[10-Ring]

Something $100 or less (hopefully) that is easy to open & holds an edge very well. I've got a Kershaw Blackout now, but I'm thinking of broadening my horizons.

[Sunray]

Get yourself a Swiss Army Knife and pitch the rest. Every tool on them works and doesn't break. The knife blades holds an edge and the cork screw and can opener really do work. Mcguyver really did know what he was doing. Probably the only time you'll see a tool used on TV that's real.

[bad_dad_brad]

There are a zillion folders available for under $100 - but I like the following:

Timberline Kelly Worden Tactical - the smaller one - very smooth opening - fits the hand well - can be used as a sap as well.

http://www.shomertec.com/item.cfm?Action=Index&variable=464

CRKT Michael Walker BladeLock - extremely strong locking mechanism - unique.

http://www.crkt.com/bladlock.html

I picked up both at a knife show for under $40 a piece.

[Sir Galahad]

Swiss Army knife and pitch the rest?? Even for a self-defense knife?? Pardon my laughter, but I've never seen a SAK do anything I couldn't do with a plain old knife. Corkscrew? How many are packing '73 Cabernet in their survival gear? (Yes, I know some do.) Most SAKs I've seen have one or more broken blades on them. Then you get to pack around a broken knife basically. The can opener? Jeez, carry a U.S. issue P-38---those don't break for a decade. The tweezers won't pull a thorn because they're not strong enough. The scissors won't cut decently. The saw is too small to be effective. Who needs it?! MacGyver is still a ficticious creation of Hollyweird. I knife needs to be a KNIFE, not a gadget. A sharp enough folder will cut a cigar and eliminate the need for a cigar cutter, too.

[Brass]

I will get a Spyderco Military or the Benchmade AFCK/806D2. They got the best grip out of all the pocket folders I owned. ( I got like 70 folders over the years) If it is too big for you get yourself a Spyderco Delica. It is half the price and if you lost it will not break your heart. ( i think they have the VG-10 steel now)

[Drjones]

Looking to "broaden your horizons" in the knife world?

Uh-oh. You're done man.

Knives are so addicting its not even funny.

This one word will be the end of your checkbook, maybe not now, but perhaps at some point:

Strider.

:D

[Combat-wombat]

Get a Benchmade 941. $180 MSRP, but you can't go wrong with a Benchmade. Or for a little more, get a William Henry carbon fiber knife http://www.williamhenryknives.com/collection/catalog-carbon.html

[Skunkabilly]

Strider.

Dude he said $100 :D (c'mon we both know what's best for us though!!)

If I absolutely had to keep it under $100, probably an Emerson Hardwear.

[Tamara]

Strider.

You know, I just do not get some people's fascination over these things; you seen one sharpened prybar, you seen 'em all... :uhoh:


10-Ring,

Hmmm... CRKT's new BladeLock II is a nice little knife under one bill. You can also pick up several decent Benchmades at that price point.

[Drjones]

You know, I just do not get some people's fascination over these things; you seen one sharpened prybar, you seen 'em all... Tam, you are quite knife-savvy so you probably know this, but for those who don't:

Strider Knives are made by a very small group of ex-military guys. (Spec Ops I think) As such, they understand what those individuals need in an edged tool.

Strider knives are as close to indestructible as you can get. I've heard of all the torture tests they have done to them, and its pretty remarkable. These knives actually cry out not only for use, but even for abuse.

I just like their looks. Some don't. I think it is your loss if you do not like either the looks or the entire blade.

Definitely one of the finer points of Strider ownership is the warranty: If you ever break or damage it, they will repair or replace it free of charge, NO questions asked. In fact, Mick likes to see broken/damaged blades so that he can see where improvement is needed. They also offer lifetime sharpening, refinishing and refurbishing at no cost.

I feel that Strider is on the absolute bleeding edge as far as keeping up with customer needs/demands/input, manufacturing techniques, product and design innovations, and steel innovations.

I realize that of course there are some other top-notch blade manufacturers out there, but Strider and Busse seem to be by far the best in my mind.

I just like the best stuff, and from what I've seen, Strider is the best.

Of course, to each his own...that is why there are so many knife makers and out there with so many different models.

[Sir Galahad]

Strider may not be best in many cases. The following factors must be considered:
1.) How does it fit the users hand?
2.) Can user afford it?
3.) Is blade what user is looking for? Really; some people will do a lot of damage with a Spyderco Civilian or Matriarch or a Harpy. Some will need a certain type of point. Depends a lot of the taste of the user.
4.) Is it comfortable to carry all day? Yeah, yeah, I know, I know---someone will be by shortly to trot out the old maxim "it should be comforting, not comfortable." I disgree wholeheartedly. Sooner or later, uncomfortable things are going to get left home. It's what you carry every day that will be what you have to hand.

Some under $100 suggestions:
Benchmade Griptilian
CRKT M16 with LAWKS
Benchmade TSEK
CRKT Ryan Model 7
Spyderco Delica or Endura

Out of these, the Griptilian is a screaming deal. Next, the TSEK is a great deal. Both are AXIS locks and pretty solid designs. You also cannot go wrong with a Spyderco. CRKT is a sleeper; great knives that do't get the credit they deserve. I've never seen or handled a Strider, so I really can't comment much on them. I guess if it's what you're nuts about, it's rightful you should be. Everyone should be so enamored of their knives. Nothing wrong with bragging on what lives in your pocket. I'm bananas over a MOD Ladyhawk I picked up some weeks back. But it's not for everyone definitely. You have to have the right hands. Small hands, that is. I have a Benchmade AFCK on the way. It fits my hand perfectly. In the end, it's kind of like buying a pair of shoes. You have to try them on to see what fits.

[CWL]

I like my CRKT M16Z, bought it on ebay for cheap ($29?).

Works great, holds the edge I honed onto it. Looks good and did I say cheap?

It's a carry that I don't worry about if I lose it or break it.

[Tamara]

I just like the best stuff, and from what I've seen, Strider is the best.

"Best"? Best for what?

Your youthful enthusiasm for your favorite brand is engaging, but shows a certain lack of cranky old fart cynicism. I can think of plenty of blades in the "cut a car apart with it" class (Strider, Busse, Greco, Chris Reeves, Corkum, my McCann Puffin Magnum, et cetera, ad nauseum) but that's not necessarily what makes the 'best' knife, as Sir Galahad so artfully pointed out.

Then again, I sometimes forget that not everyone can wander through knife shows with Kim Breed getting pointers on which knives he likes. ;) That, and not every knife needs to be able to be used for the jackstand on an M1 Abrams; I wouldn't use my Onion or my Marzitelli for a climbing piton, but that's not what they were intended for. Some of the torture test stuff reminds me of what we'd call "stupid pistol tricks" at the gun shop: "My Glock can be run over by a tank and dropped in a volcano and still fire!"
"Hmm. Does that sound like something you're likely to do with your gun?" :scrutiny:

;)

[10-Ring]

Thanks everyone! I've got a couple knives now, but I just wanna add to what I've got...namely a Kershaw & a Spyderco. So far, they're both good everyday knives. What I'd like is another balisong...:banghead:

[Skunkabilly]

What I'd like is another balisong

We can't be letting you run around and killing people in California with your people's weapons.... :rolleyes:

:banghead:

[hso]

This question of a "best" knife or "best" knife company is a little side trip from 10-Ring's original question, but needs to be addressed.

There is no one best knife nor is there one best knife maker or one best knife company. We've been making knives for a while now (over a 1,000 years for folders and over twice that for fixed blades). In that time there have been many different basic knife designs and thousands upon thousands of variations on those. They've been tested in the field and battlefield over and over again and still there is no one best knife design. There's a reason for that. There is no one best field/battlefield knife.

Just as there is no one best knife there is no one best knife maker or company. I'll pick on 'Jones for a little while because he's used all the standard rationals why one company is best;) . The people making the knives are real Spec Ops/Great White Hunters/Mountain Men only means that these folks know what they want a knife to do and what they think is the general group of shapes that will make it do that. It doesn't mean that they know beans about the metallurgy, tool making, grinding, heat treating, or other details about how to get the knife to that shape or to get the most out of the materials. Plenty of other companies have knives designed in cooperation with the field/battlefield experts so no one company has kept this secret weapon all to themselves. Indestructability, many companies make their knive "nigh on invulnerable". Companies like Strider, TOPS, Camillus, Cold Steel, Entrec, Ontario, Kabar, and makers like Greco make knives that are tough tools intended for hard use. Again, no one company just does this and most of these knives perform the same way in the field. Notice I said "way", details about grip, balance, edge geometry determine if they do this job well. Stider isn't even the only company that does this well. A sharpened pry bar isn't always the best knife for the job any more than a bulldozer is good for gardening. Edge geometry and profile must be limited for a prying/chopping/gouging oriented tool to do it's job just as they are for knives intended for more detailed work. So indestructable knives have their limitations. Looks - Well, ahem, a friend of mine likes to say, "That's why they make blonds AND brunetts". It ain't anyone's "loss" that different people like the different basic styles of knives out there. Might be pretty boring if we all did like the same looking stuff. I certainly have knives ranging from sharpend pry bars, to delicate exotic material folders, to stag/damascus bowies, to Japanese fixed blades, to endless others. I'm able to appreciate all of them. Warranty - Strider isn't the only company that has a "you broke it we'll fix or replace it" policy. Schrade has had the ultimate warranty for over 40 years - break it or loose it they'll replace any of their Uncle Henry models at no charge (beyond shipping). Camillus, CRKT, Temberline, etc. have the same policy as Strider on their warranty. "Bleeding edge"- Wow, the first time I heard that term it was being used in reference to computers/op systems/software to indicate truely advance but unreliable performance. The newest isn't always the bestest. See the rediscovery of D2 tool steel as an example. When did advance automated manufacturing techniques become better than hand fitting/finishing? How are Strider's designs innovative? Remember knives have been around for hundreds upon hundreds of years. Montroc was producing knives back in the late 70's that could be in the Strider catalogue today.

Strider isn't the best knife any more than the SAK is any more than the Emerson is any more than... Just as there's no best knife or best knife company there's nothing very new in knives, just things you may have not seen yet. Occasionally significant innovations occur, belt grinders, stainless steel, stellite, thumb holes/studs, water/laser jet cutting, talonite, Liquid Metal, CNC, etc., but they're all just producing a blade that some guy could have produced with hand tools given the time.

If you're looking for a knife then look at everything out there and not just one company and not just one style. You need to have an idea what you intend to use the knife for and then handle a few that fall into that use category. If the knife fits your hand look at various reviews of the knife from people that have used it then decide if it meets your needs. Remember there is no one knife that does all tasks well and there are a huge number of options to choose from.

[Sir Galahad]

Gardening with a bulldozer can be done. Dictators plant lots of stiffs with them. Well, they are PLANTING something...

"...that's why they make blondes AND brunettes..." Ah! But that's also why there's hair coloring. And zippered black leather masks for the so inclined.

[hso]

:uhoh: "zippered black leather masks for the so inclined."

SG, I'd worry if I didn't know you was kidd'n :D You is kidd'n isn't you?:what:

[Kentucky Rifle]

I got a stainless steel scale Spyderco "Cricket" about a month ago that thinks it's a MUCH bigger knife.:D Frame lock and VG-10 blade. I've used it a lot and it's STILL very sharp. I carry it every day clipped to my left pocket. (Of course, there's a Sebenza clipped my right pocket every day too, in case things get serious.) I'm becoming a believer in VG-10 blade steel. It was way under a hundred bucks too.

KR