Guys, after 17 years of faithful service, I somehow have lost my beloved Schrade Old Timer.
Since Schrade is no longer in business ( and they had quit making them in the USA anyway ), I need to find a suitable replacement. While I keep my knife razor sharp, I also abuse it, cutting anything that needs cut, from tissue paper to steel wire. I do not require 2 blades for the most part, and it should be roughly 4" of blade, I do not really want a serrated blade either.

Been looking at those sexy skeletonized folders ( this thing is always, and I mean always in my pocket, so thin is in....), and while I would prefer to keep the price under a hundred, I would pay more if I knew the knife was pretty much indestructible, and made in the USA.

The old Schrade never held an edge long, but she could be brought back to a razor edge in no time flat.

Any good places to look for such a knife?

 

I settled on this little Gerber years ago and been quite pleased with it. I use a fine stone and then run it across an old duty belt for finishing the edge. It meets all the requirements you listed except it's a little shorter blade. Retail is usually around $30, on-line $18 so you won't feel so bad if it gets lonely and walks.

http://www.redhillgeneralstore.com/A77907.htm

 

Ive had a Kershaw by ken onion for about 5 years now. works well and im equally hard on my knife and carry it everyday. nice and thin withe pocket clip, light, nothin fancy though. Wife bought it for me so I dont know what it costs. #1650BLK Vapor

 

I have a benchmade, and will never get another one. They are a little more than a hundred, but I've only broken one blade in 5 years, and it was for using the knife for something that I knew I shouldn't have. Their customer service is top noch, and parts are cheap for them. The only down side is that the metal in the blade is so stinkin hard that I have to use a belt sander to sharpen it. (I take it to a guy in town) I ruined a new diamond stone trying to sharpen it. The edge does stay good for a month or so, tho.

I have an automatic opening knife, you are not supposed to get one unless you are millitary or LEO.

K-bar has been coming out with some good knives.

 

Cant go wrong with a Case.. I've had mine for about 10 years.. Couldn't tell you how many apples, finger nail cleanings and zip ties I've cut with it.

 

Gerber fold up drop point with the pocket clip. Best $35 knife I ever had. Holds an edge well, have abused it. Opens easily with the spring assist. Only thing that dulled it quickly was cutting an entire tread off my trailer tire, steel belts and all. (Serrated part came in handy there)

 

I'm using this knife:

http://www.benchmade.com/products/10300

The designer is a friend of mine and the first European to design for Benchmade.
His website:
http://www.steirereisen.com/

The blade is made of Böhler steel- made less than 20 miles from the place of my birth. (But it's assembled in Taiwan-at least the ones you can buy)

I love the extremely simple mechanism, and I abuse it regularly. I never had a problem with it, even though I abuse it more than my Glock combat knives that need to be replaced every 2 years.

Just my 2c and a bit of pride in my region

AlpineRAM

 

Im gonna chime in here for Benchmade. A little pricey, but worth every penny.

 

I have a CRKT M-16 titanium frame. It's nice and light with teflon bearings it opens pretty easy. It also has a double blade lock that takes some getting used to, but keeps the blade from accidently getting closed. They are pricey too, but worth it.

 

I second the little Gerber (even though it is smaller) - have had mine for the last 10 years or so. It's been used for many things from network cable to field dressing. Seems to keep an edge pretty well.

 

I have a Gerber Fast Draw that was given to me for my birthday. It's also a belt clipped model. 3" non-serrated blade. I really like it.

 

This is the knife I currently carry everyday. http://sogknives.com/store/TF-3.html Best knife I've had yet for the money. You can find them for aournd $80 or less if you look. I have several knives some more some less money but the SOG goes with me everywhere now. I carry it daily as well as camping, hunting, everywhere.

 

Alot of people at work carry sogs.
personally, I have a couple buck knives that I rotate between.

 

I alwyas carried an old timer or uncle henry myself, when in my jeans. Carried Gerber Gatore for utility sinc my rappel master days. Here are some links to some local manufacturers if you want to stick to USA made. I plan to head north in the next couple of weeks on vacation and intend on picking one of these knives up myself.

http://www.marblescutlery.com/products.html

http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/

http://www.rapidriverknifeworks.com/index.php

 

Love my Benchmade!