Best Budget Blades

Fixed Blade(all $35 or less): Take your pick of Moras, Ontario SP1, Ontario Air Force Survival Knife, Condor Kumunga

Folder(all under $30):Take your pick from Kershaw's budget line(I like the OSO Sweet, myself), Ontario Utilitac 2

Machete(all under $20):Imacasa or Tram OWN this category. No idea why anyone would take Ontario's over these guys, unless you're just really fanatic about made in the US.

Hatchet/Axe(all under $40):Estwing Sportsman's Axe, Camper's Axe, Rigger's Axe, or Splitting Axe, depending on what you need.
 
I'm a folder or auto guy only so,...

Kershaw Link
Cold Steel Lawman

Better quality budgets.
 
WadeWilson said:
For $47.99 I will spend that on a Spyderco or Kershaw 100% of the time. No thank you.
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+1. There are way too many great blades out there in the $50 range. I've had a S&W folder in the past before I got serious about knives and it was not a good knife. That's putting it politely.
 
mjpgolf1 said:
+1. There are way too many great blades out there in the $50 range. I've had a S&W folder in the past before I got serious about knives and it was not a good knife. That's putting it politely.
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Their fixed blades seem ok at least.
 
I've had a S&W for years (one of my first buys as well).
Still works just fine but I've moved on to better quality.

I forgot to recommend SOG also. Great knives probably slightly above your budget but it would be worth it to spend a little more the first time to get something of better quality.
 
Here's a blade that does what everything you listed can do all in one package at $60 [emoji41]
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Well, in this case my budget is $50.

Fixed blade: Finnish Puukko. Very capable, fantastic quality, fantastically sharp and well made. A 105mm Lauri blank can be found for about $12 and handle/sheath materials are pretty inexpensive at $5-10 for a small piece of wood, $10 for some brass fittings, and like $10 for some scrap leather. This is enough for two, maybe one long one for hunting a and a smaller one for woodcarving. Or you can get one pre-assembled for a about the same price of $40-50. While more expensive this leagues ahead of a Mora or Condor.

Folder: Ontario RAT-1 for a more modern option. At $25 this is a great do-it-all EDC. For a more classic alternative, the Svord Peasant is a magnificent cutter for the price. These go for about $15. So for under my budget, you could get both and have a great combination.

Machete: Imacasa, Tramontina, or maybe an Ontario. Keep it simple, any of these will do great and a 12" Ontario makes a fantastic big woods knife.

Axe: Go to a yard sale or thrift shop, find something old and not shredded or filled with pitting/rust. Take it home, put a handle on it, and you're done.
 
Thanks for all the replies! I even have a few more knives to look into now haha.

DShiflet said:
Machete(all under $20):Imacasa or Tram OWN this category. No idea why anyone would take Ontario's over these guys, unless you're just really fanatic about made in the US.
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I'm looking into them now. I only listed the Ontario because out of all the $20 machetes I've used to date, it was the best. Didn't know of imacasa or tram until the posting of this thread. I'm eventually going to get 2 condors. The warlock (I believe is the name) and golok. Obviously one for light and one for heavy use
 
Folder: Buck 110, Rough Rider slip joint (stockman, canoe, sunfish, moose, etc)
Fixed: Ontario 499, Condor "Kephart", Condor "Nessmuk".
Machete: Cold Steel "Heavy Machete" (you will need to sharpen before use)
Axe/Hatchet: I kinda like the Condor and Estwing double bit offerings. (Check the axe/hatchet subforum for more knowledgable/informed recommendations than mine on that tool)
 
From the knives I own: For a modern folder, my favorite budget blades are the Cold Steel Tuff Lite (~$30) and Kabar Dozier Folding Hunter (~$20-$25).
For traditional slip joints, I would say Rough Rider (~$10-$15) and Victorinox (choose your poison ~$15 up).
For a fixed blade, my choice is a Mora of your preference.
For a chopper, I go with something from Condor (Pack Golok, Village Parang, Moonshiner, Hudson Bay).
Machetes >Imacasa, but I choose the Condor line which are more expensive (but made by Imacasa). I'm picky about my machetes. But I certainly have not tried every brand.
 
From the knives I own: For a modern folder, any Kershaw Speed safe.

For traditional slip joints, I would say used made in the USA Old Timer, Tayor made OT and any Rough Rider.
For a fixed blade, Old timer USA or Mora
For a chopper, I use an Ax
Machetes >Imacasa or Brazil made one's.
 
Fixed Blade: Mora/Green River $15-20
Folder: SAK $20-40
Machete: Imacasa/Tramontina $15
Hatchet/Axe: Vintage $5-10 plus $10 for a new haft

Total well under $100
 
DebX36 said:
I was mistaken on my specifications, I thought the golok was 1/8, not the 1/4 it is haha. I'm looking for a nice 1/8 or 1/16 machete for lighter use.
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The best light machete I have ever used is the Condor El Salvador with the wood handle (probably would not be considered a "budget" machete). Handles are the key with machetes. I am willing to pay more for a Condor with a good handle and good leather sheath than some Ontario that hurts your hands everytime you use it and comes with either a cheapie sheath that rips up in a week or two or none at all.

I would take the El Salvador over the Golok any day of the week. I own two Goloks. If you want a chopper machete, I lean toward the Pack Golok and Village Parang. Both have smooth wood handles.
 
I know some people are very pushed for money but is there reallyyy a reason to buy a $25 knife when a $50 knife is far superior and only $25 more?
 
Niddler1 said:
I know some people are very pushed for money but is there reallyyy a reason to buy a $25 knife when a $50 knife is far superior and only $25 more?
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The problem is, you can keep moving that needle.....

I would save up.
If you have $25 you'll eventually have $50, and then $100.

Buy the knife you really want, not the price you want to pay.

Patience is not an easy thing to practice though.
 
DebX36 said:
I was mistaken on my specifications, I thought the golok was 1/8, not the 1/4 it is haha. I'm looking for a nice 1/8 or 1/16 machete for lighter use.
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22-rimfire said:
The best light machete I have ever used is the Condor El Salvador with the wood handle (probably would not be considered a "budget" machete). Handles are the key with machetes. I am willing to pay more for a Condor with a good handle and good leather sheath than some Ontario that hurts your hands everytime you use it and comes with either a cheapie sheath that rips up in a week or two or none at all.

I would take the El Salvador over the Golok any day of the week. I own two Goloks. If you want a chopper machete, I lean toward the Pack Golok and Village Parang. Both have smooth wood handles.
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For a "purebred" machete the Speed Machete is a heck of a model as well. Doesn't get nearly enough press time.
 
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