$35 or less folder

T

the kid

Joined
May 5, 2008
Messages
644
Hi, I just joined this forum, and about to buy my first real knife.
I already did a lot of research and decided on the Boker Trance as my first knife.

I'm looking for another folding knife for $35 or less, to get my collection started. :cool:

I live in the Netherlands and knives cost around twice the amount here (or much more!) , and I don't want to spend more then $60 on another knife.

Another problem is the availibilty, I can't just buy knives from a hardware or dump store here. I have to rely on the internet, and even then a lot is not available. I don't want to import from the US, if customs intercept it, I could end up paying even more then buying it normally. And I don't think I can even legally import knives anyway.

So I'm looking for several suggestions, since the knives here could be either costing to much, or won't be available.

what I'm looking for:

Under 4 inches when closed
No wooden handle
No Spyderco, I know the Byrds are really good, but they are just to ugly. :grumpy:
No 420, or 440a steel.
No Victorinox, and similair looking knives
Has to have a lock, preferably no lockback
I should be able to take it apart, unlike the Buck Bantam for example.
A thumbstud is nice.
Also good quality for the price like a Byrd or a Trance would be very nice.

I already checked out similair threads in this forum, but didn't have any succes.

Thanks in advance and looking forward to your replies.
 
the kid said:
Another problem is the availibilty, I can't just buy knives from a hardware or dump store here. I have to rely on the internet, and even then a lot is not available. I don't want to import from the US, if customs intercept it, I could end up paying even more then buying it normally. And I don't think I can even legally import knives anyway.
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Are you sure you can't import knives? Otherwise you'd be limited only to online retailers that only are located in your country... who did you buy the trance from; are you sure that they had the knife in your country? Both internet only and based in the Netherlands sounds like more of a problem than the other things; ask in the europe forum if you can import knives, etc. If you can, then your money will go way farther.

the kid said:
So I'm looking for several suggestions, since the knives here could be either costing to much, or won't be available.

what I'm looking for:

Under 4 inches when closed
No wooden handle
No Spyderco, I know the Byrds are really good, but they are just to ugly. :grumpy:
No 420, or 440a steel.
No Victorinox, and similair looking knives
Click to expand...
All doable

the kid said:
Has to have a lock, preferably no lockback
Click to expand...
Going to be hard to do without going to slightly more expensive knives (used?) because most people on this forum will not recommend most linerlocks at that price, and there aren't any other (BF-approved) alternative locks I know of for that price.

If possible, I would recommend the chive or leek line from Kershaw. Might be American made, but do some research on the Dutch laws, I'm sure they are more lenient if you go to the trouble of actually finding out.
Zero
 
Used Kershaw or Benchmade. If you buy from someone in the European Union, you shouldn't have to pay taxes. Try eBAY. There are also forums similar to this (not as good) in England and France. You might want to see if anyone there has anything that floats your boat.
 
The CRKT Mo'Skeeter has a 420j2 blade and a lockback unfortunatly.

the Ka-Bar Doziers do look like good knives; I read some great things about them, the steel seems ok, and I even like the looks. Price is right to.
To bad they are lockbacks, and a tad to big.

I might order a Dozier if I can't find any other knife.
 
I meant importing legally from outside of the eu.
Also when I import from outside the eu, theres is a big chance I have to pay customs and taxes and what not. This could (some packages come through without trouble others not) really become quiet expensive.
I should have no trouble getting knives from stores in the eu, I'm planning to order from a German site.

Zero_Time: To bad the Kershaw Leek already costs over $ 105 here, even with the 440a blade.
I already checked out the Shive but it costs over $70 with the 420HC blade, and don't like the looks. ;)
 
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Kershaw Storm I&II good steel+framelock,both under $30

Best CS in the business:thumbup:
 
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the kid said:
I meant importing legally from outside of the eu.
Also when I import from outside the eu, theres is a big chance I have to pay customs and taxes and what not. This could (some packages come through without trouble others not) really become quiet expensive.
I should have no trouble getting knives from stores in the eu, I'm planning to order from a German site.
Click to expand...

Excuse the blunt tone, but are you actually going to be using these knives, and if so, what for? The reason I ask is because a lot of features you ask for can be had, but most not at that price point and restrictions, etc. If you aren't going to really be using a knife, then appearance and coolness becomes more important, and I can recommend some knives that play up appearance, not performance. Really, you must honestly ask yourself this question, because at this price point, you WILL compromise on something, even if you don't want to admit it. Embrace the compromise and you can get a lot closer to what you want. If you actually NEED a hard use knife, you're going to be recommended ugly knives with/or have a lockback, because that's basically the trade off. If you have one knife for "actual use", you can get prettier knives. No compromise between looks and function can be had at that price if you really look, but they require a LOT more effort, and generally that effort could be used to earn money so you don't have to look so hard.

Basically, most posters on Bladeforums are looking for their knives to be HARDCORE users, not to look at. Excuse me if I sound harsh, but think about it: do you NEED a knife that can be used for batoning? Probably not. Do you need the knife to be reliable as you battle the invading hordes? Probably not. So, if you are using it for everyday city stuff- cutting letters, paper, sandwiches, spreading condiments, flicking it open for fun, making yourself feel cool, impressing friends with you cutting (light) materials- then that is a much different knife than the Byrd line. Most knives are plenty reliable for such activities, and really, self defense should be a non-issue for your knife. Otherwise, you need a different knife than what you're asking for.

Consequently, if you care only about steel but not hard use, then Opinels get a great nod. But, if your needs are like the ones outlined above, just say so! Many people have been looking for a knife have the needs I outlined above, most won't admit it (I will), and so spelling out you're looking for helps us recommend closer to your interests. Most people on BF are not going to recommend knives that aren't hardcore users unless you specifically outline your uses.

Not trying to be mean, but helpful. Give us some examples of knives you like the design of, because that seems to be an important point that I'm not understanding.

Egads, at prices like that, maybe I should bring a bunch of knives with me when I go to France and litter Europe with some steely love!!

P.S. Most of us are Americans, so if you could show us some international sites you're looking at, we might be able to recommend European prices, not knives sold in America that we *think* should be cheap there.
 
Weapons.be is a good place to discuss knives for people from the Netherlands and Belgium.

Two Dutch webshops that come to my mind: www.knivesandtools.com
2sharp.nl(prices are a bit tricky on the lather as they are listed without BTW)

About your main question: 35€ is little money if you want a knife with a good knife steel. The cheaper knifes with good steel that I know of are mostly spyderco or have a backlock. Well, there are knife's without 4xx steel , but they the quality of the steel is equal or less(AUS-6 for example)

The Dozier that is suggested does have a backlock, but it has aus-8a, so that would normally be a good stee. I have never handled one, so I can't give you my opinion about its quality. But it's not pricey, only 28.80€ at wolfster.de(free delivery)
 
Zero_Time:
In fairness, the only usage the knife probably would be seeing is cutting some tape. :p
But I'd still like to know I have a good tool though, even though I wont ever need it.

I'd rather have a good knife then a good looking one, I was thinking about buying the Byrd Crow, but it really does look to weird. :grumpy:
Hence the choice for the Boker Trance, I read some raving reviews about it.

Some knife designs I like:
The Boker Trance, although this is borderline, its almost to crazy.
The Timberline Small Workhorse, another knife I'm eyeballing.
Buck Bantam, although it looks kinda dull.
Benchmade Apparition.

Basically nothing to weird like Spydercos, but nothing to oldfashion like the Buck 110 either.
Also I don't like basic knives like Victorinox.

The international sites I'm looking at are as buckabee also mentioned;
www.wolfster.de
www.2sharp.nl

and www.want2have.nl

buckabee:
Thanks for the link to www.knivesandtools.com , seems like a good store.

Edit.
Since I just found out from buckabee 2sharp.nl lists prices without BTW (19% tax), this means the price of a Storm is even higher. :o
 
the kid said:
Zero_Time:
I'd rather have a good knife then a good looking one, I was thinking about buying the Byrd Crow, but it really does look to weird. :grumpy:
Hence the choice for the Boker Trance, I read some raving reviews about it.

Some knife designs I like:
The Boker Trance, although this is borderline, its almost to crazy.
The Timberline Small Workhorse, another knife I'm eyeballing.
Buck Bantam, although it looks kinda dull.
Benchmade Apparition.

Basically nothing to weird like Spydercos, but nothing to oldfashion like the Buck 110 either.
Also I don't like basic knives like Victorinox.
Click to expand...
I'm a rather determined bugger, I know. Thanks for putting up with my curmudgeonly questioning of you ;). Part of that was your name; even though I'm not 50, I like to make sure we're not arming yobs or mall ninjas, so your handle made me a little cautious and want to make sure you were not one (you're not, or at least are more intelligent than the average yob:p). You seem to want a regular tactical folder, not a scary one, but maybe with a touch of class. Hmm... well, let me search with that in mind. (I had recommended the leek and junkyard dog, but just saw your post about the btw (What is that?) Let me search a little more, and, at those prices, I recommend used or trade ins, not new knives at knife stores. Seem to be like US MSRP but converted to Euros on most of 'em.
Zero

p.s. If you saved a little for customs fighting (hard to do, I know) it might actually be worth importing. Tell me/find out what your value added tax stuff is like, because though the taxes are there to be protectionist, the dollar is weak enough AND you can get knives for much less than MSRP, it might be worth it. You have to be more patient and clever to get good knives for cheap in Europe, apparently. Also, you can ask sellers to declare a cheap/cheaper price on your goods so that they don't get dinged for a "worth over X amount of currency" regulations.
 
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Zero_Time said:
... Hmm... well, let me search with that in mind. By the way, the 2sharp site had a leek for under 50 and had the Junkyard dog by kershaw. The JYD is a little weird, but gotten good reviews. The leek is actually quite good looking and capable. Let me search a little more, and, at those prices, I recommend used or trade ins, not knife stores. Seem to be like US MSRP but converted to Euros on most of 'em.
Zero
Click to expand...

Yeah, for a budget of between 50 and 80 €, kershaw offers a lot of bang for the buck. I'm personally planning to buy a composite leek,a composite JYDII or a Lahar in a few months. Because speedsafe is in a grey area of the law here, it will probable be the lahar, or maybe I will remove the torsion bar from the speedsafe knives(but would be a shame).
 
Zero_Time said:
I'm a rather determined bugger, I know. Thanks for putting up with my curmudgeonly questioning of you ;). Part of that was your name; even though I'm not 50, I like to make sure we're not arming yobs or mall ninjas, so your handle made me a little cautious and want to make sure you were not one (you're not, or at least are more intelligent than the average yob:p). You seem to want a regular tactical folder, not a scary one, but maybe with a touch of class. Hmm... well, let me search with that in mind. By the way, the 2sharp site had a leek for under 50 and had the Junkyard dog by kershaw. The JYD is a little weird, but gotten good reviews. The leek is actually quite good looking and capable. Let me search a little more, and, at those prices, I recommend used or trade ins, not new knives at knife stores. Seem to be like US MSRP but converted to Euros on most of 'em.
Zero

p.s. If you saved a little for customs fighting (hard to do, I know) it might actually be worth importing. Tell me/find out what your value added tax stuff is like, because though the taxes are there to be protectionist, the dollar is weak enough AND you can get knives for much less than MSRP, it might be worth it. You have to be more patient and clever to get good knives for cheap in Europe, apparently. Also, you can ask sellers to declare a cheap/cheaper price on your goods so that they don't get dinged for a "worth over X amount of currency" regulations.
Click to expand...

No not a mall ninja here, I'm 31 years old, and planning to use my knife for opening package material and stuff. And maybe doing some yard work.
I find myself atleast a few times a week in a situation where a knife could be handy.

The problem with 2sharp is as I just found out, the prices or minues 19% tax.
Secondhand knives is not an option, I would have to purchase them through the internet, and thats a risk I'm not willing to take.

I did already do some light researching about importing from the US, and it really seems more trouble then its worth. Customs over here don't even themselves know the rules (or do not go by them) and are purposely being vague. Appreciate the input though. :thumbup:
 
The Boker Magnum series comes to mind for your uses & price range.Cool looking & functional.Made in Tiawan NOT China.You can find some for under $15US.Not sure what that is in your currency.
 
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the kid said:
No not a mall ninja here, I'm 31 years old, and planning to use my knife for opening package material and stuff. And maybe doing some yard work.
I find myself atleast a few times a week in a situation where a knife could be handy.

The problem with 2sharp is as I just found out, the prices or minues 19% tax.
Secondhand knives is not an option, I would have to purchase them through the internet, and thats a risk I'm not willing to take.

I did already do some light researching about importing from the US, and it really seems more trouble then its worth. Customs over here don't even themselves know the rules (or do not go by them) and are purposely being vague. Appreciate the input though. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Well, I now know you're no mall ninja. Sorry about that; automatic defense mechanism against Europeans with low post counts- after what they did (are doing) in England and Germany, and just Europe in general, I'm loath to give any possible ammunition to those who make headlines and harden your laws, and those who would pass more restrictive laws.

Just thinking out loud, but how DOES the tax system work? Taxes are the bureaucrat's weapon, and as such, there are multiple loopholes, ways to get around it, and generally make them put their head in their hands and cry. You now know my views on bureaucracy and government (just like a true American, right?), but the reason I ask is because if you got a knife kit, you can often scuttle taxes that would be levied on normal assembled items. I personally hate when regulations get in my way, so I do whatever I can to get exactly what I want, which usually requires lots of twisting and contorting of words. See my post in the Political Arena on trying to get Sikh knife law exceptions extended to non-sikhs.

Is there any particular reason you need to do the internet? You can usually haggle or find better deals off of it, and if you're concerned about your identity, there should be ways to keep a low profile/not have them know who you are. The internet is pretty regulated, and so there is no real flexibility there, which is key to getting what you want. For instance, if you made friends with some Sikhs (and yes, I know that you may not want to, given all the Theo Van Gogh stuff, Fitna, etc.) you might be able to find what they do for cutlery. Going around the usual channels is the only way to thrive with all the laws and taxes you have.

Or, better yet, see if you can post some online ads in the personals/craigslist/whatever in major American cities asking for Americans traveling to the Netherlands, and try to get them to purchase a knife here and bring it to you. Might be risky and hard to coordinate, but getting the most bang for your buck by thinking outside the box is what ingenuity was made for. Offer something they'd want in exchange that is immaterial, (a tour, bars where the locals actually hang out, insider European knowledge) don't ask for anything pricey, and that might be the ticket. International friends can come in handy; if you make good friends you might be able to have them send stuff that "is yours, but they were fixing, etc." so it might scuttle importation things? Or, save up for one big vacation to America, and declare a few of the knives, while saying you brought some, or get another traveler to declare some for you to avoid undue taxes.

Not all my suggestions will work, but I'm throwing out a bunch in hopes that one will stick. If possible, fight the bureaucracy. That's what the rich do with their Swiss bank accounts, and though the EU wants the Swiss to stop, they won't. So try to take some hints from the rich people in Europe who actually get what they want, as opposed to having it already planned out for you, as that plan probably doesn't include knives.

Check out http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?s=xzvhbu406679&P_ID=2864
 
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JTR357 said:
The Boker Magnum series comes to mind for your uses & price range.Cool looking & functional.Made in Tiawan NOT China.You can find some for under $15US.Not sure what that is in your currency.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check those out to.
 
Zero_Time said:
Well, I now know you're no mall ninja. Sorry about that; automatic defense mechanism against Europeans with low post counts- after what they did (are doing) in England and Germany, and just Europe in general, I'm loath to give any possible ammunition to those who make headlines and harden your laws, and those who would pass more restrictive laws.

Just thinking out loud, but how DOES the tax system work? Taxes are the bureaucrat's weapon, and as such, there are multiple loopholes, ways to get around it, and generally make them put their head in their hands and cry. You now know my views on bureaucracy and government (just like a true American, right?), but the reason I ask is because if you got a knife kit, you can often scuttle taxes that would be levied on normal assembled items. I personally hate when regulations get in my way, so I do whatever I can to get exactly what I want, which usually requires lots of twisting and contorting of words. See my post in the Political Arena on trying to get Sikh knife law exceptions extended to non-sikhs.

Is there any particular reason you need to do the internet? You can usually haggle or find better deals off of it, and if you're concerned about your identity, there should be ways to keep a low profile/not have them know who you are. The internet is pretty regulated, and so there is no real flexibility there, which is key to getting what you want. For instance, if you made friends with some Sikhs (and yes, I know that you may not want to, given all the Theo Van Gogh stuff, Fitna, etc.) you might be able to find what they do for cutlery. Going around the usual channels is the only way to thrive with all the laws and taxes you have.

Or, better yet, see if you can post some online ads in the personals/craigslist/whatever in major American cities asking for Americans traveling to the Netherlands, and try to get them to purchase a knife here and bring it to you. Might be risky and hard to coordinate, but getting the most bang for your buck by thinking outside the box is what ingenuity was made for. Offer something they'd want in exchange that is immaterial, (a tour, bars where the locals actually hang out, insider European knowledge) don't ask for anything pricey, and that might be the ticket. International friends can come in handy; if you make good friends you might be able to have them send stuff that "is yours, but they were fixing, etc." so it might scuttle importation things? Or, save up for one big vacation to America, and declare a few of the knives, while saying you brought some, or get another traveler to declare some for you to avoid undue taxes.

Not all my suggestions will work, but I'm throwing out a bunch in hopes that one will stick. If possible, fight the bureaucracy. That's what the rich do with their Swiss bank accounts, and though the EU wants the Swiss to stop, they won't. So try to take some hints from the rich people in Europe who actually get what they want, as opposed to having it already planned out for you, as that plan probably doesn't include knives.

Check out http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?s=xzvhbu406679&P_ID=2864
Click to expand...

If I find myself collection more knives, I'll definatly check out more about importing knives from the US, and investigate some of your ideas. The price difference is just to big to ignore.
But for right now I can't be bothered, its to much work for 40 euro max.
I'm off to bed, thanks all for the input. :D
 
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