Cheap Knives

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Ecko

Joined
Dec 8, 2007
Messages
14
I was just wondering what the general thought is about inexpensive knives. I've been looking for some budget knives on eBay and bought one. I liked it so much I bought another one just in case I lose it. I ended up getting each for under $15 shipped. This is the one I bought.... http://www.boker.de/us/index.php?c=67,6,64&a=01YA5053&p=6&pp=50. It feels absolutely perfect in my hand is exactly what I have been looking for.

I have a few decent knives (Buck,SOG,CRKT) but nothing too expensive. Should I stop being such a cheap ass and invest in some high end knives?
 
You should do as seems best to you. Our ancestors got the job done with rock chips. OTOH, a nice knife is a joy. And a really nice knife is even more joy.

I personally don't like to spend a huge amount on my knives. Stuff happens to pocket knives and there is only so much money I am willing to put at risk. I find I can find a pretty nice knife for about $50, though my most expensive was about $60, but my current favorite was only $35. I find that for me, I can find knives in that price range that meet my fit and finish parameters with steel that takes and holds an edge very nicely. YMMV


Add: BTW, welcome to BladeForums!
 
The magnams are fine knifes they are made by boker who makes good stuff and allot of it depends what kind of person you are. I carry a good knife, a Letherman, and a SureFire BackUp all the time. I am a chef as well and have knifes running between $10 and $400 in my knife bag, but most of the time I use something well made durable and holds a good edge. The truth is I love my Kershaw Shun and use it 90% or the time, but am just as happy with a cheep knife.
 
Ecko said:
Should I stop being such a cheap ass and invest in some high end knives?
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You should enjoy the knives you have, hang around here to learn a bit about other knives, focusing on the less expensive.

For example, you like that Boker, check out Boker's Chad Los Banos line, the SubCom, Trance, M-Type and the many others he's designed for them. Relatively inexpensive, good materials and construction.

In the end, you'll have a few good working knives you can use on anything without worrying about scraching them up, and you'll have a chance to learn to sharpen them. (Check out orur Maintenance forum for advice on that.)

You will have bought yourself time to read about "better" knives here and see pictures and read descriptions and reviews. Then decide if you're ready to spend a few more bucks on a nice knife, that you will really appreciate because it wasn't an impulse buy and it wasn't someone else's opinion alone.
 
A couple of guys here nailed it :thumbup:... do lots of reading and research and buy what you want and the best quality you can thats in your budget. If you can afford just a boker magnum or a gerber, etc. then research 'em and buy the best of those choices. Everybody has to start somewhere and dont feel obligated to immediately start buying high end customs or production knives. Keeping up with the jones' can be less than rewarding and very expensive. Above all if you like it and it works for you then thats the knife, doesnt matter a whole lot what other people think.

Good luck:)
ivan
 
There's a huge difference between a cheap knife, and an inexepencive knife.

Pick up an Opinel, an Okapi, a Douk-Douk, a Big Swede from Eka of Sweden, a Mercator from Germany.

Some of these knives will outcut knives costing many times their price. Does that mean some knives are way over inflated in price because of advertising and hype, or some knives are just under rated because they are mundane working knives?

Try them all and see for yourself.:)
 
I think it's always wise to get the best knife you can afford. If that is only $15.00, look for the best $15.00 that you can get. The Magnum knives are not bad, and if you are looking for a tactical style, they are probably about as good as you will get for that price.

My personal choices in inexpensive knives would be along the lines recommended by jackknife. Also take a look at the Byrd line from Spyderco. If you can spend more, take a look at the inexpensive benchmade products. A particular favorite of mine is the Griptilian 550HG which can be found for $60.00 to $70.00 on many knife sites. You might also want to take a look at some of the Benchmade Red Class folders which can be found in the range of $30.00 to $40.00.
 
Looks like you got a good deal to me. Nice knife buddy, I am impressed myself. Hell I want one!
 
if you like traditional pocket knives, look at the Rough Riders. ebay always has lots of them for sale and if you keep putting in low bids, you will end up with many of these very good knives for about $10-$15 each (or less).
most of my knives are much higher end, but i do have about 20 Rough Rider knives. everyone of them is a joy to own or use. all with very good esthetics, ergonomics, and fit and finish. and every blade in everyone is shaving sharp right out of the box.
i like ALL well made knives, so i continue to buy expensive knives as well, but these RR China made knives bring the knife lover a lot of pleasure and satisfaction, for very little money. nothing wrong with that.
roland
 
I can agree here. I'm no newcomer to knives and have collected for over 50 years. I love my Randalls, Ruanas, etc. but I recently bought a Chinese Rough Rider locking toothpick (couldn't find one anywhere else) for $9.95 on Sat. Nite Knife and Gun Show and I really like it. It is well-designed, well put together, and sharp out of the box. It just keeps jumpin' into my pocket.
 
Thats like I bought a Sharade Sharpfinger made by Taylor knives and its made in China and I really have grown to like this knife. It gets and stays really sharp and is easy to carry on my side. I do wish it was made in America tho. Hey for 15.00, I cant complain to much. I want some of those Rough Rider pocket knives, I heard alot of good about them.
 
The Benchmade Mini-Ambush is a good little EDC for $31.25 at New Graham.

Even though it's AUS8, it's treated at 58-60HRC and has the standard Benchmade warranty.

Unless you're EDC needs are very demanding, the Mini-Ambush may be a good choice for a lesser expensive good carry knife. :thumbup:

For about $10.00 more, the Spyderco Delica 4 is nearly impossible to beat at this price point.
 
The Browning Ice Storm (made by Mcusta), Kershaw Cyclone/Mini Cyclone, and Benchmade Monochromes are all excellent choices in the under $40 price range...
 
Except for Military issue knives, I got through the first 50 years of my life without spending over 20.00 for knife. I did a lot of hunting and meat cutting and still do. Knives from Green River and Old Hickory will cut just as well as 300.00 knives. The difference is you may have to touch them up more often. However you won't be handi-capped by not buying high end knives. It depends on what tour use is for knives and if you just want to say that you have a better knife than the next guy or if you want to save your money for going places to use your knives. I think there are times when people spend so much on gear that they can't afford to go play with what they have.:)

I have found over the years that going as cheap as you can, or blowing a bundle on a BIG NAME Knife can both be a mistake and the best bang for the buck will be found somewhere in the middle. Knives like Mora and Opinel can provide both low prices and very respectable quality. IMO Buck also delivers a great dollar value.
 
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Yes!! Stop buy cheap knives, and buy quality. Buy the best you can afford. (Someone gave great advice when they said that.)
 
A lot of people on this board are knife snobs and will tell you anything cheap isn't good. If you like your $15 dollar knife then go with it.

I personally really try to only buy made in the USA knives as of late. With the economic situation in our country and the fact that i am doing decently i feel an obligation to support US industry and do my part to keep them going.
 
KenM K said:
A lot of people on this board are knife snobs and will tell you anything cheap isn't good.
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I know what you mean. Over the years, I've lost track of how many knives I have. A lot of them are expensive.
But I also have beaters that do just fine, anything in the $20 to $50 range that get the job done.

It's easy for some of us to forget that,

first of all, not everyone can afford the highend prices, and

second, not everyone needs them, and

third, not everyone knows enough about what's available at what price until they've bought and used a few, beginning with simpler and less expensive but well-recommended knives.

I personally appreciate everyone interested in our hobby and willing to start out carefully using good working knives.
 
I have a Buck Omni Hunter 12pt folder (made in America) that I just love to death. To me, its probably one of the best knives I have ever owned, It only cost around 36.00. I also have a Buck Iceman knife that I like (made in China) I didnt know it was made there at the time I bought it but other than it being heavy for EDC, its a solid knife and stays sharp. Most of my funds are not what you call high end so I cant buy the most expensive knife. The most expensive knife I own out of 100 or so is the Rat3 and TAK that I got for Christmas this past year, but almost all of my knives are good users. My choices when buying are pretty picky.
 
I have a few " high end" knives, and still carry a $20 CV Case Soddie Jr. Nothing wrong with low cost knives. :cool:

Do not buy knock offs, or gas station knives. Stick to well known brands and you should be fine. :thumbup:
 
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