Need suggestions: Best hard use folder available for $100.

F

farmboy

Joined
Aug 31, 1999
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I'm in the mood for new steel, but I don't want to totally blow the bank this time. I'd like to find a another good hard use folder to carry around the farm. I'd like to look at buying new, with a nod of appreciation to the sale forum here.

Can I find something for the price?

The only one I won't buy is the ZT 0350. I had one, but I didn't like the recurve, and it took up a tremendous about of real estate in my pocket.

I'm currently carrying a Spyderco Techno, and it does an admirable job, but it's just a little small for that duty.
 
Are you picky about the size or weight? Country of origin? I would normally suggest a ZT, but it is honestly tough to find them at the $100 price point. I decided to take a chance on a Kizer Ki4411F1, which I found somewhere (can't remember where) for under $90 shipped earlier this year. Make no mistake, it's a big, heavy knife, but it has great ergonomics and is extremely grippy. My only complaint is that the clip seems a bit small for a knife this size, but that's a pretty minor issue. Mine came centered perfectly with no blade play, with smooth operation all around. I took it on a camping trip shortly after receiving it, using it for pretty much everything that needed doing short of batoning. It still slices through paper cleanly without touching up, which is great for me since I'm lazy where routine maintenance is concerned.

kizer-ki4411f1.jpg

kizer-ki4411f1-side.jpg


It cost more than I would normally spend on a Chinese knife regardless of manufacturer, but it decided to give Kizer a fair shot and came away very satisfied.
 
Never had one myself, but every says good things about the cold steel recon 1 series. They seem to be very tough, hard use knives for under your price point.
 
I don't own one but I see a lot on the Buck CSAR-T folder. It might be a good suggestion. I do have the CSAR-T Liason fixed blade however and like it very much. The folder seems to be pretty tough from what I hear.
 
Code Steel Code 4 is a pretty nice slicer and around $50.
Or the Lawman
 
I'll second the Manix 2 suggestion, or you could go for the XL version. The Benchmade HK axis lock folder would be another contender, IIRC, the model number is either 14715 or 14716.
 
EChoil said:
I don't own one but I see a lot on the Buck CSAR-T folder. It might be a good suggestion. I do have the CSAR-T Liason fixed blade however and like it very much. The folder seems to be pretty tough from what I hear.
Click to expand...

I just watched to videos and all I can say is wow. I am not a tanto fan though, but that is one tough knife:

[video=youtube;e7k3QKTM-_4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7k3QKTM-_4[/video]
 
+1 on the Cold Steel Code4 for "hard use" also. Solid knife, and A LOT of knife for the price! I don't a recon, but imagine the same speaks true for it as well.
 
I recently acquired a HK 14715 Axis made by Benchmade. I am impressed with this thing! For $100 you get a 3.69" D2 blade, full stainless liners, G10 scales, and the Axis lock. That's just $10 more than a Griptilian, and this thing is better steel, better liners, better handle...
 
loonybin said:
I recently acquired a HK 14715 Axis made by Benchmade. I am impressed with this thing! For $100 you get a 3.69" D2 blade, full stainless liners, G10 scales, and the Axis lock. That's just $10 more than a Griptilian, and this thing is better steel, better liners, better handle...
Click to expand...
Yep. The 14715 and the smaller 14716 are Griptilian killers.
 
I've had my eye on the Manix 2 but now I'm definitely going to be looking into the Benchmade HK knives.
 
You didn't mention what size you were going for but, if you're looking for something that's built like a tank and isn't too chunky or heavy I would seriously consider the surefire Jekyll. I did have to do a couple things to give it that perfect fit and feel in hand as it is a small blade but, this thing is a power house and very underrated. I found mine on the big auction site for just over $100.
 
I second the recommendation for a Cold Steel, Recon 1 or Code 4 take your pick. For "hard use" at under $100 its hard to beat them.
 
For that price I would recommend the Benchmade HK 14715. I like it better than any Grip I have owned/handled and it is D2 steel which I find Benchmade does a great job on.
 
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