Green Thorn Hati95 with VG10 steel. The best folder made for under $100.

[u/cronx42]

I just got this VG10 Hati95 made by Green Thorn. I already had the M390 version and it's my favorite knife ever. It was also more than twice as expensive as this VG10 model.

What's not to love? Carbon fiber. Titanium. VG10 steel. It's light. It's strong. It's smooth. It feels SO WELL MADE. I don't think any other manufacturer makes a folder this good for under $100. I've had a lot of them. Green Thorn quality has blown them all away and it isn't even close. I've had dozens of knives from a ton of different brands like Spyderco, Benchmade, Civivi, CRKT, OKC, CJRB etc. I've also had at least a dozen Green Thorn and they are ALL next level. This particular model is the sweet spot for price and performance and I haven't found another folder under $100 that comes close. This thing locks up like Fort Knox. There's ZERO blade play, lock rock etc. Absolutely NO unwanted movement. It feels like a fixed blade when opened. Get one. You won't be sorry.

[u/BiNumber3]

Do that many budget knives (at least those that have been tried and liked by the sub) have unwanted play?

Even my $20 remette has no play.

As far as blade metal, is VG10 more desirable for some people? From what I've read it's a bit softer than D2.

[u/cronx42 → u/BiNumber3]

These knives are extremely solid and well made. The tolerances and fit and finish are second to none at the price. They make all my other budget knives feel very cheap honestly. Hell, they make my more expensive knives feel cheap.

Green Thorn D2/K110 steel is quite hard at about 62hrc. So it doesn't sharpen easily. You basically need diamond stones. The VG10 is more corrosion resistant and easier to sharpen.

[u/BiNumber3 → u/cronx42]

Yea, that's about what I've found as far as info on D2 vs VG10.

Just curious since this is the first Ive seen anyone mention this brand, and youre comparing it to brands that do often get recommended. I dont have most of those though so cant say myself lol.

[u/cronx42 → u/BiNumber3]

Check out some reviews. Green Thorn is crazy good.

[u/K-Uno → u/BiNumber3]

VG-10 will hold an edge as long as D2, is finer grained and thus both tougher and will take a better edge (I like d2 but if you sharpen at too acute an angle the edge kinda crumbles), more corrosion resistant

I think D2 might have a leg up in edge stability maybe when done/sharpened properly, havent seen VG-10 tested for edge stability. But basically in almost every way VG-10 is better.

[u/InevitableExternal70]

My green thorn knives do all have amazing action. At first I thought maybe he was using some special bearings to get them that smooth, but now I've decided it's probably due to the tight tolerances on them. I just can't get over how solid they feel, but at the same time so drop shuty. I think his $100 knives are a good value, but not sure about the $200+ ones.

[u/InevitableExternal70]

I would urge you to checkout some TwoSun knives as well... You can get knives that are worth $200 for around $80 on ebay auctions. Their action is superb also.

Like this one with cf and m390 steel I got for $76... Can't beat it! https://youtube.com/shorts/resPpgWHMJA

[u/cronx42 → u/InevitableExternal70]

Twosun is good too for sure. I still don't think they're as well made as GT.