20 Knife Gift Ideas Under $100

This post was updated in 2023.

Our suggestions for gift ideas at certain price ranges continues with 20 knife gift ideas under $100.

This list only features knives in the $50 to $100 price range. If you’re interested in the $20 to $50 range, check out our 20 knife gift ideas under $50 post. For prices under that, check out our 20 knife gift ideas under $20.

These recommendations cover the full gamut of styles, designs, and functions, so if you can’t find something to your satisfaction, you’re trying too hard.

Check out way more knife gift ideas under $100 on our collections page.

1. CIVIVI Elementum

The first few iterations of this list featured the iconic Benchmade Mini Griptilian and then the fantastic Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight here. Unfortunately, rising prices have pushed these still great knives off the list. But the replacement may be a better overall knife and value.

The CIVIVI Elementum is one of the best everyday carry knives on the market. It is a simple design that countless people have fallen in love with the past few years. The great thing about the Elementum is that it comes in countless varieties, so you can get the Elementum that matches the personality of the recipient.

An even better aspect is that all of the CIVIVI Elementums fall in the $50 to $100 price range.

The one highlighted here is the handsome version with wood handles and a black blade.

2. CRKT Taco Viper

Despite its silly-sounding name, the CRKT Taco Viper is an amazing and underrated folder.

It has a great history because it’s made by veteran Antonio Rodriguez and gets its moniker from a nickname given to 82nd Airborne because they gave their leftover Taco Tuesday scraps to the snakes while serving in Afghanistan.

The knife itself is well-designed. It has a large 4.22-inch blade with Veff serrations and a black glass-reinforced nylon handle. It opens with an assisted mechanism and flipper tab, so it never fails to open.

When you combine the backstory with the design, you get a gift that will surely be a hit.

3. Kershaw Leek

What else is there to say about the Kershaw Leek? This Ken Onion design has been pontificated about, ruminated on, and carefully analyzed for years. Still, the knife holds up under scrutiny and belongs in every collection.

I was just going to put the standard Leek, but there are a ton of different variations you can see at the Kershaw Leek collections page.

The version in the picture is a brilliant teal color, but it’s also available in the plain version.

4. Cold Steel Wild West Bowie

It’s easy to disregard the Cold Steel Wild West Bowie as a novelty knife, but it’s so much more than that. This is a modern take on a classic Bowie knife that can be used for all types of things.

What makes this a great gift is that it’s unique and carries the same functionality as other Cold Steel models.

Pretty much everyone should own a Bowie knife at some point.

5. Gerber Strongarm

When it comes to survival and outdoor knives, it’s hard to beat the Gerber Strongarm. (Sheriff Mike Thompson from the TV show Resident Alien even said it’s the best blade money can buy.)

This knife is so good that it may very well be the best knife Gerber offers. It has a 4.8-inch 420HC blade with a rubberized handle that stands up well to the elements. Don’t look past this deceptively popular Gerber.

6. Victorinox Compact

The Victorinox Compact is probably one of my favorite knives ever. I take it pretty much everyone because it has everything I need in a good multitool — all in a very compact package.

It has a blade, a pen, screwdrivers, a pin, scissors, combination bottle opener and cap lifter, and much more.

 

7. Smith & Wesson Ultimate Throwing Combo

Throwers are always a great gift, and this ultimate throwing combo is the perfect pack.

It comes with three 10-inch axes, 3 10-inch cleavers, 3 8-inch knives, and 4 throwing cards that all fit into included nylon sheaths.

It fits in as just under the threshold, but it’s an excellent value.

8. Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker

Back before Spyderco became the company we know and love today, it was just a humble operation run by Sal and Gail Glesser. The two started the company with the Portable Hand, a device useful to jewelers and other hobbyists, but what came next helped propel the company even further — a sharpener.

That sharpener evolved into the Tri-Angle Sharpmaker, one of the best sharpeners around. While enthusiasts will insist you only freehand sharpen your knives, this is a good kit for anyone. Not only does it have a great backstory but it will keep your knives sharp and safe.

9. Ontario Air Force Survival Knife

The Gerber Strongarm isn’t the only US-made fixed blade you can get for under $100. In fact, this legendary knife is quite a bit cheaper at just $65.75. But it’s still known as being one of the best survival knives you can get.

The Ontario Air Force Survival Knife was built to military specifications with a 5-inch blade and stacked leather handle.

10. Boker Magnum Mini Bo-Kri

When it comes to premium throwers with a unique look that’s crafted by an expert, nothing beats the Mini Bo-Kri set.

Designed by John Bailey — a professional knife thrower with over four decades of experience — these throwers have been praised by experts and beginners alike for years. The knives have a 10.75-inch overall length, and the set comes with a leather sheath.

11. Kershaw Iridium

Most of the knives on this list are classics, but the Kershaw Iridium is a knife from 2023 that takes Kershaw into new and exciting places.

This was among the first Kershaw Knives to use their new DuraLock mechanism. When you couple it with a seamless design, you get a fantastic EDC.

 

12. Cold Steel 4-Max Scout

The 4-Max from Cold Steel was one of the biggest and most expensive knives they ever made. It was strong and durable but it cost an arm and a leg. But somehow Cold Steel managed to fit that huge design into a more budget-friendly work folder that’s a fraction of the price.

If you’re looking to give a work knife that will almost never fail, this is it.

13. CRKT Ritual

The CRKT Ritual was one of the most unique releases in 2022, so it’s no surprise this knife was among our top sellers.

Designed by the great Alan Folts, the Ritual is inspired by the old-world Persian fixed blade — only this knife is a folder with modern conveniences. The long, curved blade is 4.37 inches and bursts open with a flipper and assisted-opening mechanism.

The resin-infused handle features stainless steel bolsters that combine beauty with strength.

14. Buck 110 Folding Hunter (Engraved)

The Buck 110 Folding Hunter is one of the most iconic knives of all time. You wouldn’t think a knife this old would still be so popular and such an amazing gift, but here we are.

This US-made folder is still well under that $100 mark, which is absolutely amazing. You can even get it engraved for under that price, which many gift givers opt to do on this model. My dad still has his engraved Buck 110 from decades ago.

15. Gerber FlatIron

Gerber has done a few things wrong over the past few years but they’ve hit the sweet spot on more than a few knives, including the Gerber FlatIron. This folder features a cleaver-style blade that’s been upgraded with D2 steel.

This upgraded version also has comfortable gray Micarta handle scales.

16. Spyderco Dragonfly 2

I take the word of Everyday Commentary’s Anthony Sculimbrene very seriously and for years he’s been saying the Spyderco Dragonfly 2 is the best everyday carry knife ever (this year the Dragonfly got a new companion for that honors in the ultra premium Benchmade 555-1 Mini Grip).

Here is an excerpt from his 2011 review:

The Dragonfly 2 in ZDP-189 (DF2 ZDP-189) is perfect. It does everything not just well, but with ease. I have been using and carrying this knife almost exclusively since I got it in May and it is awesome. Light, laser sharp, and made to fit your hand, there is nothing that I would do differently in designing this knife. Spyderco and Sal Glesser outdid themselves.

That sentiment still resonates all these years later. Whoever gets it will be thanking Santa above.

17. BnB Damascus Karambit

Does your gift recipient have all types of knives? Consider getting them something a bit more unique in the BnB Damascus Karambit. This folder is a sexy Damascus knife with a folding Karambit design.

It has sculpted G-10 handles with a flipper or Wave feature on the blade to allow for quick one-handed opening. The blade is VG-10 Damascus.

18. CobraTec Ryker

The Ryker is at the lower end of the $100 threshold but punches well above its weight.

This knife has been among the top sellers of 2023 because of its budget-friendly price and striking design. It’s an automatic folder with a 3.75-inch blade made from D2 steel. The handle is textured G-10 for a reliable grip.

19. CRKT M4-02

The Kit Carson M4 series has been part of the CRKT lineup for years, and it’s always been a popular gift (especially with the engraving option).

CRKT recently released a newer version of the M4 with a G-10 bolster and white bone handle. The series has always highlighted a classic look with modern innovations, and this model further leans into it.

20. Spyderco Delica 4

Spyderco makes a ton of great knives at a budget cost, but for a true representation of the quality and design elements of the brand (aside from the first knife on this list), there’s the Delica. This is a truly beloved knife from the knife community because of its versatile size, excellent construction, and interesting design.

Like the Elementum, the Delica comes in several different colorations, including a Damascus variation. This means you can get the perfect version.