Best s30v or CPM154 folder for around $50

R

RWT

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Mar 15, 2011
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I am looking for a decent American made folder in s30v or cpm154 around $50.00 as graduation gifts for a long list of nephews. I expect to purchase 6 of them and hand them out over the summer. I recently purchased the Kershaw Blur for myself and love the blade, however, I am looking for something a little smaller as some of these will be going to teenagers. I have searched the web and the Blur and a Buck Vantage are the only models I can find that are close to my criteria. I am not found of the thumb hole on a blade so I am removing the Buck and any Spyderco's from contention. I have a maximum of $350 for all of them. My order of perferences are.

1. s30v or CPM 154 steel. Just want a steel more unique than Aus 6 or 8 that anyone can get at Wally world
2. American made
3. ROM $50 +shipping
4. Roughly same size or smaller as the Blur

Opinions, experience and photos are requested.

If someone on the forum produces a semi-custom neck knife in 1095 or a D2 that meets the criteria I would consider them as well. Are the all the Becker's American made?
 
CPM154 is the powder version of 154CM, and I wouldn't expect to find one at that price point, mostly because you rarely see it in production knives. Aside from Buck, I don't think anyone else has S30V at that price point.

The Kershaw Leek in S30V will be your best bet, though I can't even find that for less than $70 on the 'bay. You could try check with kershawguy if he has a S30V blem for that price point.

Edit:
Found a G10 S30V leek in this thread-
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/797530-Kershaw-Factory-Blem-amp-some-NIB

Not sure if he has 6 of them though.
 
s30v native should run you about $55 at any big online retailer.
Spyderco_Native-001.jpg


I vastly prefer the native over the stainless leek. Can't speak on the g10 leeks, though. Many people like them, though, so it's up to you. I think they look prettier than the Spydie at least :P Stainless should run you around $40 last time I checked.
kershaw_leek_1660_540__17334_zoom.jpg


Haven't handled the Buck Vantage Pro, but lots of people like them, and they're right around your price point too
 
He mentioned no spyderholes and either S30V or CPM154. I don't believe the standard stainless leek comes in S30V.
 
Not too sure there is a possible solution to your question when you eliminate Spyderco & Buck.

You could try to find Benchmade mini grips on ebay... I picked mine up for $60 but that is a maybe.

I would personally gift Spyderco Manix 2s, Delicas, Natives or Buck Vantage Pros in that price range.

My personal recommendation would be a Spyderco Delica FFG. I have each of the knives I listed and I find the Delica in my pocket more than any of the others. I have given a few as gifts and they have all received similar praise from the family/friends that received them.

Now, if you are willing to back off your steel requirements a little, it is extremely hard to beat the USA made Kershaw Skyline with 14C28N steel for the price. Those should only run you $30-$35 each online.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but 14C28N is close to comparable with 154CM but with better rust resistance and a bit less toughness/edge holding ability.

In my opinion, it would be S30v > VG10 > 154CM/14C28N.
 
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Buck vantage pro large (it's about 1/4" smaller than the blur).

It's American made, fits in your price range, its one of the best examples of S30V (Paul Bos heat treat), and it's a well made. I've owned the pro (lost it :() and I still have my vantage select. I highly recommend the buck vantage line.
 
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maybe the Izula, becker necker or eskabar?

i honestly dont think theres much youll find with the criteria youve chosen unless you start looking into traditional styles, of which you can always choose something from Case or Boker
 
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jimnolimit beat me to it while I was getting the specs.


Buck Vantage Pro Small Vantage – Pro: 0342BKS-B

• Blade Length: 2 5/8" (6.7 cm)
• Blade Material: S30V
• Carry System: Stainless Steel reversible pocket clip
• Handle Material: CNC contoured G10
• Length Closed: 3 3/4" (9.5 cm)
• Locking: Yes
• Quantity: Yes
• Weight: 2.3 oz. (65.5 g)
All specs are from manufacture web site

You should be able to find it around $50 + shipping on-line.
 
What about a Composite Leek CPM D2?
A19-KS1660CB.jpg

I like mine much better than my S30V Leek. They can be had for under $50 if you look around.
1643G.jpg


I know it has a "hole" but they are a great buy for about $35
 
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KDUJ said:
jimnolimit beat me to it while I was getting the specs.


Buck Vantage Pro Small Vantage – Pro: 0342BKS-B

• Blade Length: 2 5/8" (6.7 cm)
• Blade Material: S30V
• Carry System: Stainless Steel reversible pocket clip
• Handle Material: CNC contoured G10
• Length Closed: 3 3/4" (9.5 cm)
• Locking: Yes
• Quantity: Yes
• Weight: 2.3 oz. (65.5 g)
All specs are from manufacture web site

You should be able to find it around $50 + shipping on-line.
Click to expand...

This is your knife!!!!!!!!
It does have a "spyderhole" but it also has a great flipper which rockets it open.
 
At that price point (under $60) there are a couple in S30V, but not in CPM 154.

Spyderco Native
Buck Vantage Pro.

As others have said, if it were I, I would not limit myself to those two alloys. American alloys 154CM and 440C will also give excellent service. Most folks would not notice the difference in performance in their every day use.
 
Why would you take spyderco out of the deal? They make some of the best production folders, nevermind the best for the money. You can open a spyderco more ways than you can open a knife with thumbstuds. It's ambidexterous, you can put a zip tie on it for a feaux wave, hang it up :-). Many things. I've bought nothing but spyderco for my last three knives, you get a ton of knife for a small price.
 
Another vote for the Buck Vantage Pro. Great knife.

Plus, as a present ... "It's a Buck" Lot's of "ooooo aaaaah" value. (LOL)

All kidding aside, cann't got wrong with a Vantage Pro.
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
Why would you take spyderco out of the deal? They make some of the best production folders, nevermind the best for the money. You can open a spyderco more ways than you can open a knife with thumbstuds. It's ambidexterous, you can put a zip tie on it for a feaux wave, hang it up :-). Many things. I've bought nothing but spyderco for my last three knives, you get a ton of knife for a small price.
Click to expand...

Spoken like a true Spyderco fan :D
 
Honestly, Id give them each a different Kershaw folder in regular 14C28N if Spyderco's are a no-go and if the Kershaw's are a no-go, the Buck Vantage Pro/Vantage's are great knives. There's lots of Kershaw's to choose from, and if you nephews aren't knifeknuts, then I don't think they will care too much about the steel. Oh yea, teach them to sharpen if you get the chance, because IMO a non sharp knife, is almost a useless knife.
 
rororo64 said:
and if you nephews aren't knifeknuts, then I don't think they will care too much about the steel. Oh yea, teach them to sharpen if you get the chance, because IMO a non sharp knife, is almost a useless knife.
Click to expand...

I agree, a dull knife makes a great cream cheese spreader. That opens up another gift idea. If they don't know how to sharpen, the OP could get them a $20-$30 knife and a $20-$30 sharpening system.
 
RWT said:
I am looking for a decent American made folder in s30v or cpm154 around $50.00 as graduation gifts for a long list of nephews. I expect to purchase 6 of them and hand them out over the summer. I recently purchased the Kershaw Blur for myself and love the blade, however, I am looking for something a little smaller as some of these will be going to teenagers. I have searched the web and the Blur and a Buck Vantage are the only models I can find that are close to my criteria. I am not found of the thumb hole on a blade so I am removing the Buck and any Spyderco's from contention.
Click to expand...

Preferences are personal and above criticism, but there is no reason to impose them on others. Your intended recipients will probably like thumb hole opening knives just fine, just like a bazillion others of us. If you discard that restriction, there are several excellent offerings that meet your other specs, with Buck Vantage Pro and Spyderco Native topping my list. Too bad about the Delica, but I'm with you on USA made.
 
I reviewed the Spyderco and believe them to be a great knife, just cannot get over putting a hole in a perfectly good piece of steel. I've had two of them and once they were lost to the gremlin that lives in my truck I moved onto the Camillus sizzle and the Blur. If someone found some s30v's for $60 I am game. Send me the info. The Buck just does not do it for me. I have an old 110 and that will be my grail for the Buck line. The reason I am looking for a different steel is I noticed my s30v stays sharp considerably longer than anything I have short of Sr101 and my INFI. Sharpening has always been a struggle for me so that is the reason of the hard steel. If I can get it sharp, I want it to stay sharp for as long as possible. My nephews struggle with the same issue. Sad thing is my grandfather used to sharpen drill bits with his beard ..... yeah beat that Chuck Norris, so I know making a knife sharp is not genetic. Serioulsy he could sharpen anything, I have an old unknown fixed blade he left me and I have not touched it for 16 years out of respect and the fact it will always be the sharpest knife I own. I may be purchasing 4 of the Blurs and moving the younger 2 nephews down to a CRK Drifter, Delica or Native.
 
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