I want a folding knife that can get away with most most of the things I know better than to do with a folding knife. That leads to specific criteria:

  • Price: under $100, lower is better. I might break it.
  • Lock: crossbar, backlock, compression, or something similarly strong. Not liner/frame/button. I might want to trust the lock more than is prudent.
  • Steel: tough stainless like AEB-L, 14C28N, or Nitro-V. I might baton through salt-driftwood with it and put it away wet. See toughness chart.
  • Blade: Ideally 3.25-2.5" (85-90mm) and a tip that isn’t dainty. I might pry with it.
  • Pivot: washers, not bearings. I might get mud in it.
  • I dislike thumbstuds, but will accept them if they’re not in the cutting path.
  • Phogger@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Cold Steel Tuff Lite- Beast mode in a compact package for like 30 bucks. Maybe not the toughest steel but you can three of them under your budget.

    Spyderco Delica/Endela/Endura, pick your size. Available in a huge variety of steels

    Buck 110, pretty wide range of price/steel/handles

    • Zak@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      > Spyderco Delica/Endela/Endura

      The Salt versions of these and a couple other Salt series knives are definitely appealing. LC200N is very tough and very stainless. They fail the price criterion though.

      I bought a Manly Peak One and will be reviewing it. My first impression is that it’s a close competitor to the Spyderco Endura.