any tough folders under $100

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dansen2188

Joined
May 19, 2008
Messages
6
I recently damaged the lock on my ka-bar mule lockback and i am looking for something to replace it. i am looking for a solid, versatile folder under $100 that will not necessarily be my EDC but something i can take camping and have no worries about it while cutting wood or doing other hard work. i was looking at a CRKT M21 Special Forces but i am worried that the liner lock is not strong enough for hard use. here are a couple other specs i am keeping in mind:

blade length: 3.25" - 4"
combo edge
57-60 CR
 
Buck 110 - $25 at Wally World. Try to break it... Still made in the USA (not the sheath). Lockback.

Cabela's has the S30V bladed 'Alaskan Guide' version for $68 - a deal.

Stainz
 
Here's a few off the top of my head...

Spyderco-Native or Pacific Salt

Kershaw-JYD(any style),Storm I or II,Lahar..& a lot more

Benchmade-Mini-Griptillian or full size Griptillian

SOG-Vulcan,Mini-Vulcan,or Trident

There's a lot of tough folders out there for under $100
 
If you're damaging the lock on a Ka-Bar Mule, (I have one), then you need a fixed blade.
 
Try A Spyderco ATR :cool:

Super tough tip, Strong lock, good blade size......I think they come in Combo Edge?

I don't know what they go for, but they should be around your price range.
 
Most of the time you can find a new or mint Benchmade 710 on Ebay for less than $100 including shipping. It would be very hard to beat that knife.
 
joe-bob said:
If you're damaging the lock on a Ka-Bar Mule, (I have one), then you need a fixed blade.
Click to expand...

In that price range, the mule is as tough a folder as you will find. I cannot even imagine a legitimate cutting job that would damage it. But if you have found one, then the next step up in that price range is a KaBar USMC Utility fixed blade with a 7" 1095 blade. Seven inches of steel goodness.
 
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Look for a lightly used Kershaw ZT0200, or keep an eye on the bay. New, a C-note and $ 20 will get you one. This things a horse!

Kershaw JYD II Composite Blade...around $ 80 or so new.
 
knarfeng said:
In that price range, the mule is as tough a folder as you will find. I cannot even imagine a legitimate cutting job that would damage it. But if you have found one, then the next step up in that price range is a KaBar USMC Utility fixed blade with a 7" 1095 blade. Seven inches of steel goodness.
Click to expand...

yeah, you said it, i am definitely in need of a fixed blade, and i have been looking at getting a ka-bar or ontario fixed blade for a while, but i have made the mule work too hard for too long. :) but for the price (around $50), i haven't seen a knife that beats it. i may just end up getting a new one. unless this is reparable:

DSC00619.jpg


:( it seems to lock all right, but there is a bit of blade play now, and obviously the locking lever should not be sitting like that...
 
no, i'm perfectly fine, and wish i could say the same for the lock. i was splitting wood with a baton. it was a low-light situation and even though i had a flashlight, i did not even notice the damage until the next day. guess the scoutmaster will be cutting a corner off my whittling chip for this one... ;)
 
Maybe you can send it back for repair for a reasonable fee.

I'd definitely use a fixed blade knife or hatchet, etc. for similar work in the future. You didn't get hurt THIS time.
 
I recently picked up a Browning Ice Storm after learning that it is made my Mcusta. The blade is V-10, the grips aluminum. Very sharp, great lock-up, super-fast onehand deployment, stowing.

The only thing I dislike is that the pocket clip can't be changed, so you have only tip-down pocket carry.

38.00 delivered. It will certainly do until I can afford a custom.
 
Good price, but not what he is looking for.
The alloy is VG-10.
 
Two possibilities come to mind.

For a smaller one---Fallkniven U2 ($70 or TK4 $100
For a larger one--incredible value--Ontairo RAT Model One folder (under $40) (They were made under license with the RAT guys for a long time, but now are not--so buy an older one)
 
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