true i mainly use list like these has a shopping list not necessarily the same item. plus i think i would rather have a full tang blade vs a folder anyway.
For blades of the locking type only 5 are on the gtg to go list, from cheapest to most costly.
CRKT local company sourced mainly from taiwan and china, but qc'ed here locally, sturdy locks and very afordable.
Benchmade.. I was going to the shop when it is was tiny and the dude that sharpened my blades was the same guy who did the Conan swords for the movies, also next door to Kimber gun works. The have taken a good chunkc of the spyderco brand over.
Gerber.. not the baby food, makers of some pretty damned good blades. Makers of the Bear "piss drinking badass" Grilles line of blades.
Cold steel, not local but their blades are functional, mostly American made and designed for function. Check out the demo cds... lots of blade and meat abuse.
Kershaw.. local, costly dependable.. sales in Dec for xmas abound... the factory sales are a thing of brawl inspiring beauty.
