Suggestions for a folder

I would go with the HK Axis (full size) hands down. Great durable knife with the Axis Lock, D2 steel and G10 scales. It's an HK but it's made by Benchmade and has Benchmade's warranty. You can find them under $100. Massdrop has the mini on right now but give it a week or so and the full size will pop up again.

Benchmade 710, HK Axis and the BM Grip. The 710 is a great knife but has a longer blade.

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That HK looks interesting and a killer man. I always thought they are made in PRC. The 710 its out of my range at the moment but that's such a beauty. What do you think of the Presidio and Amicas?
 
The KaBar Dozier is one of the best $20 knives on the market, and a rule of thumb, made in Taiwan is typically better quality the made in China. That said though, China is just as capable of making quality products as America is capable of making junk. The reality is, a factory filled with machines, manned by employees, makes a product, and there are a lot more factors at play determining the final outcome then just a flag over a country or the language of the employees.

Yes, lots of cheap crap is made in china, due to cheap labor and lax laws and enforcement regarding work place practices, but they also manufacture a lot of things, in many different price points, with varying degrees of quality control often dictated by the parent company or contracting company they are doing the work for. Some are high tech state of the art facilities making top notch "stuffs". Aside from notable brands outsourcing for the sake of cutting costs to meet the consumer demands of lower priced products, other chinese based companies like Reate, Rike, Kizer, and even Real Steel among others, are producing fine quality knives at competitive prices...

I don't "like" it persay, the outsourcing especially by iconic brands like Buck, but it's business, and I get it, and I try not to take business too personally, any more then I take my personal life into work with me. I'd love to see more things made in the US again, but there are a bunch of things both politically and legally that are pushing companies to seek alternatives to lower prices for consumers and raise profits for shareholders, etc., but that's an entirely different thread altogether.
My 2 cents.
 
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I hear you, Strategy9 and I understand what you're saying. Political and legal issues, cost cutting and all should not hinder QC is what I stand by. You are right about Real Steel though. That Blur looks cooler than the Vantage my man. I was on a different thread about an hour ago and those guys really know how to have fun. They are playing a game where you gotta take a pic with a random item requested and post it. Some weirdos there and it's so much fun just looking at their spontaneousness. I saw a guy there post a Mcusta and sweet Jesus. What a knife. Never heard of but they make those in Japan and looks very appealing. How about some more info on them if you can with pics please :D And also the Benchmade Presidio. How is it?
 
Lots of good knives out there under $50 that are USA made, here are a few Kershaws.

Kershaw 1760 Skyline
Kershaw 1776TGRYBW Link
Kershaw 1660SWBLK Leek
 
I will give another recommendation for a Spyderco Delica or Endura.

Second hand you will find them under your budget; spend an extra $15 and get one new.
 
You could look at a Kizer Sunburst. It is a Chinese knife that is a 3.5in blade with s35vn. You can get it in bright orange so you are unlikely to lose it in the woods. Kizer has been turning out some great knives.
 

I like my first Mcusta, a lot actually. Some folks aren't fans of the tip down carry, but it doesn't phase me in the slightest. It's a very easy carrying and handsomely built knife. Their stainless Damascus blade looks great too... most are just a bit over the $100 mark, so a great value too for what you get.

They have a bunch of clip less models too, and their "Tactility knife" model has a 3.75" blade and a tip up clip, if that is an issue...
 
For US made knives under $50 new, you are pretty much looking at something from Buck or Kershaw. Don't count out knives made in Taiwan until you try them. Some of them rank among the best production knives made and some are downright bargains for what you get.
 
If you want really good edge retention, and are eyeballing the Blur, I would also suggest stretching your budget a bit to get a Blur with an s30v blade...
 
Lots of suggestions and I thank you all. I have checked all the blades suggested so far and have finally decided to go with the Blur in S30V for $92.

Strategy9: You are bang on with your last suggestion as I'd made up my mind for the S30V version on Knife center. $92 is fair I guess for such steel. Could you let me know how has it served you and anything else I should know before placing the order? And I think it was you who posted your Mcusta in the other game thread I mentioned in my earlier post. That sure is on my must have list.
 
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Hope you didn't pull the trigger yet, if not I'm going to do you a solid. No offense or disrespect meant towards KSF, great company, bought from them before and we're great to deal with, but as a budget minded guy myself, and seeing you're already stretching well above your preset budget, another great place to buy from, and also another forum supporter; kershawguy.com also ships free and has the s30v model available for $75... sorry ksf. could save yourself $20 bucks though. Maybe pick yourself up a Buck Bantam as a secondary blade?

*ftr, the Blur has served me well enough. I don't carry the s30v model at present, because I prefer the ELMAX version instead, I carry that one, and OD green (pictured above) to beat on a bit, and a black serrated one that takes a whooping as my primary work blade. I also currently have 9 other models at present, some hard to find models, you could say I think the Blur is "okay" ;)
 
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jstrange said:
For US made knives under $50 new, you are pretty much looking at something from Buck or Kershaw. Don't count out knives made in Taiwan until you try them. Some of them rank among the best production knives made and some are downright bargains for what you get.
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My .02, Ontario Model 1 AUS-8 made in Taiwan under 30$. Can't be beat and takes a wicked edge.
 
Kershaw Link
Kershaw Blur
Real Steel H6-S1

The two Kershaw blades are US made, and the Blur is around $50-$60 but blems (cosmetic) can be had closer to $40. The Blur and the China made Real Steel use Sandvik 14c28n steel which I find to be one of my favorite. It can be made shaving sharp with little effort and holds a good edge under most use. Not considered a "super steel" but IME works for 99% of what most people use a knife for.
 
I prefer my knives to say U.S.A. as well, but the Tenacious is quite a knife from China. Good size, great blade shape, super smooth, and in your budget. I went through a Kershaw phase before I got into the higher end knives, but if I could only keep one of my sub $50 knives it would be the Tenacious... When I got my first Delica it quickly became one of my favorites and I found myself carrying it over my Benchmades and other higher end Spydies. I always thought they looked cheap until I found a good deal on a used one and decided to try it out and fell in love with it.
 
BigDaveIndi said:
Okay.. Now I see some pretty envious blades names. Delica/Endura, Manix, Griptillian, Native, Blur, Link, Skyline and Vantage in S30v. Lots of choices and as it goes, more confusing. I'm not in for the Voyager because of the bowie blade. I would rather go for a bowie FB instead, which I will for sure someday. I really drool over the Dozier design made by Ka Bar but made in Taiwan!! Are they even worth $20? Just off this topic, what do you guys think or should I say feel about all these premium brands manufacturing models in China/Taiwan? I personally hate it because I know for sure that the quality will take a hit. China or Taiwan, it doesn't matter because they are the same. Only quantity and no quality. F#uck, their soldiers die inside a tank which falls over a 3 meter bridge! I understand the economy but these US brand companies should take notes and read reviews of their products seriously. Okay..
Spyderco Manix, Delica, Benchmade Grip, Kershaw Blur, Skyline, Link and Buck Vantage. Pics would have helped a lot more honestly. I'm really thinking about the Blur and Manix more. Delica is so sexy and I know people just love it. I am looking for some more models just to compare and decide. Please feel free to do so and if possible with pics.
Thank you all for your support and time.
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Don't worry about the country or manufacture too much. If ayou read reviews of many of theese Chinese models that people have suggested, you will see they can indeed make a quality product
 
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