Best EDC Knife Under $100
So many knives, so little time. Our job today is to pick the best EDC knives under $100, a nearly impossible task. I’ll save my usual griping about how much knife prices have gone up, and instead start on a positive note. After rounding up my favorites for this list, I’ve found my faith somewhat restored that you can still get a really great knife for a very reasonable price.
And look, you know the deal. These are just my opinions, take them or leave them. If I had written this list a year ago, it’s possible that half the knives on here would be different. The same is true if I were to write it again a year from now.
But I will say with certainty that these are all knives I can stand behind. If you walked up to me today and said, “I have $100; what knife should I buy?” this is how I would answer.
Kizer Original V3605E3
Simple, straightforward pocket folder with great fit & finish for the price.
Kizer established itself as one of the leading Chinese knife manufacturers so quickly, it’s hard to believe they’ve only been around since 2013. This is a brand that does simple, budget-friendly EDC knives very well, and the Kizer Original is a perfect example. It’s not a knife that calls attention to itself with flashy features, and I like that.
The Kizer Original is a button lock knife with a 3-inch drop-point blade. It’s super smooth and super snappy, with crisp detent and lighting quick thumb stud opening. It’s an extremely fidget-friendly knife, and its relatively small size makes it comfy in both hand and pocket. The deep carry pocket clip is also very well done.
This knife has been through a few iterations of blade and handle material, but the standard current version uses 154CM steel with an aluminum handle. I love the minimalist look of the grey aluminum and black hardware. The Kizer Original is also very lightweight at 2.61 oz.
Why We Picked It
- Smooth action
- Solid lock up
- Lightweight
- Understated design
Kershaw Iridium
Sturdy, dependable EDC knife with Kershaw’s trademark DuraLock
The rock-solid Kershaw Iridium is no lightweight. That’s not to say it’s heavy, at a respectable 3.52 ounces, but with its rugged hardware, D2 high-carbon tool steel blade and black anodized aluminum scale, it’s made to do real work. The reverse tanto blade—not a style you see every day—has a thick spine, very fine point and plenty of belly, making it equally adept as slicing, chopping and piercing.
Plus, the Iridium comes with the very strong DuraLock, a classic Kershaw variation on a crossbar button lock that secures the blade in place using a solid steel bar. The lock allows the knife to be opened right- or left-handed with equal ease. That, along with the reversible pocket clip, makes the Kershaw Iridium fully ambidextrous.
I wouldn’t call it the most stylish knife in the world, but there’s something I actually like about how charmingly blocky and un-sexy the Kershaw Iridium is. This knife makes a strong argument for function over form. Just an all-around workhorse that won’t let you down.
Why We Picked It
- Strong and reliable
- Ambidextrous
- Versatile reverse tanto blade
- Quality D2 steel
Vosteed Nightshade
Exceptional craftsmanship and a historic design
Every once in a while, you come across a knife so good you just can’t believe it costs less than $100. The Vosteed Nightshade is one of those knives. It’s one of my all-time favorites, a knife so perfect in its simplicity that you almost don’t need any other knives. Perhaps the only drawback is that the Nightshade isn’t the most public-friendly. Expect some wide eyes if you flick it open at the grocery store.
So yes, the 3.26” leaf-shaped blade may be intimidating to some. But man, is this an effective slicer. The Vosteed Nightshade is an especially great hiking and camping knife, with versatile cutting ability and a comfortable, grippy handle that feels right at home in the palm of your hand. Versions have been made with either G10 or Micarta scales. It also opens and closes like butter, with cage ceramic ball bearings.
The Vosteen Nightshade is modeled after the Shinlin Cutter, a legendary Taiwanese blade that few have ever been fortunate enough to hold. So there’s a lot of history in this knife, and it’s a steal at $69.
Why We Picked It
- Flawless ergonomics
- Well-executed leaf-shaped blade
- Quality Nitro-V steel
- Iconic design
Spyderco Delica 4
Classic Spyderco design, one of the all-time great pocket knives
Spyderco is arguably the brand when it comes to EDC knives, and they have a huge array of different models that are very well-suited for everyday carry. So why does the Delica 4 stand out in this positively stacked product line? Because the Delica strikes the perfect balance. In virtually every measurable sense, it’s neither too much nor too little.
The Spyderco Delica 4 is lightweight, ultra-sharp right out of the box, and easy to sharpen. It has an ambidextrous thumb hole and phosphor bronze washers for smooth and easy opening, and it features a strong and reliable Boyden lock. It’s a highly economical knife. It has everything you need without any of the “premium” (read: unnecessary) features that would jack up the price.
As its name suggests, the Spyderco Delica 4 is the fourth generation of this knife, and there have been a lot of refinements along the way. The Delica 4 is also available in an array of blade styles and steels. I’m partial to the sabre grind version with VG-10 steel. This is invariably one of the first knives I recommend to anyone when I’m asked for suggestions.
Why We Picked It
- Extremely sharp and easy to sharpen.
- Great handle shape, contouring and grip texture
- Rugged and dependable
- Classic Spyderco look and build quality
CJRB Locust Folding Knife PVD
Unique low-profile design with a double button lock and thumb disc
I don’t often add knives this new to lists like this, but the CJRB Locust Folding Knife—just released at the end of 2024—has been one of the most exciting new releases I’ve seen in the last year. And like I said upfront, these are my top 10 today. Tomorrow could be different.
A couple of things really jump out about this knife. First is the thumb disc, which works in place of a more traditional thumb stud to provide smooth and easy opening while also allowing the Locust to be incredibly slim and streamlined. Second is the novel double-button lock system, which eliminates any possibility of the blade being deployed by mistake while it’s in your pocket.
And it’s just a beautiful knife. The black G10 handle has a phenomenal grip texture, and the spear point blade is made of AR-RPM9 steel (good stuff, a little soft but easy to sharpen) with a flawless black BPD protective coating. At 3.18 oz with a closed length of 4.13″ it’s perfect for everyday carry.
Why We Picked It
- Ingenious double-button lock
- Fidget-friendly thumb disc
- Easy sharpening spear point blade
- Beautiful all-black look
CIVIVI Tacticorix
Heavy-duty tactical folder for fans of bigger EDC knives
This is a big guy. With a robust 3.7-inch blade that folds into a 5.16 handle, the CIVIVI Tacticorix tips the scales at 4.58 oz. I don’t often lug around a knife this big for everyday carry, but it’s a great knife when you need it. The broad, thick drop-point blade is both intimidating and tough, living up to the promise of a tactical knife that’s also intended for regular use.
Thumb studs and a spine flipper tab provide two ways of flicking the Tacticorix open, and both are smooth and snappy thanks to the ceramic ball-bearing pivot. A reversible deep pocket carry clip and lanyard pin provide multiple carry options.
CIVIVI has been a major upstart in the budget knife market in recent years, and the Tacticorix is one of their best products. It has a reliable liner lock and handsome G10 scales with well-contoured finger grooves and really outstanding anti-slip texture. The blade steel is Nitro-V, which maintains a razor-sharp edge nicely.
Why We Picked It
- Large tactical blade
- Sturdy, heavy-duty construction
- Dual deployment methods
- Excellent edge retention
Kershaw Blur
Compact USA-made pocket folder with SpeedSafe assisted opening
Established in 1974, Kershaw is one of the oldest and best names in the game. And the Kershaw Blur is one of the few assisted-opening knives that I would rate among the best options for EDC. It’s a pint-sized knife that packs a surprisingly substantial blade (3.4” give or take) into a small frame.
The notable feature here is the SpeedSafe assisted opening system. You flick the knife open using the thumb stud, and the knife’s torsion bar basically takes over and opens the blade the rest of the way for you. It’s lightning quick, and unlike many assisted knives, the mechanism doesn’t significantly weaken the knife.
There are about a million variations on the Kershaw Blur when it comes to blade style, steel and handle material, so the specs vary. The version that I consider to be the “base” model has a recurve blade made of 14C28N stainless steel and an anodized aluminum handle with grippy Trac-Tec inserts.
Why We Picked It
- Respected brand
- Compact, easily pocketable design
- Sizeable blade for a small knife
- Quality assisted opening
Off-Grid Knives – Rapid Fire Stinger
- 🔥NEW w/ CRYOGENIC D2 BLADE STEEL: Cryogenically Treated D2 Gives An Overall Increase in Toughness, Extra Wear-Resistance, Significant Decrease in Micro-Fracturing and Edge-Chipping & Adds Corrosion Resistance, Lightning Quick Single Hand Deployment
**When I went to post this, I couldn’t find my knife…
Built like a tank with outstanding fit & finish, plus fast assisted deployment
Again, not to beat a dead horse, but I don’t generally favor assisted-opening knives for serious use. But there are exceptions to every rule, and the Rapid Fire Stinger from Off-Grid Knives is one of the best heavy-duty assisted opening folders out there. If you want your EDC to be an assisted opening knife, this is one of your best options, period.
Unlike the aforementioned Kershaw Blur, this is no small fry. Weighing a chunky 5.9 oz and measuring 8.25″ fully open, the Stinger is monstrous by pocket knife standards. And the blade, 3.5” long and 1.25” wide, is no joke. It’s a spear point blade made of tough D2 steel with a titanium nitride protective coating
All the details are excellent. The G10 scales have a unique honeycomb-like pattern for extreme grippiness, and there’s well-executed thumb jimping up top. The deep pocket clip can be worn left or right, and the assisted opening—activated via a thumb flipper—deploys in the blink of an eye.
Why We Picked It
- Heavy duty construction
- Beautiful fit & finish
- Comfortable deep pocket carry
- Assisted thumb flipper opening
Petrified Fish WaterSpout
Straightforward pocket knife with an elegant design and refined details
I’ve previously sung the praises of the Petrified Fish Bunta, which is a steal at around $35, and I would argue that the WaterSpout is even better. It’s hard to believe this knife retails for around $55. If you want a simple, elegantly designed pocket folder for camping and EDC, this is simply a great choice.
Just look at the subtle contours, the gentle swoop of the 3.54″ blade, the perfectly shaped finger grooves, the beautifully executed sabre grind. The design detail on the Petrified Fish WaterSpout is flawless, and it feels just as good in hand as it looks on your screen.
The silky-smooth caged ceramic ball-bearing pivot provides buttery opening and closing, and the liner lock is sturdy and secure. You’ve got G10 scales and a 14C28N steel blade, which is a solid, best-of-all-worlds budget steel. The WaterSpot comes crazy sharp right out of the box, and it sharpens back up with ease.
Why We Picked It
- Amazing value
- Artful design details
- Smooth deployment and secure lockup
- Versatile blade with quality steel
Blair Witkowski is an avid watch nut, loves pocket knives and flashlights, and when he is not trying to be a good dad to his nine kids, you will find him running or posting pics on Instagram. Besides writing articles for Tech Writer EDC he is also the founder of Lowcountry Style & Living. In addition to writing, he is focused on improving his client’s websites for his other passion, Search Engine Optimization. His wife Jennifer and he live in coastal South Carolina.