Cheapest Favorite Knives

Quiet said:
I have a lot of very expensive knives, and I love them dearly. BUT. I gotta say, if I needed a quality knife for cheap, I'd pick up (another, because I've owned several!) an Ontario Rat 2 or Utilitac 2. Both of those are honestly all the knife a casual user would need, with excellent fit, finish, and action. I still have three Rats kicking around in my backup knife chest. I've owned and given away several Utilitacs over the last few years, and currently don't own any. Man, I need to rectify that.

I won't mention SAKs in this, because all of mine are ALOX models and they weren't exactly cheap, although most were under a hundred dollars. When I think "cheap", I think "What could I get for $30 or less".
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The Utilitac II is very underrated. At $23 it is a heck of a deal.
 
Quiet said:
I have a lot of very expensive knives, and I love them dearly. BUT. I gotta say, if I needed a quality knife for cheap, I'd pick up (another, because I've owned several!) an Ontario Rat 2 or Utilitac 2. Both of those are honestly all the knife a casual user would need, with excellent fit, finish, and action. I still have three Rats kicking around in my backup knife chest. I've owned and given away several Utilitacs over the last few years, and currently don't own any. Man, I need to rectify that.

I won't mention SAKs in this, because all of mine are ALOX models and they weren't exactly cheap, although most were under a hundred dollars. When I think "cheap", I think "What could I get for $30 or less".
Click to expand...
The utilitac II is still one of the best and most underrated inexpensive knives on the market, and has been for years! Trusted American company, not made in China, aus8, and $23. It's like a poor man's zt 350. I still have one and have gifted a few others. All were well made.
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I only have a handful of knives, but my favorite so far is the CRKT Squid. It's a great value at $20. Its legal pretty much everywhere and it can handle most edc cutting tasks.

If I knew how much I would like it, I would have spent $40 on the D2 version.
 
Moras for smaller blades.
Cold Steel if you want a big knife, Recon Tanto or SRK in SK-5 steel or incredibly solid and affordable Drop Forged series in 52100.
 
I've got one of those Opinel No. 8 Carve Your Own handle knives with a carbon steel blade. Having a lot larger handle, it allows for a much better grip. I carved off some material to better expose the nail nick, then stained it and added a poly coat so it would stand up to washing after I used it. Terrific knife, and one of my favorites.
 
Quiet said:
I have a lot of very expensive knives, and I love them dearly. BUT. I gotta say, if I needed a quality knife for cheap, I'd pick up (another, because I've owned several!) an Ontario Rat 2 or Utilitac 2. Both of those are honestly all the knife a casual user would need, with excellent fit, finish, and action. I still have three Rats kicking around in my backup knife chest. I've owned and given away several Utilitacs over the last few years, and currently don't own any. Man, I need to rectify that.

I won't mention SAKs in this, because all of mine are ALOX models and they weren't exactly cheap, although most were under a hundred dollars. When I think "cheap", I think "What could I get for $30 or less".
Click to expand...

craytab said:
The Utilitac II is very underrated. At $23 it is a heck of a deal.
Click to expand...

craytab said:
The utilitac II is still one of the best and most underrated inexpensive knives on the market, and has been for years! Trusted American company, not made in China, aus8, and $23. It's like a poor man's zt 350. I still have one and have gifted a few others. All were well made.
vvcBhiC.jpg
Click to expand...

Totally agree!
craytab craytab Your "poor man's 350" analogy is spot on.

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Morakniv companion's a great handled blade & the HD carbon version is real nice when you square off the spine and reprofile off the dumb mini -bevel for a true scandi or convex. My rat 1 folder's pretty slick, but pocket knives aint my bag. For big fixed blades I'd go with an Ontario SP series chopper. They're remarkably awesome for being the lowest priced (40 something) US carbon steel choppers out there. Get the 53 bolo & convex it, or choose your favorite style, there's a wide variety.
 
Kershaw Chill
Kershaw Al Mar flippers
Kershaw Shuffle (I've given quite a few of these to family and friends)
Gerber LST (pre Fiskars)
 
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