best budget knives

[dogstar]

Insipid's choices/suggestions are pretty much dead on!

+1

 

[supergnat]

If you don't have specific needs, a Victorinox will do most of the, err, knife things you need done and give you a modest selection of tools for other jobs that might pop up. Decide which size you want, pick a model, and hit the auction site for a deal.

 

[GasMan1]

Just go to wallyworld aka Walmart and grab those ozark knives for 3.99.. Get 10 and you will still have money left over for flashlight and multi-tool..

After reading about this one here on the forums I picked up a couple. It's decent for a beater. Get one to leave in the truck, boat, saddle bag, ultra-lite, snow mobile, dog sled etc. then buy a Kershaw of some sort. You can't go wrong.

 

[marcinek]

Insipid's choices/suggestions are pretty much dead on!

They are great choices. Of course they may all be "heard of" to the OP. Guess we will never know.

 

[Riley12]

I'm gonna throw the SOG Aegis out there. I got one because I saw an instructor carrying one during a wilderness survival class, and he processed a rabbit with it. I thought the blade shape was cool. I hate the deep carry clip so I tapped in holes for a benchmade clip and it's perfect. Around $50(or $30 for the mini) and you get really good heat treated AUS 8 steel(at least the one I got) and I'm pretty sure it's made in America. Other than that, Byrd, Spyderco, Rough Rider, etc.

 

[bralexander]

Nice! I had no idea about the SOG Aegis. It looks good and I had no idea SOG made any inexpensive knives in the US.
Bruce

 

[dingy]

Ontario sp10

 

[gadgetgeek]

With SOG its very much down to when it was produced, and where, as far as quality goes. At this stage I'd only buy from really trusted sellers, or in person, there are a lot of versions of a lot of the knives, and so a deal might turn out to be one of the versions you don't want. Unfortunately in an attempt to get wider notice, they have diluted the brand in my opinion. there are still some good knives, but you have to be picky.

 

[Riley12]

Nice! I had no idea about the SOG Aegis. It looks good and I had no idea SOG made any inexpensive knives in the US.
Bruce

I just looked it up and BladeHQ says China but I think Amazon says USA.

Okay, sogknivescollectors.com says USA. I'm going with USA.

 

[bralexander]

I just looked it up and BladeHQ says China but I think Amazon says USA.

Okay, sogknivescollectors.com says USA. I'm going with USA.

That's funny, because when it was posted that's exactly what I did! From a few different sources, I see made in USA. Who knows, I will probably pick one up eventually and see for myself.
Bruce

 

[Riley12]

That's funny, because when it was posted that's exactly what I did! From a few different sources, I see made in USA. Who knows, I will probably pick one up eventually and see for myself.
Bruce

It's worth it. If it's good enough for a former SERE instructor, it's good enough for me!

 

[NCSlice]

Check out Ka-Bar Becker line...
Also lots of Buck...some USA, I stay away from anything Chinese...

These are all mostly fixed...dunno about folders...

 

[metsfan]

Kershaw Link. 4 different versions and USA made.

 

[mccoppinb]

CRKT minimalist

Kershaw Skyline

Buck 110

Kershaw scallion

 

[gadgetgeek]

I would not be surprised if the aegis was made in both. Something to keep in mind, Bladehq might care, Amazon might not.

 

[strategy9]

Any chance the aegis is one of those "assembled in America" (with Chinese parts)? I know that has been a controversial labeling tactic used by many.

 

[gadgetgeek]

Production on SOG knives has bounced around to a few places over the years. The website says assembled in US which would then only leave one to wonder where the blade is from, its possible that they are still getting their AUS-8 blades done in Taiwan though. It could be that they changed the labeling for some reason, as I think all the AUS-8 SOGs I've had were labeled as being made in taiwan. I don't know if the aegis was ever a fully USA made blade.

From a quick look it seems the chineese made ones all have either xCrxx steels or 440. Since a lot of the higher end stuff went to VG-10 thats done in japan, I wonder if they had to change the production....

Point is, I wouldn't be worried about SOG AUS-8, it does the job.

 

[Joshua J.]

I'm still a fan of the OLFA knoves if you're looking for something inexpensive, or just insanely practical. I tore up the tip on one today and didn't think twice before I did it, because I know it'll only take 10 seconds on a belt sander to re-shape and the blade is only worth 30 cents to begin with.

 

[jill jackson]

That's funny, because when it was posted that's exactly what I did! From a few different sources, I see made in USA. Who knows, I will probably pick one up eventually and see for myself.
Bruce

I'm seeing it's assembled in Taiwan.

 

[ThePeacent]

I'd say you will get many answers if you use the search tool, and read similar threads to this one from recent months.
But, to sum up, as far as budget blades are concerned, the general consensus seems to be you can't go wrong choosing...

...a classic design like Opinel, Douk Douk, Mercator, Higonokami, any Victorinox model, Pallares, Svord
...a budget/entry level fixed blade like Mora, Martiini, Hultafors, CRKT, Cold Steel lite series fixed blade
...a budget/chinese folder included in the "well known" chinese brands and makers, such as:
Enlan (models EL01 and 02, Bee collaborations, EM 01)
Sanrenmu (models like 7010)
Ganzo (models G620, G720, G721, G714, G719...)
HARNDS (models like Viper, Nyx)
SCHRADE (some of them)
Gerber (some of them)
RealSteel (models H6, E77)

...a budget folder from reputable brands like:
Kershaw (models Shuffle, Scallion, Nura, Lifter, Link, Skyline, Chive, Leek...)
Cold Steel (AUS-8 models like Voyagers, Recons, Code 4, Tuff Lite, American Lawman, Ak.47)
CRKT (models like Squid, Fossil, Swindle, Crawford Kasper, Ripple, Shenanigan, Foresight, M16...)
Ontario (models Utilitac I and II, RAT I and II)
KaBar (models Kharon, Dozier, Piggyback, Baconmaker, Mule)
Buck (Vantage Select, Force and Pro, Bantam, 110, CSAR...)
SOG (Aegis, Flash I and II, Sogzilla, Fielder, Salute, Trident, Twitch II)
Spyderco (byrd line like Cara Cara 2, Raven, Crow, Meadowhawk,Crossbill, and all the budget Spydies like Ambitious, Tenacious, Persistence, Resilience, Dragonfly, Tasman Salt, Delica) Chicago, Roadie...)

I am no expert but I hope to be helpful, and I'll gladly ask any questions you may have!

...any multitool in the budget range from
Gerber (MP400, MP 600, Diesel, Octane, Flik)
Leatherman (Wingman, Rebar, Squirt, Micra, Sidekick, Fuse, Rev, used Blast, Wave, ST300, Juice, etc.)
Ganzo (G202, G301, G302)
SOG (PocketPowerPliers, Paratool, used Blacktip, PowerAssist, Powerlock, Switchpliers)
Victorinox (Cadet, Tinker, Huntsman, Angler, Compact, Spartan, Classic, Executive, Camper, Explorer, etc.)