My suggestions:
- Of the 3 I prefer the feel of the Delica, but if possible try them all in a shop.
- Similar to another poster, the Spyderco Centofante 3 is a wonderful alternative to the Delica. A better slicer.
My favourite outsider, also in your budget range: the superb light Eka Masur if you shop around (
here for $47.95 with elegant elk leather sheath):
For true elegant originality, you can hardly improve on a classic Nontron. Handmade since centuries in France, these days with decent Sandvik steel. Very light as well. The
friendly-priced model pictured below doesn't have a lock (the ones slightly bigger than your max blade size do), this may or may not be important for you:
if you are prepared to spend a little more, here is a wonderful gentlemen-oriented and super smooth Damascus Mcusta with staminawood handle
for $99.95 at the Damascus Knife Store:
More utilitarian, an interesting budget choice is the Boker Trance. Light and slender and sturdy with z decent framelock. The steel is Aus 8, not on the level of VG10 but ok at the price. Still really worth checking out:
Finally another wayward classic design that I expect to buy eventually: a classic french "Le London" sailor's knife. Horn handle & sheep-foot blade:
