Best Folder under $100

O

OddJack

Joined
Nov 23, 2007
Messages
5
Hello eveyone. I am a newbie here and did some search here but did not find what I was looking for. I was searching around the net today trying to learn about various types of steels and came upon this forum. I am looking for a knife that STAYS SHARP longer, is a FOLDER and is between 5" and 8" open, hopefully for under $100. I am sure there is a popular among you here. I asked the same question for flashlights at candlepowerforums and found Fenix L2D CE and purchased it. Thanks for reading. J
 
Welcome Sir,

In your size range
Spyderco- Delica $30-40
Benchmade- MIni Griptillian $50
Kershaw- Chive, Leek $25-60
CRKT- Full Throttle- I own one and its amazing. ITs cheap and stronge. Definatly the only CRKT i would ever consider purchasing. Prefered over my higher end knives ive owned and do own. $40-50
Those are rough estimated of the prices but close enough. For the size your looking for those are some good choices and will save some cash. All have good steels that will hold up. You really cant find a knife with crappy steels these days.
Good steel to look for would be-
154cm
S30v
Vg-10 or even 440 steels and aus-6 or aus-8 which are my favorite for cutting about anything.
HOpe it helps
Matt B.
 
A few in your size and price range I could recommend are:

1) Buck 110 (Cabelas Alaskan Guide in S30V steel) for around $65
2) Spyderco Delica or Endura.
 
Thank you Matt.. which one would stay sharp longer? In general what type of steel would you get to keep the sharpness longer? Thanks.
 
I just purchased 2 weeks ago an SOG folder made with VG-10 steel. This knife holds a great edge. Spyderco uses the VG-10 steel as well. The model of the knife is the Vulcan. $89.50 on the on line auction site. So far its the favorite in my collection. Some of the Kershaws are using VG-10 steel as well.
Good Luck and tell everybody you want a good knife for Christmas!
 
I would say VG-10 and S30v have always stayed sharp the longest, Tool steels like D-2 also have a lasting edge, Just a little harder to sharpen. Not by much though. My favorites and s30v and 154 cm..... a perfect compramise. But none of the others are worse in any sense.... Go by what type of knife your looking for first, such as lock type and style. Your need to find a comfortable knife for your needs before you go by blade steel. Thats my opinion anyway,
Matt
 
OddJack said:
Thank you Matt.. which one would stay sharp longer? In general what type of steel would you get to keep the sharpness longer? Thanks.
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I think for your price range, you'll find that the Spyderco Endura and Delica in ZDP-189 steel will hold the edge the longest. However, the trade off for having something hold an edge for so long is that it can be more difficult to sharpen. And every steel needs to get sharpened eventually.
 
OddJack said:
Hello eveyone. I am a newbie here and did some search here but did not find what I was looking for. I was searching around the net today trying to learn about various types of steels and came upon this forum. I am looking for a knife that STAYS SHARP longer, is a FOLDER and is between 5" and 8" open, hopefully for under $100. I am sure there is a popular among you here. I asked the same question for flashlights at candlepowerforums and found Fenix L2D CE and purchased it. Thanks for reading. J
Click to expand...

Rather than give you single examples of knives, I'd rather provide a list of good steels and makers, then let you look for suitable designs. There are other makers that should be mentioned, but I can give you these off the top of my head and know that you should be able to find something you will like.

Steels that retain an edge longer and are available on knives that cost < $100 (though you might have to do some looking online to find the best prices):
S30V
154CM or ATS34 (same alloy from two different steel makers)
VG10
AUS10
440C
N690 also sometimes called N690C

Companies that uniformly make well finished knives that cost less than $100 (online) out of the above steels (not all of their knives are less than $100, but the knives they make are of good quality, even in the less expensive models.):

Benchmade
Kershaw
Spyderco
 
Thats a good list knarfeng but how come zdp 189 was not in there.. maybe it has a different name? I thought someone said that one holds the longest...
 
Slipped my mind I guess. Don't have any ZDP 189.
If you can find D2 steel blades for under $100 that would work, too.

Should add Falkniven U2 to the maker list as well.

We've all been assuming you want a single blade knife with pocket clip. If you were interested in a tradional style folder you can get a Queen with D2 blades for around $50-$60.
 
Another vote for Spyderco here, and the Delica in particular. Found mine at a gun shop about 3 miles from Spyderco's HQ, it had been sitting around for so long they didn't even know what to charge for it. Blade is aus-6, I know they haven't used that in ages. Offered them $30 for it and they took it.
 
I think a Delica 4 in ZDP-189 would be the way to go for edge holding , but the standard VG10 version is very good also and should be easier to sharpen&#8230;.it is also available in a Wave version &#8211; highly recommended!



Frank
 
knarfeng said:
Slipped my mind I guess. Don't have any ZDP 189.
If you can find D2 steel blades for under $100 that would work, too.

Should add Falkniven U2 to the maker list as well.

We've all been assuming you want a single blade knife with pocket clip. If you were interested in a tradional style folder you can get a Queen with D2 blades for around $50-$60.
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest D2 as well, but couldn't think of any models that I like under $100. I think D2 is along the lines of S30V in edge holding. I believe I've read that the newer CPM D2 may hold an edge longer than ZDP189, but I only know of the CPM D2 Military from Spyderco and that's above $100.

OddJack,

I'd put ZDP-189 above all of the steels knarfeng stated in terms of edge holding. I thnk you should also be aware that a lot of expienced guys/gals on this forum favor other steels over ZDP189 and I think it might be in your best interest to find out why. I say this because most new people think it's all about long lasting edge holding and experience has shown some of us that it's not necessarily the main factor to consider when looking at steel.

trimcut123

Thanks:):thumbup:
 
OddJack said:
I am looking for a knife that STAYS SHARP longer, is a FOLDER and is between 5" and 8" open, hopefully for under $100. I am sure there is a popular among you here. I asked the same question for flashlights at candlepowerforums and found Fenix L2D CE and purchased it. Thanks for reading. J
Click to expand...
You'll find that there are definate camps here, but ultimately there is no one steel that's right for everything. If everyday cutting chores and a small, unobtrusive knife is wanted, go to the nearest Wal*Mart and get the popular Spyderco Native with S30V stainless steel. It goes a long time between sharpening, but sharpening can be a chore unless you know what you're doing. It doesn't take kindly to sloppy work and, by the way, don't EVER use a carbide sharpener on any knife you care about.

If you want a larger blade, give the 4-, 5-, or 6-inch Cold Steel a good looking at. The 4-incher is ideal, but check your local laws for any blade length restrictions. The Voyager is light, easy to carry, opens very rapidly and sharpens easily. They're tough, too. It comes in plain, half-serrated and full serrated, and it also comes with a tanto blade.

One of my all-time favorite knives is the CRKT M21-04 or -14. It's tough, gorgeous, and has a great "feel" to it. Ebay is the place to get the last two knives; Wal*Mart is tops for the Spyderco. They've got some deal worked out and you won't find it cheaper anywhere.

Oh, and about the Fenix L2D, it's a great light. I have a P3D and rechargable batteries, and it's as bright as the North Star. I like Fenix, but don't like their mandatory price controls.

Spyderco Native 3-inch
http://coldweapon.com.ua/images/upload/spyderco-native.jpg
$40

CS Voyager 4-inch
http://users.triera.net/puhrober/nozi/316413.jpg
$42

CRKT M21-04 4-inch
http://knife.cz/recenze/pics/00089.jpg
$45
 
OddJack said:
Where do you guys shop around here? Any BF coupons?
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Knifeworks.com is my favorite site. Look under the Benchmade , spyderco and kershaw lists. Set the price range from cheapest to highest and see what you get. Anything with super hard steel is usually noted right next to the pics before even clicking. Let us know what you choose, if you can,
Matt B.
 
Does it have to be a locking folder?
I just received a Queen Cutlery Large Congress Knife in D2. I would strongly recommend this knife.

yhst-37697109791737_1977_473661019
 
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