Help me find a good defensive folder...

[wht06rado]

So I just got my Ka Bar TDI and I'm not too crazy about it. I'm also not too sure about the legality(if that's a word) of carrying a fixed blade in Virginia. The law is pretty vague. So I am looking for a good defensive folder. I am looking for something affordable, easy to carry and deploy. Any suggestions?

So far in my searching I really like the CRKT M16-01K but I don't really have $80 to spend on a knife right now.

Wht

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[semperfi.45]

I would try to hold out for an Emerson with the "wave" feature. IMO, there is no quicker knife to deploy and the quality is outstanding for the $$$. CRKT and Spyderco are good choices also.

[David in FL]

I tend to lean towards Spyderco when you're looking for bang for your buck.

The Delica is tried and true......but there are many others to choose from.

[pgrass101]

I have both Spyderco's and Gerber's

My Favorite is the Paraframe

[KenpoTex]

For quality that won't break the bank, you can't go wrong with Spyderco (Delica or Endura with wave), or Cold Steel (Voyager series). You can find any of the ones I mentioned for $30-50.

Stay away from liner-locks unless it's a CRKT with the auto-LAWKS feature.

[NYcarry]

I like the Spyderco Delica as well, only one I've found where the clips can be put in just the right position.

[Stetson]

The wife and I took the train to Boston (big deal in Maine only one commuter train) and I found a high end shop that sold some fine knives.I mean folders
going for $369 the cheapest one I could find was fifty dollars.I was surprised
he was fairly busy with prises like that !

[Cap'n]

Another Spyderco fan here. A great folder for the money.

[buckeye .45]

Spyderco delica or endura with wave, depending on what size blade you want.
Benchmade Griptilian
CKRT M-16 series, any of these should do you fine

[wht06rado]

Thanks for the posts guys! I'm still not sure if I will be keeping my Ka Bar TDI or not. It seems to print more than my J Frame with the sheath it came with and I don't want to spend any more money for another sheath. Thanks again.

Wht

[Slomo]

I have carried Benchmade for several years and have really enjoyed them all.

Favorite defensive: Stryker Auto. Great blade, positive open every time.

Second Fave: Mel Pardue (original style) Auto.

Third Fave: Mel Pardue (also original) manual folder. Plastic body, so very thin and light. I can carry it anytime.

[TacticalCompact]

Well, I'm not well-schooled in the art of defensive folders, but my first two knives were a Spiderco Delica, and a Spiderco Endura. I bought them both for $40 each in 1990 when they first came out. They were both stolen.

For about the last 10 years, I've had a Gerber EZ Out. This is a great knife. I bought my first one as the ATS-34 model at a gun-show in San Diego. Carried it daily for a few years, used it at work every day and it never failed me.

I've since lost or had that one stolen as well, and replaced it with a "Skeleton" model that is probably a tad lighter.

Gerber E-Z Out Skeleton serrated edge - #06751 : Gerber Knives - at Rocky National

If you ask me, this is an excellent knife for EDC, and it's affordable. You won't feel guilty about using it to actually do things that knives are handy for either!

[maclean3]

Do a search on Ebay, you can score great deals there on Benchmade, Emerson, etc. if you keep watching. I got a Benchmade 9050 AFO for $100 shipped a few years back.
Jack

[carry for protection]

So I just got my Ka Bar TDI and I'm not too crazy about it. I'm also not too sure about the legality(if that's a word) of carrying a fixed blade in Virginia. The law is pretty vague. So I am looking for a good defensive folder. I am looking for something affordable, easy to carry and deploy. Any suggestions?

So far in my searching I really like the CRKT M16-01K but I don't really have $80 to spend on a knife right now.

Wht

I carry a S&W double bladed folder. It clips on my strong side pocket. I have put that knife thru complete torture on the farm for a year now and it handles it just fine. Holds an edge really well too.
I can't afford most of the knives the other folks listed but I have 2 of these and an extreme opps silver S&W.
Here is a link to a place to purchase the one I carry everyday. Price is cheap but the knife holds up real well.
TheFireStore.com: Smith & Wesson

[OzarksMagic]

I sell Spyderco, cold Steel, Chris Reeve, Benchmade and more. Super low prices. Check my sig. line.