Best Folding Knives Under $100 – Which One To Choose?

Knives continue to evolve and as this happens, they become smaller and smaller. There is also a deliberate effort by manufacturers to increase functionality of the knives thus minimizing the need to carry different types of knives to carry out different tasks.

I have compiled a list of best folding knives under $100 which ensure the safety. They are good quality knives and I am sure you will have one or a couple to choose from the list.

Top Folding Knives Under $100 Comparisons

Image

Product Name

Primary Material

Length

Price

Ontario Knife Rat-1 Knife, 5in. Closed

Stainless Steel

3 1/2"

Kershaw Cryo G-10 Pocket Knife (1555G10) 2.75” Stonewashed Stainless Steel Blade; G-10/Stainless Steel Handle, SpeedSafe Assisted Open, 4-Position Deep-Carry Pocketclip, Frame Lock, Lock Bar, Black

Steel: 8Cr13MoV

2.75"

Spyderco Tenacious Folding Utility Pocket Knife with 3.39" Black Stainless Steel Blade and Durable G-10 Handle - Everyday Carry - PlainEdge - C122GBBKP

Steel: 8Cr13MoV

3.39"

Benchmade - Griptilian 551 Knife, Drop-Point Blade, Plain Edge, Coated Finish, Sand Handle

STEEL: 154CM (58-61HRC)

3.45"

Spyderco Manix 2 Signature Folding Knife with 3.37" CPM S30V Steel Blade and Durable Black G-10 Handle - PlainEdge - C101GP2

CPM S30V Steel

3.37"

Spyderco - Delica 4 Titanium Handled Damascau Knife with PlainEdge Stainless Steel Blade - Trademarked Round Hole - Back Lock Mechanism - C11TIPD

VG-10 steel

2.875"

Kershaw S30V Blur

Kershaw S30V Blur (Currently unavailable)

Steel: S30V

3.4"

Gerber Gear 22-48485N Paraframe Pocket Knife, 5.13 Inch Fine Edge Blade, Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel

2.22"

CRKT Pilar EDC Folding Pocket Knife: Compact Everyday Carry, Satin Blade with Finger Choil, Thumb Slot Open, Frame Lock Stainless Handle, Reversible Pocket Clip 5311

8Cr13MoV Steel

2.4"

Opinel No6 Locking

Opinel No6 Locking (Currently unavailable)

Carbon steel

2 14/16"

Best Folding Knives Under $100 - Reviews

Ontario Knife Rat-1 Knife, 5in. Closed

The Ontario folding knife is among the top folding knives. It’s small and the fact that it is lightweight means it’s created to perform. It is has a sharp blade that makes cutting things a walk in the park.

It has an effective deployment technology which makes opening of the knife very effective. It also has locking technology which makes it easy to grab and pull on objects. It comes in a wide range of handle colors as well as blade shapes. It is a suitable knife for everyday use.

What we liked

  • Safe to carry and use.
  • Deployment technology makes it easy to open.
  • Small thus convenient to carry around.

What we didn't like

  • It may take a long time to deploy.
Kershaw Cryo G-10 Pocket Knife (1555G10) 2.75” Stonewashed Stainless Steel Blade; G-10/Stainless Steel Handle, SpeedSafe Assisted Open, 4-Position Deep-Carry Pocketclip, Frame Lock, Lock Bar, Black

It is one of the most popular foldable knives. There is a good reason why. It is a light knife that you can carry with minimal effort. It uses cheap and affordable stainless steel but this does not mean it has compromised on quality and performance. It has a nice blade which is easy to sharpen. The knife has a pocket clip for easy carrying and can be deployed using a finger.

What we liked

  • It is pointed making cutting convenient.
  • It is light.
  • Deployment technology aids in using it fast.
  • It has a pocket clip for easy carrying

What we didn't like

  • Some of the knives are bulky.
  • May bend because it is made from light steel.
  • May take some time for deployment to happen.
Spyderco Tenacious Folding Utility Pocket Knife with 3.39" Black Stainless Steel Blade and Durable G-10 Handle - Everyday Carry - PlainEdge - C122GBBKP

The foldable knife has a beautiful design which makes it stand out without attracting too much attention. It is made with light steel which makes it generally light to carry around. The blade is fashioned in the shape of a leaf and is ultra-sharp making cutting a walk in the park.

It has one of the most convenient pocket clips which can be carried on any side whether sideways or up. It also has deployment technology and a suitable handle making it comfortable to grab on.

What we liked

  • Beautiful design.
  • Easy deployment.
  • Leaf-shaped and sharp blade cuts smoothly.
  • Four-way pocket clip makes for easy carrying.

What we didn't like

  • Deployment may take a while.
  • The fact that it is made from light steel makes it prone to bending when using on hard tasks.
Benchmade - Griptilian 551 Knife, Drop-Point Blade, Plain Edge, Coated Finish, Sand Handle

I cannot fail to mention again Benchmade are one of the best knife makers. They have as well not compromised on the quality of this sleek foldable knife. It is one of the most selling Benchmade knives. It is stylish at the same time it delivers with utmost ease.

It has a unique locking technology making it easy to grab and lifting items. It is medium size which appeals to users who are looking for a bigger knife. It has a superb handle making it easy to maintain grip. There are a variety of knives to choose from and for those who want something smaller, you are sure to find it.

What we liked

  • Comes in two standard sizes; medium and small.
  • Nice handle make it easy to maintain grip.
  • Has locking technology making lifting easy

What we didn't like

  • Does not come with pocket clip.
Spyderco Manix 2 Signature Folding Knife with 3.37" CPM S30V Steel Blade and Durable Black G-10 Handle - PlainEdge - C101GP2

It has a fancy design for those who are looking for a knife that is different from the rest. It has its blade narrow to the front making it sharp and precise when cutting. It comes with deployment assistance making it open in a short time.

It is one of the few foldable knives with a bearing lock which ensures locking an item in place and lifting without worrying about if falling. It comes standard with high quality steel which makes it durable and does not need regular sharpening. It can be used to carry out the most difficult tasks.

What we liked

  • Durable.
  • Tough.
  • Locking technology for easy lifting.

What we didn't like

  • A bit heavy.
Spyderco - Delica 4 Titanium Handled Damascau Knife with PlainEdge Stainless Steel Blade - Trademarked Round Hole - Back Lock Mechanism - C11TIPD

Another suitable folding knife made by Spyderco. First of all it has a unique handle that makes it easy to maintain grip. It has a simple yet intricate designs. It is pleasing to the eyes and at the same time can perform as expected. It comes in the right size and weight which makes it easy to carry around.

What we liked

  • Small and light thus easy to carry around.
  • It is simple yet beautiful to the eyes.
  • Very sharp at the front makes it easy to cut on items.

What we didn't like

  • No deployment technology.
  • It does not have a pocket clip.
Kershaw Blur S30V Folding Pocket Knife (1670S30V)

The blade is made up of superior steel which makes it a strong foldable knife. It has beautiful colors for those knife enthusiasts who love a little edge on a knife. It is standard with deployment technology which makes for emergency usage and the robust lock ensures lifting with utmost ease. You can choose from among a variety of designs based on your tastes and needs.

What we liked

  • Comes with a variety of design.
  • Strong.
  • Deployment technology assists in opening.

What we didn't like

  • It is a bit bulkier.
  • It is a bit fatter than most knives.
Gerber Gear 22-48485N Paraframe Pocket Knife, 5.13 Inch Fine Edge Blade, Stainless Steel

Folding knives are often small, and this one really is. The overall length when open is just 5 inches with a blade that’s only 2.2 inches long. You do get a secure grip with the open design of the handle. Overall, this is a folding knife you’ll scarcely notice in your pocket.

What we liked

  • It’s more likely to be legal, as the blade is so short. 
  • Its’ very compact and lightweight in your pocket. 
  • The grip is very secure. 
  • It doesn’t have that cheap vibe you get with other affordable knives. 

What we didn't like

  • It may be hard to use if your fingernails are too short. 
  • The blade is great, but the pocket clip isn’t good.
CRKT Pilar EDC Folding Pocket Knife: Compact Everyday Carry, Satin Blade with Finger Choil, Thumb Slot Open, Frame Lock Stainless Handle, Reversible Pocket Clip 5311

CKRT likes to collaborate with various renowned independent knife makers so that they can create truly innovative knife designs. This one is a product of a team-up with Jesper Voxnaes, and it’s designed to appeal to old-school outdoorsmen and adventurers.

What we liked

  • It’s very low profile so it’s easier to carry. 
  • The steel for the blade is really strong, especially for the tip. 
  • The blade is only 2.4 inches long, and that’s under the legal blade length limits in many states. 
  • The satin finish handle is comfortable to hold. 

What we didn't like

  • This may be great for EDC, but may be too short for actual outdoorsman activities.
Opinel No.6 Locking Knife

Sometimes knife makers prioritize function too much that they forget about making a knife actually look good. That’s not overlooked in this case, as this elegant-looking knife features a classic beechwood handle to go with the modern carbon steel blade. The blade is less than 3 inches long (2.875 inches, to be exact) and when closed it’s only 3.625 inches long.

What we liked

  • The wood handle looks great, and somehow it complements the carbon steel blade. 
  • The wood also feels good to the touch, and the ergonomic design allows you to use it comfortably even for long periods. 
  • It’s easy to carry. 
  • It’s more likely to be legal because of the short blade.

What we didn't like

  • The carbon steel blade must be kept dry at all times. 
  • You’ll also have to sharpen the edge more often. 

Conclusion

There are many folding knives in the market which are in the high end. However, there exists knives that are cheap and perform well at the same time.

When making a decision to buy a knife, look at the one which offers more functionality at the same time delivering on its expected performance.

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JB
 

I started this blog to provide advanced material, guiding you towards a better and more comfortable fishing experience. I deliver more than fishing gear guides, and motivate people to hit the water!

  • Avatar photo rich says:

    what is the make of the knife pictured on your Best Folding Knives Under $100 page?

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