Best sub-$200 folding pocket knife for edc?

[Mackey]

Spyderco Manix II
A serious blade, made in the USA. Cool lock up. Relatively inexpensive and...
It's a Spyderco!

 

[MikeDVB]

The Manix II does look nice as well .

 

[acarnahan]

I'll throw in the SOG Aegis, Benchmade 940 as options.

 

[tradertator]

That should serve you well. 14c28n is a Sandvik steel that's pretty similiar to AUS8.

If your a beginner, I'd recommend looking at the Spyderco Sharpmaker. Very user friendly. You might also consider picking up the extra fine stones too when you order, to give the edge a mirror like finish. They also make diamond stones, but you won't need them for that blade.

 

[Rookie]

I just got a spyderco endura wave. I love it. I think it's faster to open than any assisted opening knife.

 

[MikeDVB]

I just got a spyderco endura wave. I love it. I think it's faster to open than any assisted opening knife.

I hope to never be upset at the speed that it opens (i.e. never to need it quick enough where that is a concern).

I've always had a cheap pocket knife and I've always found uses for them but I wanted to invest into a nicer/better knife that was worth sharpening and wasn't simply a throw-away.

 

[hoosierdoc]

I can get good pricing on Spyderdo knives if anyone would like me to quote a price. I am going to pick one up myself. The S&W one I have sticks out at times and scratched the heck out of my hand through my pocket even though the safety was engaged.

 

[MikeDVB]

I can get good pricing on Spyderdo knives if anyone would like me to quote a price. I am going to pick one up myself. The S&W one I have sticks out at times and scratched the heck out of my hand through my pocket even though the safety was engaged.

That is something I was concerned with the knife I did order as it doesn't have a safety.

I was planning on seeing how easily it comes open on it's own (never had that issue before, carried lots of knives without safeties).

 

[SERparacord]

Looking at picking up a nice quality knife to keep for edc. All I've ever had are the cheap Walmart knives so I have no idea what is good or not.

Benchmade, buy American.

 

[TEK]

.
I've always had a cheap pocket knife and I've always found uses for them but I wanted to invest into a nicer/better knife that was worth sharpening and wasn't simply a throw-away.

I am sticking with throwaways because they are cheap as hell now and good enough and they tend to get lost once a year anyways, esp if you carry all the time. like sunglasses, I never spend more than ten or twenty bucks.

nice knives are cool but realistically what most people need, is 95% covered by a reasonably sharp 4' folding knife with a pocket clip that can be opened one handed. the cheapies are good. I got a S&W tanto folder off amazon for $15 that I really like. and a super flat one for an extra ten that goes well when I'm wearing a suit

 

[MikeDVB]

Benchmade, buy American.

Picked up a Kershaw, it's made in the USA.

I am sticking with throwaways because they are cheap as hell now and good enough and they tend to get lost once a year anyways, esp if you carry all the time. like sunglasses, I never spend more than ten or twenty bucks.

nice knives are cool but realistically what most people need, is 95% covered by a reasonably sharp 4' folding knife with a pocket clip that can be opened one handed. the cheapies are good. I got a S&W tanto folder off amazon for $15 that I really like. and a super flat one for an extra ten that goes well when I'm wearing a suit

My Kershaw was $46 with free shipping, has a pocket clip, and is about that size.

That said, I can't imagine losing it - if I were capable of losing this knife, I'd lose my tactical light, keys, or cell phone as they're all about the same size .

 

[cubby]

I keep track of valuables better than things I don't value. There are many great value priced knives out there. Many of which are quality built and reliable. In folders for under $200:

Spyderco
Bench made
ZT
Emerson
Kershaw
REKAT
Jason Stout
Will Zermeno
Jared Price

There are a host of fantastic deals, and even full custom made knives around $200.

Good luck!

 

[LGDawg]

That is something I was concerned with the knife I did order as it doesn't have a safety.

I was planning on seeing how easily it comes open on it's own (never had that issue before, carried lots of knives without safeties).

I have never had a problem with the Shallot. I carried a Leek for years and took the safety off of it after a day or so. Every time I went to open the knife the safety was on or half on. Kershaw's SpeedSafe is great. Has plenty of tension to keep it from opening accidentally or in your pocket. I think you will be more than happy without the safety.

 

[MikeDVB]

Yeah, I messed around with it... I'm not sure why some people complain it opens too slowly - if it opened any faster I wouldn't be able to see it happen.

That said, it does require quite a good nudge to open - I could see it potentially happening under the right set of circumstances so I turned the clip around so that the back of the blade would hit the edge of my pocket (i.e. my pocket forces it to stay closed).

 

[tom1025]

I am sticking with throwaways because they are cheap as hell now and good enough and they tend to get lost once a year anyways, esp if you carry all the time. like sunglasses, I never spend more than ten or twenty bucks.

nice knives are cool but realistically what most people need, is 95% covered by a reasonably sharp 4' folding knife with a pocket clip that can be opened one handed. the cheapies are good. I got a S&W tanto folder off amazon for $15 that I really like. and a super flat one for an extra ten that goes well when I'm wearing a suit

So does this mean your EDC is a Hi Point?

 

[Bradsknives]

I am sticking with throwaways because they are cheap as hell now and good enough and they tend to get lost once a year anyways, esp if you carry all the time. like sunglasses, I never spend more than ten or twenty bucks.

nice knives are cool but realistically what most people need, is 95% covered by a reasonably sharp 4' folding knife with a pocket clip that can be opened one handed. the cheapies are good. I got a S&W tanto folder off amazon for $15 that I really like. and a super flat one for an extra ten that goes well when I'm wearing a suit

This is the typical statement that I hear very often from gun people who are not into knives. They will buy and carry Kimber, Wilson Combat and other high end firearms, but when it comes to their knife, $10 to $20 is their limit. Think about this, your more than likely going to use your knife a 100 times more in a week than your firearm, so why wouldn't you want something of decent quality that is going to serve you well?

 

[Bradsknives]

So does this mean your EDC is a Hi Point?

Probably an old Jennings .25ACP.

 

[jgreiner]

This is the typical statement that I hear very often from gun people who are not into knives. They will buy and carry Kimber, Wilson Combat and other high end firearms, but when it comes to their knife, $10 to $20 is their limit. Think about this, your more than likely going to use your knife a 100 times more in a week than your firearm, so why wouldn't you want something of decent quality that is going to serve you well?

Brad, what is your opinion of Buck Knives? I have been a Buck fan all my life, my first real hunting knife was a Buck 102 back in my pre-teen days. I know all the rage is ceramic bladed knives now.....but there is just something about a good old steel knife that I like.

I have a nice Buck 119...with a custom leather scabbard. I have been thinking about a nice assisted open folder. I do like the 110..but it's not assisted open. Am I too stuck in the past, too old fashioned?

 

[DaKruiser]

Probably an old Jennings .25ACP.

Yep! That would be a throw away, pull it out, throw it, and run away!

 

[tom1025]

Yep! That would be a throw away, pull it out, throw it, and run away!