EDC knife for $200ish

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Wisco

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I've found some okay reading in searching threads from the past two years about EDC knives, but I have maybe a more specific question or two than those older threads seem to answer.

For the past 7 years or so I've carried a Benchmade 707 in or on my pocket. I'm looking for something new to try. Can be bigger, I can still carry the small 707 in my work clothes (suit pants and coat).

I'll start with the technical question: what are the different types of steel used in knives? I know nada. My 707 is 154CM. So is my Benchmade Nimravus. My Benchmade Bushcrafter and Gerber Freeman are both S30V. What's the difference?

My main question, what's the best folder (manual or auto) for around $200? I would say 150-250 if I had to set a range. My needs are made in the USA. Non-serrated. 3-4 inch blade. Grippy grip. Must be as sturdy as a folder can be - it's going to get used for everything except prying.

What do all of you like for blades in those parameters? Don't forget I would be happy with auto knives as well.

I've been reading up on Spyderco military and paramilitary...possible candidates.
 
What's your range for "everything" since that's dependent upon the work and recreation and environment in your experience.

Will it be around salt water?

Will you be cutting rope. Clean or dirty? Synthetic or natural?
 
I carry the BM mini griptilian. It too is 154 CM. Seems about the same size as the 707. Not sure what your looking to get, but I am sure there are many here that will give you plenty of good ideas. A good knife is worth its weight in about anything. For me the mini does what I need.
 
What's your range for "everything" since that's dependent upon the work and recreation and environment in your experience.

Will it be around salt water?

Will you be cutting rope. Clean or dirty? Synthetic or natural?

No salt water. Cutting paracord, hay bale twine, synthetic rope.

Opening boxes.

Maybe occasionally skinning a rabbit or slaughtering a chicken.

Just a Midwest general purpose life and knife to go along. And to serve as a quickly accessed self defense tool.
 
Another fan of the BM griptilian and mini-griptilian. My all time favorite EDC I had to give to the TSA several years ago...a BM AFCK. I'm still hoping to find a used one in good shape. I also prefer a non-serrated blade but think those serrations may make a critical difference in an emergency. Good luck.
 
154 and s30v are very similar in my opinion. Both are good all-around stainless steels. Most would consider s30v a bit better at edge holding, but unless you are a knife guru you probably wont notice much of a difference.

Of the knives you mentioned I'd highly recommend the Paramilitary 2. It's an ergonomic, well built knife. It comes in at a very reasonable price too. It is what other blades are often judged against.

The Military model? It is a HUGE knife. Lightweight though. If that's what you are after... sure, but it is much bigger than most people wanna carry on a regular basis.

Another brand you might be interested in is Zero Tolerance. Top notch quality, all American made. My current favorite is the ZT0801ti. Ball bearing titanium frame lock. It is suuuuper smooth, yet as solid as a rock.
 
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If you're going to be skinning rabbits I advise staying away from coil spring autos since the blood will gum up the mechanism. Probably the same for assisted openers as well.

That still leaves a huge range of folders.

Look through the below and remember to stay away from coil spring autos and assisted openers since their internals will gum up with blood and be terribly difficult to wash out.

https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/...eel=&locktype=&style=&min_blade=3&max_blade=5
 
I like my Benchmades. However, I end up leaving them home and carrying my $15 Ganzo Benchmade clones instead. WHEN my Benchmades get lost, it hurts. When the $15 Ganzo Axis clone gets lost, its no big deal.

Why buy a nice knife if you are just gonna avoid using it?
 
If you're going to be skinning rabbits I advise staying away from coil spring autos since the blood will gum up the mechanism. Probably the same for assisted openers as well.

That still leaves a huge range of folders.

Look through the below and remember to stay away from coil spring autos and assisted openers since their internals will gum up with blood and be terribly difficult to wash out.

https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/...eel=&locktype=&style=&min_blade=3&max_blade=5

Thanks - I never would’ve thought of that!
 
My main question, what's the best folder (manual or auto) for around $200? I would say 150-250 if I had to set a range. My needs are made in the USA. Non-serrated. 3-4 inch blade. Grippy grip. Must be as sturdy as a folder can be - it's going to get used for everything except prying.

What do all of you like for blades in those parameters? Don't forget I would be happy with auto knives as well.

I have a Benchmade Presidio I (the first one) Automatic knife that fits within those parameters that I like. Check out the number II version (pretty much the same as the first version except for the lock. I do like the lock from the first version better though, easier to engage. Other than that they're the same).

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-5700-Presidio-II--51641

It's Overall Length is 8.72, it's Blade Length is 3.72 and it's made out if 30SV. The handle is made out of aluminum and while I have a few scratches on it good luck break the handle.

It's real grippy due to its handle.
 
Benchmade 917 Tactical Triage/Rescue.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BM...black-g10-handles-safety-cutter-glass-breaker

I've been carrying it's sister knife, a 915 with the sheeps foot combo blade for the last several years, love it to pieces and feel naked without it. It's a beast that gets worked to death it a mechanics environment and it hasn't missed a lick. The 917 with it's drop point blade does one-ups it with a better blade design for all around use. The seat belt cutter is also amazingly useful.
 
Spyderco PM2 would get another vote from me, if you like the size of the knife. Sunday's I'll often carry a Benchmade 531, simply because I won't need a knife as much, and it's smaller and slimmer
 
I've been reading up on Spyderco military and paramilitary...possible candidates.

I have carried a plain black G10/ CPM S30v Military for 3 years. Great knife.

Even better is the Knifeworks exclusive with dark green G10 and CTS 204p. Been carrying mine since Christmas, a present from my wife.

Both are in your price range and capable of handling the uses you listed.

I find the CTS 204p to take a finer edge and hold it a bit better than S30v.

o0oy08.jpg
 
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My hard use work knife is a ZT350. Wide, robust, great lock up, and at $140-150 not the most expensive knife in the world. It's been used to cut plastic drain tile, cardboard, shave saw burs off PVC. It's been dropped in mud and wet concrete given nothing more than a hose off and a shake before working the rest of the day. I generally don't take it apart but after spills like that I'll give it a detail.

If you think the assisted opening feature will get too gummed up with guts, it has a very nice detent, so if you disengage that part of the knife it will still flip and stay closed. It just won't fire like a rocket and may need the ol' wrist flick. Still, it will work very well.
 
I’ve decided on a Spyderco paramilitary 2 in black for sure. And I’m looking seriously at the Benchmade Hunt Crooked River 4” because why not two new knives? If not that one, maybe pursuing an auto knife after all.

I talked myself out of the Glock 19X after handling one today, so I just “saved” $650 I can “invest” in knives...

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I’m still also looking for some reading on steel types. S30V vs 154CM vs whatever else there is.
 
Careful. The knife world easily opens up into a deep deep rabbit hole. Much like firearms, once you get started buying them, it can be hard to stop.

The internet contains a wealth of information on all things knives. There are a handful of good forums out there. I cannot really recommend a specific one, as I do not belong to any, I just come across various sites in my readings.

There is website called zknives.com with a decent compilation of info on different steel formulations. Some other interesting knife related material as well.
 
I have another benchmade knife that my son brought back from Iraq. It has spring assist and it a lot bigger. I have never carried it, its just a memento. When he went to Afghanistan I got him a benchmade fixed blade. To say I like the brand is an understatement.

Lots of good blades out there.
 
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