4 lower cost knives, but which one?

phaserrifle said:
I spent a good time drooling over this one to (a proper spyderco in my price range!:eek:) but it's blade isn't quite long enough for what I want :grumpy:
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The Tenacious is the same thing with a slightly longer blade and it's only a couple bucks more expensive.
 
Having just recently acquired a RAT-1, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It is a very robust knife that is put together extrememly well. I'd also buy the SAK just to have it, I love SAKs. Even though I wholehearted support Keshaw with much of my knife buying money, I hate the Vapour. And the CRKT is Meh as well.
 
phaserrifle said:
unfortuneately I've considered all of these. all of them apart from the byrd knives end up more than my price bracket.
the only reason I wasn't so keen on byrd was the cara cara, which seems to be the right size choice ect, has a lockback, which I'm not so sure of in a one handed opening knife.
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There are three easy ways to one handed close a lockback like the Byrds.

1. Depress the lock with your thumb and guide the blade closed using your index finger in the opening hole. Very fluid and easy with practice, I do this with my Spydercos.

2. Keep the index finger in the finger choil, depress the lock with thumb and give the knife a slight downward jerk, causing the blade to fall. The kick, or unsharpened part of the blade hits the index finger, then use the thumb or index finger to complete the closing motion.

3. Depress the lock and close the blade by pushing the spine of the blade against your pants leg. Good if your hand isn't dexterous enough for 1 and you don't trust yourself to try 2, just don't stab yourself ;)

Lockbacks like Spyderco does them are very, very easy to open and close one handed if you experiment a little. Don't let the lock keep you from buying a solid knife, if the design appeals to you.
 
phaserrifle said:
unfortuneately I've considered all of these. all of them apart from the byrd knives end up more than my price bracket.
the only reason I wasn't so keen on byrd was the cara cara, which seems to be the right size choice ect, has a lockback, which I'm not so sure of in a one handed opening knife.
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I don't think you would find the lockback design a problem. I've found that it is easy to close one handed. Plus, in my experience, one handed opening is very handy and frequently necessary...not so with closing.

I think you would find the Cara Cara a very good value and a very functional knife.

You said the 2.75 inch blade isn't long enough. What are your intended uses?
Bushcraft? Skinning? Filleting? If so, you might want to consider getting the SAK Huntsman or a Leatherman Multitool for small tasks/repairs AND a longer FIXED Blade for other tasks. I'm sure you could get an inexpensive Mora fixed blade that would work very well. Another option, would be to get a larger Opinel ( I forget the number. #12 perhaps?) which are very good values.
 
DoctaD said:
I don't think you would find the lockback design a problem. I've found that it is easy to close one handed. Plus, in my experience, one handed opening is very handy and frequently necessary...not so with closing.

I think you would find the Cara Cara a very good value and a very functional knife.

You said the 2.75 inch blade isn't long enough. What are your intended uses?
Bushcraft? Skinning? Filleting? If so, you might want to consider getting the SAK Huntsman or a Leatherman Multitool for small tasks/repairs AND a longer FIXED Blade for other tasks. I'm sure you could get an inexpensive Mora fixed blade that would work very well. Another option, would be to get a larger Opinel ( I forget the number. #12 perhaps?) which are very good values.
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I've had lockback knives before, and while I can use them, I tend to find myself prefering liner type locks. no idea why.

I want a 3 inch blade (or more) basically because I'm allready getting a smaller, non-locking knife spesifically for whittling. so if I needed a smaller blade I could use that.
I have leatherman and fixed blade available, but the leatherman is a bit of a brick so I prefer to keep it in my bag, and campsite rules may preclude me from carrying my mora.
the opinels are nice, but have no way to attach a lanyard, and no pocket clip.
 
phaserrifle said:
I've had lockback knives before, and while I can use them, I tend to find myself prefering liner type locks. no idea why.

I want a 3 inch blade (or more) basically because I'm allready getting a smaller, non-locking knife spesifically for whittling. so if I needed a smaller blade I could use that.
I have leatherman and fixed blade available, but the leatherman is a bit of a brick so I prefer to keep it in my bag, and campsite rules may preclude me from carrying my mora.
the opinels are nice, but have no way to attach a lanyard, and no pocket clip.
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Based on that I would say that you should buy the RAT-1.
It can take a VERY sharp edge, has solid construction, opening is a pleasure, full flat grind makes it fantastic as a slicer, very nice blade shape, four way pocket clip and dual thumb studs for either L or R handed use and the price is a bargain for how good a knife this is.
 
After getting a Cold Steel American Lawman yesterday I can honestly say this knife is one of the best bargains out there. Solid lockup, great handle ergos, relatively lightweight for its size, 3.5" blade perfect for EDC, can be had for <$65 w/shipping if you look around. I got mine for $63 shipped and that's a helluva deal for this knife. I ran her thru some paces last night and she's still tight and ready for more. Take a look around for reviews.
 
Splat said:
After getting a Cold Steel American Lawman yesterday I can honestly say this knife is one of the best bargains out there. Solid lockup, great handle ergos, relatively lightweight for its size, 3.5" blade perfect for EDC, can be had for <$65 w/shipping if you look around. I got mine for $63 shipped and that's a helluva deal for this knife. I ran her thru some paces last night and she's still tight and ready for more. Take a look around for reviews.
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just had a look, and the cold steel lawman has a pricetag of about £85 over here :eek:
to put that into a bit of context: with the same amount of cash, I could get myself a pair of Spyderco Tenacious, and still have change to buy a couple of beers (ignoring the fact I'm currently not yet old enough to drink)
 
phaserrifle said:
... I'm allready getting a smaller, non-locking knife spesifically for whittling. so if I needed a smaller blade I could use that.
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Hmmmm....I've always liked locking blades or small fixed blade carvers for whittling, because about the only time I ever had a blade bite me was while whittling (foolishly pushing the point into the work).

So, do I understand that you are going camping and will carry a Leatherman in your bag, a small non-locking whittler, and are looking for a larger (>3 inch) locking folder for other tasks? If it were me, I'd leave the non-locking whittler at home, carry the Leatherman for whittling and other tasks, thus saving your self from carrying an extra item (extra weight and subject to getting lost or stolen). I've found Multi-tools extremely useful while camping, and in fact, have camped with only a leatherman (Wave). Even cleaned and filleted trout with it. Would have prefered a Skeletool for weight savings, but they weren't available.
 
Dang it, I gotta stop reading these threads! :mad:

I'd decided I had no interest in the RAT-1, but after all the positive comments here and elsewhere I'm going to have to reconsider it.

Of course I had written off the Tenacious too, but finally got one and really like it.
 
DoctaD said:

Hmmmm....I've always liked locking blades or small fixed blade carvers for whittling, because about the only time I ever had a blade bite me was while whittling (foolishly pushing the point into the work).

So, do I understand that you are going camping and will carry a Leatherman in your bag, a small non-locking whittler, and are looking for a larger (>3 inch) locking folder for other tasks? If it were me, I'd leave the non-locking whittler at home, carry the Leatherman for whittling and other tasks, thus saving your self from carrying an extra item (extra weight and subject to getting lost or stolen). I've found Multi-tools extremely useful while camping, and in fact, have camped with only a leatherman (Wave). Even cleaned and filleted trout with it. Would have prefered a Skeletool for weight savings, but they weren't available.
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I use a non-locking folder mainly because they are the only ones which provide the smaller blades, without using multiple knives
whittling with a leatherman is something which I find a truly unpleasnt experiance, due to the large, blocky grip on them, which doesn't lend itself to fine control, or comfort.
and my full knife complement on a camp can read more like this:
leatherman in bag, whittler, locking folder, fixed blade (mora) and my "beater bar" for wood splitting
weight often isn't an issue, as I'm staying in one fixed place. it allows me to have gear that is more specialised, but also that allows me to mix and match depending on what needs doing. If I've got the folder, it's an option I have open to me.
 
While not disparaging any of the other knives mentioned, the RAT-1 is a tremendous value at about $25 US and well suited to the stated needs.

btw, wood is sometimes drilled and tapped just as metal is, but it's not really applicable to knives because you need large diameters and coarse threads. Makes a really strong joint, though.

Be really simple to drill an Opinel for a lanyard or to install an eyelet. Would not be much harder to install a clip.
 
Flotsam, I concur with your thoughts about the Vex. I use both Vex models(tanto and plain) and for Red Box material they're hard to beat. They do, however have a decidedly tactical look to them, with the tanto model looking a little vicious. But otherwise, solid folders for the money.
 
READREADREADREAD!READ... I have the Crkt its great on mine the clip loosened but I tightened it up nice and easy and it hasent loosen (no big deal its just the clip) its great get it!
 
From your list, RAT-1, However I would also recommend a Spyderco Tenacious or Persistence. Also the Buck Vantage series.
 
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