All weather affordable folding knife?

[Confederate]

I recommend either a Spyderco Native or a Cold Steel Voyager. The Voyager sports a polished 3-inch blade, is strong and light with a strong lockback design.

I love both of these knives though the Natives are getting a little difficult to find. Both knives are first rate!

 

[mnblade]

Unless you are working in and around salt water, any of the standard stainless steels should be close enough to rustfree. I'm no expert, but I have experience with AUS-8 and like it. It does not rust in any reasonable environment, takes a great edge, holds it fairly well, and, importantly, sharpens readily. There are better steels, but AUS-8 is plenty good enough for most uses.

I would agree about AUS-8, and go you one better. IMO, even if you do work in or around salt water, I think you could go with any knife Spyderco makes, no matter what the steel.

I used to live on the coast in South Florida and carried various middle-of-the-road Spyderco products (AUS-8 and ATS-55 steels, to name a couple) all over the place including to the beach and while deep sea fishing. Was rust an issue? Never! Oh, once or twice I might have found a few specks or spots, but nothing that I couldn't remove with my thumb nail. If a knife got a serious dose of salt water, I'd flush it out in the sink once I got home.

I'm sure H1 is a fine steel and the knives that Spyderco makes with it are fine products. But they fill a want in the market, not a need. Remember, for hundreds of years simple high carbon steel blades fit the bill for ocean-going men. Somehow I think the OP will get by with a <$50 Spyderco or Byrd.

To be honest, given the OP's criteria ...

a.) can be used indoors and outdoors
b.) can stand the abuse of nature (e.g. high humidity, rain, snow, heat, sand, etc.)
c.) is affordable (preferrably less than $50)
d.) has a one hand opening mechanism
e.) has a fairly strong locking mechanism (preferrably a lockback type)
f.) holds and edge fairly
g.) blade length is under 4 inches
h.) easy maintenance

... I wouldn't even hesitate to carry a Victorinox One-Hand Sentinel.

 

[Daniel Dorn]

I'll second the Spyderco Native, in S30V. Or the Native 3 with VG10.

DD

 

[karl_f87]

Thanks so much for the insights and help guys. I appreciate it. So far, here's a list of all the suggestions and a rough estimate on the votes.

*Spyderco Native --- 2
*Spyderco Salt --- 4
*Spyderco Pacific Salt --- 6
*Spyderco Delica --- 3
*Spyderco Endura --- 4
*Ontario RAT 1 --- 5
*Kabar Dozier --- 5
*Benchmade Griptillian --- 2
*Buck Vantage Pro --- 2
*Bucklite --- 1
*Zero Tolerance 0500 mudd --- 1
*Cold Steel Voyager --- 1

---
I'm now considering the Spyderco Pacific Salt for the over $50 category.. for less than $50 I think I'm going for the Ontario RAT 1 or a Spyderco Tenacious. Suggestions are still appreciated..

 

[Jpalmer1988]

Something to think about while considering the Spyderco Pacific Salt is that it doesn't have liners where as the Endura does.

 

[cgmblade]

Something to think about while considering the Spyderco Pacific Salt is that it doesn't have liners where as the Endura does.

Now you're just confusing matters for him.

But it's a valid point. Stainless steel liners were added to the handles of the Delica and Endura to increase strength. They add approximately 1/2 oz to the weight of the knife. A lot of people thought they were plenty strong before and preferred the lighter weight. The Pacific Salt and the Endura are both great knives and either would serve the OP's needs very well, imo.