best budget for action knive?

[asherkin848]

What do you guys think the best action, both opening and closing on a budget knife is? Let's say sub 90$

 

[SharpBits]

The few Civivi knives I have seem to have excellent action.

 

[Drop bear]

I am a big civivi fan. And I get them in Australia for just under $90.

They tend to use bearings so they have very smooth actions.

There are other comparable brands Kizer, sencut, QSP(can't remember the rest)

 

[jmh33]

I agree with above posts!!
But also look at Kizer!!
John

 

[scorpnsnake]

Action Knife!

 

[jjg6319]

The Demo shark lock is a really nice design. I am not sure you can get it for your budget though.

 

[SharpBits]

The small Shark Cub is $89. That’s Taiwan version, of course.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Loving the new Civivi Yonder.

 

[Fixedwing]

Civivi

 

[Drop bear]

Loving the new Civivi Yonder.

I have one on order.

That Zac in the wild sucked me in

 

[katguy]

Shark Cub in AUS 10A. $89 bucks. One finger flip open or close.

 

[Tjstampa]

I bought the Vosted Racoon on sale just below 50 and is now listed as 59 on several websites. I like the action and the crossbar lock. The scales are super gripy even with wet hands.

I have processed a lot of cardboard and zip ties so far and have only needed to strop it back to sharp once.

 

[Tsujigiri]

I would judge based on flippers since it's a lot harder to make flipper action really good. The best I've found in the price range are all Twosuns; they seem to tune their detents harder than most, so they flip very reliably. Although not a flipper, my Twosun TS369 is completely drop shut. I don't know if that's typical for the model due to the weight of the blade or an anomaly, but the action would make you think the knife was at least double the price.

 

[abbazaba]

Kershaw tumbler - mine is arguably better than any Shiro I've owned, seriously. I picked up the brass version when Kershaw had a $45 sale, the regular version is about $35 right now

Ruike P801 - Crazy awesome grind with Sandvick steel and great action. Think these can be had for less than $30!

QSP Penguin Plus Framelock on sale - I've had more than a couple and they've all amazing. As low as $70 on sale

 

[Monofletch]

I know a lot of you will scoff at this. Easily the BEST $5 I ever spent on a knife! I’ve carried it for over a week now and no complaints.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

It's easy to scoff, but what works, works. I'm an Amazon Vines reviewer, and I get to try out all kinds of budget non-clones that come out of the no-name factories (which may actually be where some of the better Chinese stuff is fabricated for the real brand), and I have been impressed. I'd never buy any of it, but one of the best functioning and smoothest out of the box knives I've experienced under the retail $50 is a G10 handled button lock with a perfectly centered D2 blade.

So for the sub $100, a well made button lock is very easy peasy. One handled opening and closing and fun to fidget with.

Now if you mean action by kinetic fun, you can't beat a good balisong for messing around with. Boker has them at very reasonable price points.

 

[sgt1372]

One's "action" preference is pretty subjective but I've always liked the "action" on the economy D2 versions of the unassisted Artisan Cutlery Shark & Waistline flippers, which are the only 2 out of 6 models of that brand that I still own.

Pics to follow.

 

[cbach8tw]

I have to be the one to throw a wrench in the OP’s question, and draw the ire of my fellow forumites, I say the best budget for an action knife is a small fixed blade. I like a small fixed blade with about a 3 inch blade, easily accessible with one hand and with a little practice can be resheathed, the carry system just has to be worked out, and there are a lot more options now, although I have never really liked neck carry. No worry about cleaning the gunk from the action or inside the knife and it is inherently stronger. Many makers and models and budgets but l like those from redsquid2 and more recently from blasted hill knives. I have also found a few smaller ones on the bushcraft forum. Now I know the recriminations will follow.

 

[Shorttime]

Kershaw Strobe. Though most any bearing-supported pivot is going to give you a smooth, fast action.

If it's sound you're looking for, anything with a metal handle is going to make an authoritative noise when it opens. A 4Max defeats this somewhat just by sheer rotational inertia!

My recent purchases have been all electrician patterns or Rough Ryder micarta knives, and I have to give RR credit for putting a positive half-stop on their modern traditionals.

 

[Shorttime]

I have to be the one to throw a wrench in the OP’s question, and draw the ire of my fellow forumites, I say the best budget for an action knife is a small fixed blade. I like a small fixed blade with about a 3 inch blade, easily accessible with one hand and with a little practice can be resheathed, the carry system just has to be worked out, and there are a lot more options now, although I have never really liked neck carry. No worry about cleaning the gunk from the action or inside the knife and it is inherently stronger. Many makers and models and budgets but l like those from redsquid2 and more recently from blasted hill knives.

I mean, those bananas need to be dealt with swiftly and silently, at times! It's good to have a low-observable option for your everyday cutting needs.

There are some kydex sheaths that make an attractive "snap" when you pull or stow your knife, and I like the idea of an auditory confirmation when my knife is locked in place.