Who sells the best $100 knife?

Popsickle

Popsickle

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Jul 25, 2010
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Total package..... who sells the best $100 folder? In my opinion WE knife co value line is hard to beat. Spyderco and benchmade have some nice options.

I would love to hear your thoughts on others!!!
 
All opinion really, hard to say. Depends what you find important in a knife? edge retention, edge toughness, lock strength, overall strength, cutting ability? Too many personal preference factors.

For steels and cutting ability Spyderco have a lot to offer.
For overall strength and something that will take a beating Cold Steel, almost nothing beats a Code 4 as an overall package for under 100 bucks.
 
If you like grips or mini-grips, I'm pretty fond of BM for that price. Spyderco has a lot of noce options there, especislly the native 5 for me. I carry a native 5 and mini-grip to work everyday.

I also like a few traditionals in that price range as a more sheeple friendly option out and about in the city.
 
Spyderco IMO wins and no model in particular although I would say the Dragonfly SE Salt is probably the best real world knife ever made, second to the endura and then delica.

Both companies make good stuff. I find Spyderco's fit mine and most people I know hands better, their edge geometry is better for resharpening and for actual use their knives just plain work better and I have owned many models from both companies.

In response to the BM warranty comment, BM does have a great warranty. I have never had to send a spyderco in for service. I have sent every benchmade I have owned in at least once for something breaking. Having a warranty is great. But, never having to send a knife in FOR WARRANTY WORK is even better. @Sal Glesser
 
When it comes to folders, Kershaw has some great US made models for less than $100. Blur, Leek, Knockout (my favourite) jut to name a few. The Launch series is also under 100 bucks.

Spyderco offers some of their best EDC model for less than $100, too. Endura (even the FFG ZDP189 variant is around 100 dollars), Delica, some of the Manix 2's, Dragonfly, Salt series knives, etc.

Benchmade has fewer options in that price range but the Griptilian and 530 are excellent knives.

Victorinox deserves a mention, too.

Last but not least, Cold Steel has a ton of folders for around that price. Recon 1, Voyager, Broken Skull, Code 4, Lucky, Rajah III, Tuff Lite, American Lawman, etc. Probably the toughest folders you can get for the price.


If you're looking for a fixed blade then Cold Steel, Mora of Sweden, Ka-Bar (I'm rather fond of their Becker line), Condor, Buck, Ontario, SOG all make decent tools within that budget.

It's hard to choose THE best one. A lot of it comes down to personal preference.
 
If you're going grip. I would take the benchmade freek over it. Way more comfortable in the hands, rubber gives you just as good a grip and the S30v steel. I would also take one of the Cold Steel CTS XHP tri ad lock knives. I use a Code 4. Paramilitary 2 or 3. Or sog spec elite 1 with VG10 steel and arc lock
 
I would say Cold Steel, Kershaw, and Spyderco, simply for the variety of models they offer in that price range. Most everyone is bound to find at least one model from those companies that they like and would find practical for their uses.
 
IMG_2705.JPG Recently picked up another Manix, the Cutlery Shoppe exclusive.
For $119 shipped, you get an amazing knife with s90v. Been abusing it for a couple weeks and can say for that price it's an excellent value!
Joe
 
Cold Steel has the most options to offer in that range (and toughest imo) but if I could have only one, I would pick a Benchmade. Of the dozens of Benchmades I have purchased, I have only sent one to warranty and that was for a $25 blade replacement after I broke the tip off the knife being stupid. Spyderco will not do that, Cold Steel will not do that. Benchmade offers clip replacements at no charge, servicing and sharpeing at no charge if you want it = obviously superior product longevity. That is where I tend to put my knife money.
 
What do you want to use it for?
My personal favorite under $100 knife is the Spyderco Urban sprint in K390. It's small, unobtrusive, legal almost everywhere, slices beautifully, holds an edge for bloody ever and the grip is just big enough that I can comfortably get a 4 finger grip and maintain it without stress even during more difficult cuts.

Less specifically, I would pick Cold Steel, as they offer a fairly broad variety of different blades for different tasks that can be had for under $100.
 
folders,
most Spyderco, Cold Steel, Kershaw, some KaBar, Ontario and Gerber

fixed blades,
most Mora, Cold Steel, Schrade, Condor, Martiini, Tramontina, KaBar Beckers, Ontario, Marbles and some Spydercos, SOGs

others,
Victorinox, Leatherman, Gerber, SOG, SanRenMu, HARNDS, Omuda
 
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