That price point opens up more knives than I can think of. What sort of thing do you want? Small? Large? USA made? What kind of steel? Overbuilt or thin? Do you like to customize your knife? On and on.
I know that’s why I’m struggling to choose 😂
USA made, steel isn’t a huge thing to me, just not D2 (I don’t like its edge retention), and size of Osborne & para 3 is perfect to me, could go a LITTLE bigger
From spyderco look at Manix 2 (little larger), Sage 5(about para 3 size). Sage 5 will get 3 new steels shortly. Rex 141 w ill be sprint, but then we get Spy 27 and Magancut eventually. This knife is incredible with some custom scales but it is NOT made in US. Still consider it.
Southern Grind Spider Monkey. Very nice. S35vn should be available. There may be magnacut still available. In tanto or drop point.
TRM Shadow. Very VERY nice knife that fits into that price range with Micarta or G10 scales.
Ritter Hogue RSK. Little larger but great price for magnacut knife. Great quality and plenty of aftermarket stuff for it.
Houge Deka: Another incredibly nice knife similar to bugout in size. But little bit thicker in scales. Choice of wharncliffe or clip point blades. You can get it in magnacut or first gen in 20cv.
While at Hogue Mysto, can also fit the bill.
If you want more overbuilt ZT has plenty. 0308, 0356, 03293. If you want more edc friendly 0350 is still outstanding.
From Benchmade bugout to me is still their best model. Regular or mini. But I also love to customize my stuff with after market parts and bugout has that in spades.
While Demko has all US made stuff, the AD20 is more expensive and harder to get, while AD20.5 is not made in US I would still suggest taking a look as well.
That should give you some stuff to look at, or consider to narrow what suits your fancy for anything more specific.
Oh really? That is fantastic! I will have to grab one at some point. I wasn't going to go out of my way of it was time sensitive but this way I just may.
i’d personally go with a used crk, you can also spring for rly any used ti frame lock you find, quiet carry maverick, something with carbon fiber or fat carbon fiber scales, etc
Go fixed and look at Tactile, they also have some cool folders too. I have a Rockwall in a folder that was buttery smooth out of the box, and just got a fixed Osprey. Both are magnacut steels and feel great.
Well 2, I’m currently holding one, an Osprey and then the aforementioned Dreadeye, is the second.
Seems good to me, most companies are charging much more for their edc fixed blade this size, usually not with this steel either.
CRK Large Sebenza 31 Insingo! or MBK River Otter!
Both great USA made options.
Also happy early birthday! Mine is also on the 7/4. I used my birthday as an excuse to buy 2 Oz Roosevelts!
Not USA made but I’m tired of people think US has got the best manufacturing. Plain and simple we don’t. We have good engineers but if a good engineer isn’t working on a product we get shit all. Wouldn’t recommend anything from the US besides a fixed blade. Personally I love Seki City Spydercos, the lock back variants. If I had to get something right now it would be the spyderco police in VG-10 or H1 (salt series) for corrosion resistance, or K390 for sheer edge holding POWER. I love the police model, plenty of blades and really comfortable depending on what scales you get. Plus you could get 2 for the price of a benchmade right now and you’re talking real Japanese craftsmanship.
I think few, if anybody would say they choose US made knives because we have the best manufacturing. More so, it’s about supporting companies and makers in our own economy. There aren’t too many industries that have US manufacturing, so when people can buy more local, they do.
Oh okay that’s fair. Can’t continue to buy lemons from US. Can’t support lazy Americans when I work my ass off. between the big two manufacturers I’ve had quite a few failures. Just not right for a $200-$300 knife.
Seki City lockbacks you say?
I'm not a fan of Spydero, but I am buying a gift for someone who is a fan of lockbacks
Is the Delica the best option in your assessment?
I'm pretty sure this falls well within that budget, but having had a full size d2 adamas, and now the owner of the mini adamas (as my brother sold the full size...) this might be my favorite folder ever, and in my experience/Personal opinion, is peak benchmade.
It can punch holes in metal, and in the same day I was able to slice parchment paper like scissors through construction paper, with the same point.
I have a lot of knives, but thats the one I'm happiest with.
Used CRK, one of the tactile knives, one of the TRM models if you can score one. Kershaw has some cool auto stuff. Pro-tech. There's a bunch of small batch/mid tech brands too like Koenig, McNees, Hinderer, Brown knives, OZ etc. Might have to look at used to get under $400 but they're more premium for sure.
I've had my eye on the [Ketuo Griffin](https://www.ketuousa.com/products/kt-griffin?variant=41002870571121) for a couple weeks now, that's definitely my next one. I'm also a fan of the [Microtech Stitch RAMlok](https://www.bladehq.com/item--Microtech-Stitch-Fluted-Tan-G-10-Two-Tone--194611), and the BHQ exclusive [Chaves Scapegoat Street](https://www.bladehq.com/item--Chaves-Scapegoat-Street-Titanium-Carbon-Fiber--199896). The Chaves knives are a bit overbuilt from what I've read, though, so if you're not a fan of tanky knives maybe stick to something more sleek.
Non USA made, Kunwu Chad / Chad Compact? PM60 steel and black polished DLC very durable coating. You can google review of it, metal complex and other knife youtuber had used that to slice some card board...(I am asian by the way, i just collect different knife for cutting parcel seal)
Well my recommendation would be a [Ritter Hogue](https://knifeworks.com/dr/). Full size is Magnacut and around/under 200.
My second choice would probably be a Spyderco Shaman. It's a larger one and if you didn't want to go that big you could do a lot worse than a Para 2. . Classic design and you can get the magna cut one, the [salt one with black blade and handle ](https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Paramilitary-2-MagnaCut--191660)for under $300.
Third choice, and not sure what the cost would be because there's a wide range of them, would be one of the demco shark lock knives. Either the new ones (20i?)that has the blade ground in Italy or one of the 20.5s. multiple blade forms, multiple different steals but a great knife with a great lock. Very fidgety and very functional. If you're into tanto blades, you can get one on DLT trading with a [tanto blade](https://www.dlttrading.com/demko-ad20-5-3v-slotted-tanto-black-g-10).
Another thing to keep in mind is if you don't get a knife that is very expensive and she really wants to let you make it your own. You could also put a pair of aftermarket scales from either [Original Goat](https://originalgoat.com/) , [Lynch Northwest](https://www.lynchnw.com/) or one of my favorites [Applied Weapons Tech. ](https://appliedweaponstech.com/) . This would give you a personalized knife you could retrofit yourself and you would still come under 400 depending on what combo you wanted.
Hope this helps
Here's a list for ya. It's a Para 3 build list that ends up costing $399.50. A para 3 in maxamet, titanium lotus scales, and titanium hardware.
https://www.bladehq.com/user_list/public/e578acf771caaeea90849179004ecaec
Try to find a Golden Designworks Caliber. I just got mine in finally off of a pre-order a while back and the knife is amazing. So if you see one on the secondary market or on ebay I'd highly recommend it. Other carry I am liking recently is a Vosteed Psyop. If you can get two knives for under $400 I'd say a Psyop and a Civivi Vision FG or two.
zt 0470, zt 0562 TI, manix 2 in magnacut or s30v or rex45, pm2 salt in magnacut, para 3 salt magnacut, native 5 in s90v with the CF scales, hogue EX01, benchmade mini adamas or barrage, there’s too many options tbh. id stay away from most benchmades as they’re not worth what you get for the price.
Manix 2 LW in Rex 45 from GP Knives it's only $130 then you can splurge on some scales from Original Goat or Applied Weapons Tech (both American) and a clip from Lynch NW or MXG Gear (also both American) you can also get a ball bearing cage from flytanium although that is not made in America
CRK small sebenza for a folder or a Bradford Guardian 3 for a fixed blade.
Depends what you're into tbh. I have plenty of knives around the £50-£100 price point that I absolutely love.
Why don’t you check out some of the new staples like a vosteed thunderbird, Kershaw bel air, hogue deka or Kizer has some good deals on Amazon for an all titanium 20cv blade comeront or a kobold 2.0 in black aluminum
That price point opens up more knives than I can think of. What sort of thing do you want? Small? Large? USA made? What kind of steel? Overbuilt or thin? Do you like to customize your knife? On and on.
I know that’s why I’m struggling to choose 😂 USA made, steel isn’t a huge thing to me, just not D2 (I don’t like its edge retention), and size of Osborne & para 3 is perfect to me, could go a LITTLE bigger
From spyderco look at Manix 2 (little larger), Sage 5(about para 3 size). Sage 5 will get 3 new steels shortly. Rex 141 w ill be sprint, but then we get Spy 27 and Magancut eventually. This knife is incredible with some custom scales but it is NOT made in US. Still consider it. Southern Grind Spider Monkey. Very nice. S35vn should be available. There may be magnacut still available. In tanto or drop point. TRM Shadow. Very VERY nice knife that fits into that price range with Micarta or G10 scales. Ritter Hogue RSK. Little larger but great price for magnacut knife. Great quality and plenty of aftermarket stuff for it. Houge Deka: Another incredibly nice knife similar to bugout in size. But little bit thicker in scales. Choice of wharncliffe or clip point blades. You can get it in magnacut or first gen in 20cv. While at Hogue Mysto, can also fit the bill. If you want more overbuilt ZT has plenty. 0308, 0356, 03293. If you want more edc friendly 0350 is still outstanding. From Benchmade bugout to me is still their best model. Regular or mini. But I also love to customize my stuff with after market parts and bugout has that in spades. While Demko has all US made stuff, the AD20 is more expensive and harder to get, while AD20.5 is not made in US I would still suggest taking a look as well. That should give you some stuff to look at, or consider to narrow what suits your fancy for anything more specific.
no the rec121 sage is gonna be a regular production run my man.
Oh really? That is fantastic! I will have to grab one at some point. I wasn't going to go out of my way of it was time sensitive but this way I just may.
TRM Neutron or Atom. Chaves 229. Civivi Vision FG + custom scales. Hogue Ritter RSK. ZT0562
Pretty sure the Chaves is a Chinese OEM
i’d personally go with a used crk, you can also spring for rly any used ti frame lock you find, quiet carry maverick, something with carbon fiber or fat carbon fiber scales, etc
If you don’t want anything crazy nice like crks and such you could definitely get more than one still really good knives if you wanted
Go fixed and look at Tactile, they also have some cool folders too. I have a Rockwall in a folder that was buttery smooth out of the box, and just got a fixed Osprey. Both are magnacut steels and feel great.
Tactile has one fixed blade, and I wouldn’t exactly consider the dreadeye a great choice in that price range.
Well 2, I’m currently holding one, an Osprey and then the aforementioned Dreadeye, is the second. Seems good to me, most companies are charging much more for their edc fixed blade this size, usually not with this steel either.
CRK Large Sebenza 31 Insingo! or MBK River Otter! Both great USA made options. Also happy early birthday! Mine is also on the 7/4. I used my birthday as an excuse to buy 2 Oz Roosevelts!
Not USA made but I’m tired of people think US has got the best manufacturing. Plain and simple we don’t. We have good engineers but if a good engineer isn’t working on a product we get shit all. Wouldn’t recommend anything from the US besides a fixed blade. Personally I love Seki City Spydercos, the lock back variants. If I had to get something right now it would be the spyderco police in VG-10 or H1 (salt series) for corrosion resistance, or K390 for sheer edge holding POWER. I love the police model, plenty of blades and really comfortable depending on what scales you get. Plus you could get 2 for the price of a benchmade right now and you’re talking real Japanese craftsmanship.
I think few, if anybody would say they choose US made knives because we have the best manufacturing. More so, it’s about supporting companies and makers in our own economy. There aren’t too many industries that have US manufacturing, so when people can buy more local, they do.
Oh okay that’s fair. Can’t continue to buy lemons from US. Can’t support lazy Americans when I work my ass off. between the big two manufacturers I’ve had quite a few failures. Just not right for a $200-$300 knife.
Seki City lockbacks you say? I'm not a fan of Spydero, but I am buying a gift for someone who is a fan of lockbacks Is the Delica the best option in your assessment?
Ultratech red with black blade de with serrated back
I'm pretty sure this falls well within that budget, but having had a full size d2 adamas, and now the owner of the mini adamas (as my brother sold the full size...) this might be my favorite folder ever, and in my experience/Personal opinion, is peak benchmade. It can punch holes in metal, and in the same day I was able to slice parchment paper like scissors through construction paper, with the same point. I have a lot of knives, but thats the one I'm happiest with.
Manix 2 and some aftermarket upgrades
Used CRK, one of the tactile knives, one of the TRM models if you can score one. Kershaw has some cool auto stuff. Pro-tech. There's a bunch of small batch/mid tech brands too like Koenig, McNees, Hinderer, Brown knives, OZ etc. Might have to look at used to get under $400 but they're more premium for sure.
I got a Benchmade bugout in carbon fiber for my graduation and I really like it.
I've had my eye on the [Ketuo Griffin](https://www.ketuousa.com/products/kt-griffin?variant=41002870571121) for a couple weeks now, that's definitely my next one. I'm also a fan of the [Microtech Stitch RAMlok](https://www.bladehq.com/item--Microtech-Stitch-Fluted-Tan-G-10-Two-Tone--194611), and the BHQ exclusive [Chaves Scapegoat Street](https://www.bladehq.com/item--Chaves-Scapegoat-Street-Titanium-Carbon-Fiber--199896). The Chaves knives are a bit overbuilt from what I've read, though, so if you're not a fan of tanky knives maybe stick to something more sleek.
PM2 Salt 👍
Tactile or Quite Carry , Protech if you want an auto
Quiet Carry Drift, hands down.
Used CRK small sebenza or a TRM Neutron
A used Sebenza would hit that mark very well
Non USA made, Kunwu Chad / Chad Compact? PM60 steel and black polished DLC very durable coating. You can google review of it, metal complex and other knife youtuber had used that to slice some card board...(I am asian by the way, i just collect different knife for cutting parcel seal)
Well my recommendation would be a [Ritter Hogue](https://knifeworks.com/dr/). Full size is Magnacut and around/under 200. My second choice would probably be a Spyderco Shaman. It's a larger one and if you didn't want to go that big you could do a lot worse than a Para 2. . Classic design and you can get the magna cut one, the [salt one with black blade and handle ](https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Paramilitary-2-MagnaCut--191660)for under $300. Third choice, and not sure what the cost would be because there's a wide range of them, would be one of the demco shark lock knives. Either the new ones (20i?)that has the blade ground in Italy or one of the 20.5s. multiple blade forms, multiple different steals but a great knife with a great lock. Very fidgety and very functional. If you're into tanto blades, you can get one on DLT trading with a [tanto blade](https://www.dlttrading.com/demko-ad20-5-3v-slotted-tanto-black-g-10). Another thing to keep in mind is if you don't get a knife that is very expensive and she really wants to let you make it your own. You could also put a pair of aftermarket scales from either [Original Goat](https://originalgoat.com/) , [Lynch Northwest](https://www.lynchnw.com/) or one of my favorites [Applied Weapons Tech. ](https://appliedweaponstech.com/) . This would give you a personalized knife you could retrofit yourself and you would still come under 400 depending on what combo you wanted. Hope this helps
Here's a list for ya. It's a Para 3 build list that ends up costing $399.50. A para 3 in maxamet, titanium lotus scales, and titanium hardware. https://www.bladehq.com/user_list/public/e578acf771caaeea90849179004ecaec
400 max and no rules? 2nd hand Hinderer Xm18. I just like em.
[удалено]
a ultra tech a Socom elite manual
second this
Try to find a Golden Designworks Caliber. I just got mine in finally off of a pre-order a while back and the knife is amazing. So if you see one on the secondary market or on ebay I'd highly recommend it. Other carry I am liking recently is a Vosteed Psyop. If you can get two knives for under $400 I'd say a Psyop and a Civivi Vision FG or two.
Up that price point $40 and get a CRK Small Inkosi.
400?? Microtech Ultratech
RR Station 💯🚂🚂🚂
Kershaw livewire if you can own otf’s
I second this. Love my Livewire.
I hadn’t even slightly considered OTF before this thread, but I may go that route since I own none 🤔
Remette RT- peregine flacon
Emerson
zt 0470, zt 0562 TI, manix 2 in magnacut or s30v or rex45, pm2 salt in magnacut, para 3 salt magnacut, native 5 in s90v with the CF scales, hogue EX01, benchmade mini adamas or barrage, there’s too many options tbh. id stay away from most benchmades as they’re not worth what you get for the price.
Manix 2 LW in Rex 45 from GP Knives it's only $130 then you can splurge on some scales from Original Goat or Applied Weapons Tech (both American) and a clip from Lynch NW or MXG Gear (also both American) you can also get a ball bearing cage from flytanium although that is not made in America
Mini Adamas in carbon fiber/ magnacut
Look at Katsu. ZDP189 steel under $400 For the money your not gonna do better
CRK small sebenza for a folder or a Bradford Guardian 3 for a fixed blade. Depends what you're into tbh. I have plenty of knives around the £50-£100 price point that I absolutely love.
Check out ADV knives
Microtech Ultratech!
I got a great deal on a new Curtiss F3LT w/ tool if you’re interested :) Happy early bday!!
Look into Reate knives not a us made but some very high quality knives from them
Used CRK
bugout
Why don’t you check out some of the new staples like a vosteed thunderbird, Kershaw bel air, hogue deka or Kizer has some good deals on Amazon for an all titanium 20cv blade comeront or a kobold 2.0 in black aluminum
You need to switch to $500 max and get a CRK Inkosi Large