cheap carbon steel slipjoint

D

davek14

Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
2,417
OK, there have been numerous threads here and there with this, or a similar title. Which says there is a real vacuum in the knife world for something which used to be what knives basically were, a cheap carbon steel slipjoint.

Now I'm sure that many will weigh in with the Case CV line, and also with the Eye brand knives. I guess I'm cheaper than that. I'm talkin' $10-$30.

I know it's possible. There are many decent knives I've bought to drop in my back pocket and sit on or throw in my tool box at work. There's the Opinel, the Douk Douk, the Mercator, I've got them all. Kinda defeats the purpose of looking for a good, cheap knife when you get 10 of them, but that's me.

I get a Mercator out with the rest of my tools at work and keep it scary sharp. People who borrow it bring their knives in for me to sharpen. I tell them to get carbon steel next time.

I'm talking about a knife like that, but a "grandpa" knife, a classic slipjoint. I'm kinda liking them lately. Sheeple are less threatened by them, you can carry and use them almost anywhere. Plus, they just seem "right".

Kissing Crane Sodbusters used to kinda fit the bill when they were made in Germany. I've got one. Now that they are made in Italy (or China) and you can't get the German ones anymore it has become a "drawer queen". I know, foolish, but that's me ;).

I'm getting to like Barlows and I'll probably end up getting a Boker or Russel Barlow for about $60 just to hold one. Then I probably won't drop it in my back pocket or toolbox but in a drawer.

I know, I'm cheap and have a personality disfunction about carrying cheap cutlery. Still, a cheap carbon steel slipjoint used to be what knives were.

My Rough Rider Barlow is more than worth the $7.50 I paid for it at a great local shop. I've been carrying it a lot.

Not having the medallion, the stamped bolsters, the high polish, etc., but being carbon steel and double the price would have made it perfect.
 
davek14 said:
...I'm talkin' $10-$30.... There's the Opinel, the Douk Douk, the Mercator, I've got them all. Kinda defeats the purpose of looking for a good, cheap knife when you get 10 of them, but that's me....I'm talking about a knife like that, but a "grandpa" knife, a classic slipjoint. I'm kinda liking them lately...
Click to expand...

You could buy vintage knives that someone's grandpa used. There are lots of old knives floating around that still have a lot of life in them. This one cost me 10 bucks.

schrade-electrician-1.jpg
 
You might find some old carbon steel knives for a few dollars at garage sales or flea markets. In my area, decent ones can be found for under $5 with a minimal amount of searching. An old, quality knife that you picked up at a garage sale for $5 can be a real pleasure to carry and use.

Some dealers have "baskets" of misc. knives that they don't advertise.
 
davek14 said:
OK, there have been numerous threads here and there with this, or a similar title. Which says there is a real vacuum in the knife world for something which used to be what knives basically were, a cheap carbon steel slipjoint.

Now I'm sure that many will weigh in with the Case CV line, and also with the Eye brand knives. I guess I'm cheaper than that. I'm talkin' $10-$30.

I know it's possible. There are many decent knives I've bought to drop in my back pocket and sit on or throw in my tool box at work. There's the Opinel, the Douk Douk, the Mercator, I've got them all. Kinda defeats the purpose of looking for a good, cheap knife when you get 10 of them, but that's me.

I get a Mercator out with the rest of my tools at work and keep it scary sharp. People who borrow it bring their knives in for me to sharpen. I tell them to get carbon steel next time.

I'm talking about a knife like that, but a "grandpa" knife, a classic slipjoint. I'm kinda liking them lately. Sheeple are less threatened by them, you can carry and use them almost anywhere. Plus, they just seem "right".

Kissing Crane Sodbusters used to kinda fit the bill when they were made in Germany. I've got one. Now that they are made in Italy (or China) and you can't get the German ones anymore it has become a "drawer queen". I know, foolish, but that's me ;).

I'm getting to like Barlows and I'll probably end up getting a Boker or Russel Barlow for about $60 just to hold one. Then I probably won't drop it in my back pocket or toolbox but in a drawer.

I know, I'm cheap and have a personality disfunction about carrying cheap cutlery. Still, a cheap carbon steel slipjoint used to be what knives were.

My Rough Rider Barlow is more than worth the $7.50 I paid for it at a great local shop. I've been carrying it a lot.

Not having the medallion, the stamped bolsters, the high polish, etc., but being carbon steel and double the price would have made it perfect.
Click to expand...

You can get a Case CV peanut or Sodbuster CV in yella handles in that range I believe. There are few knives more "grampa-like" than a yella CV case.
If not, visit a flea market! There will certainly be plenty of old knives for great prices. In fact, I've seen some brand new Case knives there for darn cheap, I still have no idea why i didn't buy them. However i did pick up a Schrade 34OT for around $20. Utica KutMaster Barlows are apparently made with 1095 and are below $30. Hope this helps some!
 
I believe all my yella CV Case knives were less than $30 and that's cheap these days.

Like said, lotsa old carbon steel pocket knives out there. Go to a big knife show and stock up. :)
 
My son and I found a Kutmaster stockman the other day at an antique store for 10 bucks.

It had never been used.

A little oil on the joints, some Sharpmaker time on the factory edge, a little stropping.......that little three blader will do it now.

We went hunting for slipjoints yesterday and found a few at some other antique stores. Thrift stores and good spots to check as well.
 
Queen have recently put out a Queen City Economy line in carbon
They are in delrin or wood
The quality is good with nice swedging

And as standard you will have to put a decent grind on them

They are not more than $36
Worth it
 
Utica is making some carbon folders. I can't remember how much they sell for, but not much.

-- Mark
 
The old Boker USA's from the 60's through the 80's can be found all day long on the bay for less than $30.00. These are some very good quality carbon bladed knives.
 
supratentorial said:
You could buy vintage knives that someone's grandpa used. There are lots of old knives floating around that still have a lot of life in them. This one cost me 10 bucks.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I paid $15 for this one at the local indoor flea market.

Imperial46223.jpg


Go shop some yard sales, flea markets or shop around on line for some of the older Imperial brand knives. They're close or equal in fit and finish to the Schrade Old Timers and you can pick them up within your price range. They make great users.
 
My Daughter just bought me a Case yeller soddy in CV and I'm lovin it, strong light and razor sharp and even here in Canada it was 29 bucks at Bass Pro shop.

Regards

Robin
 
Thanks to all for the great answers. I've been periodically checking back on this thread. You have all had better luck than myself at yard sales, etc. Where I live, they either want too much or the knife is in bad shape. I've still bought a few :). I've been meaning to check some outdoor flea markets and thrift stores and antique shops are good ideas I will try. It's been too HOT to yard sale much this year.

I checked the Queen economy line out, it's pretty neat. What I've got my eye on is the Utica Barlow. Thanks for that info. Shipping adds about 8 bucks unfortunately and I've seen one for about $36 shipped. Not bad but I'm gonna try for one locally. Failing in that I may try to buy more stuff to make the shipping make a little more sense. I'm just super tight on large purchases in this economy and with my job. A try for a group buy at work may be in order.

Anyone have any input on the Utica 1095 carbon? There are a few threads on the Utica carbon slipjoints but no one got around to commenting on the steel. I take a month or two to evaluate a steel myself actually.
 
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