best moderate price utility folder

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W.T. Beck

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Jul 9, 2001
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I am about to move back to the US, where knives other than Bokers and Pumas are affordable. I would like to celebrate my home-coming by buying a good all-around utility folder. It must not be an expensive knife like a Sebenza or custom, but a good factory brand such as (but not limited to) Benchmade or Spyderco.

So, for a good everyday factory utility folder, what would forumites recommend? I won't set a price range other than to say, keep the price moderate. I'd like something better than an AUS-6 knife from WalMart. Steel should be ATS-34, VG-10, or similar. If it is possible to get such a knife for under $100, that's all the better, but I won't set an absolute limit.
 
I carry a Benchmade 550 Griptilian every day. It is a great all around utility knife. The blade is 440C, not the latest and greatest supersteel, but it does the job. A Grip or Mini-Grip might be a good choice.

Spyderco's Delica or Endura are also awesome "moderately priced" knives and are available with VG10 blades.

If you like frame locks, the Camillus EDC might be a good choice.

There's also the trusty Buck 110 . . .
 
Let me be the first (hopefully ) to say "Welcome Home" How about looking at Pete's Custom Knife Shop at Buck's website.If you're looking for something traditional, good place to look.
I also like the Buck Odyssey in ATS34. Good knife for the money.
guy
 
Get yourself either a Spyderco FRN Delica or the slightly larger FRN Endura...Both are excellent folders, and both are made with VG-10 steel.
 
I'll second the Spyderco Delica or Endura. Been using both for the last four years and they'll do everything a utility blade is supposed to do. Good proven design, materials and workmanship.
 
I guess I'll have to Third the Delica and the Endura. Either way you can't and won't go wrong.
 
The Delica or Endura. They get mentioned so much for a reason...they work.

Paul
 
Griptillian/Mini-Gript or Endura/Delica.

I have use all 4 for quite a while now and been very pleased.
 
Another vote for the griptilian. I prefer the griptilian 551 to the endura/delica - better lock (IMO), better feel in the hand w/ the larger grip, and the steel seems to hold just as good an edge (again, IMO).

Either of the Benchmades or Spydercos would make a great using knife, however.

Sam
 
I would heartily recommend the Spyderco Native with the CMPS30V plain edge. Then the Spyderhawk with its VG-10 blade.

Spyderco puts their money into the blades - the longer I buy knives, the more I like that about Spyderco - a lot.
 
I recommend a mini-Griptilian. Demonstrably better than the Lightweights in almost every way that counts.

Either the 555 or the 556 is a fantastic user knife, I prefer the 555.

Steel isn't everything. 440C works great.
 
Besides the Spydies mentioned above, you might want to check out the many excellent and reasonably priced offerings from Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT).
 
a trapper or large stockman in D2 by Queen? Not tactical but very useful designs. Just to throw something different at ya;)

Frank

P.S. might want to check out AG Russell, too.
 
So far I am leaning toward the Griptilian, chiefly due to the comments about its superior grip. It is important to me to have a knife with a secure handle, as I take blood thinner and have to be careful about accidentally cutting myself. I am ruling out the Camillus EDC due to the rather slick steel handle on that one.

Thanks for all of the advice, guys.
 
The Griptilian is a great choice, but be sure to get the larger version. IMO the small Griptilian is just too small.

Originally posted by W.T. Beck
I am about to move back to the US, where knives other than Bokers and Pumas are affordable.
Click to expand...

While it's true that American knives are more expensive over here than in the States, they're not that expensive.
 
Hello Quiet Storm,

"Affordable" might have been a poor choice of words. I think it depends on your point of view. In my case, being an American here only temporarily, it does not make sense to buy a knife here when I can wait until I get home and buy it for substantially less. Certainly a German would have a different point of view than myself on what is "affordable" for himself.

What I have seen in knife stores here are American, as well as other non-German brands, costing 75 to 100 percent more than in the US. Back in the winter I ordered a Falkniven A1 from the US. Even though I had to pay a customs tax of over 30 euros to recieve it, I still got it for 30 euros less than the price I saw in a knife shop in Frankfurt.

But I don't fault Europeans for the higher prices of many goods here. It makes possible a better standard of living for the working class, and that is a good thing. I have yet to see the kind of poverty here that exists in the US. I have not found a single slum here, or any neighborhood I would be afraid to walk around in. Sadly I cannot say the same about the US.
 
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