Recommend me a new folder ($100 price limit)

[Sanjuro82]

I'm looking for new quality folder. I've been thinking about possiblely get either a CRKT M21 special forces, or a CRKT M16-14 special forces.

But I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Sanjuro

 

[Ludwig]

What will you be using the folder for? What's your limit on the blade length? Is there a certain blade steel or lock you prefer?

A $100 price limit gives you LOTS of choices so some more info can help narrow them down.

 

[Sanjuro82]

What will you be using the folder for?

EDC. I own a good number of knives, but all of them are low-mid range knives. I want to move up to the next level and own a higher quality knife.

What's your limit on the blade length?

I'd like to keep the overall length to no more than 9.50”

Is there a certain blade steel you prefer?

A good all around steel. Something that holds the edge fairly well and can also take some abuse.

Is there a certain lock you prefer?

Nope

Thanks,
Sanjuro

 

[legato1]

spyderco waved endura, its simple, has a effective opening system and is made out of good steel. it doesent have to be the waved endura most of their knives can be found under 100$ and are realy good.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

I would also suggest a waved Endura. If the wave feature isn't important to you, then I would suggest a standard ZDP Endura.

 

[omaha-beenglockin]

$100 bucks gives you LOTS of choices---I would look to something from Benchmade using the AXIS lock system.

As much as people dispise Ebay--I've picked up 4 absolutely smokin deals off there recently----NIB for considerably less than what New Graham or Prairie City is asking----but you have to be patient and let the deals come to you----and don't ever get caught up in a stupid bidding war----set your limit(generally what New Graham or Prairie City would charge me anyway)---and walk away if it gets too high-----they'll make more---believe me.

Benchmade 525sbk limited edition---$81 plus shipping----less than $90 total
Benchmade mini-Grip 556 yellow $42 plus shipping----less than $51 total
Benchmade 201 D2 fixed---$48 plus shipping----less than $55 total
Bark River clip point Skinner--orange G-10---$62 plus shipping ----less than $70 total.

All NIB----nobody comes close to those kind of prices.

 

[dalefuller]

There's really a lot out there that would fit your needs. Spyderco, Benchmade, Al Mar... all three of these companies have good products.

Spyderco: Endura or Delica in any version, Caly 3 in G10/VG10, Para-Military (may be slightly over $100, but it's a hell of a knife)

Benchmade: Grips or mini-Grips from Benchmade or Cabelas, Ritter Grips or mini-Grips (will be slightly over $100), 525, 707, 710. You could also get an H&K 14210 for right at $100. That's a sweet 3" (almost) AXIS folder made by Benchmade. G10 scales and 154CM blade steel.

Al Mar Nomad or mini-SERE (slightly over $100). The Nomad is a bit more useful to me because of the flat ground blade and the handle.

For a couple of good all-around steels, I'd recommend VG10, 154CM, or D2. S30V is also good, but it takes a bit more effort to sharpen it and it may not be quite as tough for some applications as VG10 or 154CM.

Backlocks (Spyderco), AXIS locks (Benchmade), and Compression locks (Spyderco again) are my favorite locks. I think all 3 of them are strong, reliable systems.

I really like G10 as a handle material, FRN second, and micarta third. I don't like metal handles and I don't use the knives I've got with metal handles.

 

[allenC]

If you want a very light-weight folder that carries very easy clipped to your pocket or waistband then check out the Spyderco Salt series.
What's really cool about them is that they CANNOT RUST.
There are quite a few to choose from:
Salt I
Atlantic Salt
Pacific Salt:thumbup:
Tasman Salt



For a slightly heavier folder here are a few recommendations:
Spyderco Endura 4
Spyderco Delica 4
Benchmade Griptilian 550 or 551
Kershaw Leek:thumbup:
Kershaw Blur:thumbup:
Kershaw Avalanche
Kershaw Blackout or Whirlwind



If you don't mind a heavy folder...
Buck 110
Alaskan Guide Buck 110 from Cabela's:thumbup:
Spyderco Drop-point D'Allara
Kershaw Cyclone


:thumbup:=my personal favorites.

Good luck,
Allen

 

[Steven Andrews]

Benchmade 551 Griptilian.

 

[ashtxsniper]

Endura 4 :thumbup:

 

[BRASMAN]

Kershaw Lahar

 

[carrot]

Spyderco Manix.

 

[Kaizen1]

I personally would look into the following companies:

Spyderco (My personal fav in this price range)
Benchmade (close 2nd)
Kershaw (Not too distant 3rd)

I think you'll find that most of the experienced EDCers here wouldn't go with CRKT with that price limit. That's not to say that we're "right" and people who disagree are "wrong", but we have our reasons. If you were to do a poll about which of these 4 companies have the best variety, quality and value for this price range, I would bet money that CRKT would end up 4th easily, but that's just my guess.

 

[RenegadeRows]

I'd get a spyderco. I received my delica 4 and im very happy with it

 

[A.P.F.]

Allen's recommendations tend to mirror my own, but if it is value for the dollar you are after, then I would look hard at:

Spyderco Native
Spyderco D'Allara
Spyderco Delica/Endura
Buck 110
Alaska Guide 110 (S30V)
Kershaw Blur

 

[dulledge2]

yep the endura4 is your best bet.

 

[65535]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the 710 at new graham or knifeworks.com they are only $103, incredible edge holding, really beefy construction dead simple design.

 

[shortgamegenius]

O.K. here is what I have: a Gerber AR 3.0.
You can get it partially serrated (which is what I reccomend) because the serrations stay phenomenally sharp with normal use and the plain part isn't too bad either!!
It has aluminum handles with comfort rubber, and can be flicked open with lightening speed. Great liner-lock too. Strong from what i can tell.

RETAILS FOR : ~ $50

 

[kicwk]

Kershaw Ken Onion Avalanche Plain 3.1" S30V Black Blade G-10 Assisted

G-10 Handle with a deep etching for improved grip even when wet.
s30v steel Designed by Ken Onion. Manufactured by Kershaw Knives in Oregon, USA. Blade Material : Black Teflon Coated Stainless Steel. Rockwell hardness 58 - 60. Super-Textured G-10 Handles. Heat Treated 410 Stainless Steel Liners and pocket Clip. Blade Length: 3.125", Weight 3.7 ounces. Features: Ken Onion's patent pending "Speed Safe" mechanism incorporating torsion bar technology for assisted opening.

All for $89$ it's a tank, not bad for the money

 

[Matador]

If given $100.00 for a good knife, I'd check around for a used Spyderco Manix or mini Manix. Though I don't carry one myself as my carry is task specific, I think this is the best compromise for an edc/sd tool at the price point you mention.

Matador-