Cheapest knife that you can rely on

One of my budget knives that impresses me is my Buck vantage pro. Mainly for its cutting ability. Super thin hollow grind.

Kershaw injection and link are other cheaper knives that I own that are good.
 
Just about any knife can be made to work, provided it doesn’t outright fall to pieces and provided that you are willing to work with it. It would be truely sad if the only way you had to open your mail required a $500 top end production knife. That said, there are any number of practical and aesthetic reasons that we can point to for going with better knives. They usually feel better, look better, function better, have sturdier builds and accessories, and even last a bit longer. But, let’s not kid ourselves, The vast majority of work gets accomplished with very inferior knives.

n2s
 
I would say Opinel for folders and Mora for fixed blades.

If we are talking one hand openers... then I have to say... Ganzo! I know I know.... But the truth is that they are stout and thick enough not to worry about them breaking. Action is good as well. I have two or three of them and I have to dismantle them and get angry with my a carbide burr in the straight grinder to remove as much metal as possible from the liners to save some weight. I did this very same thing to a Ganzo knife for a friend of mine and there was a noticeable difference. The G10 is thick enough to provide ridgidity, the liners are left there just for the screws to grab into something.

If we discard Ganzo from the one hand opener category, I would say Rat 2 and Spyderco Tenacious.

SAK's are great, but they are multitool more than a knife and they are more expensive than the aforementioned options.

Mikel
 
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I second the SAK Spartan. My wife picked it up years ago at Walgreens. When my Buck made in Taiwan fillet knife went camping w my son and hasn't been seen since.. I got a Rapla fillet knife at The Walmart as a temp option. Surprised that it does a pretty good job of thin slicing!
I now have the Buck Abyss so I'm well covered.
 
For a fixed blade, the Cold Steel roach belly I bought for ~$10.

For a folder, Cold Steel Pro-Lite for ~$18. I can depend on the triad lock to not fail me when using it pretty hard.
 
Tramotina machete + any Victorinox SAK = complete survival knife package for less than $50. Grab a Mora for less than $20 extra if you feel that you also need a small fixed blade.
 
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This is a $3 knife. I added the single finger groove. It is scary sharp, indestructible, and dishwasher safe.

I bought a case of them. Figuring they were disposable. Boy was I wrong.

The first one still looks brand new. It has opened a thousand boxes then broken them down for recycling. Not just the tape but cut the cardboard into pieces. It’s gone through the dishwasher at least twice a week for 2 years. Never been sharpened and still cuts a tomato paper thin.

Its part of Dexter Russels sani safe line. It is absolutely rock solid dependable. Every kitchen, tackle box, first aid kit, tool kit, survival kit, boat, car, truck etc. should have one of these in it.
 
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eveled said:
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This is a $3 knife. I added the single finger groove. It is scary sharp, indestructible, and dishwasher safe.

I bought a case of them. Figuring they were disposable. Boy was I wrong.

The first one still looks brand new. It has opened a thousand boxes then broken them down for recycling. Not just the tape but cut the cardboard into pieces. It’s gone through the dishwasher at least twice a week for 2 years. Never been sharpened and still cuts a tomato paper thin.

Its part of Dexter Russels sani safe line. It is absolutely rock solid dependable. Every kitchen, tackle box, first aid kit, tool kit, survival kit, boat, car, truck etc. should have one of these in it.
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What a bargain! I prefer plainedge but good find, man.
 
not2sharp said:
Just about any knife can be made to work, provided it doesn’t outright fall to pieces and provided that you are willing to work with it. It would be truely sad if the only way you had to open your mail required a $500 top end production knife. That said, there are any number of practical and aesthetic reasons that we can point to for going with better knives. They usually feel better, look better, function better, have sturdier builds and accessories, and even last a bit longer. But, let’s not kid ourselves, The vast majority of work gets accomplished with very inferior knives.

n2s
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Maybe some are inferior, yes, while others are still a good value and still a good knife. Inexpensive vs cheap thing again........I like a carbon steel OT, but I would not say that is inferior. More like a Chevy vs a Cadillac. Still will get the job done and what the average person can afford. "Let's not start that again, " to quote some very interesting buzzards in The Jungle Book movie. I do believe that the vast majority of work is done with whatever is still handy at that time, and most likely the box store sales, not the 500.00 Sebenzas.:D I guess I am agreeing with you.
 
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DangerZone98 said:
What a bargain! I prefer plainedge but good find, man.
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They have a whole line of knives. From large chef and butcher knives to oyster knives of every style imaginable. They even have a boning hook!

The pairing knife is similar with a plain edge. You can literally buy them by the bucket. These are restaurant knives. Built to take abuse.

Made in America by a company over 200 years old.

For the record this is the only serated knife I’ve ever liked.
 
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