defense techniques.
All that being said, a defensive blade within your budget should have wave deployment capabilities. So, Kershaw Emerson CQC is my recommendation.
Kershaw EDC Emerson - $26
Griffin tool - $18
SOG tomahawk - $30
Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K
I posted this in a similar post, last week. This is just what I carry on my person. My EDC in my bag is a whole other story.
Left front pocket:
-Money clip/front pocket wallet w/various cards and cash
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CTCLW9F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Right front pocket:
-One tube of cherry flavored Chapstick
-Kershaw/Emerson knife
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I0RSVQK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Left rear pocket:
-Black/white handkerchief
Right rear pocket:
-Black Pock-it EDC pouch
https://yellowbirchoutfitters.com/collections/the-pockit
In said Pock-it:
-Beard comb
-Small BIC lighter
-Tactical Pen
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B073VJJ47P/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_xiDUCbHBAK8AS
-Challenge/Good luck coin
https://smile.amazon.com/ZFG-Inc-Giftable-Novelty-Quarter/dp/B01G49UZ5A
-Olight I3T Flashlight
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DLRK7Q5
-Various coins
>Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K
This is the exact knife:
https://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-3-25-Inch-Stainless-Reversible-Pocketclip/dp/B00I0RSVQK
Northwest Territorial Mint makes Scouting Coins - I'm not personally into them, but many people are. They make a simple venturing coin and also one with the venturing oath engraved.
A walking staff with a venturing medallion (see above) might be a cool gift.
A [really nice compass](http://store.silvacompass.com/ranger-75-sighting-compass (you know, "to guide your way" etc, etc.) could be meaningful.
You could get him a cool knife (I recently purchased this one ) and have it engraved in some meaningful way. I'm personally more into the Spyderco line of knives, but the Kershaw is more cost-effective.
Also know that a gift is not expected - if you're invited to the Court of Honor, the only thing requested is your presence.
Edit: added a knife note
Check out the Kershaw CQC line
Kershaw 6034 Emerson Designed CQC-6K Knife https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I0RSVQK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6y-MybQRQXJ6M
So, what we teach in our self defense courses as far as weapons go, is to use whatever you have like an ice pick, with a thumb over one end. You basically strike down at whatever you can (usually a hand or arm) and re-load. It's fast and noncommittal. It's strange setting it written, but you probably get the idea.
It's long, so it sticks out the end of your hand so there's something to concentrate the force you generate with your strike. It's thin because something thicker won't ride in your pocket as easy.
Plus... It's cheap. We try to advocate stuff that works, but isn't so expensive that you don't get one.
This knife from Kershaw is just about perfect, really no matter the cost. It just happens to be cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I0RSVQK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xfQxDbS12HD9W
It's built like a tank, and about as expensive as other knives' sheaths. LoL
Hope this stuff helps and makes sense.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00I0RSVQK/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Able to be carried on your non-holster side, and has the wave opener for fast deployment.
Well I was going to say Skyline when I saw the title. But having read that, Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K? Or maybe the Injection? Though both have rather vanilla blade shapes. Possibly try someting different and get an Opinel #8? And looks thru here, it's the sub's list of recommendations and covers most of the stuff in a given range.
My personal preferance is towards the 6K in that series.
Don't get that. If you want to wow him, definately get something special, like a Spyderco Delica Wave
The wave, patented by Emerson (famous high end brand), allows knives to be deployed the moment out of the pocket by itself. See if he owns one already, if not, that is a great choice.
Any of the Kershaw X Emerson CQC series is also a great choice, with the same wave feature. I always get these as gifts for people, both knife nut and non-nut. They always seem to be wowed by the wave feature. Its just my go-to for a knife gift.
http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-6034-Emerson-Designed-CQC-6K/dp/B00I0RSVQK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449725440&sr=8-1&keywords=kershaw+cqc
http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Delica-Emerson-Opener-Plain/dp/B00165X4K6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449725449&sr=8-1&keywords=delica+4+wave
For $23.95 you can have this. It's my current EDC. Holds an edge...
What is your budget and what type of blade are you looking for?
My favorite knife is the CRKT M16-13SF With the Auto Lawks feature, it becomes a veritable tank and performs like a full tang fixed blade.
I really like my Spyderco Tenacious as an EDC, does everything you're looking for.
The Kershaw 6034 Emerson Designed CQC-6K and the Kershaw 6044TBLK Emerson Designed CQC-8K are supposed to be really good, I haven't gotten around to buying but I am going to real soon.
If money is not an issue, then I suggest going for the Benchmade or Emerson route.
Fixed blades? Without getting too deep into it an ESEEor a Ka-Bar will last you forever.
Or you could just go with you know... An icepick
If you just like the look of the knife but don't want to drop $225, the new Kershaw/emerson collaboration is very similar in structure:
http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-6034-Emerson-Designed-CQC-6K/dp/B00I0RSVQK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407607862&sr=8-1&keywords=cqc+6k
Definitely a solid, reliable knife.
I am unfamiliar with knife laws in NZ, but something like a [Kershaw emerson] (https://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-3-25-Inch-Stainless-Reversible-Pocketclip/dp/B00I0RSVQK) or [Rat 1] (https://www.amazon.com/Rat-OD-Green-D2-Steel/dp/B01HSF41MM) are both pretty affordable and good all around knives.