Best Folding Knife <$100?

[Bacchus]

I'd like to hear some opinions for the best folding knife that can be purchased for under $100. Also, other than specific types of steel and a pocket clip, what features are useful and which are junk?

[clown714]

i'm partial to the spyderco's.

either the police or military models.

clown

[Ringer]

I love my Benchmade Mini Griptilian, but I don't own others to compare so I couldn't really recomend it over other brands.
what features are useful and which are junk?
I bought the partially serrated blade because I thought it would be versatile. I might have used the serrated portion of the blade once but I don't think so. My next one will be a straight edge blade. Unless you have to cut rope or something on a regular basis, consider the plain edge.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Most of the better knife brands (Benchmade, Emerson, Al Mar etc) have a few models that run slightly under $100. Columbia River makes solid knives for $50 to $75. Any of those should serve you well. Buy the one that feels best in your hand.

Online mail order stores can usually save you a bit of money over paying retail at a real-world store. The problem is that you can't hold a knife in your hand if you're shopping over the internet. A knife is a hand tool, and it must fit well in your hand.

One feature that your knife oughta have is a lifetime warranty. If you buy one you won't need it; if you don't then you'll probably wish you had someday.

Serrated edges are overrated. Buy a straght edge, and keep it properly sharpened; it'll cut anything a pocket knife has a right to cut. Avoid the black-coated blades, too. After a little use, most coatings will eventually scratch, chip, peel, and so forth, and will leave your knife looking ugly.

Consider buying a fixed blade knife instead. $100 buys a superb fixed blade knife, compared to a mediocre folder. Plus, fixed blades are inherently better than folders, even if the quality is comparable. Folders are more convenient, tho...


I really like knives. Lemme know if I can answer any more questions for you. :D

[Mr Jody Hudson]

Although I have drawer after drawer after drawer of knives... in price ranges up to about $600 for folders... it's the Cold Steel that is ALWAYS in my back pocket. They make dozens of sizes and designs that are just under a hundred in almost every case. There are hundreds of nice knives, perhaps thousands, in the price range you want.

[3 gun]

I have three Cold Steel knives, two are folders. A Voyager clip point and a Recon 1 tanto, both plain edges. I find the plain edge much easier to keep sharp. Both are strong knives with a blade that holds a good edge. Both open easily one handed from the right or left. I carry the Voyager everyday, it's much lighter in weight than most knives its size. The Recon 1 stays in my "go" bag. Both were well under $100 new.

[PeacefulWarrior]

For under $100 bucks give or take:
Spyderco Military/Police/Chinook/Wegner
Benchmade AFCK/710 etc
Emerson CQC-7

Useful features: opening holes/studs/discs,reversible clips,finger choils,serrations, textured surfaces,lanyard holes and lanyards.....I am sure their are more just can't think of them right now on only one cup of coffee

[AK103K]

For around your $100, the Spyderco, Tim Wegner model is a great knife. Perfect size, holds a good edge and has serations that are aggressive and work well. The blade locks tight like a fixed blade when open, and the thumb hole makes opening very positive and fast.


Its the one on the right.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid87/p2bcb6c8bb177a6285fd24373df0bec66/faa8884f.jpg

[ruger357]

I like Benchmade. Check out knifeworks.com, that is where I bought a few of them at great prices.

[TechBrute]

Cold Steel Voyager. It can be had for around $40.

[45crittergitter]

Benchmade AFCK or your preferred model. You can get the new AFCK AXIS/D2 model for about $110 if you shop around. You will be very pleased.

Try:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=51838&mscssid=RGRCFWNW2SUP9PRP0GJFA3P516BFEX6F

or

http://www.spoonrivercutlery.com/benchmade_806d2_afck_axis_lock.html


I had a Voyager. POJ.

[Guyon]

BM 705 and 710 can be had under $100 if you shop online.

Great materials. Great designs. Great lock (Axis).

[VictorLouis]

and I have/had several others with which it to compare it with. My other suggestion would be most any Columbia River Knife and Tool(CRKT) model that you like.;)

[Okiecruffler]

I've lost 2 Benchmades and a spiderco (didn't like it anyway), but I have a CRKT M16 that I've managed to hold onto for about 5 years now (except for the 3 months it spent buried in the working part of my recliner). It holds a great edge, super slick opening. I also have a CRKT Mirage that I'm very fond of and have given most people I know one model or another. No complaints so far.

[XLMiguel]

Research at www.bladeforums.com

Shop at www.knifecenter.com


Have fun;)

[TimRB]

Man. You guys have fancy tastes in knives. I've carried my Buck Stockman (lists now for about 50 bucks) for going on thirty years. I bet on average I've used it at least once a day for all those years, too.

Tim

[txgolfer45]

Spyderco's rock! I like the Endura and Delica.

Scott

[rust collector]

I have enjoyed my Kershaws, both fixed and folding. The assisted opening is really quite handy, and the craftsmanship is good in both Japanese and US models.

What will you be doing with your folder? For general pocketknife use, a good traditional whittler pattern in a Henckels, Case or Kissing Crane is a great knife. If you're field dressing with it, there are a bunch of drop point lockers that will fill the bill, but none are as sturdy or easy to clean as a fixed blade. I agree that the serrated sections of most knives isn't very useful for most folks.

If you can combine a micarta handle with ATS-34 or another premium steel in a pattern that meets your needs, you'll have a trusty companion that'll give you a lot of satisfaction.

[gino]

If you aren't sure, stick with the "best" medium priced companies, Spyderco or Benchmade. Everything they make is quality (better steel than Cold Steel or CRKT) and have a lifetime warrantee.

[Bacchus]

Thanks for all the replies. Right now I have a small folder and use it almost everyday. It's a generic model and rather cheap. I took a look at the knifeworks site and really look forward to looking for a better folder. I'll probably look for something in the $50 range--since I've never paid me than $20 for one.

[45R]

Benchmade 806D2S aka ACFK with Axis. Its one of my favorite knives.
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=5fb04ce5-772a-7b66-4049-538d68d42d4e&size=lg

[Captain Bligh]

Spyderco Delica here.

RJ

[..]

Benchmade Griptillian is the best knife under a $100. Around $58 actually.

[Monty]

Benchmade Griptillian is the best knife under a $100. Around $58 actually.

Have to second this. I've had one for a couple months and like it better than any of the ones I have previously had, both costing more and less.

Monty

[LiquidTension]

I really like my Cold Steel Recon I. I paid $45 for it. I'm also a big fan of the CRKT M16 series because of the Carson flipper. They go for anywhere from $30 up to around $100 depending on what model you get. The Cold Steel has turned out to be higher quality, IMO...but I sure miss the flipper.

[Mikke]

My favourite is a Spyderco Native in CPM 440V steel (plain edge), I also have Benchmades, Cold Steel and other knives, but the Native is the one I carry and use the most.
Seems like the blade never gets really dull, it might the shaving edge, but stays sharp enough to cut paper effortlessly. :)

The Benchmades is more fun to play with (open - close, open - close). :p

Useful features? Well, I prefer plain edges, and a good lock is a must as is a good way to open it fast.