Favorite EDC Folder under $127?

[dirc]

yeah, I just looked it up - the only 'downside' is it uses plain 154cm steel (and it's only 2.5")...

for that budget, I'd be very tempted to get a kershaw in m390, the dividend - and with the left over $50, get something else or save up

 

[Chronovore]

My favorites:
Elementum (S35VN version is great value at only $80)
Manix 2 LW (I prefer the Leaf blade shape to the hump)
Massdrop Gent (I gave mine to my uncle when I got the S35 Elementum)

Also popular:
Mini Bugout
Grip/Mini-Grip

I'm also a fan of the S35VN Elementum. I have one with Micarta scales. It feels good, looks nice, and works well. They went with a thinner blade stock than the original D2 version, which I like as it makes for a better slicer.

I'm in the same boat with it having retired my Massdrop Gent. The Gent is a nice little knife but the S35VN Elementum fills the same role and does everything a little bit better.

 

[UDIVER]

Honestly, I would buy used....ebay or here on the forums.

For $127 all the knives listed are great choices but I feel you can get a lot more for your money if you purchase used.

You may be able to get something like a Ti framelock with S35vn or something similar for that price on the secondary.

Good Luck!

 

[Chronovore]

... for that budget, I'd be very tempted to get a kershaw in m390, the dividend - and with the left over $50, get something else or save up

While I don't love aluminum scales or assisted actions, the Dividend remains my favorite tip-down shirt-pocket knife. It is thin and just the right height for my canvas shirt pockets. The free deep-carry loop-over clip from Kershaw not only allows it to seat correctly, it also creates a nice thumb rest during use.

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

you may be able to find the cold steel bush ranger in that price range if you look around

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

also i think the cold steel recon 1 folder tanto and cold steel ak47 are great edc options that are less than 127, and the new cold steel gunsite counterpoint looks pretty good too

 

[craytab]

After selling a couple of my smaller knives as well as one of my tennis racquets, I've got $127 max to spend on a quality EDC knife to carry around my suburban/small city area.

What is your favorite EDC folder that can be had new for that cost or less?

At one time I was trying to stretch my budget to get a Civivi Appalachian Drifter with Damascus, but now that I'm able to up my money a bit more, I'm wondering if I'd like something better - the one that really catches my eye now is the Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight with black handle and black blade.

Anyway, I appreciate your input.

TripleB67

I'd say go with that Para 3 since it has caught your eye. For me, once that happens I always wonder until I have whatever it is.

What I've been diggin in that price range is the Spyderco FRN line, you know, the classics like the Endura and Delica (endela, Salts, etc...). With your budget, there s something for any taste in size, shape, and blade steel. Of special interest might be the K390 variants!

Here's what I've been rocking:

 

[Joe LaManna]

I mostly agree with the Manix 2 G-10 version. Amazing ergonomics and action. The ONLY reason I don’t carry mine more often is because it does take up quite a bit of pocket space. If that’s important, I’d go para3 or Bugout. If not, it’s an awesome knife.

 

[Rob47]

Save another 12 bucks. For $139. Get the Doug Ritter mini-RSK. Orange or black scales (I’m partial to the orange right now). Don’t think you’ll be sorry.

 

[TripleB67]

That’s a great choice or save up a few more dollars and get a Bugout.

Never held a Bugout but love the looks of it. I've searched several places...does it only come in a blue color?

The Benchmade Mini Griptilian/Griptilian seems to be on sale at a lot of places right now, putting it's price right around that of a Para 3 LW. I like the sheepsfoot version.

Love the look of the Mini Griptilian and the Griptilian that have the hole (maybe because I love my Spyderco knife and it feels like it would give me a Benchmade knife with a Spydy deployment) - have you tried either of these? If so, do they open as easily as the Spyderco knives?

Also, I'm not sure if the two can be compared, but does is the thumb stud on the Mini Grip/Grip as easy to use as say the Rat 2? Many thumb studs feel like they're at the wrong place for my wide thumb...the Rat 2 seems perfect.

I just got a BM Presidio 2 w/ CF Elite for $124 brand new. And it is absolutely sick.

Great looking knife - haven't heard a lot about it but will definitely look into it!

TripleB67

 

[Fixall]

Love the look of the Mini Griptilian and the Griptilian that have the hole (maybe because I love my Spyderco knife and it feels like it would give me a Benchmade knife with a Spydy deployment) - have you tried either of these? If so, do they open as easily as the Spyderco knives?

Also, I'm not sure if the two can be compared, but does is the thumb stud on the Mini Grip/Grip as easy to use as say the Rat 2? Many thumb studs feel like they're at the wrong place for my wide thumb...the Rat 2 seems perfect.


TripleB67

I actually have the Benchmade 555-1 Mini Griptilian on my desk right now. The 555-1 is the upgraded thumbhole version with G-10 and 20CV steel instead of Noryl GTX resin and S30V. It's easily one of my favorite knives. Because of the locking system (Axis Lock), I find that they actually open much easier than most Spydercos, which is saying something. They can also be opened multiple ways (such as just releasing the Axis lock and flipping it open). I prefer the thumbhole version over the thumbstud version because there is nothing to get in the way when you're making deep cuts into cardboard and whatnot. I also much prefer the sheepfoot blade that the thumbhole version comes with over the drop point of the thumbstud version.

I also have an M4 thumbhole/sheepsfoot on the way from the Benchmade custom shop that has the Noryl GTX handles. I'm honestly not the biggest fan of the feel of the Noryl though and I plan on swapping the scales out with Micarta as soon as I get it.

I don't have any experience with the thumbstud version of the Mini Griptilian (other than handling a friends) because by the time I was interested in it, the Hogue Ritter Mini-RSK was out by that time and I found it to be a much better knife for the money. If I was buying the thumbstud/drop point version of a Mini Grip, I'd definitely be buying the Mini Ritter instead (and I did). The RSK is very similar to the upgrade G10/20CV minigrip and features the same handle material/steel. The thumbstud on the Ritter RSK is very well placed and flies open. I too like the action of the Rat 2. The RSK is better. The Ritter is about $13 over budget though.

 

[ktataragasi]

After selling a couple of my smaller knives as well as one of my tennis racquets, I've got $127 max to spend on a quality EDC knife to carry around my suburban/small city area.

What is your favorite EDC folder that can be had new for that cost or less?

At one time I was trying to stretch my budget to get a Civivi Appalachian Drifter with Damascus, but now that I'm able to up my money a bit more, I'm wondering if I'd like something better - the one that really catches my eye now is the Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight with black handle and black blade.

Anyway, I appreciate your input.

TripleB67

Why not still get the drifter and then put the rest away for a future purchase? Just because it's cheaper doesn't mean it's worse.

 

[jp9mm]

Hard to beat the dm drifter in style and price. 83 and save the rest for the next one

 

[Lee D]

You could get a Buck 110 slim select and have an outstanding American made folder with a forever warranty and close to $100 in your pocket.

I wouldn’t call those knives “outstanding”.
My 110lt and 110 slim are both on kitchen duty because they developed significant side to side blade play, and I’m not going to bother sending $20 knives back.



*added to answer the op...pick the spyderco you like/can afford, and go with it. Excellent knives and Sal is a standup guy.

 

[timberweasel]

I'm like a broken record when it comes to the sheer EDC utility of a Swiss Army Knife, so I guess I'll just carry on the tradition and recommend a FFG Spyderco Delica or Endura paired with a SAK--maybe a Tinker. Plenty of capability with such a combo and you should be able to get both under budget.

Good luck, OP!

 

[Wolverine666]

There’s also the Buck 110 Ultimate Hunter with 20cv blade and rosewood diamond wood for $98. Looks nice for the money.

 

[TripleB67]

Why not still get the drifter and then put the rest away for a future purchase? Just because it's cheaper doesn't mean it's worse.

Hard to beat the dm drifter in style and price. 83 and save the rest for the next one

Excellent suggestions. It was my first thought and was in the back of my mind when I created this post. The only reason I’ve strayed from that idea is that having the money, I’d like to get a knife that is different from anything I’ve owned before: never owned a Benchmade (never owned an Axis lock), never owned a Compression lock, never owned a knife over $100, etc. So as the suggestions come in I’m really curious about the suggestions that are different from any of my current knives.

The Appalachian Drifter in damascus is stunning (IMO), but I’ll be using it every day and I just know that when they damascus gets messed up the first time (from cutting or sharpening), I’m going to be a bit sad, knowing that I’ll never be able to get it to look as pristine as it did the day I got it.

So as I read the suggestions, the ones people have mentioned that are piquing my interest are: Spyderco Para 3 LW, Benchmade Bugout/Mini Bugout, Benchmade Griptilian/Mini Griptilian, Benchmade Mini Presidio II, Spyderco Manix 2.

TripleB67

 

[jstn]

I would suggest a Cold Steel American Lawman. Great knife for the money.

 

[fishiker]

I picked up a Kershaw Bareknuckle a few weeks ago and it seems like a lot of knife for the money. Made in the USA and it carries really well for a knife of it's size. It's well below your budget. It did take a few days to break in but flips great now.

 

[comis]

Besides the Para3 which I really do like and recommend, I too do agree it's worth looking into the Spyderco camp to see what you may like. I own about a dozen in each BM and Spydero knives, and overall Spyderco does have better QC in my own experience, just better F&F.