These have all been great suggestions. Here's where I stand on the topic (Best EDC for $100) : First , I've changed my price point. A lot. I figure that if I really like the knife then I will go as high as $350-ish. I know it's 3.5 times what I was originally going to spend but my research has opened some new doors (in my mind) for me. Second , I am a devoted Benchmade fan and I love their HK line too (esp the 14210 , 14205 and 14255). Just wish they would update the HK line as it is need for some serious freshening. And the knife that I really want (right now) is the Benchmade 755 MPR. Real thick M390 blade , overbuilt titanium and G10 handle with strong Monolock lock = sign me up. And as soon as GPKnives gets them in stock I will buy it. It's just a waiting game right now. Third , I've been looking at some other brands such as Strider and Chris Reeve. That's where my new price point comes in. The Striders look awesome and have a great rep fro being tough. But I also have heard more than once that they are a bit rough around the edges (blades not centered , rough grinds). So I'm not sure I like that. And CRK have a "love 'em or Hate 'em" rep. They seem well-built with nice materials. But the Sebenza (the one I'm looking at) looks so boring. "Blah" comes to mind. And at more than twice the price of a Benchmade MPR it doesn't seem worth it. I also like the Benchmade Subrosa. And I'm curious about the Benchmade Mini Onslaught but if the blade thickness is really .070" then I would never even consider it since I like thick blades (MPR has .164" thick blade , M390). So MPR is in the lead. I will update the situation as it progresses.