Best tactical knife for under $100

Sorry the knife for the above would be:
Kershaw Ken Onion Avalanche Plain 3.1" S30V Black Blade G-10 Assisted
 
Thank you for all of the great responses so far, guys. You'll have to excuse my lack of appropriate terminology. Apparently a "tactical" knife is not the correct term for what I'm looking for. This will be an EDC knife, with a bit of a tactical feel to it (ie, no wooden handles, dual blades, etc...not an old fart knife, if you will ;)).

Lots of you have made some great suggestions, and I'm taking a serious look at the Kershaw Cyclone. Does anyone have any info on Smith and Wesson knives? I'm guessing that from the lower price point of most of them, that they aren't anything special...but the Black Ops assisted opener caught my eye. http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5884

I'm also really liking the Benchmade Stryker, which is listed at $92
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8513

I just WISH that the Stryker had an aluminum or steel handle. For whatever reason, I like metal handles a little better...they just feel more solid to me.
 
I'd steer clear of Smith and Wesson. Strictly chinese made, and known for marginal quality.

The Stryker is very nice. Are you familiar with G-10? Personally I prefer it to all other handle materials. Great for grippiness when wet. Also doesn't have the cheap feel of glass filled nylon.

If it was me and I was getting a Benchmade, I'd go with one that has the Axis lock. To me that's pretty much the whole point of getting a Benchmade, as opposed to a Spyderco, Emerson, etc.

Regardless, I'm sure you'd like the Stryker. I hear it's a good knife, though I've never owned one.
 
rifon2 said:
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.
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Just wanted to mention, if you can be patient, you can find a good deal on ebay for the Bench 710. I picked up my third 710 in D2 steel brand new for $96.00 shipped about six months ago on a "buy it now". That's no guarentee, but if you like that model, and how could you not?:), then keep your eyes peeled.

Cheers
 
Benchmade 710 or Spyderco Endura.
The Endura is available with excellent VG10 steel without a wave for 50$ or with for 60$

Consider a skelly fixed blade.I find that a slim knife conceals a whole lot better than a fat one regardless of how long it is. You could get one of the new SwampWardens and a custom sheath with a pocket clip and still be under budget. It is also stronger and faster than a folder. The Rats have lifetime warrantys.
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Here are some good knives for $45.00 - $60.00
Spyderco Endura
Buck/Stryder 889 SBMF
Kershaw SpeedBump
 
Unsub said:
Benchmade 710 or Spyderco Endura.
The Endura is available with excellent VG10 steel without a wave for 50$ or with for 60$

Consider a skelly fixed blade.I find that a slim knife conceals a whole lot better than a fat one regardless of how long it is. You could get one of the new SwampWardens and a custom sheath with a pocket clip and still be under budget. It is also stronger and faster than a folder. The Rats have lifetime warrantys.
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Nice knives, but where to buy?
 
samhain73 said:
In those guidelines, I would also recommend the Ka-Bar mule.
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A good knife for the money. I think I only paid around 35 dollars for mine. You can get them in tanto or drop point, and with black, tan, or olive drab handles. The pocket clip allows it to ride deep in the pocket, and if you want to carry it on your belt, it comes with an awesome belt sheath. It locks up nice and solid, but is not as quick to flip open as some knives.

For more money, I would say go with a Spyderco Delica or Endura, or a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian or full size Griptillian. I think you would do well to consider getting a knife with a four inch blade.

If you do go with the Cold Steel Recon one folder, be sure you get the newer version that has the G-10 handles instead of the earlier version's zytel (I think) handles that are just too slick in the hand.

I would also recommend either the SOG Spec-Elite one or Spec-Elite two.

And I would advise you to carry one good folder in both your right side and left side pants pocket to improve your odds of being able to get a knife in hand as quickly as possible (if one hand is too injured or otherwise occupied, you've got the other one). Plus it gives you the excuse to buy two good knives.
 
melt said:
And I would advise you to carry one good folder in both your right side and left side pants pocket to improve your odds of being able to get a knife in hand as quickly as possible (if one hand is too injured or otherwise occupied, you've got the other one). Plus it gives you the excuse to buy two good knives.
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I like the way you think! :D

I could afford a couple of Spyderco's for my price range, but my biggest setback would be my wife, who audits the books regularly. We've got our second kid due in late november/early december, so she's limiting my spending even more than usual, lol.

However...I am thinking about changing the password on one of the credit card accounts so I can "order christmas gifts without you looking"...and maybe slip a good knife or two in there while doing so. ;)
 
Convert, since you've altered your definition from Tactical to EDC, I'd have to change my suggestion from the Kershaw ZT 300 series to the Kershaw Cyclone. If you can swing the extra $ 50, I'd highly recommend the Mini Cyclone Ti/ZDP. Titanium frame lock, SpeedSafe assisted open, reversible tip-up / down carry, and ZDP189 steel. You won't, IMHO, find a better value for your dollar. If you want to stay under the $ 100 figure, you can get the standard Cyclone and an additional one or a mini to go with it. Take a few minutes and visit the Kershaw forum here and just ask around. You won't be disappointed.
 
In that price range I like the chinook 2/3 and the waved endura. The chinook might cost a little bit over, but it's worth it I think. It offers top shelf materials, and a thought out and well exicuted design.
 
Do the Cyclones come with a pocket clip? Thats another must have for the knife I choose. I'm about five seconds away from ordering a Cyclone, but I didn't see anything listed about whether or not it has a clip...
 
Convert said:
Do the Cyclones come with a pocket clip? Thats another must have for the knife I choose. I'm about five seconds away from ordering a Cyclone, but I didn't see anything listed about whether or not it has a clip...
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The Cyclone comes with a pocket clip.
 
Check out the Benchmade Griptilian 551. It can be opened and closed better than a double action side auto, plus because of the axis lock, your fingers never have to be in the way of the blade when closing. It comes with 154CM steel, a very high end steel that can still be sharpened easily. The blade comes with a satin plain edge, satin part serrated, or black coated part serrated edge. The Griptilian is made in the USA.

Knife brands I would personally check out for a folder in the sub $100 price range: Benchmade, Spyderco, and Kershaw.
Knife brands in the same catagory I'd avoid: Columbia River, Gerber, Cold Steel, any Chinese made folders (Smith & Wesson, etc.).
 
I'm actually very strongly looking at the BM Griptilian now. I want the plain edge blade, but I want it in black, which doesn't appear to be an option. Oh well, I think that the non-coated plain edge blade would be fine for the time being. Time to start price shopping again!
 
Convert said:
I'm actually very strongly looking at the BM Griptilian now. I want the plain edge blade, but I want it in black, which doesn't appear to be an option. Oh well, I think that the non-coated plain edge blade would be fine for the time being. Time to start price shopping again!
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It's a great EDC.

In its price range, if you don't need a longer (or shorter) blade, you really can't go wrong with a Griptilian.
 
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