$200 budget...

[Blowpop]

Hey what do y’all think is the best bang for your buck under $200 as a decently tough edc?

 

[b00n]

There is soooooooo much out there, expect the usual replies. PM2, Manix, Delica, Endura, 0450, 0452, Griptilians and Mini Grips, Osbournes, Steel Will and WE Knives. You're better off giving a few parameters aside from price.
Handle Material Preference? Lock Type Preference? Deployment Preferences? Length Restrictions or Preferences? Otherwise you'll get as many suggestions as you get replies.
My personal pick would be a ZT 801Ti, it's not too big, it's beefy and has a useful and simple blade shape, and I like flippers. It's around your budget limit. Alternatively a Rat 2 D2 or a Steel Will Cutjack D2 if you want to go budget friendly in the opposite direction.

 

[SW-EDC]

ZT 0450, 0452, 801ti...great suggestions.
My buddy just picked up an ZT Emerson 0620 for $135. He is really happy with it. Definitly a frame lock though IMO.

 

[sXePhenomenal]

Shopping on the exchange may be good idea you can find some good knives that cost over $200 in near new condition. My pick would be $200 a ZT 562 the g10 model

 

[Colorodo]

ZT0770CFM4 $228. Lightweight carbon fiber and tough M4 blade.

 

[Monofletch]

I like add the Viper Fortis (m390) - Viper Italo ( m390) or the Odino (n690) can be had with about $60 spare change!
Some of the WEs can be found for about $100 too.

 

[afishhunter]

Ontario Rat 1 with D2 blade, around $40 or so.
You could use some of the money left over to buy a couple pizzas for the family.

 

[ScooterG]

Bang-4-buck, I’d go with a Cold Steel Recon 1 or American Lawman...CTS-XHP if you can still find them but S35vn is no slouch. Both under/around $100 each.

Tough steel, go with he Knifeworks Manix2 with 52100.

 

[sharp_edge]

Not sure what you mean by tough. If I have $200 to spare and do not have any folding knife right now, I will take one of the following in that order:
- knifeworks exclusive Spyderco Military with s90v steel and cf/ti scales
- ZT 0562
- Knifeworks excl spyderco Military cts-204p green g10
- ZT 0801TI
- Two Cold Steel Recon 1: one with cts-xhp and the other cpm-s35vn

 

[GB940Rookie]

Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2. Great cutter, tough steel. Still decently priced for what you get. I chose it over the PM2.

 

[Puleio]

You did not specify folder or fixed in the original post, so a Bradford Guardian 3 in M390. Great knife, easy to sharpen, keeps an edge, and carries well.

Or the Guardian 3.5. I have not held one yet, but based on what I see and know from my Guardian 3, it'll be a knice knife.

This is assuming that fixed blades are legal where you live and work.

Enjoy

 

[JBradley500]

204p Military was the first thing that came to mind to me.