Azad, I've owned I think 5 SOG knives, still have 3, and the folders I currently have are the Pentagon and the X-ray Vision Mini. These folders use an outstanding locking system called the SOG Arc lock, and I would HIGHLY recommend that if you get a SOG knife, make sure you get one that uses this lock system. It is their best IMHO, and one of the best locking systems available, roughly equivalent with the Benchmade Axis lock in strength.
Personally, I'd probably steer clear of SOG if this is to be your ONE go-to knife, and if you want high reliability. I like the design of my SOGS, but they have had maintenance issues of and of the 4 SOG folders I've owned, 3 of them have had to go back for tuning/maintenance within the first 6 months of owning them. They have had some QC issues, at least in my experience and I'm not the only one who has observed this.
Another note, is that I'd suggest avoiding assisted openers. The better locking systems today, like the Benchmade Axis lock and several of Spyderco's best locking systems, allow you to open a knife quickly and one-handed, and there's simply no reason to add the extra mechanical complexity of an assisted opener. The assisted opener just means more springs, more parts, more stuff that wears out and breaks down. I'd avoid assisted openers altogether, and stick with a quality knife that can be opened with one hand.
With that said, here are a few suggestions in your price range:
Spyderco options:
* Para Military 2. This is the shortest one of the bunch at about 3.5" blade, but still a great knife.
* Military
* Police
* Endura. ***This is probably the 'value' option: gets you a quality blade near 4", a strong lock, good steel, and a reasonable price. You can even get a special
Endura wave edition that has the Emerson "wave" opening feature, where there's a hook in the blade that will catch on your pocket and open the blade instantly as you draw it. Very slick, very effective. Might want to look at this.
* New Manix 2 XL edition. ***This new XL edition of the Manix has a nearly 4" blade, as opposed to the earlier ones that had a shorter blade.
Benchmade options
*
Mchenry Williams in M390. Awesome 4" blade, a classic!
*
Benchmade Adamas. A new hard-use folder in D2 steel, made for mil/leo users. Great-looking blade, but VERY heavy for daily carry, it's nearly 8 oz which is about twice what a typical folder is!
Zero Tolerance options
* ZT 200. A big, beefy blade in 154cm. Outstanding, but like the Adamas, REALLY heavy at 8 oz.
* The forthcoming ZT 561. These are the Rick Hinderer collaboration knives. Powerful framelock design, Elmax super-steel. Outstanding choice, but these are outside your budget, they'll run $200 to $250 plus you can't get them yet.
Hogue options
* The new
Hogue EX-01 folder. You can get them in 3.5" or 4" designs, and tanto or drop point blades. Running around $200.
Depending on your price range, if it were me, I'd probably get the Endura (if I were wanting to spend less money but still get a solid knife), or if you've got more to work with, I'd get either the Mchenry Williams or the Hogue.
