I found this forum last January and began to order some of the inexpensive knives that I read about here and found on some knife dealer sites. I have learned alot this year and have even offered some suggestions when I felt I had something useful to offer.
I have owned my share of SAKS and other slipjoint knives from Buck,Schrade,Case but had no experience with any other brands or types.
Primarily from reviews,comments and suggestions on this forum I bought:a Buck paklite skinner and a
Smidgen, Cold Steel Canadian Belt knife, Bushman and Folding Bushman.
I also purchased a Kabar Dozier folder,a new Mora (to replace a lost one), Condor Rodan, Rough Rider trapper, a Byrd Meadowlark and finally an Ontario Rat 1 folder.
I also let my 14 year old son order some knives and he got several Frost folders and a Mtech folder and Marble bolo machete. His most recent was a Kabar Warthog in his stocking last week.
As you can see, this is a wide selection but no knife over $30.
Based on my experience over the past year, trying all these knives in various applications I have the followiing observations:
None of the knives are junk(yes,even the Frost knives were at least worth the $3-4.00 I paid)
My favorite for just plain fun is the Cold Steel Bushman. It is certainly worth the $20 or so paid and does a lot of things pretty well.
I carried the Kabar Dozier folder for a long time as EDC but it has been replaced by the Byrd Meadowlark. Both are excellent knives at very low prices and both have done quite well, but the edge goes to the Byrd.
The biggest "disappointment" if I can use that term, would be the Condor Rodan. I have tried my best to like this knife and find a use for it, but it is just not going to happen. (I prefer my 12 inch Ontario machete for everything I would normally use the Rodan for).
The RAT 1 was a Xmas gift and I tried it yesterday afternoon and I have no complaints with the knife but it just does not excite me, although it is quite sturdy and came very sharp out of the box.
The other knifes have been what I expected and I have no complaints about any of them.
I think that this forum offers good advice and I want to thank everyone for all the suggestions and advice they have offered in response to my questions over the last year.
I don't know what knife will be next but I know I have not bought my last one.
Thanks again and best wishes for a happy new year.
I have owned my share of SAKS and other slipjoint knives from Buck,Schrade,Case but had no experience with any other brands or types.
Primarily from reviews,comments and suggestions on this forum I bought:a Buck paklite skinner and a
Smidgen, Cold Steel Canadian Belt knife, Bushman and Folding Bushman.
I also purchased a Kabar Dozier folder,a new Mora (to replace a lost one), Condor Rodan, Rough Rider trapper, a Byrd Meadowlark and finally an Ontario Rat 1 folder.
I also let my 14 year old son order some knives and he got several Frost folders and a Mtech folder and Marble bolo machete. His most recent was a Kabar Warthog in his stocking last week.
As you can see, this is a wide selection but no knife over $30.
Based on my experience over the past year, trying all these knives in various applications I have the followiing observations:
None of the knives are junk(yes,even the Frost knives were at least worth the $3-4.00 I paid)
My favorite for just plain fun is the Cold Steel Bushman. It is certainly worth the $20 or so paid and does a lot of things pretty well.
I carried the Kabar Dozier folder for a long time as EDC but it has been replaced by the Byrd Meadowlark. Both are excellent knives at very low prices and both have done quite well, but the edge goes to the Byrd.
The biggest "disappointment" if I can use that term, would be the Condor Rodan. I have tried my best to like this knife and find a use for it, but it is just not going to happen. (I prefer my 12 inch Ontario machete for everything I would normally use the Rodan for).
The RAT 1 was a Xmas gift and I tried it yesterday afternoon and I have no complaints with the knife but it just does not excite me, although it is quite sturdy and came very sharp out of the box.
The other knifes have been what I expected and I have no complaints about any of them.
I think that this forum offers good advice and I want to thank everyone for all the suggestions and advice they have offered in response to my questions over the last year.
I don't know what knife will be next but I know I have not bought my last one.
Thanks again and best wishes for a happy new year.
