TL;DR me getting to the point in red.
I had a knife, still do, a simple Schrade folding knife, half serrated, like this.
Biggest picture I could find. It's okay. Light, well made. But it has a thumb stud for right-handers and I'm a Southpaw (that's a term for left-handed person, right?) so I had to keep it in my right pocket. Does that matter? Yeah, a little. Then I got an Xcaliber spring assist knife. But the spring that assisted opening also kept the blade pushed out just enough so my hand could scrape against the point when I put my hand in my pocket. So I got an Mtech in the same style, but smaller and with no assist. Just a thumb stud and a flipper you could push to open it partially and flick it out. Which is great, except one of panels is sliding around because a screw came loose and fell out somewhere. So I need a new one.
I prefer spring assist over anything. It's fast, but doesn't have the switchblade stigma and the "Excuse me son, what do you think you're going to be doing with that?" from cops, should I run into any. Price should be $30 or under. Not because I'm that cheap, just because I shouldn't have to pay more for a well-made knife. Plain edge would be okay or half-serrated, but I never used the serrations on my Schrade. Black or stainless, OD green, whatever. The use would be just cutting... stuff. You know, bits of string, opening packages, boxes, food containers things--the various things in life that need to be cut. And self protection, I guess. I mean it has to be sturdy.
Spring-assist knife, half-serrated or plain edge, most any color, durable and tough, good edge, around $30 or less. Looking cool would be a plus, but isn't necessary.
