UPDATE: "Working knife" recommendation. FOUND ONE.

A benchmade griptilian with a d2 blade and a cold steel Espada would be a good combo!

 

H&K 14715, Buck 830 Marksman, Spyderco Native 5 Lightweight, Cold Steel Recon 1 or Code 4.

 

You just described a Kershaw Blur.

 

I immediately thought cold steel Recon 1 when you said working knife. I have one and love it. The thing about assisted opening is they aren't as one hand closing friendly as they are one hand opening, at least not for me. If you still want one you can't go wrong with the Kershaw Piston. Also look at the Benchamde Griptilian or other BMs.

 

Got my brother in law, who is a mechanic, a cold steel recon 1 tanto and he loves it. Has held up through many things I would not put a knife through but has held up fantastic

 

This IS the kind of info that the guy wanted to hear... Yes, the other suggestions are also good.

 

+1
That is a manly knife

 

H&K 14715.

D2 steel, stainless liners, G10... It screams bike-riding-mechanic.

 

The new HK Axis from Benchmade sounds perfect.

 

Not sure if still available since I've been. Out of the knife arena for quite while. Benchmade Harley Davidson 13100 Mc Henry Hardtail Axis Lock. D2,classic blade shape. Came in 2 sizes. Flicks open like butter and lock is bombproof. Has a Harley insignia on the scale. I have both sizes. Excellent high quality knife. Prob more than $100 these days but totally worth it.

 

What about a Kershaw Launch 1? I know it's an auto and not a frame lock but using it one handed would be easy. Aluminum scales, good steel and made in the USA for under $100.

 

A second hand Benchmade 710 fits the bill and should be around $100 in D2. Larger size. a ZT0300 (family 0300, 0301, 0302 etc) will take everything under the sun, but its not $100, and I found the blade less versatile because of the depth top to bottom.

Personally I like the Kershaws for $$ value a Blur is a great "work knife" The tanto gives a nice straight "chisel" to use but the tip is more acute so more likely to be broken off. but you could almost get two for $100. If they are likely to be abused that might be a better choice.

If he really needs a tool. consider a good Leatherman (I like the Surge, sold, beefy and good tools all of which are almost as good as the purpose specific one tools they replace.) They also have reasonable knife blades on them.

You might also consider a sturdy EDC fixed blade. Lots of good choices here too many sub $100.

I have lately been carrying Spyderco farid K2... Not sub $100, but a good hefty folder, with excellent slicing power... but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone likely to try prying etc with it.

 

Manix?



I know it ignores some of the criteria, but I really dig them.

 

Just picked up a CS Recon 1 Spear Point in XHP off the Exchange. A beast of a knife. I can open it smoothly one-handed. Closing it smoothly one-handed is going to take more practice.

 

Manix 2 and a Kershaw Cryo 2. This way he has one nicer blade and another one to beat on.

 

I'll second the recommendation of the Kershaw Blur, or HK/Benchmade Axis (14715). Both are very different knives, but both similar size and good choices for working blades. Because of the D2 blade and non-assisted on the HK, it would probably be my first choice. But both good for first workers.

In my pic, the tan on middle left is the blur, and the black coffin just above is the Axis.

 

I like some of the suggestions given. Let me add a few.
1] Cold Steel American Lawman (practical and tough)
2] Spyderco Manix 2 (regular version)
3] Benchmade Ritter Griptilian (orange or black. Only at Knifeworks)

 

The Spyderco Salt knives are the toughest knives I own. I have hard used them in very harsh work environments (every day) for years now and have never so much as made one squeal. The H1 steel is exceptionally tough and is 100% corrosion proof. In fact, the entire knife is completely rust proof. I often come in and just throw mine in the sink, covered with blood and salt and leave them there all night until I put it in my waistband again the next day. They are also lightweight, and edge retention (on the serrated versions) is outstanding too. These are some of the best work knives being made right now IMO. And for $100 you can almost get a serrated Pacific Salt and a Spyderco Sharpmaker. Sharpening, even on the serrated models, is an absolute breeze with the sharpmaker. There have been some other great suggestions in this thread but this is mine.