Cheap folder with a good blade?

I

irsh

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Mar 28, 2021
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So I was in Mxxxxx's the other day and I always walk past the knife/multi-tool display. I noticed a $19 Camillus "Horizon" with "D2 Stainless Steel" listed on the blister package.
Yeah, I bought it. For a $20 I couldn't help myself. It's certainly not a lightweight, I think the handle is stainless. And the pivot bearings certainly aren't ceramic. But if it's got a decent heat-treat it should be a nice truck-knife right?
 
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If it has a decent heat treat, it will be good enough for a truck knife.

However, if that one ever fails on you I’d highly recommend an Ontario RAT-1 as a replacement. For just $40 you can get a thoroughly proven design with a good heat treat and in a relatively light weight package.
 
The QSP Penguin is an excellent budget knife,you can find it for like $30 with a D2 blade and denim micarta scales..if you don’t mind spending around $70-$80 you can get the Kershaw Link with aluminum scales and M390 or 20CV blade steel
 
irsh said:
So I was in Mxxxxx's the other day and I always walk past the knife/multi-tool display. I noticed a $19 Camillus "Horizon" with "D2 Stainless Steel" listed on the blister package.
Yeah, I bought it. For a $20 I couldn't help myself. It's certainly not a lightweight, I think the handle is stainless. And the pivot bearings certainly aren't ceramic. But if it's got a decent heat-treat it should be a nice truck-knife right?
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Sounds like a pretty solid deal for just $20..I have no experience with that particular knife so I really couldn’t tell you what I personally think about it but a knife with a D2 blade for $20 sounds like a win
 
the kabar dozier in d2 is only $30.... why would you bother with questionable camillus quality?

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Two brands: Taylor makes the "Smith and Wesson" knives. Kershaw. A local sporting goods Goliath has low prices. When $5 off coupon is coupled with a $20 - $25 knife on sale, there are a lot of models. No one wants a cheap scarf or sweater as a gift. If you give cash as a gift, you are quickly forgotten. People remember you when you give a folder or a flashlight.

My mentor is ten years older than I. When I clued him in about Smith and Wesson knives and how to buy them cheap, he bought two. He used to teach martial arts/shooting. He declared that they would do everything he wanted to do with a folder. So, I have given the relatives Smith and Wessons for each car and Kershaws for carry. It would be nice if they paid for instructions, but none will.
 
I've always used griptillians in D2 as beaters. Beat the you know what out of them and they keep on going.
 
dirc said:
the kabar dozier in d2 is only $30.... why would you bother with questionable camillus quality?
Click to expand...

Good question. I suppose because it was right in front of me in stead of needing to order and wait for it. If I'm ordering I do more research and spend more.
 
yeah, good point... if I owned anything like Mxxxx's I'd be darn certain to have a dozen of each kabar dozier type, along with ontario rats & mora's & buck's in stock

it still boogle's the mind why any place claiming to have good outdoor gear doesn't stock those in bulk
 
In the "quality" budget folder category the KaBar Dozier and Ontario RATs are stalwarts.
 
Use and sharpening over time will shed some light on their heat treatment. I wouldn't have high expectations. The average edge retention for Chinese D2 isn't great but it definitely holds a better edge than 8Cr13Mov or worse steels. The real benefit I see in Chinese D2 is as a replacement for 8Cr13Mov within its relative price range. While Kershaw, CRKT, and others are behind the curve on that; I'm glad to hear about another "classic" brand jumping on that train.

The reason I mention "average edge retention" is because Chinese D2 can vary a lot from company to company. The best Chinese D2 can be fairly decent. Most is kinda-sorta okay. The worst is pretty mediocre but still better than the best 8Cr13Mov I've had. So the question will be where this new knife from Camillus lands. If you want to try a relatively inexpensive brand that does an excellent heat treatment on their Chinese D2; check out Petrified Fish.
 
Getting some groceries at the Wmart and they had a surprising selection Kershaws and Gerbers. Both a Leek and Blur made it into the cart somehow. That sort of blew my whole super-cheap knife deal though.
My wife loves it that I have a new hobby to spend money on!
 
Spend another 20 and grab a Civivi baklash. Great knife with some fantastic performing steel no joke.
 
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