Best folder under 250

For me a Spyderco PM2 or manix 2! You can get some pretty awesome steels in both of them for under $250, legendary performance and reliability! Once upon a time I’d recommend a cold steel recon 1 but with the new ownership it’s a no go for me, absolutely ZERO customer service 😭 ruined a fantastic knife company
 
Wowbagger said:
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 !
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OP, you may wish you didn’t post your question, since virtually everyone here has a favorite. Years ago I had the same issue. One of the responders suggested the Benchmade 940. Considering my level of confusion, I just randomly picked it as a decent/viable option. I now own upwards of 200 knives (don’t tell my wife) and that 940 is not only special but it’s a damn good knife as well.
 
ZT 0562. Fairly thick blade stock, great ergos and action, made in the US. Should be around $250 - but looks like the price has bumped up a bit depending on the retailer.

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Stringjam7 said:
ZT 0562. Fairly thick blade stock, great ergos and action, made in the US. Should be around $250 - but looks like the price has bumped up a bit depending on the retailer.

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They have a model with a Magnacut blade now, which commands a premium. Although yes, in general, the price of all the ZTs seems to have crept up in recent months,
 
Steely_Gunz said:
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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I have had the same experience. My wife bought me a Para 3 Salt Magnacut back in mid January.

Every time I carry a different knife, I conclude that it’s not good enough to kick the Para 3 out of my pocket and I go right back to the Para 3 again. I have actually stopped trying and I just carry the Para 3 now.
 
Westpark said:
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.
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The $500 dollar folder of your choice on the secondary market. :)
 
BTW- I have the Spyderco PM 2, and the Manix. Both great knifes. If I were in a knife fight I would use the Spyderco PM 2 all day long.

I feel the Spyderco's are a little light for everyday use. I would prefer something more beefy.

BTW- My current is an OK folder with a D2 blade. I got it for 40 bucks new at a gun show.

I'm not suggesting this is a high end knife, but its actually pretty impressive for a 40 dollar knife.
 
I like the looks of the Viper Moon but I don’t have one due to blade length restrictions.

The specs say that the blade is 3 inches but others say that 3 inches is the length of the cutting edge.

I don’t know how thick the blade is.
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Stringjam7 said:
ZT 0562. Fairly thick blade stock, great ergos and action, made in the US. Should be around $250 - but looks like the price has bumped up a bit depending on the retailer.

xv2TzJN.jpeg
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Not casting any dispersions (as you know I like stupid thin knife blades; think paring knife) . . . I never bought a ZT because the blades always looked too thick for my tastes ; SO SHOULD BE SOMETHING WESTPARK SHOULD CONSIDER !
For the same reason I almost never glance at WE knives though they are very cool looking (I bought one they accidentally made thinner).

ZT = Sinkevich (as far as I know) . I REALLY LIKE my Spyderco Drunken which is a Sinkevich . (That one's probably not what you are looking for WESTPARK )
but the other ZTs may be just what you want now that I come to think about it.
 
Wowbagger said:
Not casting any dispersions (as you know I like stupid thin knife blades; think paring knife) . . . I never bought a ZT because the blades always looked too thick for my tastes ; SO SHOULD BE SOMETHING WESTPARK SHOULD CONSIDER !
For the same reason I almost never glance at WE knives though they are very cool looking (I bought one they accidentally made thinner).

ZT = Sinkevich (as far as I know) . I REALLY LIKE my Spyderco Drunken which is a Sinkevich . (That one's probably not what you are looking for WESTPARK )
but the other ZTs may be just what you want now that I come to think about it.
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I get that. Whenever an OP states their criteria, I really try to stick with it if I have a response worth giving. OP wants thick blades - and my own preference definitely leans towards thin blade stock, but thick blades can still perform well when offset by things like a high grind on a tall blade that manages to keep the BTE reasonable.

ZT does have some thin stock slicers. They're not as popular as the chonks so they don't get much mention - but I love em'. ;)

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Spyderco Para3 get’s my vote unless you want something a bit larger then go for the PM2. Lots of other options but these are bulletproof in my book.
 
Benchmade Griptilian, regular or mini, Spyderco Endura , Delica Para Mil, Guess you know to sharpen a knife.
 
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There has not been a better time ever than now to buy Hinderer folders in the secondary market. Up your budget for ~$50 more, you can get a slightly used XM-18 or Eklipse.

If OP prefers to buy new, I'd recommend Benchmade Griptilian and Hogue Ritter RSK (both full size).
 
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