What EDC folder knife under 150$

T

timothy1

Joined
Sep 1, 2023
Messages
26
the title says it all, the budget is flexible if i can get somthing better that is not 40000$
All options and comments are welcome
I am looking to buy one not for collecting but for using as a tool
 
If you aren't partial to American made, I always recommend ruike.
 
Since this is a knife forum and, like realtors, we always recommend above your price range, I’d say either the Spyderco PM2 Crucarta or Magnacut Salt. Some flavor of Benchmade Bugout would also be a good choice.
 
Twosun and Artisan are pretty good also.
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If you want indestructible, Cold Steel Recon 1.
Cold Steel, Microtech, Canal Street
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Inexpensive but reliable, Ontario Rat1, standard opening
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assisted opening, with GEC Sodbuster
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Large and pointy, Spyderco Military.
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I never would have thought I’d ever say this…but I’d suggest a Kershaw. In particular, the Bel Air.

They’re right at your $150 price point. 3” slicey blade in Magnacut. Ceracoated aluminum scales with full steel liners. Fidgety and sound Dura-lock. Deep carry clip. Lightweight and very easy to carry. Classic pocket knife profile with no “terror in the lunchroom” factor. Top of the line Kershaw Lifesharp and warranty service. Made in the USA.

This new knife leaves similar priced Benchmades and Spydercos in the dust and holds its own against good quality imports.
 
Hackenslash said:
I never would have thought I’d ever say this…but I’d suggest a Kershaw. In particular, the Bel Air.

They’re right at your $150 price point. 3” slicey blade in Magnacut. Ceracoated aluminum scales with full steel liners. Fidgety and sound Dura-lock. Deep carry clip. Lightweight and very easy to carry. Classic pocket knife profile with no “terror in the lunchroom” factor. Top of the line Kershaw Lifesharp and warranty service. Made in the USA.

This new knife leaves similar priced Benchmades and Spydercos in the dust and holds its own against good quality imports.
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Bel Airs are cool knives but in my opinion the steel liners make it heavier than it should be for its size. Or at least heavier than I want it to be. I’d prefer it closer to the bugout in weight but it’s not like it’s heavy enough to be a deal breaker.
 
I just picked up a like new magnacut pm2 salt from the sales forum here on bladeforums for $185..plus no shipping or taxes to pay on top of that. Don’t be afraid to offer lower than they’re asking, especially if the blades been for sale more than a couple days. If you’re not in a huge rush, I’d definitely recommend hanging around the sales forum for a while to see what pops up. I found mine with the search function as it was an older thread that had been hurried back some couple few pages. For that price range, I’m gonna recommend a spyderco as I’m kinda a fanboy..but a bugout would be cheaper if that’s your thing. There are also nice but affordable Chinese knives now days..but I am still a sucker for a nice American made tool.
 
timothy1 said:
the title says it all, the budget is flexible if i can get somthing better that is not 40000$
All options and comments are welcome
I am looking to buy one not for collecting but for using as a tool
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One of my favorite knives for general carry is a Spyderco LeafJumper. Comes in at a bit under $100 in VG10, about $140 for the K390 version. Disappears in the pocket, yet very comfortable in the hand. The full flat grind means that the VG10 blade steel will outperform a lot of other alloys that look better on paper. Or if you don't mind a non-stainless alloy for everyday carry, get the K390 version. It will easily outperform anything else in that price class for edge retention and toughness.
 
I carry the civivi elementum utility knife at work at the moment and that works quite well.

It takes razor blades so you can choose your blade type. I tend towards serrated.

And sharpening is a non issue.

Cutting food is where you might fall short.
 
knarfeng said:
One of my favorite knives for general carry is a Spyderco LeafJumper. Comes in at a bit under $100 in VG10, about $140 for the K390 version. Disappears in the pocket, yet very comfortable in the hand. The full flat grind means that the VG10 blade steel will outperform a lot of other alloys that look better on paper. Or if you don't mind a non-stainless alloy for everyday carry, get the K390 version. It will easily outperform anything else in that price class for edge retention and toughness.
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I’d probably choose the Dragonfly 2 or Chaparral over the Leafjumper but mainly due to personal preference. Everything you said about the Leafjumper is true of those two (other than the chapparral price is $20-$30 higher) but I like their profiles better.
 
$150 without criteria? You’ll find a lot of good Spydercos in that range. Delica and everything mentioned above.
 
Benchmade Griptilian with upgrade scales from the bay. I really can’t think of anything I’ve ever had that’s better as a pure working EDC folder. Might exceed your budget, but it won’t much (if at all) if you look around.
 
At the moment my « beater » folding knives are a Protech CQC7, a Benchmade Griptilian and a Cold Steel AD10

Other options I recommend:
Benchmade Bugout
Civivi Vision FG
Microtech MSI (more in the $180 range)
Spyderco Native 5 Lightweight SPY27
WE Banter

And their are too many great option at Cold Steel :).
To name a few : Steel AD10, American Lawman, SR1

My basic go-to EDC knives are the WE banter and the Spyderco Native 5 lw. They are light and discreet and fit my daily use perfectly, so if something in the 3” blade range can work for you, one of these 2 would be mi pick.
 
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