I have no decent knife. What's the best all around, all purpose knife to get?

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For the money

Colombia River Knife and Tool for a folder (I like the dis-continued Apache and bought several) or the CRKT M-16 or Crawford folder lines

For a fixed blade:
Super inexpensive and solid: Ontario knife company military knives. They need a grind and sharpening however. Best avoided unless you have the skills. The Ontario machetes are US issue and very good steel, and easy to sharpen with a file. I once had one fall off the fender of my 4 x 4... It was then run over by a semi. Fortunately no one was hurt and I recovered it with merely a piece of the plastic handle cracked off and a few scratches. I still use it !

Next up would be the Camillus, they are inexpensive and worthy. The marine or air force pilot survial knives are a great deal.

Ka Bar are a good old American name and are worthy knives but more expensive than Ontario

Mid range: Junglee My personal Junglee knives are the Hattori fighter in AUS 8 stainless (this is one sharp knife, you can shave with the factory edge.. it's expensive but a fine combat weapon) and my Junglee short sword which is my personal combat militia/survival sword since it is of AUS 8 and comes with a razor edge and is very light.. it has the perfect design IMO

SOG knives are around the same level as Junglee, but more expensive. They do have some unique designs such as the pentagon and the concealable mini pentagon, which are combat knives

Moving up on fixed blades, the Bill Bagwell bowies are nice

Cold steel is expensive but worth it. The Seal 2000 knife should be avoided unless you like boat anchors, however. Their Trailmaster bowie is a nice overall knife and very sharp indeed.

I don't see the need to spend more than this for a good knife.. but there are some more expensive knives yet, and many are very fine quality. For me I would rather spend the money otherwise..unless it's a genuine combat sword in damascus or something.
 
New to this site, but I carry a full size SAK, has to have a saw and scissors, a keychain SAK w/light and a Spyderco Delica.
 
In my limited personal experience

Cheapest great knife-Gerber magnum LST junior (4 year EDC)

Greatest cheap work knife-Spyderco Delica

Good cheap dress knife-Camillus EDC
 
I just got my 550 Griptilian today and would say it is worth the extra money over a Buck 110. AXIS lock is very smooth and easy to open/close. I've never had a sharper knife that I can remember, either.

I had an old phone book that I took outside and slashed and stabbed a bit. Very good as far as slashing and stabbing, with the point going in at least 1/2", if not more. I just barely nicked my finger when closing it once and it sliced off skin (just epidermis, so no bleeding) like a scalpel.

The noryl (?) handles have a good feel, but something a little "warmer" and giving would be better (micarta would be okay, perhaps as an insert in aluminum of stainless scales). They are kinda "hollow," but the knife still feels solid and balanced, albeit a bit thick for carry.
 
Another vote for the Benchmade Griptilian.

I use a 551 Griptilian as an everyday carry knife and it has been more than useful for my needs. This is my first folder knife and I am glad I spent the extra bucks for it.
 
quote:
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Anything by Cold Steel is a sure bet.



As long as you don't use it. I tried one. Serrations broke off cutting the plastic band off a copy paper box the first week I had it. Called the company to see if I got a defective knife and talked to some jerk who called himself the "Boss". He accused me of abusing the blade. Hung up on that piece of wasted flesh and took the knife back to the store I bought it from. Fortunately that store values their customers. They said they got a ton of Cold Steel Knives back with broken serrations. Stupid design, what do they expect you to do with it, put it on the mantle and pray to it? I didn't do anything to the knife I hadn't done with my previous cheap Gerber Easy Out without problem for over 3 years. I went out and bought a cheap Spyderco Delica. It's worked fine for about a year.

Cold Steel will never see another one of their products in my pocket. I prefer a quality working knife that I can trust.
 
Their tantos, trailmasters, etc. are okay, but they don't seem to get good marks for their folders, serrations, or lower pricepoint stuff. They don't even make anything, best of my knowledge, so it really depends on what subcontactor makes the item.
 
TheOtherOne...
It's been two months now. What did ya get?

Since that time I seem to have acquired another Benchmade Mini Gryptalian OD (plain), another Kershaw Chive, a simple Schrade Stockman, G/F bought me a Wally World Buck fixed blade Commerative something or other (on sale for $18) and she also gave me a S&W something or other.
 
I recommend the OMEGA OMNI-CUTTER 2004. It slices, saws, dices, pries, chips, peels, pits, filets, chops, chips, mashes, bashes, scores, splits, halves, quarters, flicks, picks, whips, and beats. And yes, it even cuts. Comes complete with a uni-directional "survival" compass and can be substituted for a arc-welding rod. Made of a blend of 39 metals and alloys, the OMEGA OMNI-CUTTER 2004 holds an edge better than than most plastic cutlery. At only $69.95 plus $14 shipping and handling, it's practically a steal. Buy two today!!! :p

Seriously, look at Spyderco, Benchmade, and Buck. For all purpose, I'd buy one in the 3 to 4 inch range in plain edge. Get good steel. It'll pay for itself in reliability and function.

Good steels? There are a bunch. Some of my favorites are ATS-34 (aka 154CM), VG-10, BG-42, D2, and 440C. There are plenty more good steels though.

Right now, Bladeforums is down, but you might go over there and have a look when the site gets back up. Lots of good discussions of knives and steels.

In this category of "all purpose," I like the Benchmade 710, the Spyderco Native, the Spyderco Calypso Jr., and the Buck 110. I've been looking at the Griptilian/Mini-Griptilian lately, but I'm awaiting the Spyderco Paramilitary first.

You can't go wrong with a Spyderco Delica or Endura. Given their prices and the fact that they come in VG-10 nowadays, they're one of the best deals going.
 
One suggestion which is just a little over your $ range is the new soon to be released Neil Blackwood/Benchmade Skirmish model 630. This is a big knife that will fill any bill. I haven't handled it myself but I have heard nothing but good things about it.

Also, anything made by Strider is good to go but is much more than you are expecting to pay.

Mac
 
The Benchamade Mini-Griptilian with the modified clip point blade is a good knife to get for all around use. I have mine in yellow so as to not look "menacing". If you prefer a more traditiona design, how about a Buck 110 or Uncle Henry of the same design.
 
As ALOT of (smart) folks have suggested; Get a Benchmade Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian...They are ALOT of knife for the money, and you have your choice of either dual thumb-studs (551/556) or a hole (550/555) to open the blade with, as well as a few different colors to choose from.
 
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