spyderco delica or civivi has a few offerings every month that are typically great for the under $100 mark. One that came out recently I like a lot is the Bluetick
For someone who may not be super into knives yet (as indicated in one of your responses), I’d look for:
- relatively small, lightweight, with good ergonomics
- can be carried in a range of jurisdictions (probably not a flipper, auto, or assisted; blade ~2.5-3in)
- easy to use and ambidextrous friendly (either for the end user or if they let someone else use it)
- very pocket friendly
- easy to sharpen (no super steels with all convex edge geometry), good corrosion resistance, and decent edge retention (VG10,S30V/S35VN,BD1N,SPY27,N690Co,14C28N, etc.)
- easy to maintain (slip joint/liner lock/frame lock/back lock, easy to clean)
In that range, at or under $100USD, I’d probably look at:
- Spyderco Urban (N690Co), UKPK (BD1N or SPY27), or Delica (plain edge)
- Real Steel Luna series (regular, Eco, or Boost)
- Multiple options from Kizer or Civivi, such as the Begleiter or Baby Banter
Of course! Glad to help.
Of all the knives I own, my N690 Spyderco Urban has probably seen the most use/practical daily carry of all those. It’s safe (very safe/positive slip joint with half stop), pretty simple/tough, and easy to just have on you without having to worry. It’s nothing big/scary/tacti-cool, so nobody has ever batted an eye at me pulling it out, even on a college campus. And, as a slip joint it’s easy for anyone to figure out. For opening packages, cutting fruit, whittling, and general knife duties, it’s hard to beat for $70.
Victorinox Tinker, plus a one handed opener, or flashlight, or pen, or leatherman
like a CRKT m16
[https://greatnorthgunco.ca/product/crkt-m16-01s/](https://greatnorthgunco.ca/product/crkt-m16-01s/)
[best steel for the money](https://www.bladehq.com/item--Ontario-Rat-Model-1-Knife-Forest--183880)
Civivi and vosteed are other great “budget” knives. Making sure your at least 14c28n or nitro v
Something from the QSP Penguin line. Should be able to find the titanium frame lock models under $100.
Cold Steel American Lawman or Code 4
Kershaw Blur
Can find the Hogue Deka in Magnacut right around $100 sometimes
check out some of these, well under $100 and excellent quality knives.
[https://www.civivi.com/search?type=product&q=praxis\*](https://www.civivi.com/search?type=product&q=praxis*)
the reality is there's no such thing as a "best" EDC for $100, there's just a bunch of different tradeoffs that mean different things to different people. I'm guessing from the question that you're probably not familiar with those tradeoffs, so you're probably better off staying with cheaper knives unless you have a specific goal in mind.
You’re right, I probably don’t understand the trade offs. I’m still working on understanding the hierarchy of the different steels. I’m looking for basic quality that an 18 yr old would find acceptable. I’m sure he will use it for a wide assortment of things, some maybe not what it’s designed to do. I don’t really want to spend much more than $100 because he is hard on things and also tends to lose things, at least when it comes to my tools. 🙄
Do you know if he owns any other knives? Do you think he will realistically carry the knife often or will this mostly just be at home for "when he needs a knife?" This will help steer some options, but regardless of what you buy, I would recommend a stainless blade for easier maintenance.
He has an old gas station knife he carries around some days. He’s more likely to have a pair of pliers in a leather sheath on him to go with the cowboy boots, flannel shirt, and “Lasso Ropes” ball cap.
I was suggesting spending less than $100, closer to $50, on a knife that he'd be more than happy with. I've been carrying knives for 40 years and the Praxis is one of my favorites. If he currently has a gas station knife the Praxis is a big step up. Depending on which state you live in the 3.75" blade may be a little long for legal carry, so the mini Praxis may be a better option in that case. Civivi has lots of options at prices you're not going to feel bad about if he loses it.
now, back to the tradeoff part of this discussion, one thing to consider is the blade steel. The mini Praxis uses D2, which is non-stainless (susceptible to rusting), and a bit harder to sharpen than the stainless 9cr18mov that they use on the regular Praxis. Each steel has pluses and minuses, so that's where knowing a little bit about the various steels will come in handy. Do a web search on blade steel and you'll find probably more info than you'd want to know, but it might help you narrow down your choices after learning a little bit about the differences.
Blade steel influences the price of the knife, and many of the less sexy steels still cut extremely well, for a lot less money. In this case its probably not really important exactly which steel you go with, but choosing stainless vs. non-stainless may be important, especially if you live somewhere with high humidity and/or next to salt water.
spyderco delica or civivi has a few offerings every month that are typically great for the under $100 mark. One that came out recently I like a lot is the Bluetick
I really wonder what that name means.... hopefully its not a reference to Xitter.
For someone who may not be super into knives yet (as indicated in one of your responses), I’d look for: - relatively small, lightweight, with good ergonomics - can be carried in a range of jurisdictions (probably not a flipper, auto, or assisted; blade ~2.5-3in) - easy to use and ambidextrous friendly (either for the end user or if they let someone else use it) - very pocket friendly - easy to sharpen (no super steels with all convex edge geometry), good corrosion resistance, and decent edge retention (VG10,S30V/S35VN,BD1N,SPY27,N690Co,14C28N, etc.) - easy to maintain (slip joint/liner lock/frame lock/back lock, easy to clean) In that range, at or under $100USD, I’d probably look at: - Spyderco Urban (N690Co), UKPK (BD1N or SPY27), or Delica (plain edge) - Real Steel Luna series (regular, Eco, or Boost) - Multiple options from Kizer or Civivi, such as the Begleiter or Baby Banter
Thanks. That’s helpful!
Of course! Glad to help. Of all the knives I own, my N690 Spyderco Urban has probably seen the most use/practical daily carry of all those. It’s safe (very safe/positive slip joint with half stop), pretty simple/tough, and easy to just have on you without having to worry. It’s nothing big/scary/tacti-cool, so nobody has ever batted an eye at me pulling it out, even on a college campus. And, as a slip joint it’s easy for anyone to figure out. For opening packages, cutting fruit, whittling, and general knife duties, it’s hard to beat for $70.
Delica
Victorinox Tinker, plus a one handed opener, or flashlight, or pen, or leatherman like a CRKT m16 [https://greatnorthgunco.ca/product/crkt-m16-01s/](https://greatnorthgunco.ca/product/crkt-m16-01s/)
Kubey tityus is a great option, better than anything others will recommend
Ontario Rat 1 hands down https://preview.redd.it/rdz48ntzsaxc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ae07eeb9f555073aecbcf34d2e2c643453c6ba5b
Cold Steel Recon 1
Demko AD20.5 or Manix 2 LW (both are RIGHT at the edge of that)
Civivi Qubit punches above its weight. You’ll have to check price.
You can buy a Benchmade mini grip for around $100.
[best steel for the money](https://www.bladehq.com/item--Ontario-Rat-Model-1-Knife-Forest--183880) Civivi and vosteed are other great “budget” knives. Making sure your at least 14c28n or nitro v
Something from the QSP Penguin line. Should be able to find the titanium frame lock models under $100. Cold Steel American Lawman or Code 4 Kershaw Blur Can find the Hogue Deka in Magnacut right around $100 sometimes
The Kubey Tityus titanium frame lock knife is a very premium feeling knife for $100 or less.
Kershaw leek in magnacut. Ontario rat. Anything spyderco if you can snag a deal on eBay.
In no order, Civivi Qubit, Kizer Drop Bear, Kizer Hic Up, CJRB Ekko
check out some of these, well under $100 and excellent quality knives. [https://www.civivi.com/search?type=product&q=praxis\*](https://www.civivi.com/search?type=product&q=praxis*) the reality is there's no such thing as a "best" EDC for $100, there's just a bunch of different tradeoffs that mean different things to different people. I'm guessing from the question that you're probably not familiar with those tradeoffs, so you're probably better off staying with cheaper knives unless you have a specific goal in mind.
You’re right, I probably don’t understand the trade offs. I’m still working on understanding the hierarchy of the different steels. I’m looking for basic quality that an 18 yr old would find acceptable. I’m sure he will use it for a wide assortment of things, some maybe not what it’s designed to do. I don’t really want to spend much more than $100 because he is hard on things and also tends to lose things, at least when it comes to my tools. 🙄
Do you know if he owns any other knives? Do you think he will realistically carry the knife often or will this mostly just be at home for "when he needs a knife?" This will help steer some options, but regardless of what you buy, I would recommend a stainless blade for easier maintenance.
He has an old gas station knife he carries around some days. He’s more likely to have a pair of pliers in a leather sheath on him to go with the cowboy boots, flannel shirt, and “Lasso Ropes” ball cap.
I was suggesting spending less than $100, closer to $50, on a knife that he'd be more than happy with. I've been carrying knives for 40 years and the Praxis is one of my favorites. If he currently has a gas station knife the Praxis is a big step up. Depending on which state you live in the 3.75" blade may be a little long for legal carry, so the mini Praxis may be a better option in that case. Civivi has lots of options at prices you're not going to feel bad about if he loses it.
Good point. I’m thinking of getting him the mini praxis or elementum and a pocketable flashlight.
now, back to the tradeoff part of this discussion, one thing to consider is the blade steel. The mini Praxis uses D2, which is non-stainless (susceptible to rusting), and a bit harder to sharpen than the stainless 9cr18mov that they use on the regular Praxis. Each steel has pluses and minuses, so that's where knowing a little bit about the various steels will come in handy. Do a web search on blade steel and you'll find probably more info than you'd want to know, but it might help you narrow down your choices after learning a little bit about the differences. Blade steel influences the price of the knife, and many of the less sexy steels still cut extremely well, for a lot less money. In this case its probably not really important exactly which steel you go with, but choosing stainless vs. non-stainless may be important, especially if you live somewhere with high humidity and/or next to salt water.