Welcome to BF,
A
Aj123
! First, a word of advice about posting here--don't edit out salient info from a post (especially the OP) as you did by removing the reference to self-defense. It just confuses later posters and steers things off-topic as you saw on page one. Just edit for grammar, typos, clarity, etc.
As to the knives--
Spydercos under $100:
--Tenacious (3.375") --$40ish, liner-lock, G10, great in hand, 8CR13MOV is a just-passable steel, great knife for the money.
--Endura (3.75") or Delica (2.875")--$70ish, back locks, FRN, VG10 is an OK steel, dependable iconic Spyderco design.
Spydercos over $100:
--Paramilitary 2 (3.44")--$136ish, Compression lock, G10, CPM S30V is a very good steel, super in hand, premium knife at a mid-line price.
--Para 3 (3")--$130ish, as above, just smaller.
--Sage (also known as Sage 1) (3")--$140ish, liner-lock, Carbon Fiber, also S30V, a little small but great in the choke up grip.
Benchmades--to echo
Hackenslash
and
hhmoore
, the Benchmade hatahs are out there, though their numbers are smaller than their internet presence suggests and their loud whining that "Benchmade QC sucks" is way overblown. Benchmade has historically had a some issues with blade centering and went through a period where their grinds were poor and some knives slipped through QC with blade-play, edge, or other issues. Any new BMK I've gotten in the last year or so has been spot on. I've owned over 30 and still have over two dozen and never got a BMK with poor grinds; had a couple that were a bit off-center and resolved them all myself save one; and have always tinkered with my knives and found the sweet spot for blade play/action in all my BMKs.
As to the knives, you've already been steered to Griptilians which are great knives and give a huge bang for the buck. You may or may not like the stock Noryl handles, but 154CM is an excellent steel that takes a great edge. Basic minis are just under a hundred and full-size just over. I've never seen as assisted Grip and what you saw online may have been the manuals just flying out as their action is super. You can't beat the AXIS lock for ease of operation and ambidexterity.
Some of the Benchmades I have and like in your range are discontinued--Strykers, 710s--but are available if you look and wait for them on the Exchange here. I've bought a ton of knives here and highly recommend BF for purchases for price and as you generally get an accurate description of the knife. In many ways, knives on the Exchange are pre-screened for quality. The whole "net to me" or add X% for fees is annoying, because Paypal fees are meant to be borne by the seller and figured in, but I don't let it be a deal breaker if I want a knife. Offer their ask PP Goods & Services and they'll usually accept. If you add in for the fees, divide the price by .97 to get the right amount. Don't ever pay Friends & Family--it's dishonest and you surrender all your protection by doing so.
Good luck in your hunt--it's one of the funnest parts of the hobby.
