Fixed Blade to keep in my car trunk

Similar to OP, of the several quality options for a smaller fixed stainless blade under $100, I just tried a new Buck Selkirk (the larger one). Got mine for $46.99, and similar to a lot of the Buck offerings, this is not a premium knife, but it is a fantastic blade for the price point. Highly recommended as a small utility fixed blade for camping, backpacking, or a 2-knife solution paired with a larger chopping/prying blade or a folding saw in an emergency kit. It is indeed manufactured in China, but any concerns I might have end right there. It is designed in the US around a modern utility or bushcraft knife usage pattern, and is built around the Buck 420HC steel with the great Buck heat treat. The design of this blade at this price point is good, there are few things to compare with this level of quality, features, and performance in this price range. First of all, the blade. It's about 0.140" blade stock, a full flat grind, and comes shaving sharp from the factory. Makes straight friction free push cuts through newsprint from point to heel, and shaves arm hair easily. The blade has a moderate drop point that thins considerably at the point and has some belly, making it useful for a variety of tasks including piercing things, slicing, skinning, game dressing, and fine detail tasks (unlike some "survival" knives that are more akin to a sharpened prybar). I have no doubt, knowing other Buck blades I've had, this thing could handle light batoning duty as well. The handle is a value-add, I rarely recall seeing such a nicely designed handle on a sub $50 knife. A CNC sculpted micarta handle that widens out to nearly 0.90" inches at the widest point, with grippy notches cut in all along the handle at the top and bottom edges. Next thing: the sheath. Now I am picky about sheaths and generally get custom ones. However, the synthetic sheath that comes with this knife is a great tight fit with good retention, and ambidextrous, and adds a belt clip built-in, and a fire steel holder. Though it's made of a cheaper plastic material and doesn't look like Kydex to me, it's a well designed effective sheath for such a low price.

There are a number of good stainless under-$100 utility and survival knives in the 4" to 5" size range worth looking at. All things considered and having tried a number of them, the very top of the heap in terms of overall quality, good cutting performance, stainless, and excellent sheaths, would include the larger Buck Selkirk, and the Gerber Strongarm, both available around $50 give or take, shop for best price. Talk about high-value low-cost knives, these 2 are right up there.
 
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^Agree. In general I am a "buy American whenever possible" guy, especially in knives and firearms. However...when the knife is designed in American by an American company, and made to their specs using good materials, and the actual resulting knife is good for what I need...I'm ok with doing this as an option B. I just bought a Bradford Guardian 4, completely American made, beautiful knife and even at around $250 shipped, I don't consider that as overpriced. But I try to balance my collection, I get a few higher end knives like the Bradford, and then I get a lot of more basic, low-cost high-value knives in traditional steels like Bucks in 420HC or simple carbon steels like 1095. This Selkirk knife, in the low-cost high-value category, is just one of the best I've ever seen in terms of bang for the buck.
 
I fully answered the op question, for myself at least. Gerber Strongarm. Got to handle one today, and watched many test reviews on YouTube. Totally impressed;
-USA made
-$50 total, delivered from midway
-handle feels great in any position
-has perfect balance
-blade with decent edge and tough 420 steel
-sheath system really nice with several carry options.

Will put one in each of my vehicles. Surprised they don't charge more. I can make my own knives, but for $50 delivered, can't even consider bothering for stated purpose. I can't see how anyone would be disappointed with the Strongarm for $50.
 
^Yep great choice. In this price range for a stainless utility/survival knife, I just cannot see many better complete deals including solid sheath than the Selkirk and the Strongarm. I even like both of these now better than the SOG Seal Pup knives, which used to be my go-to in this category. Better specs, better sheaths, better cutting performance. And cheaper to boot.
 
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