It doesnt have to be expensive to work - whats your favorite knife below $100?

BladeScout

BladeScout

Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
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I just recently got the Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K and its a hoot!

In the price range ($30+/-), its hard to beat.

I just got the CQC-6 a few days ago and its most excellent - especially considering the price.



Mine is smooth as silk and overall works a charm.

Minimal blade rock adjusted via the screw.

Blade shape very much to my liking, handle lies great in my hand. wave function works exactly as advertised, thumb plate opening equally so, knife easily sharpened and considering the steel can be honed to adequate sharpness.



Some complain the CQC-6K is a little weighty. I acknowledge, that if one is used to carrying a super light weight FRN handled Spyderco, this will initially get noticed. It doesnt bother me.

Quality on my example excellent for such a cheap knife.

Color me impressed. I recommend the knife.

Be careful though; its a gateway drug to Emersons!

Plenty of nice affordable knives out there - SAKs, Opinels and recently I noticed the Kershaw LINK, which also looks very nice, though Id be tempted to splurge for custom handles - there are some great ones for the Link shown here on the forum - and then itll shoot up over the 100 Bucks.

Any other well liked affordable knives out there?
 
Does my Manix 2 Cru-wear count since I paid under 100 for it, because if so that wins hands down! Honestly of all folders the ones I have had the most fun with are the Kershaw Strobe or basically anything in the Kizer Vanguard line. The Kershaw has pretty good QC, great action, and couldn't really have a more authoritative snap open. The Vanguard line has pretty damn good QC, great steel for the price, ceramic detent balls (!), and pretty great action for the price considering they are washer flippers. For firmly under $100 you can't do too much better than those.
 
These have done a lot of work for me. Very good bang for the buck knives.

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Modern options with great features

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and classic designs

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Both outperform much more expensive, complex and new blades
 
Kershaw oso-sweet and volt II; SAK Tinker, Opinels; most Rough Riders, Colts and Marbles. All great knives for under $100; most under $50. BTW, you shouldn't be using your Kershaw to cut meat on a ceramic plate - will dull the edge (serrated edges are ok, but not plain edged blades which is all I use). Just MHO.
Rich
 
SOG Flash 1. I carry this knife EVERYWHERE, even when having sexy time with the missus. Small, light, sharp, useful. I liked it so much I have bought a heap more to give to family and to replace mine when I eventually misplace/ lose it.
 
Manix2 S30V/G10. Bought it new from the dealer years ago for $80. An all-around great knife. And for that price , an outstanding knife.
 
Spyderco: Delica, Endura, Manix 2

Benchmade: Griptilian, Mini Griptilian

Ontario: Rat 1, Rat 2

Kershaw: Piston, Leek, Skyline, Blur
 
The Manly Comrade folder, made in Bulgaria is pretty keen and arrives that way too, excellent cutter and quite a strong back spring as well.

see my short review here

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Just about any FRN Spyderco works well and falls under $100. I also like the Kershaw Link and Skyline for around $50 or less. There are many good knives out there for not that much money. For my uses, just cutting things, you can't really beat the Delica.

Oh, I forgot the Griptilian and Rat1. I own both and both are awesome.
 
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Gary W. Graley said:
The Manly Comrade folder, made in Bulgaria is pretty keen and arrives that way too, excellent cutter and quite a strong back spring as well.

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Some nice stuff comming out of the former Warzaw Pact countries - not least Poltergeist Knives....., though they are considerably OVER a 100 Bucks.

I can only echo your review; some of the people there very nice.

I looked into buying a beautiful vintage Bulgarian dagger, but they saw me comming a mile away and we couldnt agree on a price.
 
Definitely the spyderco tenacious, I wish I still had it but it was stolen when I was in college. Surprising fit and finish on it, wicked sharp and fairly inexpensive. I'm sure whoever nicked it is enjoying it to this day.

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Many of my user small to medium sized GEC slip joints fall under $100 as I seem to prefer jigged bone for that. But of course, they are fairly expensive slip joints.

The Spyderco FRN Delica 4 is probably my favorite sub-$100 knife.

Most used has to be Vic SAKs.
 
Case Trapper ~$48
Buck Vantage Force $47
CRKT M16/M21 Series knives $30-$55

I have not tried the Delica or Endura Series yet, but my friend did and they were nice too.
 
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