Best starter knife at 100$?

Here are my recommendations:
Spyderco - Native 3, temperance, resiliance, and delica (can find some around $80). Spyderco's best knives are slightly over the $100 mark (paramilitary 2 & manix 2)
Kershaw - best mid range knife, tons in the $50-$60 price range.
Benchmade - also a solid knife, not my favorite designs though...
cold steel - if you want a chunk of sharpened metal...

Also, I am Canadian, so prices I quoted might be slightly higher.
 
He is definitly a made in USA type of guy and won't like a foreign stamp on his knife. He served in the army for 6 years before a honorable discharge from a injury so he has a lot of USA pride.
 
Not US made, but The RAT 1 is still about the most "bang for your buck" out there.
I understand the desire for US made stuff, but the knife world is SO HUGE !
SAK's are undeniably part of the "knife-guy" deal.
So many great Spyderco's made overseas too.
 
If he wants it to be US made, then: Spyderco PM2, Manix 2 (lightweight or regular), or Native. Any one of those would be a great first EDC.
 
Spyderco Delica or Endura

Benchmade mini grip or full size grip


I have a delica and a mini grip and I carry them all the time. For the price, can't go wrong.
 
+1 Para 2, great knife around that price range

Also consider the Bradley Folder if stainless isn't a necessity!
 
+1 on the Benchmade Mini Grip. Great value EDC. The 550HG is butter smooth one handed opening. For around $80, it's hard to beat.
 
If your "friend" is young (under 22), Cold Steel would likely be a good match. If he is older, then Kershaw or Benchmade.
 
Kershaw Blur s30v, Random Leek for a bit smaller, both run about $80 on amazon.
If they're looking for a more tactical option, the ZT 0700 is nice. Its manual though. That's right around 100 I believe

Yes, you can get cheaper steel for both Kershaws but the s30v fit your price range a bit better.

This is a kershaw based opinion though. There are other brands.
 
Perhaps you may want to grab a used Spyderco Para 2 or Sage 1,2,3 or even a used Benchmade 940/943. Money well spent ;)
 
I'd say a Spyderco Resiliance. It has G10 scales, a pocket clip, and is very easy to open with one hand. Great quality knife for the price! Id also look in the Cold Steel Voyager series, great knives.
 
I would say that a cold steel large voyager seems to meet all the requirements except that its made in Taiwan. Other than that id also say the PM2 like everyone else, maybe he could find a nice used one. The Manix 2 is also a really good choice and even the XL is under $100 (i think).
 
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