Folder Reccomendations

I'd go with the spyderco stretch it has a very thin blade and a nice sharp point it is a great knife for lighter task imo.
 
My go to folder if I have any concern about a lock and want a great slicer is my Kershaw ET. Short of really breaking a pin or the handle it self no way for the blade to close when griped. It is a good slicer but that is it, thin blade and thin grind. You can find them fairly cheap if you look around. Bit odd at first to open and close but a great knife.
 
I like the Spyderco Delica 4 for a variety of reasons. Won't recommend it because I carry one, but for the reasons I carry one over knives that are much nicer, and more expensive.

The standard sabre ground model has a flat grind instead of the old hollow grind. Also has a stouter tip if you're heavy handed, while the full flat grind version..well, it has a full flat grind:)
Even though it's been modified by dropping the tip a bit so that it has support from the spine, instead of being nothing but edge bevel at the end, it's still very pointy, and pierces well.
The handles are secure due to being grippy, and wide in proportion to their thickness.
The FRN is rounded and smooth on the outer edges, so it's not horrible about developing hotspots, even though any folder is going to in extended use.
Fully ambidextrous and the clip is reversible.
Tension from the lockbar holds the blade closed more securely than a detent on a liner lock, yet doesn't rely on wire springs like an Axis.
Flat and slim, so it "carries small".
VG-10 for reasonable toughness and edgeholding while being easy to sharpen.
Clip is secure with a variety of pants thicknesses.

A bigger knife, but the FRN Stretch shares a lot of the same attributes, and you might like the blade shape and ergos better.
If you like the Axis lock, and the handles fit you, the smaller Benchmade Ritter Grip(or even the regular model) looks really good, too.
 
I gotta cast my vote for a decent Opinel. I use one in the woods and it is a dang good little knife. I don't recall what size mine is, but it is sweet.
 
I also rate the Brisa Knife. I have a scandi grind on S30V steel. Carbon fiber slabs , and a pocket razor. Lovely locker action , AND its different form the regular blades - Europe rules !!
 
When you say "tough" what's your definition? I've been through many folders in the past 7 years. And only ONE that is under 100$ that has held up to me and my abuse. I've been active duty for those 7 years and have carried a folder every single day of them. Under 100$ the Emerson A-100 is the only one I could recommend. It's handled everything from prying open ammo cans, to opening cans of tuna and beans or soup/stew in the field. Splitting kindling for a fire, carving aiming stakes for a fighting hole, skinned a couple squirrels and rabbits for a hot meal, and opened hundreds of MREs.
I got mine on sale somewhere for around 90$ and it replaced my CR sebenza, which is the ultimate HD folder IMO.
 
I don't go anywhere without my Leatherman Charge XTI. It's not as sexy as my Manix 2... but it can do a million things a regular folder can't. And all of the things a folder can.
 
I'm a big fan of the Spyderco folders. I have both the Manix, and the Delica, great choices. Just to let you know, some dealers won't ship to NYC anymore.
 
Would you consider a slipjoint?

The Queen #49 Cattle King is 4 1/4" in D2
a very solid knife
The main clip is 3"
The sheepsfoot and spey are stout blades

Will do camp work well.

If you want smaller but still stout, then the Queen #9 Stockman at 4"
 
This same issue had been a looooong search for me as well. I wanted a knife that I could carry around every day, that I could also head out for a hike/woods bum with. About a year ago I finally got an Emerson mini A100, and not long after I got a Benchmade mini Bone Collector. They are very different designs, but they both lend themselves great for woods use. They both will cost a little more than $100 though, I got each between $115 and $120.

Emersons come with an asymmetrical grind and I had trouble field sharpening it, they also have a thick primary edge but it still was a fine knife. I recently had richardj put a conventional V grind on it and I love it even more.
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The mini Bone Collector is probably my favorite of the two though. It's razor sharp, has a high flat grind that is a mean cutter, the D2 holds a great edge, the handle is comfortable and I have been a long time fan of the Axis lock.
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I have been only alternating between these two for the past year and have been extremely happy with each. (This is a pic from last year, they both don't look quite this new anymore either ;))
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The biggest downfall of nearly all folders that I've tried to use for wilderness/bushcraft things has been handle ergos. Either they're too blocky or they're too slim or contoured too aggressive.

I bought a Manix C95P based on recommendations, it has been the only knife ever I have bought specifically as my bush folder but it fell far what for I was hoping from it.

Out of factory knives, I've liked best the bigger Vic models and the Pertemet/Hackman Butterfly Puukko. But I think most don't consider balisongs folders.
 
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