Recommendation? Favorite sub $200 knife

[ktataragasi]

First off I'm sorry for another one of these posts. I've also had a couple of recent post asking for comparisons also. I've been searching for a knife for a while and trying hard to not impulse purchase anything and just research what's out there.

I recently treated the wife to something nice and to my surprise she actually said I should do the same for myself. So I am looking for knife recommendations under $200. No traditional or fixed blades.

My current collection consists of the following :

• Benchmade Bugout
• Kizer Guru
• Kershaw Bareknuckle 20CV
• Kershaw Atmos
• Tangram Santa Fe

Some things I am looking for:

• Thumb opening or multiple opening options
• Unique blade steel or really well done steel (non stainless does not bother me)
• Non plastic/frn handles
• Nice cutting geometry

Thank you all for the continued help and sorry for all the posts.

 

[Eversion]

You're describing a variety of PM2 sprint runs


EDIT: More specifically, I'd recommend starting off with the S110V version. Readily available, a very unique steel, and well done. Just don't abuse it, it's not very tough. But it cuts and doesn't stop.

 

[Srtr]

you basically described the paramilitary 2

 

[LG&M]

Opinel or Buck 112

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

Maybe consider an Enzo Birk 75.

whaaaaat? Yeah. I know. Never heard of it, right? Well...its gets drowned out by Spyderco’s and Benchmade etc.

The Enzo Birk 75 is an EDC folder handmade in Finland, modeled after the traditional Finnish Puukko. A very useful blade shape available in a scandi grind with D2 steel (so called “bushcraft” knife) or a full flat grind with S30V steel for more common EDC tasks. Available in very interesting handles that you don’t see very often - white linen micarta, curly birch and ironwood - they make wonderful EDC’s with terrific fit & finish. Very smooth action with solid linerlock. Dual thumbstuds and deep pocket clip.

available from several US dealers for <$175. I have the model on the bottom, full flat grind S30V blade with ironwood handle. I’m very satisfied

View attachment 1404564

 

[Stairway]

My recent favorite under $200 is the cf-e Mini-Presidio II, which has scales you don’t want but they also make them w/aluminum scales too. However, you already have a Benchmade, so I would also suggest a Spyderco. Either a PM2 or Para3. I prefer the Para3, as the extra size of the PM2 does not afford me any advantage.

 

[GB940Rookie]

Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2.
Thumb hole.
M4 Steel.
Hollow ground blade, thin edge.
Ergonomic handle with carbon fiber over G10 scales.

 

[K.O.D.]

Unmodified?

Manix 2, PM2, Yojimbo 2. Massdrop Gent Select. Kershaw Launch series.

But mods make everything better (usually).

 

[JokersFaceLifter]

yeah you definitely need a spydie in there, at least for the feng shui of it all, you should get a blacked out PM2 or an emerson sheepdog

 

[Pugsly648]

Doug Ritter Hogue

 

[Korean Hog]

Yep
+1 Spyderco
When I read your post, I thought the same things others seem to be thinking...
You're describing lots of Spydercos!

 

[hhmoore]

Hogue Ritter RSK MK1-G2, full size or mini
View attachment 1404618
Also available in black G10, or with black blade. (Pretty sure there's a FDE version, too)

 

[abbazaba]

Seriously, I love all those knives you have, and I agree with the majority... You want a PM2

 

[Therom]

I would pick a paramilitary 2
Whatever the steel, it is a great slicer and a polyvalent folding knife
The basics30v version may have a basic steel but it does the job well

I have a s110v version that is very good for my use and has a very long edge retention. It does cardboard, plastic and wood well

the PM2 exists in many variation and you can still get M390 and k390 if you want something different

on the secondary version the option on steel are numerous

 

[NebulaMask]

Another vote for the Hogue Ritter RSK MK1-G2 (large or small)

On a side note, KW sells black and silver hardware for them for like 10 bucks if you wanted orange with silver screws or black handle satin blade but black hardware etc.

 

[Murdamook]

Doug Ritter Hogue

I love my Spydercos but this was the knife I was preparing to mention. Ticks all of the boxes.

 

[ktataragasi]

You're describing a variety of PM2 sprint runs
View attachment 1404531

EDIT: More specifically, I'd recommend starting off with the S110V version. Readily available, a very unique steel, and well done. Just don't abuse it, it's not very tough. But it cuts and doesn't stop.

you basically described the paramilitary 2

My recent favorite under $200 is the cf-e Mini-Presidio II, which has scales you don’t want but they also make them w/aluminum scales too. However, you already have a Benchmade, so I would also suggest a Spyderco. Either a PM2 or Para3. I prefer the Para3, as the extra size of the PM2 does not afford me any advantage.

Unmodified?

Manix 2, PM2, Yojimbo 2. Massdrop Gent Select. Kershaw Launch series.

But mods make everything better (usually).

Yep
+1 Spyderco
When I read your post, I thought the same things others seem to be thinking...
You're describing lots of Spydercos!

Seriously, I love all those knives you have, and I agree with the majority... You want a PM2

I would pick a paramilitary 2
Whatever the steel, it is a great slicer and a polyvalent folding knife
The basics30v version may have a basic steel but it does the job well

I have a s110v version that is very good for my use and has a very long edge retention. It does cardboard, plastic and wood well

the PM2 exists in many variation and you can still get M390 and k390 if you want something different

on the secondary version the option on steel are numerous

I decided to group all of the Pm2 votes together.

How is the overall size of the knife compared to what I have listed? I imagine it will be one of the larger knives which I don't really mind. Plus I've heard that if you use the choil it feels like a smaller knife. I can never seem to make my mind up about a first Spyderco but the pm2 may be it. I may have found a Maxemt one also.

 

[ktataragasi]

Maybe consider an Enzo Birk 75.

whaaaaat? Yeah. I know. Never heard of it, right? Well...its gets drowned out by Spyderco’s and Benchmade etc.

The Enzo Birk 75 is an EDC folder handmade in Finland, modeled after the traditional Finnish Puukko. A very useful blade shape available in a scandi grind with D2 steel (so called “bushcraft” knife) or a full flat grind with S30V steel for more common EDC tasks. Available in very interesting handles that you don’t see very often - white linen micarta, curly birch and ironwood - they make wonderful EDC’s with terrific fit & finish. Very smooth action with solid linerlock. Dual thumbstuds and deep pocket clip.

available from several US dealers for <$175. I have the model on the bottom, full flat grind S30V blade with ironwood handle. I’m very satisfied

View attachment 1404564

Thank you for the suggestion. That is a knife I've never heard of and seems quite nice.

 

[ktataragasi]

Doug Ritter Hogue

Hogue Ritter RSK MK1-G2, full size or mini
View attachment 1404618
Also available in black G10, or with black blade. (Pretty sure there's a FDE version, too)

Another vote for the Hogue Ritter RSK MK1-G2 (large or small)

On a side note, KW sells black and silver hardware for them for like 10 bucks if you wanted orange with silver screws or black handle satin blade but black hardware etc.

I love my Spydercos but this was the knife I was preparing to mention. Ticks all of the boxes.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've heard and seen many great things about this knife.

 

[comis]

I second the Brisa/Enzo Birk, if you like scandi grind for a folding knife. They are true scandi grind and cuts wood like a dream.

There are already many good suggestions here, Spyderco PM series, BM 551/Hogue Ritter...so I am not gonna repeat that. BM940 is also a true classic from BM camp, which I highly recommend.

Another suggestion is Massdrop/WE collaborated knives, such as Ferrum Forge Falcon or Laconico Keen. They too are both very functional and aesthetically good looking.