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What's your EDC? I'm looking for suggestions for a really tough folding blade.

I'll three-millionth the Cold Steel recommendations. My current primary carry is a Code 4. Great knife, super tough, but with a much less intimidating look than most Cold Steels. I bounce between this and an American Lawman for when I know it's going to be some seriously tough duty.
 
I usually carry my Spyderco Resilience or my Cold Steel Voyager. I ordered a CRKT Minimilast bowie to put in my rotation. I would recommend either of the knives I mentioned. Both are extremely tough.
 
That utilitac looks beastly... The 0550 has got me for now but I may have to dabble there eventually:encouragement:

Oh I suggest you do! Soon ;)

I can verify it doesn't just look beastly. :D



If your budget is under $90, I haven't found a better folder. If you have $90 though, I'd be getting an 0350 blem from KershawGuy, as I've beat the heck out of my 0350 and it's a VERY tough knife, especially for a liner lock.




Believe it or not, I like the $25 Utilitac II more though.

^^^ This guy right here is the reason I first got a Utilitac.
 
I'm all about beastly but functional knives. I've had a fair few, and this is what I would recommend:

Spyderco: Gayle Bradley, Tuff
Zero Tolerance: 0550, 0560, 0700, 0801
Hogue: EX-01, EX-02, EX-03, EX-04
Cold Steel: American Lawman, Large Voyager, Code 4, AK-47
Benchmade: Adamas
Anything by Strider, Hinderer, Chris Reeve, Medford, Elishewitz, Demko, or Direware

My personal favorites are the 056X, Gayle Bradley, and EX-02. I've had multiples of each, sold them, but I've always come back to them. Those are my current three main knives, usually carried with a Brous Bionic / Cold Steel Tuff Lite / Kershaw Zing.

As for the others I mentioned:
I found the 0801, 0550, and Adamas too thick for my personal carry preferences. The Cold Steel Voyager has VERY aggressive handle texturing that led me to give it away. The 0700 would have been a keeper if I hadn't already had a tanto EX-02 (very similar knives in function). The EX-01, EX-03, and EX-04 are button locks, which are very sturdy, but I've been big into framelock flippers as of late - I can attest to the build quality and sturdiness of those knives, however. The Spyderco Tuff and the Striders fall short - quite literally - for me in cutting edge length. Too much handle and choil, not enough blade. The lone Hinderer I had was not a particularly good flipper, but was VERY solidly build.

I recommended the American Lawman, AK-47, Chris Reeve, Demko, Medford, and Direware knives on reputation alone - I have not owned or used any of those, but I have heard literally nothing but good things from people who have.
 
Well I consider my BM mini grip to be a tough folder. Ive beat on it to a reasonable extent, never thought twice about cutting straps, hose, cord, or rope. Ive stripped wires, scraped caulk and cut insulation. Ive taken in kayaking and have waded through rivers with in clipped to my pocket. That being said im guessing you want something more tank-like. The Rat 1 and Rat 2 are great value knives. Some older ZT models can be had relatively cheap. Im looking at the new ZT 0566 myself.
 
Not my pic, but this is my EDC.

CS54FBTSL-03.JPG


I have zero complaints about it. Been carrying it for about a month. It's great.
 
I am surprised that nobody has recommended the manix 2 yet. It is near the top of your price range, but it is a serious edc knife.

It is a seriously tough knife, but not super thick or bulky. The blade ca be opened and closed with one hand, the ball bearing lock is similar to thebaxis, but a little bigger so you can get a better grip.

I have carried this knife every day at work for roughly 4 years. It has completed tasks that folders are not supposed to do. Seriously consider it.
 
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