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

I'm going to have to pick up one of those Benchmade HK 14716, it looks like an awesome knife.

From the Kizer line I'd suggest Ki404, Ki403 or a Ki4416...all rugged knives for less than $100

The Spyderco PM2 is a knife every knife lover should own and can sometimes be found at just under $100

The Real Steel H6 Blue Sheep is kind of like a RAT1 on steroids for around $60

I've been impressed with the Kershaw 1776 Link...USA made and can be found around $40

Cold Steel has any number of offerings that might suit your need...Code4, Recon, American Lawman, AK47, Voyager to name a few. You can even find some of the older AUS8 blades for dirt cheap on closeout right now. I will say that I've been seeing some variability in the quality of the CS Triad Lock lately. I've gotten a few that were practically impossible to disengage.
 
I'd look at the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter. Just a hair of $100 but seems like a great hard use folder with a good steel.
 
The Cold Steel Recon 1 or American Lawman. No other folding knives can stand up to what these can do. I have the mini recon 1. Simply amazing.
 
Look on the secondary market for a spyderco gayle bradley. Picked mine up for 90 and it was beyond worth it.
 
I totally forgot about the CSAR-T and Recon 1 when I posted earlier, but yeah . . . those would also be fine choices. I have both, but never carry either because they're just "too much knife" for my EDC needs, and the Kizer is overbuilt almost to the point of absurdity, thus making it more fun for camping and such.
 
Try a Cold Steel Voyager (my preference is serrated edge). They are pretty reasonable on knifecenter.com .
 
Dunt buy into the, hard-use thing. Just buy a folder you like and use it as a folder.
I rec the Para Military, Endura, Delica or an Emerson.
rolf
 
Buck, Cold Steel, Joe Pardue folders... all will be under $100 and likely tough enough to do whatever you reasonably need to do. I worked farms and road construction in WV and FL in my younger days and a Buck 112 never let me down. Never broke it, never lost a tip, never closed on me unintentionally.

I still have a Cold Steel Clipmate from the late '80s that's been worked repeatedly in a warehouse and is still just as tight today as the day it was bought new. They're tougher than they look.
 
Define best.

If you mean best at taking a beating and asking for more then look up Cold Steel's triad locks. They are a punchline waiting to happen as a company sometimes but their kives are no joke specializing in being "tough"...

At <$100, other strong beaters would be Griptilian, Manix.
 
While not a fan boy of the company, I am a selfish knife purchaser when it comes to spending my money - I want "me" to be satisfied. That said, the Cold Steel Voyager with the Triad Lock provides good value for the money in a hard use beater folder.

I am also a fan of the Ontario RAT-1 (and 2) as providing good value but while I suspect that they will hold up to more than i would put them through, the CS Triad lock folders shine as value beaters.

Depending on your size, weight and carry method constraints, do not rule out the venerable Buck 110 Folding Hunter.

With the three knives mentioned, CS Voyager, Ontario RAT-1 and Buck 110, you could get all three for very close to $100 and the three of them together would be tougher, more durable and more useful than any one single knife.
 
SALTY said:
...CS Voyager, Ontario RAT-1 and Buck 110, you could get all three for very close to $100 and the three of them together would be tougher, more durable and more useful than any one single knife.
Click to expand...

That is a very good point, as that would give you 3 totally different, yet all very capable Knives to choose from as an EDC rotation.That's a nice start to a collection; add a Mora to the deal for a fixed blade option, and you're still just over $100 W/ free shipping from most online dealers... The 3 in rotation will add to the longevity of each blade, giving you time to save up and buy a "higher end" knife, but it will also help you decide what style you prefer, ad well as help you decide whether you even want more; if not you still got 3 (maybe 4) great daily purpose Knives to choose from each day.
 
strategy9 said:
That is a very good point, as that would give you 3 totally different, yet all very capable Knives to choose from as an EDC rotation.That's a nice start to a collection; add a Mora to the deal for a fixed blade option, and you're still just over $100 W/ free shipping from most online dealers... The 3 in rotation will add to the longevity of each blade, giving you time to save up and buy a "higher end" knife, but it will also help you decide what style you prefer, ad well as help you decide whether you even want more; if not you still got 3 (maybe 4) great daily purpose Knives to choose from each day.
Click to expand...


And, if you should happen to bust (or lose) a knife - you won't be without one while it's sent back, replaced or whatever else is the plan.
 
shandrydan1 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Indeed they do. If your tastes run a bit smaller, get the 14716.

You won't have to mortgage the farm for either of them.
 
The Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter and American Lawman are 3.5 inch blades that seem to be very strongly built at a relatively light weight of under 5 oz.
 
Raider53 said:
Look on the secondary market for a spyderco gayle bradley. Picked mine up for 90 and it was beyond worth it.
Click to expand...

Agreeing on this. The GB is one of the best hard working knives I've owned... period. Like Raider mentioned though only secondary market to keep it in the $100 ball park
 
+1 on the Ultimate Hunter, haven't gotten one yet but it's reviews are real good.

Have you looked at the Utilitac 2? There are 6 variants I got 2 of the 8916s and the ergos, build quality etc. are great the "square" handle. Smooth action. Beat the crap out of it..

Also the Blackhawk Hornet 2.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top