Best bang for the buck traditional folder

Case sway back jack in chestnut bone and CV.

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Ed J
 
I'd have to go with a Buck.
Maybe a 110, 112, 500 series, 300 series. I can go in almost any Wally world and for $37 come away with a 110 that is timeless, maybe a little big, but timeless.
I know some people have had bad luck with Bucks, but out of all of my knives they are the only ones for me that the fit and finish have been consistent.
Some brands, buying sight unseen and new on the internet, you don't know what the F&F will be, but so far for me I've been lucky enough with Bucks that a Buck is the only brand I'll buy site unseen anymore. Other brands, I've had to go through a half a dozen at the store to find one with perfect f&f. This is with knives in the $75 and under price range, I don't have experience with knives costing more than this where I'm sure F&F isn't an issue.
 
Jec88, if fit and finish are the issue, then my beloved Opinels are a fail. Most are really rough out of the gate.

Performance is tricky. Performance for what? I work with wood a lot. More than ever it seems. I don't care how nice the fit and finish of a knife is, if it has a hollow grind, it's not going to keep up with my Opinel when it comes to working wood. But then, I've not found a better knife for wood than the Opinel too.

Again, maybe the OP can clarify what he's looking for.
 
Ill throw a vote out for GEC, They are sweet beyond compare. I have an 85 Northfield that after 9 months of ownership I still stop and just stare at it and how well it is put together. I own a few case knives an old hen and rooster among others and the 85 supplanted them all.

A BIG +1 for Great Eastern Cutlery.
 
Feel I agree with all the choices so far, but want to add my own:

Queen Cutlery Teardrop, wonderful grippy bone handles, linerlock as well as the conventional backspring and a thin D2 blade which can get very sharp indeed and remains like that! It's a beautiful pattern too and under 100 USD.

Thanks, Will
 
zippofan said:
GEC, Tidioute, Northfield, Schatt & Morgan, Queen, Canal Street, Case/Bose collaborations, there are many in your price range with comparable quality to those moderns.

They compare favorably with my Sebenza, Mnandi, William Henry, higher end Spyderco's and Benchmades with no problem. As for patterns, they're nearly limitless!
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Add in Buck, but I agree with everything Griff said. That's a big range price-wise. The best thing I would advise:

1. How many blades?
2. About how big or small are you interested in?
3. Pocket clip or no clip?
4. Stainless or carbon steel blade(s)?
5. Synthetic or natural cover materials?

Take a look through the "what knife are you carrying today" threading this sub forum. Find 10 or so knives that strike your fancy and we will be better equipped to give you a recommendation.

And, go buy a $10 Opinel. I recommend a 6 or an 8. You will be amazed coming from modern to an Opi how easy they slice. And, if you hate it, you're only out $10.




Kidding about #3. :D. No pocket clips here.
 
I agree that the concept of "best" is quite wide, and it would be good to know more about your question.
Indeed, the world of traditional slipjoints offers more variety compared to modern folders, and we all use our knives in a different way, and have different priorities and wishes. As a sidenote, I guess many people do not consider a Para 2 or BM 710 the best bang for the buck for modern folders either...so it's all quite personal.
Yet, considering your price range, there are some knives that would deserve a chance anyway.
Among these, an Opinel, an Alox SAK Cadet, and a Buck 301 or 303.

Fausto
:cool:
 
IMO, "best bang for the buck" can mean one of two things:

A) the cheapest knife that has quality good enough to use regularly (I'd vote for Rough Rider, around $12), or
B) the best knife that doesn't cost as much as it should (here I would vote for Queen's ACSB line in D2, around $55).

With either of these choices, you get way more knife than you paid for, and there are tons of patterns in either choice to satisfy.
Will's vote for the Queen #06L is a VERY solid choice, I love the pattern as well.

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I think a SAK is a great budget choice if you just want a cheap and functional knife, pretty tough to beat.

If you want to spend a little more and get something a little nicer I was really impressed with my GEC #15 single spear blade boys knife. $65 for a great ebony handled knife with a super useful carbon steel blade. Also I think the Case swayback jack would be a good option too.
 
Buck 500 Duke $33.00-$35.00 Bucks depends on where you pick one up, comes with a leather sheath, Best Damn Folder for the price range I have ever held and I have held some of all the major brands at one time or another. Super Sharp, cuts great, looks great and feels great.
 
I personally prefer a flat ground to the Buck's ground for a whittler.

Because of that I would say go case Stainless steel or even Rough rider does a great job at whittling and they have some nice bone.. Medium stockmans around 3 3/4" feel great in hand. The sowbelly stockmans are nice and about $15. They are not perfect or super fancy but they really do the trick. I prefer Case though, my medium stockman is great!

mnblade said:
Okay, sorry. The Buck 300 knives can take anything you want to throw at 'em.

-- Mark
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I'll have to second the second. Before I had one in hand, I thought that the lock tab would be uncomfortable. Not so. It makes for a better hold on the knife ( most noticeable when making a forceful cut), as the heel of the palm applies opposing pressure to the swelled end of the knife. The D2 is virtually stainless and a great transitional choice for someone coming from more modern designed cutting tools ( the solid lockup doesn't hurt, either, in that regard). The slabs are grippy and pleasing to the eye. Definitely a best buy, considering the price I paid for mine.
 
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I think the Case Chestnut bone CV series offers plenty of bang for the buck.
I've had the Swayback for a while, and got the Peanut just last week.
Got both of them at a really great price, and the F&F is nop notch on both.
 
For 200 bucks? I'd scoop up a Buck 110, an alox Victorinox, and a good looking bone handle GEC of your preference. Good luck in your decision :thumbup:
 
To answer it in simple terms - GEC- Especially the TC Barlows SFO'd by Charlie.
The TC Barlows are close to custom quality quite literally for a generalised $100.
Lots of models to choose from and lots more upcoming.
Simply awesome knives.
 
Campbellclanman said:
To answer it in simple terms - GEC- Especially the TC Barlows SFO'd by Charlie.
The TC Barlows are close to custom quality quite literally for a generalised $100.
Lots of models to choose from and lots more upcoming.
Simply awesome knives.
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I will wholeheartedly second this! I was gifted one of these knives and it has quite literally fixed my need for any other knife. I looked at GEC's website today, I keep looking at the pony jacks, because I love equal end jacks, but then my hand goes to my pocket for my Tom's Choice clip point barlow and I know I can't buy one. Can't really afford one anyway, but even if I could I don't if I could stand to buy one. I opened the tube on my charlow and I knew it was "the knife" for me. The F&F is superb. Just a wonderful knife. I've not carried another knife since I got it back the beginning of September. On our wedding anniversary, I did carry the No. 6 Opinel that Carl (jacknife) gifted me during a really hard time in my life. But I still had my Charlow too. Like I said, I wish I could try a different knife, but I quite literally gave away all my knives except for gifts I've received. I have no need.

If this sounds rambling and goofy, I'm sorry. I'm up late for some reason and stuff is seeming a bit loopy right now.
 
Hard to beat a Buck 301 for a good heavy duty pocketknife, or a Case 6318 for an easy riding/useful pocketknife - both can be had for less than $50.00 and both companies enjoy good reputations in the service departments. OH

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