Best folder under 250

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Westpark

Joined
Jan 20, 2025
Messages
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I'm new to this awesome knife forum. Question -

If you had to spend 250/ish on a EDC folder. Not to big or to small.

Its used for the typical knife needs, and last resort self defense.

I prefer thicker blades.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.
 
Benchmade 940.
I was going to say then save up to have it reground thinner but you don't want to hear that so you are all set with the stock 940 .
Sure there are scads of other great knives but this one is very versatile :
in the handle shape (think old school Case Trapper) , the blade tip is robust for stabin' sheeet and heaven forgive . . . prying , kind of thickish behind the edge (that's partly why I like to regrind them) , rides quite small in the pocket (narrow blade & narrow handle ) .
I have several of these in different handle materials and blade materials.

The classic is the dark green one . Looks like slick aluminum handle but it has been bead blasted before anodizing so it has some texture like really fine wet or dry sand paper . I put off buying one for years because I thought , from the photos , they would be too slick.
I was wrong !
 
Hands down:

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 (or Para 3 if your state has a stupid blade length law)
Benchmade 940 Osborne

^-- Probably the most 2 iconic and universally agreed upon "best commercially available pocket knives in the world". Both well inside your price range.

You really can't beat these two. Seriously.

EDIT: Forgot to mention: Both USA made! 🇺🇸
 
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Spyderco knives are great, no argument. Don’t overlook some of the Cold Steel knives. Several with thicker blades and they have good heat treatment on the steels they offer.

You need to give us more details as to what you think it too big or too small. Everyone’s opinion varies a bit on that one.
 
Also what are "typical knife needs" for you? If you are often hunting and skinning that could dictate different choices than if you open a lot of boxes, or work in construction.
 
My favourite at the moment is the civivi neurohaptic. Which is a super fun knife.
Nowhere near $250


For an EDC knife i like one that pops open and closed really easily. This means I can open it use it then put it back in my pocket. Then it doesn't get left behind or sat on or something.
 
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If you're just starting out, make your money go further and buy some used stuff here or reddit knife_swap.

Knee-jerk reaction to up to $250 would be a Kershaw Bel-Air, Spyderco PM2, Hogue Deka, Benchmade Mini Adamas, Demko AD20.5 (s35vn), or a DPx HEST/F. If you're ok with China builds, Kunwu (Django, XTao, Padre), Kubey white box stuff, Vosteed, Kizer, WE, and Remette all make some fun and fidgety style knives. If you can find stuff used and are patient, you can get 2 or 3 of anything I mentioned.
 
I never would have thought I would recommend Spyderco as while I respect the hell out of them and their quality, they don't always jibe with me in terms of aesthetics.

That said, I dunno if I can remember a pocket knife that I have had a harder time kicking out of my pocket than the Para 3 I bought a few weeks ago. It's sharp, lightweight, stout, and of a size that pretty much handles any reasonable chore I run into on a day to day basis. I've really grown to appr ciate the compression lock too.

I do like bigger blades as a matching Crucarda Military 2 is on my short list, but until I find a reason to get it, this Para 3 in Cruwear has really swung me toward Team Spyderco.
 
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