Best Knives Under $200

[Se7en62]

I'm currently in the market for a new survival knife and a new fixed EDC blade. I've looked at several brands from TOPS, to Swamp Rat, and even SOG.

That said, I'd like to spend less than $200 on each, so I'm considering the Tops Silent Hero, Tops Anaconda 7B, Tops Screaming Eagle Hunter, and Swamp Rat Ratmandu CG. I like these due to their quality, designs, and pricepoints.

Including these, along with your personal favorite, what would be the best two knives under $200 each to fill these two needs?

 

[Texas42]

I'm a big fan of ESEE. I own a couple. I have the 5" which is a lot thicker than the other models, but is exactly 5.5" long, and the candiru. Which is their smallest Blade. With the scales it is very handy.

I want a 3" version.

Carbon steel. Most under a hundred each.

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

I regularly carry the Ratmandu IWB. I like that its it's thin enough to carry concealed but still has enough meat to feel comfortable in the hand.

 

[35Remington]

I've never heard of any of the knives you mentioned. That might tell you all you need to know.

However, I use and love this automatic from Boker. And it's $39.

Boker Kalashnikov Automatic Knife Green Olive Drab (3.25" Black) - Blade HQ

 

[navyguy]

I like the Spyderco line up. I've got a Delica British Racing which has the ZDP189 Steel. MSRP is around $160, but Knifeworks has them discounted to $75.39

 

[HandgunHTR]

For <$200, you can get a great custom knife made to your specs. There are a lot of great knife makers here in TX and I also know a couple of great ones in GA. Look into it. I have two (a fixed blade hunter and a filet knife) and if I ever want a defensive folder or fixed blade, I will be going custom.

 

[Saltyag2010]

Crkt and Kershaw are great knives on the cheap end. I use and abuse them.

 

[Acera]

You might also check out some of the Ron Hood influenced knives made by Buck.

Hoodlum
Thug
Punk

I have this one and like it. You can usually find a good deal on them with an internet search.
Best large survival knife under $150 | CrisisHQ.com


http://www.survival.com/

 

[Pilgrim]

If you don't need a big chopper I'd look at the Fallkniven S1 Forest.

 

[robertc1024]

For the price, this is pretty hard to beat. I love my Benchmade:
Benchmade® D2 Steel Plain Mini-Griptilian® Folding Knife : Cabela's

 

[TheDan]

I'm a big fan of ESEE.

I'll second ESEE and add Ontario as well. Great knives for a lot less than $200

For the price, this is pretty hard to beat. I love my Benchmade:
Benchmade® D2 Steel Plain Mini-Griptilian® Folding Knife : Cabela's

He said fixed, but I agree that Benchmade makes damn good folders for the money. There's more expensive knives out there, but it's hard to say they are better.

 

[Se7en62]

Thanks for the feedback, KEEP IT COMING!

I have a Kershaw folder I've had for a couple of years, as well as a Walther 5" fixed and a Puma 4" fixed, plus my ever trusty Ontario Blunt Nose Machete...which has been my main chopper for a while and has seen a lot of action.

The reason I'm looking for others is because I'm not a fan of standard stainless steel or the Chinese made blade of the Walther...even though my Chinese Kershaw folder has been a solid EDC for a while. The Puma, while being German, just isn't up to the tougher tasks at hand when I'm off the map camping and exploring.

I'm really looking for a great 7-8" survival knife in one platform, plus another 5.5" fixed that's solid enough to lash and throw, peel an apple, or cut tender with. A blade that will last and last after tens or hundreds of sharpenings in acidic soil or salt spray. That said, 1095 High Carbon Steel is my lust-material, so that's why TOPS is at the top of my list.

That is to say, I'm open to new brands I'm unfamiliar with. I'm going to look more deeply into those ESEE and see what they have to offer, as well the idea of replacing my Kershaw with a Benchmade because I really o dig the Griptillian Mini.

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

SR101 in the Ratmandu is as easy to sharpen as 1095 and it takes a sharper edge as well.

It is really a better steel - that's why Busse uses it - it's just a little more $.

 

[matefrio]

Start with a Mora.
https://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

Or Amazon
http://amzn.com/B004ZAIXSC

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

Mora w carbon steel
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004T...SX200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=31RSOV7Bn4L&ref=plSrch

 

[matefrio]

Mora w carbon steel
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004T...SX200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=31RSOV7Bn4L&ref=plSrch

Aren't most of them carbon?

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

The link you posted was to a stainless blad

 

[grasshopperglock]

My absolute favorite carry knife is a Benchmade 522 in 440c. I've owned Benchmade autos in cr154. Fixed blades in D2.

I have two 522's. One with a black blade. The other is in the white. The black I carry, the non coated is back up. In case I can't find the first.

I sharpen on a dull course diamond. Run it down a ceramic steel a few times. It'll shave hair. I've done everything but use it as a screwdriver or pry bay. Benchmade are amazing tools.

Feel naked without it.

 

[HKaltwasser]

A Habilus bush tool for survival

I really like my Ontario DPX H.E.S.T knife for fixed EDC.

 

[Savage20]

Benchmade 940 Osborne