Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Best EDC folders under $100 suggestions

I use the awl and the main blade all the time. Occasionally the can opener.

I've used the saw once, and i kinda forget its there...

And another R2D2 fan here.

Another good one I've been carrying lately is this one by LAPG with S35V. Holds an edge very well, though a bit bigger/heavier than I normally carry. Next to an R2D2 for reference:

Lotta love for the Rat 2, but it is small enough that the thumb stud might as well not be there, IMO.
Too small for me to open one handed...

I too like an A. G. Russell mini lock back with drop point ATS-34 short blade and micarta scales. I just open the mail or slice the tape on a package with mine, so I don't need a large knife or lots of blades or attachments. That little Russell is small enough to fit in my jeans watch pocket and it doesn't fall out like a larger knife has in my larger pockets. I learned the lesson not to carry a knife that is a keepsake that you can't replace.

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I like an EDC with a 3.5 - 4" blade, one hand opening and a pocket clip. Of the ones I have that cost less than 100.00 I like my Ontario Rat 1 D2 and my Real Steel T101 Thor.
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Seems the RAT gets mentioned quite a bit. For good reason.

No issues with the Rat series being made in Taiwan?? Or is that false information?

I am a fan of Case knives buy what are some other quality US made knives?

Went trout fishing a few weeks back and left everyone of the 100 plus pocket knives I own at home. Fortunately I was only a couple miles from the Mast General Store and their knife shop. Was wanting a cheap Gerber LST or similar but walked out with this instead. Very impressed so far. 50 bucks.

CIVIVI Knives Elementum Folding Pocket Knife 2.96" D2 Satin Blade,G-10 Handles C907E (Green)


https://www.amazon.com/Civivi-Elementum-Folding-Pocket-Knife/dp/B0823HYCK2/ref=sr_1_6?m=A1YDKIV8XPI80A&qid=1694538764&s=merchant-items&sr=1-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&th=1

My Rat 2 is taiwanese made. I'd not pick on it for that reason, as it's execution is well done in every way. Someone commented above that it was better made than a Benchmade.
Benchmade makes different quality levels of knife, so I wonder what they're comparing?

My only Benchmade knife is a Barrage 134cm, and I don't see much out there that compares for build quality in a production knife.

Those look nice.

Here's one I like: https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BU...nless-steel-drop-point-black-grn-handles

A not too large a one or it will end up in the couch cushions like lots of mine have. I've been most pleased with a small enough stainless drop point that fits in the watch pocket of my jeans. All I do with my edc is cut open a package, the mail, cut a piece of rope, get the grit out from under a finger nail... That kind of mundane everyday stuff. I have bigger more specialized expensive knives that don't get used nearly as often.

Ive carried the kershaw federalist every work day for about a month now.

I like it.

Small enough to disappear in your pocket since it doesnt have a clip.
Blade is large enough to be useful.

Bonus points for 154cm and micarta..

Ended up ordering one of these Rat II. Should be here Tuesday.

I miss the days when the RAT folders were $23/$25 for the most basic models. The AUS8 steel is fine for a budget knife. I took my RAT 1 swimming in the lake with me all summer. Just dried it off after and sprayed/wiped it off with WD40 later when I got home. Never any trouble with rust.

I left a RAT 2 in D2 in my truck and something got on it and rusted it a little. I cleaned it up and it's fine. No pitting, just some staining that looks like a partial patina. I like to give the D2 RATs a 7.5⁰ edge with the grinding attachment on my Ken Onion Worksharp. I figured the D2 would be strong enough to stay sharp even with a thin edge like that. With that angle the toothy D2 steel definitely feels "scary sharp".

I'm a big fan of the RAT knives. I love the full flat grind for cutting apples and other food. It slices through cardboard with ease too. The action feels great, they have nice pocket clips and the positioning of the clip is as versatile as possible, any way you like to wear it.

I'm not a huge fan of the Nylon 6 FRN grip scales, but they are durable. I left one by a fire and it burned but didn't melt and I continued to carry it until I lost it in the woods last year during deer season. I just went home and got the exact same RAT 1 out of a new box in my toolbox and stuck it in my pocket. I still have another brand new one sitting in my tool box right now. I would like to pick up several more.

I don't know what is going to happen to the RATs now that the company was sold. That really sucks. I hate when big corporations buy a company with a good reputation, cut quality and raise prices then milk the brand for everything the greedy suits can squeeze out of it before everyone realizes their bait and switch bs.

Buy RATs and Moras now while you can.

All USA Made and all less than $50. Shopping around on Ebay you can find some great deals. These are all fairly light. The Slyte is very thin.

Kershaw Leek. Assisted opening is fast and silky. $45.

Case Sod Buster Junior. A classic that everyone should have in their collection. Blade does not lock open. $34

Schrade Slyte. This one came as part of a set with its larger brother. The assist on the smaller one needs a little wrist flip to get it to open all the way. The larger one is butter. $48 for the set.

Can never go wrong with the ol' Buck 110.

Before I retired I always carried these two with me at work. Kershaw Onion and a Leatherman Wave.