Best for $500 or less

Damn, I love these threads! Now I am gonna start at the beginning and see if its a good one!
Up early because T am having problems with a dry wall guy, his day will be interesting.

Russ
 
Well, I read it... All depends where you are in your using/collecting arc when making a suggestion.
EDC for me is either an alan davis in curly maple and elmax or an old insingo . Both under 500$
I would feel incomplete without a crk in my dump tray, a full sized one.
You will have guys crapping on the "soft" s30v or s35vn, then they will start a thread on "difficulty sharpening xyz super steel. If the OP has never had one, they should try a crk.

Russ
 
Chris Reeve seems to be the most popular answer to questions like these.

Personally, I'd buy a Spyderco PM 2 Camo G10 $140 + CS Recon 1 spear point $100 + Microtech UTX 85 $248 + Mora 511 $8.
 
I'm gonna interpret the "best" part as "favourite".

My favourite knife under $500, but still close to it, is the Hinderer XM-18 3,5.
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I'll be serious this time. Under $500 but close to it?

Probably my Matt Bailey Model 2 geek edition flipper.

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It's just too cool for school, like I was.
 
"Best" (for my needs/uses) single blade knives with a locking blade that cost under $500:
Buck 110 (non-auto) brass and wood, 420HC or CPM154 blade steel
Buck 110LT with a 420HC or CPM154 blade.
Buck 112 (non-auto) (mine has a D2 blade)
Schrade Old Timer 6OT (440A)
Schrade Old Timer 7OT (440 A)
Ontario RAT 1 (the one I had was Aus 8)
I haven't tried one, but I'll guess the Ontario RAT 2 is a daRn good knife, too, based on what I've read here.
Opinel #8 (it has a locking ring)
Cold Steel Kudu (ratchet lock) 4114 Krupps
Cold Steel Eland (ratchet lock) 4114 Krupps

My most expensive knives are a Sk Blades "The Gentleman" Buck 110 and an SK Blades 'Lil Jack Buck 112.
Both were under $100 each when I bought them.

I have no experiance with knives that cost $100 or more (plus tax).

I'm guessing slipjoints are outside the conversation, so I'll not list them ... other than the SAK Huntsman. (saw, punch/awl, can opener, and scissors come in handy more oft than you might think.)

So far as autos go, if I'm ever crippled enough to where I need one, I'll probably get a Buck 110 auto.
Arthritis may get me to that point in the next 10 years?
Yes. I am not looking forward to that; I'll have to give up Archery when that happens.
If I reach a point where I cannot open a knife, chances are I woun't be able to draw a bow, either.
 
Zt0393sw. While they can still be found I’m sure the few remaining at retailers will go quick. Excellent knife for the $$$. Like it so much I bought 2.
 
If I had to pick one under $500 then it’d be a Large Sebenza 21.

If I could pick multiple knives adding up to under $500 then : Shaman DLC , Native Chief and CS Demko AD-10.
 
Can disagree about the Endura, an absolute classic. Personally I really like the Bugout and that has been my most carried knife since they came out. I upgraded mine with aftermarket carbon fiber scales and it still came in under $200. But... I'm also partial to the carbon fiber Chris Reeve folders. I'm a cyclist so I like lightweight knives. I just got a Small CF Sebenza 21 with the Insingo style blade and that is threatening to replace my Bugout.
 
These are my favourites in no particular order.

1. Opinel Classic No 8 in Inox SS - Inexpensive, easy to clean, excellent for food prep, my overseas travelling folder.
2. Benchmade Mini Griptilian MDP in 154CM - My backup folder. Light, rides well in pocket.
3. Spyderco PM2 in S30V - Pointy, full flat grind, able to use full-length of the blade due to lack of a thumstud, easy to clean and ergonomic handle.
4. RHK XM-18 3.5" S35Vn Spanto -Heavy duty flipper, ergonomic handle although thick and heavy, easy to clean, rides well in the pocket, excellent fit and finish.
5. CRK Umnumzaan S35Vn drop point - Pointy, ergonomic, easy to clean and maintain, heavy duty with excellent fit and finish, rides well in pocket.
6. CRK 21 Large Sebenza S35Vn drop point - pointy, ergonomic, easy to clean and maintain, heavy duty with excellent fit and finish best edc folder for me.

There are a tonne of folders available with a budget of $500. Everyone needs are different therefore to get the ideal folder, trying them out is the way to go. I myself during the earlier years have tried many folders from Benchmade, Kershaw, Strider, Dpx Gear, Lionsteel, Spyderco, Zt etc basically what I can get at my local dealer. It did get a bit expensive at one point. Its when I bought the Umnumzaan in 2014 that I knew I am getting to my ideal folder. A month after getting that folder, I had the chance to get the Sebenza and I am glad I did. It was the folder of choice for me.
 
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