http://www.agrussell.com/a-g-russell-3-lockback/p/RUShhhP73P/ This seems about perfect for you. The CF & Ti versions are both under $50.
Why did you have to post this knife? I thought I was done buying knives for a few months. I gotta have one now.
Three different options: Victorinox Pioneer - so far the most useful pocket tool I've ever carried. Buck Vantage Select small - not exactly pretty, but a lot of knife for the money. Opinel #6 - the cheapest, lightest EDC folder out there. Victorinox Pioneer: darkSAKNETT by thesungame, on Flickr Opinel #6:
How about a Fällkniven TK 3 ? Got one myself, really nice pocketknife. Edit: didnt notice the 50$ limit...
Man this is a tough one. I really dig the Case stuff, but now I'm having a hard time justifying somewhere between $65 and $100 for a case knife, when I could get a Damascus Mcusta frame lock for a small amount more from the forum store. So I'm thinking about changing the requirements: No nail nick knives, I really prefer thumb studs (actually I prefer opening holes, but those typically grow the blade too much for this application) $40 or less (if it pushes $50+, I'll sell a few more things and go with the grail Mcusta.) I'd really like a slim pocket clip to be available as well. My plan is to attach the knife to my wallet for a single swipe unloading of the pocket, and a pocket clip would make this easier. It would be SUPER SWEET if the closed height of the knife was 1" or less. I think this is where a lot of the hold up is coming from. Does such a knife exist?
Boker Keycom maybe? Thumbstud, frame lock, pocket clip, costs under $20, not much bigger than a USB stick. AUS8 Steel takes a very sharp edge. Finger choil and jimping allow for a very secure grip for such a small knife. Bought one from Jon through the EDCF Store and it has been in my pocket ever since. I got the one with the black blade, though I prefer the look of the steel blade myself: Here's a picture of it with some of my other EDC stuff for you to get an idea of size:
I've looked at those in the past, but could never really get an idea of scale. Thanks for the pic. Of course I don't have experience with any of the other items you pictured, so . If that's a streamlight, it might actually be a little TOO small... What are the overalls of the knife, with clip, closed? l,w,h?
Case/Queen/Schatt & Morgan Slimline Trapper. Single blade 2 1/4" blade. Carbon steel can get very sharp and it's a very functional knife. Doesn't have a lock though. http://www.casexx.com/DisplayPatternPageFH.asp?PatternAutoID=187 Case Trapperlock is a similar knife with a liner lock, but a few dollars over your budget. http://www.deadwoodknives.com/p-148...?cagpspn=pla&gclid=CPPa8qLO2bQCFUKd4AodVGIAsw
Well, too late now, you're getting the Electrician (which is a nice knife, and it on my want list). Yes, the smaller silver flashlight is a Streamlight Nano (one of the older models). The Boker Keycom is: Closed length, 2 1/4", width (widest point) 13/16", thickness not including clip: 1/4", including clip, 7/16". Blade length, 1 11/16", full lenngth when open: 3 3/4". The larger knife at the bottom of the pic is a Kershaw Scallion, which is about the same general size as a Spyderco Dragonfly. The black flashlight is a Fenix E15, which takes a single C123 battery and is about 1.5 times as long as a C123.
It arrived yesterday, and I added a pocket clip this morning. I think it came out really nice, but we'll have to see how the threads hold over time. There is a copious amount of loctite blue both on the screws and the mating surfaces. if that fails, JB Weld, here I come. Lanyard to come.
I adore my Opinel, I have relegated it to the FOOD cutting duties. I have spent many happy hours using it to smear brie on torn bread.