Bargain knives..

[Olson24]

Hey guys
Recently started a knife collection (addiction) when I inherited a few old knives from my grandpa who passed (camillus 23 and a few old buck folders) I have purchased so far a benchmade barrage a few kershaws and ALOT of tac force brand which are very cheap with the 440 steel but for the price seem worthy of a few George Washingtons.. I have been experimenting with brands to see which one I like the most and recently purchased an ontario rat 1 because of the rave reviews on it and a spyderco cara cara2 does anyone have any opinions on why spyderco cara cara2 seems cheaper than all the others outside of the Byrd line?(20$ On ebay ) like is it cheaper steel or manufactured elsewhere than others? Any info would help seeing as it was an impulse buy meaning I just wanted my first spyderco

 

[benchwarmer380]

does anyone have any opinions on why spyderco cara cara2 seems cheaper than all the others outside of the Byrd line?(20$ On ebay ) like is it cheaper steel or manufactured elsewhere than others? Any info would help seeing as it was an impulse buy meaning I just wanted my first spyderco

The Cara Cara is part of the Byrd brand.
The Tenacious line is Spyderco's true budget line. Both lines are made in China with 8Cr13Mov steel. Both also use g10 (Bryd also has FRN and SS options). Byrds are lock backs and the Spydercos are liner locks.

I've never held a Byrd and have only handled the Tenacious line. From my experience with Spydercos in general, they put out quality at every price point.

Welcome to the insanity!

Edit again to add that the Rat 1 was an excellent choice!

 

[Olson24]

The Cara Cara is part of the Byrd brand.
The Tenacious line is Spyderco's true budget line. Both lines are made in China with 8Cr13Mov steel. Both also use g10 (Bryd also has FRN and SS options). Byrds are lock backs and the Spydercos are liner locks.

I've never held a Byrd and have only handled the Tenacious line. From my experience with Spydercos in general, they put out quality at every price point.

Welcome to the insanity!

Edit again to add that the Rat 1 was an excellent choice!

Thanks for that info but where are the original spydercos made?

I just got the rat 1 today and already love it so smooth opening almost like a spring assisted. Feels like one hell of a knife can't wait to put it to use!
(Or store it away and buy another in a different color?) lol

 

[benchwarmer380]

Put the Rat to use! Then get the second!

Spyderco originated in Golden, Colorado. They are still there and have expended with factories in China, Japan, and Taichung, Taiwan.

 

[cchu518]

The frn in the Byrd is cheape than the Tenacious's G10. That said I got rid of my Tenacious. The Cara Cara is awesome. I like the thinner blade shape as compared to the giant leaf blade of the Tenacious. My combo edge Cara Cara 2 when cutting fibrous material out cut my Spyderco Domino with a freshly sharpened and stropped edge Carpenter steel and all! Great knife belies it's price point!

HK branded Benchmades in D2 and 440C are good deals! 8CR is not so bad. Not the greatest stuff but it wouldn't stop me from owning some. And like in the above illustration sometimes its the blade geometry and what you are cutting that matters more than the knife steel.

 

[nick21]

Spyderco Cat (made in Taichung, Taiwan which is a step up from China imo) makes for a great first Spydie as well. A lot smaller than the Tenacious though.

 

[CryoGuy5272]

I have never had any of the budget spydercos. But at the $30-40 that they run you could wait for just a little more say $60-80 and get some awesome Seki City or Golden Spydies. My Manix 2 LW was only $70 I think and it is absolutely the most comfortable and best cutting knife in my collection. I have better steel, but it knocks them out of my pocket

 

[Sonnydaze]

I have never had any of the budget spydercos. But at the $30-40 that they run you could wait for just a little more say $60-80 and get some awesome Seki City or Golden Spydies. My Manix 2 LW was only $70 I think and it is absolutely the most comfortable and best cutting knife in my collection. I have better steel, but it knocks them out of my pocket

You might try a Spyderco Sage 1 or Caly 3....these cost a little more, close to $100, but will introduce you to a whole new universe of folders...

 

[Sonnydaze]

I have never had any of the budget spydercos. But at the $30-40 that they run you could wait for just a little more say $60-80 and get some awesome Seki City or Golden Spydies. My Manix 2 LW was only $70 I think and it is absolutely the most comfortable and best cutting knife in my collection. I have better steel, but it knocks them out of my pocket

You might try a Spyderco Sage 1 or Caly 3....these cost a little more, close to $100, but will introduce you to a whole new universe of folders...
Keep in mind that you can find the same knives. AS NEW in box, for a large discount compared to the web knife-shops, when you search through the Exchange for a few days.

 

[CryoGuy5272]

You might try a Spyderco Sage 1 or Caly 3....these cost a little more, close to $100, but will introduce you to a whole new universe of folders...
Keep in mind that you can find the same knives. AS NEW in box, for a large discount compared to the web knife-shops, when you search through the Exchange for a few days.

Very true. Two of my newest acquisitions were purchased from the Exchange for a substantial markdown from regular retail. Another good place to look, if these are to be users, is Kershawguy.com he is a member here and has white an array of Kershaw factory blems for excellent prices. Its a excellent way to get into some of Kershaw and Zt's knives for a percentage of the regular cost. If your not aware of blems, don't let the term turn you away. Usually they are cosmetic flaws and not functional. And I believe he even does refunds if you are displeased in any way, don't quote me on that but iirc that is his policy.

 

[cchu518]

The Caly 3 is very comfortable to edc. The sage 2 is very high quality. While not a sebenza they share similar qualities. I sold my safe 2 and 1. The one was better in hand than the two for me and I didn't like the three at all. The Caly is a great knife a budget version is the UK pen knife in bed steel. One of my favorite edc's in the Spyderco line. It made me realize as much as I love spydercos I don't like the ones with the Giant leaf blade.