Best tactical knife for under $100

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Oct 23, 2007
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Greetings everyone, first post here. I'm sorry if this question has been asked about 1000 other times on here, but for whatever reason the search function keeps giving me an error screen.

Simply put, I don't know jack about knives. However, I work in the LE field, and believe that everyone in the LE/Fire/Military community should always have a decent knife on them. I also know that I'm sick of carrying crap quality blades at work, and would like to invest in something that is going to last a good long time.

Here are my basic requirements:

-3" to 3.5" blade (preferably 3.5")
-Drop point (what limited research I've done has led me to conclude that tantos are damn near pointless unless you like stabbing your way through steel doors)
-Solid, long lasting construction (duh)
-Better than average steel
-Assisted opening would be a nice feature, but isn't neccessarily a requirement if the knife is constructed well enough. No autos, please.

Thats about it. I've looked at CRKT, SOG, Spyderco, Benchmade...I'm stumped. There are way too many choices out there, so I need some help with the decision making process. Feel free to throw in some educational stuff too, if you like, since I don't know a damn thing about knives. I'm here to learn. :)

And again, my apologies if this has been covered before. I really do try to use the search function as much I can before posting, especailly on a new forum...but it just ain't workin for me today.
 
Most of the LE officers I have worked with here in Canada carry the Spyderco Endura, Police or Military. Many of those in the fire/rescue field carry one with a serrated blade or a SAK fireman model. Benchmades don't seem to be too common in this Country.
 
Welcome to bladeforums!

Reading your requirements the knife that leaps to mind is the Benchmade 14205. It's part of the Heckler & Koch line of knives made by Benchmade.

It has a .150" thick, 3.5" long drip point blade. It's one of the strongest most solid folding knives I know of. It's not assisted opening, but with the Axis lock you can flick it open. The blade steel is 154CM which is premium cutlery steel. The only thing is, it's a little over $100.

You can get it here for $114.72: http://www.aapkblades.com/heckler_koch-knives/BM14205-4158

If the price knocks the BM 14205 out of contention, I'd recommend a Spyderco Endura, which you can find at the same dealer (great dealer) for $47.78 at this link: http://www.aapkblades.com/product_details.php?id=1961

You can also get a "waved" Endura for about $10 more. The "wave" feature allows you to open the knife at the same time you are drawing from your pocket. However, personally I don't like the wave feature. Many here do though.

Again, welcome, and I hope this helps.
 
Suggestions:
(1) The Spyderco Endura
(2) Any of the other Spydercos of sufficient size
(3) The Voyager series from Cold Steel
 
Suggestion:

Spyderco Endura full serrated in ZDP-189
Spyderco Endura plain edge in VG-10

One of each would be especially good.
 
+++ on Benchmade- pick your favorite model with an Axis lock. Good steel, good construction.
ALL the LEOs I know use them- both of them!
 
What are the most important features of a tactical knife? In my opinion:

1. Strong blade. This will usually preclude premium steels designed primarily for edge retention.

2. Strong lock. The lock must be able to survive strong torquing over a sustained period.

3. Grip. The knife must be retained under all conditions; in the cold, in summer heat, and it must be retained when wet with snow, rain or blood.

4. Blade configuration. Despite your views on tantos, the ability to stab, pry and cut are all excellent attributes of a good blade design. Knives aren't made for prying, but sometime they have to, even if you destroy the knife in the process. The knife has to penetrate heavy coats yet do enough damage to end a fight with some hard twists.

6. Blade size. My own view is that tactical knives have to be about four inches before they can be viewed as real tacticals. Three inches is simply too short for tactical use, I think, as they can only find limited emergency use.

7. Black. I also advocate black blades and handles to be less conspicuous.

Based on the above, the only knives I can recommend enthusiastically are:

1. Cold Steel Recon One. Strong and dependable, they are first rate tactical knives with blades coming in just under four inches.

2. CRKT M16-14SF. This all black tanto has a full hilt for control and retention. Like the Recon One above, it snaps open in a flash without being an auto or assisted open. Blade also comes in just below four inches.

If you simply want a small last ditch knife , you may want to consider a neck knife with a 3-inch double-edged fixed blade. But a 3-inch tactical is pushing it.
 
You REALLY might want to take a close look at the Kershaw Cyclone. I carry both the full-sized and the "Mini" versions as my "EDC's", and I'm VERY impressed with them.:thumbup:.:thumbup:.
 
Get a CRKT Falcon. 4" bowie style blade with a distal taper to it. Excellant grind lines, steel isn't the best but good enough trust me on this. Lock up is stellar, has a manual LAWKS which is better than the auto LAWKS imho. It is put together very well also. It is cheap, well made, excellant design, good ergo's and big. Just my 2 cents worth. keepem sharp
 
If you really want an assited opener I would say a Benchmade 913 Stryker. If not, I would go with an axis lock Benchmade 520 (a little over $100, but a tank of a knife), or a 551 Grip.
 
Confederate said:
What are the most important features of a tactical knife? In my opinion:

1. Strong blade. This will usually preclude premium steels designed primarily for edge retention.

2. Strong lock. The lock must be able to survive strong torquing over a sustained period.

3. Grip. The knife must be retained under all conditions; in the cold, in summer heat, and it must be retained when wet with snow, rain or blood.

4. Blade configuration. Despite your views on tantos, the ability to stab, pry and cut are all excellent attributes of a good blade design. Knives aren't made for prying, but sometime they have to, even if you destroy the knife in the process. The knife has to penetrate heavy coats yet do enough damage to end a fight with some hard twists.

6. Blade size. My own view is that tactical knives have to be about four inches before they can be viewed as real tacticals. Three inches is simply too short for tactical use, I think, as they can only find limited emergency use.

7. Black. I also advocate black blades and handles to be less conspicuous.

Based on the above, the only knives I can recommend enthusiastically are:

1. Cold Steel Recon One. Strong and dependable, they are first rate tactical knives with blades coming in just under four inches.

2. CRKT M16-14SF. This all black tanto has a full hilt for control and retention. Like the Recon One above, it snaps open in a flash without being an auto or assisted open. Blade also comes in just below four inches.

If you simply want a small last ditch knife , you may want to consider a neck knife with a 3-inch double-edged fixed blade. But a 3-inch tactical is pushing it.
Click to expand...

In those guidelines, I would also recommend the Ka-Bar mule.
 
Just a note for the OP that the Benchmade 710, Military, and Nitrous Stryker all cost more than $100.00.
The 710 and Military are definitely great tactical knives IMO.
(Haven't yet handled or the Nitrous Stryker, so no opinion on that one.)

For tactical use, I'd prefer an Endura SE over a Grip 551.
 
Before you buy, you owe it to yourself to check out and actually open a Spyderco waved Endura 4.

The wave feature is simply amazing.
 
allenC said:
Before you buy, you owe it to yourself to check out and actually open a Spyderco waved Endura 4.

The wave feature is simply amazing.
Click to expand...

+1 on this suggestion. The best value for a tactial folder IMHO.
 
Lots of good suggestions here....my EDC (every day carry) is either of these three:

CRKT M21-14....majority of the time this is in my pocket. Beat to hell and is my general work mule.
Zero Tolerance 0301....stout, excellent steel, awesome knife
Emerson CQC7B Had an original...gave it away to a very dear friend...bought another of the newer version....

I have others that mix and match out but those are my main three...
 
Grip: G-10 Handle with a deep etching for improved grip even when wet.Super-Textured G-10
Blade steel:s30v steel Blade Material : Black Teflon Coated Stainless Steel. Rockwell hardness 58 - 60. Heat Treated 410 Stainless Steel Liners and pocket Clip. Blade Length: 3.125", assisted opening

All for under 90 greenbacks and under a 100 shipped
 
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