Are generic gas station Chinese slip folders “working man” knives?

I spend a bit of time in NYC .Very possible indeed. Actually the nicer the knife the greater chance of getting it taken away.
 
cbrstar said:
"It's for those who know" Which to me means someone has the education and understanding to understand the difference.
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I kinda disagree.

The more I learned about high end watches the less expensive my watches became... to a point. The person who pays for a Rolex sub is not getting a measureably superior timepiece. That person is paying more because they place more value in the name, fit, and finishing. What they consider to be a higher end movement. Details that are extraordinary. But they are not getting an objectively superior watch. A Citizen ecozilla outperforms it in every measurable way for a fraction of the cost.

I believe the same is true with knives. I think most tradesmen intuitively understand that and I think that's one of the reasons these gas station knives have a place.
 
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Knives are tools, and many urbanites don’t use or own their own tools anymore in our service-based economy. Why should knives from a convenience store be any different in quality than the cheap screwdriver next to it?

IMO several posters got it right when they said people buy cheap knives for a one-time or temporary use. I think of Opinels that way on vacation in Europe.

Service people buy what they can afford and works. Food processors and cooks are no different. For the most part they’re not buying Wuestofs and pricey Japanese steel. They’re buying Dexter, Forschener and Victorinox.
 
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Honestly, I think the price of "good" knives has gotten a bit crazy for the average "working man". Knives are being priced like fancy pens and collected for similar reasons.
It's a simple tool and folks outside the knife community mostly are unwilling to pay the premium that Spyderco, Benchmade, GEC and even Case ask for a pocket knife that doesn't function much differently than the folding box cutter that they already have.

I think that the allure of a $10-15 knife that looks "cool" is more likely to snag an average person than a high end steel, bronze washers or mammoth tooth on a $200 knife will.
 
Steve6387 said:
I kinda disagree.

The more I learned about high end watches the less expensive my watches became... to a point. The person who pays for a Rolex sub is not getting a measureably superior timepiece. That person is paying more because they place more value in the name, fit, and finishing. What they consider to be a higher end movement. Details that are extraordinary. But they are not getting an objectively superior watch. A Citizen ecozilla outperforms it in every measurable way for a fraction of the cost.

I believe the same is true with knives. I think most tradesmen intuitively understand that and I think that's one of the reasons these gas station knives have a place.
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I have three watches. One is a very basic plastic strap Casio, never misses a second. I only ever use it for overnight outdoors trips. The other is a 1968 Omega Seamaster, self winding. Never misses a second. Finally I have a Tag Indy 500, a 40th present from my wife, never misses a second. Is the Casio of equal quality to the other two? Ahahahahahahahahahahaha.

Yeah, whatever.

Back on topic. This thread asks a really excellent question, deceptively so. There have been some very good, considered answers, which I have enjoyed reading very much. Both sides of my family going back a generation were blue collar working class. Are cheap gas station knives working men’s knives? Yes, yes they are, regardless of the country of origin. A lot of my friends are tradesmen and they don’t ponce about when it comes to cutting tools. It is Stanley knives all the way, possibly a SAK but more because they like them, and they are inexpensive. Their other tools tend to be a more considered purchase. My tool box is pretty cheap by comparison, because it is just for the little DIY jobs I do. Of course, among the genuine working men on this forum, meaning work involving hard physical graft, we have the tiny minority who are into knives. It is great to see write ups and photos of guys out on site wielding a CRK or Rockstead - I’m looking at you @Blues Bender ;) But hey, they are a very notable exception.
 
I understand the concept of buying tools that are justified by the work that they are expected to do. Tradesman generally buy pretty good tools. I suspect knives may be the exception other than "good utility knives" with good blades. But a utility knife blade is like an inch long. That isn't long enough for many tasks that I do other than things like cutting boxes or carpet.
 
I been straight shaving for about 7 years. When I started I bought several new blades and then some vintages. Many people said to stay away from Chinese straight razors so I did. Until I met some folks who used them. I bought several of them. They shave as well as my $200 razors. The fit and finish isn't as good but for $4 as compared to $200? So to me it was a learning experience. And that is why I won't spend a few grand to find out that I can cut boxes open mail, cut some rope etc with a $20 knife as well as a $200 one. Just like I can shave as well with a $4 as a $200 one. I've tested the edges of these "cheap Chinese razors" by shaving then close to 100 times which is in line with my other more expensive razors. I heard "experts" telling me that it isnt possible. But i do have to believe my own eyes. I would rather the money stay in my pocket. I don't think I'm missing anything. Having said that I will say that you should spend your hard earned money on whatever you feel its worth it on. And I will do the same.
 
Bill3152 said:
And that is why I won't spend a few grand to find out that I can cut boxes open mail, cut some rope etc with a $20 knife as well as a $200 one.
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My friend bought a $25 knife.
It cut okay (although needed to be sharpened quite often), until it literally feel apart.
As in the screws stripped, came out, and it fell apart.

So I gave him a $45 knife, and it is still going strong. :)

He is a guy who uses his knives for work, actual work.
I have had to put a new tip on the knife I gave him, and the edge needed to be reworked a whole bunch.

Quality tools cost a certain amount.
You don't need to spend $500, but in general a $20 knife will be way worse than a $50 knife.

(I actually gave him a $150 knife before the $45 one, but he lost it; the $45 one was the last of what I had that I could part with without being really inconvenienced)
 
IMO, there are 2 dirty rotten secrets about knives. First, most designs have been tried so those designs that work and those that don't are pretty well known for companies who pay attention. This last bit matters, of course. Not all companies pay attention to design, particularly at the low end, but some do.

Second, fine grained stainless steels like 440A, 420HC and 12C27 can be mass produced at cheapp prices while giving reasonably good RC values and decent performance.

IME, the $25 price range is hit or miss. There is some real junk out there to be sure.

But there are also some knives out there that have proven designs and decently heat treated steel. The Mora Companion and Opinels are examples. Many others.
 
I live in the People's Republic of Massachusetts and I've only seen folding knives in a glass case with the pipes and Zippo knockoffs in one gas station in Lowell.
They were similar to the Z Hunter that Nick Shabazz made famous. I see a few cheap knives at Auto parts stores, mostly Snap-On and Smith & Wesson.

Those are the kinds of knives that folks buy in general. Too bad they don't all buy an Opinel.
 
pinnah said:
....But there are also some knives out there that have proven designs and decently heat treated steel. The Mora Companion and Opinels are examples. Many others.
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Before joining BF, I had never heard of Opinels and Mora's. I doubt that I am very different than most folks.
 
22RF, I suspect you are right.

That said, you can walk into most big box stores and find some Kershaws, CRKTs and Bucks in this price range that are in this same basic class. You can often find SAKs in this price range (even if they aren't my pick).

BTW, every REI I've been in for the past few years is stocking the Opinel 8 and 10 Inox
 
Opinels are great and price as well. I would love if they made a g10 or other handle. The wood handle is made well I know.
 
I seldom go to REI any more. Everything is full retail for the most part. If I am looking for specialty stuff, yeah, I go to REI. A REI store opened in my area this year. I was there for the grand opening. But have only been back once since then.
 
22-rimfire said:
That is where I'm at too in the cost equation. I like a better knife and have little interest in the jar full of knives at some store. But I understand why people buy sub-$50 knives even when they can afford much better.....
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I have had inexpensive and expensive and every category of knife in between. The funny thing is that the more I delved into the hobby and the better my comfort in buying more expensive knives; the more I have come to appreciate inexpensive knives. Once you learn to sharpen and maintain your knives it matters much less what kind of steel is used or how good the original edge is from the factory. Much of the rest of the marketing hype goes the same way. Fast one handed opening and closing is a lot of fun and knives have to be well engineered and constructed to do this well. But, then you realize that you have little practical need for a one handed knife; that most things in life can be handled just as well with a slower knife. Likewise, while a lot can be said for a strong knife, over time you learn to perform the task without overly straining your knives.

An expensive knife is usually a thing of beauty. The action, the finish and the ergonomics are worth the extra cost. But, sometimes it is also nice to have a simple knife in your pocket. The kind of knife that can ride in a pocket full of change without stressing you out over scratches or the loss of finish; the kind of knife that you can lend to a co-worker or friend without much concern. In short a simple comfortable knife that can handle doing everything you need to do, without a lot of fuss or concern.

n2s
 
The only reason I am interested in one-hand opening knives is for the novelty. I have no real need for such. The need actually decreases with time. I do like the manual one-hand opening knives, but I never open them one-handed.

The least expensive knife that has impressed me is the Kabar Dozier hunter folder. It is a pretty nice knife for the price. But I have so many, that it makes no sense other than as a hobbyist interest to even go there. I have given them as gifts to young folks who I thought needed a knife and would eventually appreciate it.
 
item--Case-Peanut-2-Pocket-Worn-Old-Red--23129
I wanted a really small simple knife under $50 also made in USA, i found the Case Peanut with Tru-sharp blade material.
I feel this is the best choice for a less expensive knife for my needs.
item--Case-Peanut-2-Pocket-Worn-Old-Red--23129


Note: So much for getting a URL picture.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Case-Peanut-2-Pocket-Worn-Old-Red--23129
 
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Insipid Moniker said:
I don't know about that. Opinel sells about 15 million knives per year. I don't think they're all going to enthusiasts.
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I generally don't care for Opinels. My knife purchases were limited to the occasional purchase at Home Center, sporting goods stores, and gun shows. My first Blade show was in 1991 and I attended many gun and knife shows. I was getting fairly interested at that point, but my interest was mostly customs/handmade and what I considered higher end fixed blades. So, I wouldn't even have looked at an Opinel and probably not recognized it for what it is back then. My knife universe was still pretty limited. I carried a slipjoint and had little interest in many of the modern knives unless they were very slim in the pocket.

Added: My first modern folder was a large Gerber Gator folder. I used it as a hunting knife along with a Schrade 250T. My slip joints still did the majority of the cutting.
 
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22-rimfire said:
I generally don't care for Opinels.
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You're not alone and they aren't for everybody but that's true for a lot of knives like, say, a Buck 110 or SAK. IMO, most "things" exist inside of cultural lore that's almost invisible and that makes up what we call common sense. Many knives are simply outside of the bubble of cultural common sense in America. The weird grind on a Mora. The strange operation of an Opinel. I would contend that large slipjoints like a large Sodbuster have drifted out of the American consciousness as most younger guys would consider them unsafe due to their lack of lock.

Getting back to my original point, here is a recent Nutnfancy review of a $15 knife he likes. His videos generally drive me bonkers but the knife is an example of what I was getting at. Knife designs become universally available after patents run out and fine blankable stainless with decent heat treat can be mass produced for low costs. The result is $15 that don't suck.


$20 at Walmart will get you something workable so along as you pick wisely.

Flipping this the other way around, just because a knife costs more than $100 doesn't mean it has a good design.
 
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