Another "best knife for ..." question

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W.T. Beck

Joined
Jul 9, 2001
Messages
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I am in need of a good general utility fixed blade knife and cannot afford to spend over $50. I have done alot of reading on the subject and have concluded that the best knives available for under $50 are the Scandinavian knives with laminated blades.

Currently I am looking at the Helle Fjelkniv and Eggen models. I am leaning toward the Fjelkniv because it has a safety handle design. The blade size on the Eggen model is more appealing, but the handle has a smaller guard. I am not considering any of the more traditional Scandinavian knives due to the absence of guards on those.

Have I found the best that are out there, or have I overlooked some knives?
 
PLastic-handled Frosts of Sweden mora's. They have guards, and you can get 6 for $50.
 
I would also suggest that you look at the BK&T (Becker Knife & Tool) line from Camillus. In particular, the BK7 is an amazing amount of knife for just under $50.

--Bob Q
 
The BK&T 7 seems a bit large for a general utility knife. I had in mind a knife with a three to four inch blade.

Also, I have two BK&T knives and have cut myself with both of them, due to the slippery handles. Since then I have stayed away from BK&T.

I have seen the Frosts of Sweden knives and some similar Norweigian knives. They appear to represent great value for the price, but I would think the knives with laminated blades should be better.
 
Check Lee Valley Tools (wwww.leevalley.com). They carry Frost's of Sweden laminated blades and wood carving knives with the laminated blades. I have a couple of the wood carving knives, which have attractive hardwood handles (plain wood, not the ugly red painted wood) and have handled some of the larger blades for trapper friends, who think highly of them. The core is hardened to R62 and they hold a wonderful edge, although the softer/stronger sides scratch rather easily. The wood carving knives come with cheap (but effective) ugly black plastic sheaths. You can make a leather one of you don't like them. Lee Valley mail orders and you pay in the Canadian peso, so these are a real bargain.
 
Grecoknives was running a sale recently. You may want to look into that. He had a number of models at the $50.00 pricepoint IIRC.
Also Ontario's Spec Plus line offers some very decent working blades of powder coated 1095 most all at the sub $50.00 price point.

Of course, what you are currently looking at is possibly the best bang-for-the-buck straight working knives out there. It's hard to beat Frost's of Sweden's knives for the money. Or Brusletto or Helle for that matter. All very good stuff.

Good Luck with your search!
 
W.T. Beck:
I have a growing collection of Scandinavian blades - and really like them all. However, comparing Helle, Lauri, Frost (SWE), Mora, and Brusletto - - I'd say dollar for dollar Brusletto comes out on top for quality and edge holding ability.

Take a look at:
*Atlanta Cutlery, http://216.245.165.123/ (search on Brusletto)
*Ragweed Forge, http://www.ragweedforge.com/
and, http://www.ragweedforge.com/BladeCatalog.html#kits
*Brisa Finland, http://www.brisa.fi/start3.html
(I am in US and have ordered from Dennis in Finland and received quick reliable service)

You might consider building your own knife - it's not as difficult as you may think. For $30 in parts you can have a $70-90 knife.

My 9 yo daughter built a Brusletto knife from a $29 kit we purchased at Ragweed Forge. She uses the knife frequently for camping, fishing, and whittling. I always seem to be trying to sharpen my other knives to the edge quality of her Brusletto.

Good Luck.

TT2Toes
 
TT2Toes,

Thanks for the advice on the Busletto brand. I didn't know they were better than Helle.

My biggest concern about Scandinavian knives is the lack of guards on many of them. The Helle brand caught my eye because they offer a few models with guards.

Another two knives I would consider were the brand not so damned hard to get from internet dealers, are the Marbles Fieldcraft and Sport with the rubber safety handles. Dirt Cheap Knives advertises those two for $47.97 each. However, I am still waiting for a Marble's Ideal I ordered almost a month ago, and I don't want to deal with such unpredictable service again.
 
Personally I'd choose the marbles before those Swedish knives. Much better cutter and much longer lasting knives.
 
W.T. Beck:
True, the traditional nordic style knives (Puukko)lack guards, however with some looking you can find models with guards for most Scandinavian blade manufacturers. Brusletto has some that come with guards, e.g. Falken.

See:
http://216.245.165.123/cgi-bin/www1...03235c04274fd8f5a50205f3/Product/View/3&2D341

and,
http://www.brusletto.no/no/html/falken.htm
http://www.brusletto.no/no/html/bamsen.htm
http://www.brusletto.no/no/html/guttakniv.htm
http://www.brusletto.no/no/html/speider.htm
http://www.brusletto.no/no/html/bruslettokniven.htm

http://www.ragweedforge.com/falken.jpg
http://www.ragweedforge.com/bruskit2.jpg

Cheers,
TT2Toes
 
Hello Emanuel,

You might be right about the cutting ability and durability of the Marble's knives. But have you tried to order one from an internet dealer lately? The internet dealers have alot of trouble getting them, which means a long wait to get the knife you want at the best price.


TT2Toes,

I like the Brusletto Falken, but the price at Ragweed Forge exceeds my $50 limit. The two Helle models I have been considering are $46 and $40.


misque,

I am actually trying to replace a Greco Companion I bought for general utility. It is an older model and just too thick and heavy for my tastes. As for the Ontario knives, those are all large military style knives, I believe. I am interested in something smaller for general utility.
 
Mr. Beck,
Good point. No I haven't tried getting one lately, I can imagine that must be very frustrating for you, especially since you've got one on order.. But it might be worth the wait and extra money for a FAR superior knife, AND it's American made.

Also, perhaps have a look at Western cutlery--Camillus owned since 91'. I've got a bowie from 87' that has been great. Very well made, strong and a great cutter.
http://www.camillusknives.com/western.htm
Good luck.
 
Hard to find an exact fit with the wallet.

Try this link to Atlanta Cutlery, it is a Brusletto Utility Fixed Blade, 7.5" OA, 3.25" lam. blade, w/ leather sheath, $29.95

http://216.245.165.123/cgi-bin/www1...00769c70274ed8f5a50206b9/Product/View/3&2D341

Not as sexy as the Falken handle, but equipped with the same wicked sharp laminated steel.

Else, you might re-consider the Brusletto kit #2 at Ragweed Forge, $35 - - same knife as the Falken, but you put the parts together.
 
What about a Schrade Sharpfinger?...about 20 bucks at Wal-Mart. Probably not the "coolest" knife around, but a real quality working knife.
 
W.T. I second the Schrade. Also consider streching the
availble dollars by shopping on E-bay. Also check the
Brigade Quartemasters site for specials.

Suggest that you not focus on one brand/ type of knife to buy.
That limits your choices to much. If price is first, then price
should rule. I've managed to buy a lot of really good cutlery
that way. :D :D
 
Thanks for all of the advice, everyone. I have taken TT2Toe's advice and ordered the $29.95 Brusletto knife from Atlanta Cutlery. I guess one reason to pick that one over others is that I do not currently own any laminated blade knives, so it will be nice to have that type represented in my collection.

I am kind of curious about that knife and the price at Atlanta Cutlery. It looks alot like the Brusletto Falken advertised for $60 on the Ragweed Forge site. Atlanta Cutlery isn't known for good prices on knives (or for selling good knives, for that matter), so it is suprising to see the price difference.

The price difference between the Brusletto from AC and the Helle knives from Ragweed Forge really isn't that much, since AC has higher shipping charges, and I also have to pay Georgia sales tax.

Actually I live in the same Atlanta metro area as are located the Atlanta Cutlery and Brigade Quartermaster stores, and have visited both. Still, both are on opposite sides of town from my home, and far out in the suburbs, so either would require an one hour's drive to reach.
 
WT Beck, please email me. I tried to email you, but the email option was disabled in your profile. Thanks.
 
W.T. Beck:

Hope you didn't get the models mixed up. The $29.95 Brusletto Utility Knife has a strait metal knife guard, whereas the Falken ($60) has a cast aluminum guard.

Be sure to let us know how the knife performs after you put it through the paces.

The laminated blades have been around for over a 100 years, and I think among the Scandinavian countries the Norwegians have perfected the art. When Talonite first appeared in knife blades, its edge-holding capabilities were compared to the high standard set by nordic laminates. You will find that the flat ground bevel and hard steel laminate make a superb slicing/whittling blade.

Watch out fingers!

TT2Toes
 
Hello TT2Toes,

I took a second look and did notice the difference in the handles and guard. I guess the extra $30 for the Falken is for the fancier grip and guard. I would just as soon have something plainer but just as functional - especially if it costs half as much.
 
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