My friend this tool can be bought @ amazon for $41 brand new. https://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-Skeletool-Multi-Tool-Stainless-Steel/dp/B000XU9NXW
I am not sure where you keep getting the prices from! You will need to adjust it down to atleast this price. Ideally a little under.
For EDC, consider a Skeletool for your next purchase. Honestly it's one of my most used tools, and I love it. I have the CX version which looks slightly cooler and has slightly better steel, but the normal version is still awesome (aparently they jumped in price on amazon though...).
I have carried a Skeletool for just over 10 years now. I have lost about three of them but I never hesitate to replace it. I recently started carrying a Signal in my work bag and thats a great option as well, but not as pocketable.
You can find the Skeletool for about $55 on Amazon. You can find it as low as $35 ocassionally.
The Skeletool isn't as robust and doesn't have as many tools as some other options, but it's by far the most comfortable to carry while retaining the most used features of a full size multitool.
I have a few nice knives but the Skeletool is what I abuse and it's cheap enough to not worry much.
TL;DR I love Skeletools.
I carry a Leatherman Skeletool from time to time:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XU9NXW/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_OQwWEbMEZGFE9
(I don't mean to endorse shitty Amazon, just easier to find there)
Great warranty, I've broken it and gotten it back good as new just for the price of shipping it back to them.
I highly recommend the Leatherman Skeletool, which falls right into your price range:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XU9NXW?tag=chaoticgoone-20/
Actually, I very highly recommend spending a little bit more and getting the Leatherman Skeletool CX, which is a bit lighter and has a better metal for the blade:
www.amazon.com/dp/B000XU43IC?tag=chaoticgoone-20/
Neither comes with scissors, but neither does it have fifteen tools you never use. Just pliers, wire cutter/stripper, knife, bitdriver (big/small phillips and flathead - you can buy a set of other bits but I hardly use them), and a bottle opener and carabiner. My Skeletool CX clips right into my back pocket and I never even know it's there until I need it, and it's like it magically just appears in my hand.
I've never read a review from someone who owns one who has had anything but glowing things to say about it.
I used to carry a swiss army knife, and the blade was fine for really simple things like opening boxes, slicing fruit, or cutting string, but after one of them came apart in my hands when I had to put some pressure on an item I was cutting and another one partially closed on my hand (no blood, but there easily could have been) I had to let them go.
I moved to a string of regular pocket knives for a good decade or so, but recently I replaced them with a Leatherman. My fiance picked me up a Skeletool a couple of Christmases ago, and the locking blade is solid enough for most of what I would use a non-fixed blade knife for with the most handy tools possible for every day use. The only bad I'd have to say about it is that if it had to be used for self defense it would be functional, but would be far from my first choice.
EDIT: Also, I'm not sure what knife carry laws are in NYC, but you'd probably be more likely to get away with carrying a general 'Tool' that happened to include a blade rather than a blade alone if they are anything like what I remember the knife laws are in Philadephia.
The Leatherman Skeletool is your best bet. It wont hold water/other liquids, as it is a skeleton frame, has a large carabiner/lanyard hoop, and you can buy a Leatherman Wave sheath that has a huge grommit in the bottom for better drainage.
http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-830846-Skeletool-Multitool/dp/B000XU9NXW
This fits each of your criteria and more, and is way less than 50 USD. I would always recommend a Juice of some kind, and of course the Wave, but those dont have the drainage, and one is WAY out of your price range.
When considering a defense strategy, don't consider a knife.
I am guessing you aren't ready, willing or, capable of carrying a firearm so please consider pepper spray. I've owned an ASP Palm Defender for years. I've tested it with the inert inserts and several non-inert inserts after they expire. The black paint is almost completely worn away from being on a keychain and it still functions perfectly. I'm no pepper spray expert or anything, it's the only one I've owned. It's probably cheaper on Amazon and there are probably some good alternatives out there that cost less as well.
One might think that in a defensive situation where the attack is sudden and you are on the ground or caught by your assailant that a knife could get you out of that situation and into a situation where the opportunity to flee and seek help would be available. Sure, it's possible, but it's much faster and much more possible with pepper spray. People and animals can be stabbed and cut multiple times (in an eventually lethal way or amount) and continue to attack. Pepper spray to a mucous membrane sends an intense pain signal right away, regardless of adrenaline.
When it comes to your body, your safety, and your life, any means necessary is the only appropriate response. Just don't carry a knife and allow it to provide you with any sense of security. So when shopping for a knife, forget its possible applicability to a self-defense situation and focus on how you will actually be using it often.
You mentioned that you need to be able to open packages, carve meat, and carve wood. Well I've EDCed ridiculously cheap knives and had no issues accomplishing these tasks. You mentioned that you had a shitty mutlitool, so that probably needs to be replaced as well. Well depending on the tools you used a Leatherman Skeletool could cover both of your needs. I like 420HC, it performs well and sharpens easily enough.
7cr17mov is shit and so is 8cr13mov. These new Chinese magic steel formulas are comparable to the 440s. It seems like a marketing scam to me. People fell in love with technical names for steel so the made some really complicated and technical names for some steels that perform on par with 440A and 440B. If I were you I would consider carbon steels, Sandvik stainless steels, or 440c instead.
I think you should just get the Huntsman, and buy a fixed blade for when you go camping or hiking. Get a working knife and pick out a fixed blade like a Mora.
Cheers!
Their standard leatherman skeletool is on sale at Amazon. 26% off which is quite rare. Leatherman's website also has a sale section but it's usually accessories or discontinued stuff not their main tools.
I use a Leatherman Wingman as my daily carry, and I've used it everyday since I bought it. Amazon has it and several other models on sale.
https://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-Skeletool-Multi-Tool-Stainless-Steel/dp/B000XU9NXW/
https://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-Wingman-Multi-Tool-Stainless-Steel/dp/B005DI0XM4/
Deal link: Amazon
NOTE: Are you looking for discounts on a specific product? Search for the product in our official Discord Server! We are gearing up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday! Grab the deals before anyone else! Join our Discord Server to get real-time notifications on all deals. We have category-wise Discord channels. Disclaimer: Some deal links on this sub may be affiliated
But then I see multitools that (look like they) DO have knives you can flip open immediately.
​
If you need more of a multi-tool, the Leatherman Skeletool is awesome.
If you're just looking for a blade, the Kershaw Cryo is a really solid knife for the price (currently around $23). Because it's all metal, it has some weight to it, but I really like it and it's currently in my EDC.
If you want multifunction but not a large multitool, the Victorinox Swiss Army Cadet is stylish, lightweight, and very functional.
If you are looking for a smaller profile cheaper leatherman option, I wild highly recommend the Leatherman Skeletool, it fits in your pocket, has a Phillips or slotted screwdriver (in 2 sizes each), a nice knife, pliers and a bottle opener.
I used to carry a Leatherman Wave but the Skeletool is much more convenient.
https://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-Skeletool-Multi-Tool-Stainless-Steel/dp/B000XU9NXW
The "CX" model had a non serrated blade too which some people prefer.
The CX is not as cheap though.
I don't know if you're only looking for a "knife", but have you considered something like a Leatherman Skeletool? It looks less like a "knife" and more like a "tool" in the corporate world, and tends to be much more accepted if you're known to have a technical background as a knife is only one of 7 tools it contains. They frequently go for $30 when on sale, and once or twice a year can be found for $20. Home Depot currently has them for $29.88.
Random non-baseball question during a commercial break,
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XU9NXW
Anyone got a better suggestion over a Skeletool?
I'm curious: why no multitool? (or did I miss it?)
I have a Skeletool and love it (but I have the CX version). Supposedly you can snag them for $20 at Home Depot.
These are great for EDC. Plus this model is on sale. http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-830846-Skeletool-7-in-1-Multi-Tool/dp/B000XU9NXW
Maybe a pocket watch for the architect? They vary in styles, and range from fairly inexpensive to pricey, depending on the money pulled together from the office. Here is a unique wrist watch option for the engineer.
Here is a multi-usb charger that either of them might like and use.
This keys mart 2.0 might appeal to their architect and engineer sense.
Do either of them have an appreciation for liquors? Here is a set of unique whiskey glasses.
I've heard many people rave about Leatherman pocket tools if anyone in the office is certain neither of them own one already.
Hope this helps give you some ideas. Good luck!
I Carry a Leatherman Skeletool it serves every need I have, looks badass, and is called a SKELETOOL...Forgot I also carry a key knife have to cut a lot of boxes at work and got tired of bending actual keys
I love my Leatherman Skeletool CX. I use it almost every day, plus it looks cool. They are like $90+ in stores but I got mine online for around $50.
I like it because it isn't a big clunky Leatherman, it only has the 4 tools that you really need. 1) Knife (which is just under 3 inches.) 2) Pliers 3) screwdriver 4) Bottle opener.
40 second video about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b4R2iTTfAE
Starts at $40 for the cheaper version
Up to $58 for the version with 154CM steel on the blade.
Aaaaand cue Skeletool link.
I have one of these... most useful gift ever!