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

What are the best EDC knives under $100.

*Folding*

Types of steel (154CM, S35V others)
Brands to consider
Brands to avoid
American vs foreign
3.5-4" blade lengths
Drop point or similar
*No long skinny blade profiles*

Dixie, that question is about as wide as the Atlantic Ocean. I’d narrow that down a bit. So many styles. For $100, I’d look at Case just because it’s a classic American company with a storied history.

Just avoid China. Screw China, and all things China. Except Chinese food.

American?

Kershaw made still have a couple.
Buck
Case
Maybe Spyderco

Japan?

Spyderco

Taiwan?

Kabar doziers
Ontario Rat / rat 2


For a smidge more….

SMKW runs the Hogue Deka for $106 every so often.

Nice knife. Able (axis) lock. Magnacut steel. Handle isn’t the best, but something has to give for that price.

Ontario Rat 2 in D2

There are a lot of options in what you are asking about.

Usa made, if you want 1 hand opening and a great steel, the buck slim pro models are hard to beat for 100 bucks.

Japan, spyderco has a bunch if you like their designs. I carried a delica for a long time with no complaints.

As mentioned, for the money the ontario Rat series with d2 steel might be one of the biggest bangs for the buck out there.

BRKT Zaccudo in D2 is hard to beat. Ontario Rat 2 with D2 steel is a solid contender. Buck 112 Slim Pro with S30V steel is an amazing bargain.

Love the spyderco delica. The stainless slim version is a great little unit. VG 10.

Also really like the Buck Spitfire/Mini Spitfire.

Buck Spitfire for $35 is a bargain and made in the USA.

KERSHAW SPEED SAFE for modern
Buck and Case for slipjoints

Opinel No. 6, or 7 or 8.

Yep. I’ll also add Cold Steel.
Although they’re probably made overseas.

I’ve carried a large Spyderco steel Police Model for probably 30 years now. Made in Japan.
I’m betting they are more than $100 nowadays too.
But we’ll worth the money.
It was awesome for cutting hay twine off of the big rounds bails when we still had a cow / calf operation.
And has gutted lots of hogs and deer too.

I've carried a folder every day for 40+ years. First time I discovered the thumbstud one-hand openers I was hooked.

Used to carry shorter blades, but in recent years gravitated to ones a little longer. I hate pocket clips on knives after losing stuff when it got hooked on brush, so I remove them.

When I tried the CJRB Centros 3.67" with D2 steel, I became a fan and have carried it ever since. Slim, light, ergonomic.. and about $36.

Ontario RAT both of them either model

they are higher quality than cold steel, benchmade, …. I’ve had a ton of EDC’s these top them all

Milwaukee Fastback

#48-22-1540

I just ordered my 4th Rat2. Lost 2, so ordered another with my Amazon points.
I have the Rat 1 D2, but I like the Rat2 better.
I have the original AUS 8 steel in my pocket now. I think the steel is pretty good, but the D2 seems to hold an edge longer. I think aus8 was 20 bucks on some amazon sale. So it is my fall back when I lose one.
I have 2 spydercos in svn35, but I can't warm up to them.

Honey Badger

Spyderco Delica. Great knife for the💲!!!

Spyderco Delica is just a great pocket knife.

I have a Rat 2 and two Rat 1's. I prefer to carry the Rat 1 every day because it's bigger and easier for me to operate one-handed after the tendon in my thumb snapped and I had to get it replaced with one from my index finger.

Terry is right. The D2 blade does hold an edge much longer.

"Best" for what purpose?

I like the old Buck 442 with a partially serrated edge.

Opinels are good, inexpensive, and come in a variety of sizes to fit a wide variety of hand and pocket sizes. I have fairly large hands, so the #8 is the size that I prefer. Opinel is currently selling a limited "Tour de France" edition of the #8 with a choice of green, yellow, or white handles. The green or yellow would stand out and be easy to find if you drop it or set it down somewhere and forget where you sat it down.