$50-100 general purpose folder. Your pick!

[mwhich50]

I could never understand why the Stretch isn't mentioned more often. It feels great in the hand like the Endura. Nice belly! The newer Stretch 2 is on top.

 

[AntDog]

Over fiddy, under a hunnid?… Endura. Period. Thank me later.

 

[NG VI]

Thanks everyone,
After considering all your suggestions, I declare Schrade Cliphanger to be the winner


Just joking

At this point two main contenders seem to emerge, Cold Steel and Spyderco. Recon 1, American Lawman, Delica and Endura pops up a lot.

Please keep ‘em coming, it is very educational and entertaining

There's the new mini Recon 1, in AUS10A, I think I have seen them for ~$50 but the regular price is ~$60

 

[AntDog]

Thanks everyone,
After considering all your suggestions, I declare Schrade Cliphanger to be the winner

 

[Bigfattyt]

Could get a Buck 110 slim pro in micarta.

Or the 112 slim pro.

 

[mwhich50]

Sgt 1372: My $45-$100, currently available, modern production knives.

AKC X-treme Ace, auto, $65
X-treme Evo, auto, $80
Artisan Cutlery Archeo, $65
Waistline,$65
Mini Proponent, $60
Proponent, $70
Benchmade Griptilian, $100
Mini-Griptilian, $80
Grizzly Ridge, $100
530, Pardue, $100
Bestech Irida, $70
Kendo, $50
Scimitar, $50
Swordfish, $50
Boker Kalashnikov, auto, $45
Kalashnikov XL, auto, $60
Kihon, auto, $50
Urban trapper, $90
Civivi Baklash, $42
Brazen, $50
Praxis, purple, damascus, $75
Cold Steel Code 4, $75
Finnwolf, $40
Rajah 2, $100
Scout, 4 Max, $85 (on sale)
Ti Lite, 4”, Alum,$75
Ti Lite, 6”, Alum $100
Vaquero, XL, $85,
Voyager, Lg, $65
Voyager, XL, $85
CRKT Hissatsu, $60
M-16, $65
Nirk Tighe, $90
Shizuka Noh Ken, $85
Kershaw Bare Knuckle, $75
Blur, $75
Chive, $45
Knockout, $65
Launch 1, auto $100
Leek, $60
Link, $55
Natrix XL, $45
Scallion, $45
Kizer Begleiter, $55
Sog Spec Arc, $100
Sog Zoom, $90, no box
Spyderco Centofante, $80
Delica, $85
Dragonfly,$65
Endura, $90
Manix LW, $100
Matriarch 2, $100
Native, S30V, $100
Pacific Salt, yellow, $100
Persistence, $50
Resilience, $65
Stretch 2, $100
Tenacious, lightweight, $100
Tenacious, G-10, $55
Brous Blades, Import Line, T4, $45
Steel Will, Intrigue, $40

 

[dirc]

surprised no one has mentioned the kershaw dividend in m390 - only $85 now
you really can't beat that value

 

[mwhich50]

There's the new mini Recon 1, in AUS10A, I think I have seen them for ~$50 but the regular price is ~$60

If you search a little harder you will find it for less than $40.

 

[Byrom Hermo]

Vic Farmer X. $59.00

I have other knives that really I want to get back into carrying but for the last year I cannot leave the house without this knife.

 

[baxtrom]

Vic Farmer X. $59.00

I have other knives that really I want to get back into carrying but for the last year I cannot leave the house without this knife.

Absolutely. SAKs do not only dominate the below $50 range, there are some great SAKs in the medium range too. Most knives mentioned so far are US designs, but let’s not forget the old world. We Europeans have some blade skills too
Upper range SAKs, Böker Manufaktur Solingen (ie the high grade German made Bökers), since I’m from Sweden I’ll give EKA an honorary mention, Fällkniven is perhaps mostly known for the fixed blades (contrary to the name) but have some folders too, I’m sure our neighbours Finland and Norway can produce nice folders, et c.

 

[emjay]

Really like my American Lawman as a general purpose knife. Big enough for most chores, small enough to comfortably carry in the pocket. I've got the old AUS8A version, but I've been satisfied with the steel and can only imagine how nice the S35VN steel must be.

The Recon 1 is a solid knife, but too big for general duty in my opinion. I do like the mini version much more as a general EDC knife.

Spyderco Delica would be on my list as well, but they are a bit expensive for what you're getting

The truth is that the $50 to $100 category is very competitive and you have a lot of options available

 

[Shorttime]

Surprised no one has recommended the CS Air Lite. Pretty good value and seems like CS's AUS10A is quite the budget performer.

Only issue I have is the edge is kinda thick compared to say Spyderco's stuff. However, for "general purpose," I guess it kinda makes sense; no worries if you have flex the knife into a heavier duty role. TBF, the edge is really not much different from a sabre ground Endura.

Another +1 for the Endura.

Air Lite was my first thought, but the blade is a little large for some jurisdictions, and I didn't lurk hard enough to see where baxtrom lives. My opinion is that the Recon is just a little bit "more" than the Air Lite, even though it is objectively less blade. The Recon also has liners, which is a big deal to me.

 

[baxtrom]

Air Lite was my first thought, but the blade is a little large for some jurisdictions, and I didn't lurk hard enough to see where baxtrom lives. My opinion is that the Recon is just a little bit "more" than the Air Lite, even though it is objectively less blade. The Recon also has liners, which is a big deal to me.

He lives in Sweden, where we have a rather vague knife law. Essentially, you are not allowed to carry a knife to facilitate crime
“Normal use of folders and multi tools is permitted”. Depends on the situation I would say

 

[DMG]

That's assuming materials are all that create value. The design keeps selling, despite "subpar" materials, for a reason.

The Tenacious is an entry level Spyderco so it is in a unique space. I like the design but the blade steel is awful. They managed to make it brittle and soft. I used one as a work knife in my shop for a while. The tip broke off like it was glass and it had to be sharpened every day. I have always thought the design deserved better steel which they have finally done.

 

[Monofletch]

I vote Civivi too! You could get an S35vn Pintail for about $80!

 

[c7m2p3]

That's assuming materials are all that create value. The design keeps selling, despite "subpar" materials, for a reason.

No its not the only thing. Country of manufacture matters (if you care about that kind of thing), brand matters (again if you care about that), action matters, materials DO matter, ergonomics matter and in my opinion there are several knives out right now that do all the things that a Spyderco Tenacious does and do it better. The tenacious continues to sell partly due to accessability (they are in big box stores) and it holds the spyderco brand.

Material wise there is no question you can do better right now. Right now the base level G-10 and 8Cr Tenacious is going for $52.50. You can get G-10 and 9Cr out of a Civivi Praxis right now at $42. That also comes with better action running on ball bearings. You can get a micarta CJRB feldspar for the exact same price as a Tenacious. Also ball bearings, but with D2 and Micarta. Both of those knives are from China and so is the Tenacious. Both come with contoured scales with arguably better ergos. Both running better actions.

So even ignoring the materials there are probably half a dozen knives out there with the same or better ergos, come from the same country of manufacture, and have better actions. Its not just materials where the Tenacious falls short now. If they dropped the price to $35 we can start to talk about the Tenacious being a competitive option again but right now it just isn't for what they are asking.

 

[JBoone]

Delica
Endura
Which ever size suits you

I had both models in the 90s as well but prefer the current FFG. These are often my go to choices over my more expensive blades. Mine are currently over 100 due to steel choices but I like the standard VG10

 

[Spears]

Air Lite was my first thought, but the blade is a little large for some jurisdictions, and I didn't lurk hard enough to see where baxtrom lives. My opinion is that the Recon is just a little bit "more" than the Air Lite, even though it is objectively less blade. The Recon also has liners, which is a big deal to me.

We are talking about the newer mini Recon 1 in AUS10A with a 3" blade, right? I wasn't aware those had nested liners, that's pretty cool.

I mainly suggested the Air Lite over the Recon 1 as the Air Lite has a more neutral handle design (less "ergonomically" placed grooves).

 

[Shorttime]

We are talking about the newer mini Recon 1 in AUS10A with a 3" blade, right? I wasn't aware those had nested liners, that's pretty cool.

I mainly suggested the Air Lite over the Recon 1 as the Air Lite has a more neutral handle design (less "ergonomically" placed grooves).

...Maybe? I gifted my pre-GSM Mini-Recon to a co-worker, and I may be remembering wrong.

 

[David Mary]

Civivi Praxis

CJRB feldspar

Thanks for the suggestions. The first is a flipper, and I can't stand flippers, the second has thumb studs, and I can't stand thumb studs. Both have sharpening choils. I can't stand sharpening choils. Neither one has a handle shape I care for either. And tip up only! Wow, no.

Obviously my suggestion of the Tenacious (and Resilience) is predicated on someone who shares preferences similar to my own. Full length cutting edge, handle that lets you get your hand right up next to it for maximum cutting leverage, opening hole and liner lock for the most hassle free deployment of any knives I've experienced as well as more than strong enough. the option of tip down carry, comfortable and neutral handle shape that fits perfectly in my hand.... And I'm sure I'm not the only one who desires at least one, if not all these features, and for whom the Tenacious nails them. So I get that your preferences are not the same as mine, and I will read your statements about the Tenacious in that light, and reiterate that for me the design is close to perfect, and I have yet to see another knife in that size and price range that I would rather own, carry, or use.