Sturdy Pocket knife under $100

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I understand you don't see the difference. Opening my Spydercos leaves my hand in a perfectly usable pinch grip. Nothing has to change to immediately use the knife, no shift, no hand movement, nothing except immediate cutting. In an emergency, that 1/3 second can mean the difference between life and death- however you describe the style of knife you use.
Your bias is documented in you signature. And that is fine, you like what you like. But others have found knives that are not Spydercos that meets their needs with equal or better performance and not nearly as ugly. :neener:

In this video the Spyderco Tenacious and Kershaw Cryo II are both (along with 7 others) test for locking strength and they both max out the testing method staying open under 380 lbs of force.
 
Probably not what you are looking for but I have 4 or 5 Case knives. I carry this CopperLock most days. I carry the Executive when I'm dressed up

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Your bias is documented in you signature. And that is fine, you like what you like. But others have found knives that are not Spydercos that meets their needs with equal or better performance and not nearly as ugly. :neener:



My "bias" being the design of a small fixed blade? Help me understand your connection, there.

In this video the Spyderco Tenacious and Kershaw Cryo II are both (along with 7 others) test for locking strength and they both max out the testing method staying open under 380 lbs of force

I have repeatedly said Cryo is a great, strong knife for the price. And earlier in this thread, I have admitted my bias against liner locks, but said that the Tenacious line was a good example of the type.

I think you're confusing my belief that opening holes or thumb studs (without AO) to be more reliable and safe under stress with favor for a particular company. If you pay literally any attention to my suggestions, I frequently suggest many framelock Kershaws and Axis lock Ganzos as being very strong, high value knives. In the case of the Ganzos, I believe they're better in emergency due to the lack of AO.

John
 
My "bias" being the design of a small fixed blade? Help me understand your connection, there.



I have repeatedly said Cryo is a great, strong knife for the price. And earlier in this thread, I have admitted my bias against liner locks, but said that the Tenacious line was a good example of the type.

I think you're confusing my belief that opening holes or thumb studs (without AO) to be more reliable and safe under stress with favor for a particular company. If you pay literally any attention to my suggestions, I frequently suggest many framelock Kershaws and Axis lock Ganzos as being very strong, high value knives. In the case of the Ganzos, I believe they're better in emergency due to the lack of AO.

John

Then my apologies for not reading your posts carefully enough.
 
You'll probably get as many suggestions as their are people. I like the Mini Grip with partially serrated edge for daily carry. Light, cuts zip ties nicely, easy to carry, open, and holds and edge. I have other knifes and like them too. In fact it's everyone here's fault for making me look and want other knifes. Even with the other knives the Mini Grip gets the nod most days.
 
You'll probably get as many suggestions as their are people. I like the Mini Grip with partially serrated edge for daily carry. Light, cuts zip ties nicely, easy to carry, open, and holds and edge. I have other knifes and like them too. In fact it's everyone here's fault for making me look and want other knifes. Even with the other knives the Mini Grip gets the nod most days.
I had a Grip when I was at my first Active Duty station, and liked it quite a bit.
 
In this video the Spyderco Tenacious and Kershaw Cryo II are both (along with 7 others) test for locking strength and they both max out the testing method staying open under 380 lbs of force.
That video tests static load, rather than dynamic load. It doesn't test a lock's strength under slight twisting pressure either. Also, the OP said his Tenacious doesn't feel sturdy when he's doing some of his frequent tasks.

You'll probably get as many suggestions as their are people.
Which is why we should focus on what the OP is asking for, rather than just our favorite models. But I do think that the Griptilian / Mini Grip are good options, even though I'd prefer grippier scales on them.
 
I carry/use a Kershaw Leek that I bought over 6 years ago at the "wally". It was less than 50$.
It's light,sharp and handles the daily duty cutting tape and boxes where I work.
(Tho I'm supposed to use the company sanctioned "safety knife"...) ;)
 
Here’s another vote for the Benchmade Griptilian (or its baby brother...). In cost it’s right at your ceiling. I keep a brand new in-used full size one on my skiff as a backup to my EDC, a long dis-continued BM Ascent...
 
Folks let's try to focus on what the OP says he wants based on his uses outlined in post #6.

Slip joints, knives that are a web of hot spots to hold, and our favorite light duty locking folders aren't of much help.
 
That video tests static load, rather than dynamic load. It doesn't test a lock's strength under slight twisting pressure either. Also, the OP said his Tenacious doesn't feel sturdy when he's doing some of his frequent tasks.


Which is why we should focus on what the OP is asking for, rather than just our favorite models. But I do think that the Griptilian / Mini Grip are good options, even though I'd prefer grippier scales on them.
That first point is exactly it. Most of these strength tests don’t mean much to me. You can absolutely feel how week the lock on the tenacious is when applying a good bit a force and just the tiniest bit of twist.
 
it kind of seems like you want to have a semantics argument, which does not interest me at all. If one is getting a folding knife with defense being at least somewhat a consideration, you wouldn't want a folder that forces you to change grips before you could use it. Knives with "flippers", for instance, force a grip change before you can use the knife well.

John
I agree with the Do Not Change your Grip on any any weapon, gun or knife when pulled for action. Practice with one hand opening and knife at the ready position. Under stress, your practice will become second nature.
 
I can't say enough goodness about the Griptilian; I've carried/used one daily (or a MiniGrip) for probably a decade now. I've dallied with Ritter (RSK) versions, serrated, plain, tanto, and so forth - but the basic design just works for me. Simple, fits well in the hand, and (most important for me) it can can be opened and closed onehanded without risking my grubby mitts getting in the path of the blade.

Every dependent of mine has received at least one mini-Grip or Grip in their Christmas stocking somewhere along the way. Since most of what I do these days is poking and slicing cardboard, the one in my pocket now is a tanto full size version, but it worked well enough breasting out the ducks that my stepson brought home a couple of weeks ago.
 
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BTW, another THR member and I open our Opies one handed, but it takes a little practice.
I *can* it’s just not as easy as I’d like. I thought about gluing a stud in mine.

The first one I got I actually shaved a bit of the handle down to expose more of the back of the blade so I could open it with gloves on.
 
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Amazon won’t ship to my location.

Don't buy it from Amazon. I've resolved to not buy knives from Amazon when it is available from a trusted knife retailer since you might end up with a counterfeit from Amazon if the price looks too good to be true. Stick with Knives Ship Free or KnifeCenter or AG Russell or Blade HQ.
 
I appreciate the popularity of benchmade but they’re not my thing. They always seemed awfully chintzy feeling for the cost.
 
Locks are not all equal, my favorite is the axis lock but with that being said , I don't trust any of them 100%. I also don't exert force on the spine of a knife very often either. A knife with no lock won't close on your fingers unless you're using it for something that's better suited to a fixed blade. A folding knife is just a fixed blade that's already broken when you buy it (sort of). I prefer a small fixed blade but I do carry a folder for work.

Been using a svord peasant for work for years, it has an extended spine that is used for opening - like an old fashioned shaving razor. I like that because I can open and close one handed and your palm holds the extension to the handle while in use. They're cheap and decent knives that you won't cry if you lose it. Not one I'd want for SD , but for all normal tasks they're pretty good.

BTW, another THR member and I open our Opies one handed, but it takes a little practice.
I use my opinel one handed, they're great knives.
I appreciate the popularity of benchmade but they’re not my thing. They always seemed awfully chintzy feeling for the cost.
Benchmade makes excellent knives . they aren't cheap and others of equal or better quality are available but a few benchmade models are exceptional - specifically the infamous 940 Osbourne , that's a tough knife to beat- it's not under $100 though.

I've been using a ruger branded crkt "accurate" fixed blade for my edc for a few months and I like it bit the rubber handle did develop eczema within a few weeks- kind of peely and scabby looking. I'm hoping that'll settle down after it gets used some more and all the flaky weird rubber wears away . still a good knife, designed by Bill Harsey - bought on sale from rugers site for like $30-40. Good blade shape , materials are slightly lacking but worth the $. Sheath isn't too good for concealment but it works - I hang it into my front strongside pocket from my belt. I carried a buck nighthawk for years that way and I think the nighthawk concealed better and is significantly larger and more capable - not sure what a nighthawk costs anymore.

Good luck
 
I have a Kershaw Cryo II Titanium ... Holds a decent edge, but still fairly easy to sharpen. The assisted opening is nice and the pocket clip is very strong and tight so you don't loose it off a pocket. The pocket clip can also be removed or move to either end on either side of the knife. For the money it has been a solid knife.
I have the Cryo (not the Cryo II) and really like it a LOT.
Those assisted openers blade travel starts out fast, and then slows down abruptly, and if you've got your thumb on the thumb stud, it can slide onto the edge.
I am on my second Cryo (lost the first one) and on each of them I removed the thumb stud immediately after I got it - just don't like it.
In an emergency, that 1/3 second can mean the difference between life and death- however you describe the style of knife you use.
For me, the finger assisted opener is very reliable and very fast. Although I have never thought of that knife as a piece of "tactical" gear, if 1/3 of a second made the difference between life and death, I'm thinking I must have messed up somewhere else.
 
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