Cheapest S30V knife?

[Flatlander1963]

I would like to recommend the Buck Vantage Pro but cannot. Way late lock up on mine and not that easy to open. Also, the nylon washers are a turn off. I know the Spyderco Tenacious, recommended earlier, is a MUCH better knife!

I have both and IMO the Vantage Pro is the better knife. But you can't go wrong with either. I love both. As far as the issues mentioned by Vinny, I've heard those issues have been addressed now and only occurred with the first round of knives. New Knife Teething I guess. The Vantage's flipper is a nice feature.

As far as sharpening, get a sharpmaker and never let a knife get really dull. Touch 'em up routinely with the sharpmaker and you'll always be a happy camper with a sharp knife.

 

[Kaizen1]

great point...i dulled a s30v Blur this year from heavy use...it takes A LOT of passes to sharpen it back to factory edge...it's boring and i'm not using it because its still not done...

i am not looking forward to the day i have to sharpen a s60v blade i got...

I think of sharpening knives like I do of household chores. If you wait too long, it's a pain in the ass to do. My knives stay hair whittling sharp every day when I'm top of it. Doing it this way makes it very easy because you're really just maintaining the edge. It's even easy to maintain the super hard steels like ZDP with ceramics. I'd hate to get any knife really dull, it's too much work to bring the edge back. But if that's how you do it, I recommend diamond stones or even a grinder.

 

[Josh K]

The Spyderco Native is a very affordable S30V knife. :thumbup:

 

[IGotStabbed]

Here is something to consider: A Leatherman Charge TTi has a ~4in S30V blade with a bunch of other stuff. Ti handles, all for $90 street price new.

 

[nc527]

I wouldnt say that you are 12. FYI, You will be banned since your not 13, however if you are turning 13 very soon, the mods may take an exception. FYI I am also 13. Have fun knife collecting.

 

[James0723]

Some of the Spyderco S30V steel knives are cheap, but the cheap ones are made in China and Taiwan. Like the Sage 2, s30v steel with titanium handle, but has Taiwan stamped on it.

What about one of the Blackfoot series of folders from Lone Wolf? This won an award for best value knife of 2009.

You can get them in a few different handle materials and without serrations. I believe all Lone Wolf's knives are made in the US. You can get the Blackfoots for around $100.

 

[J.Mattson]

Some of the Spyderco S30V steel knives are cheap, but the cheap ones are made in China and Taiwan. Like the Sage 2, s30v steel with titanium handle, but has Taiwan stamped on it.

When you say “cheap” what exactly do you mean?

The price? Neither the CF Sage nor the RIL Sage could be called cheap from that point of view.

Fit and finish? Again both versions of the Sage exhibit flawless fit and finish.

 

[James0723]

When you say “cheap” what exactly do you mean?

The price? Neither the CF Sage nor the RIL Sage could be called cheap from that point of view.

Fit and finish? Again both versions of the Sage exhibit flawless fit and finish.

Regardless of how well it's made there are 2 problems I have with it being made in Taiwan.

1. Part of the fun of knives is showing it to your friends and people. But for anyone who isn't familiar with it when they see "Taiwan" stamped in the blade it makes you look like a cheap person who owns a cheap knife.

2. I like to buy in the US to help create jobs here, and I don't like companies who take jobs away from us by having all their products build in overseas factories that don't treat their workers good.

With the knives by Lone Wolf, if they are made in the US like I remember reading, then you know at least it wasn't made by some poverty stricken Taiwanese guy who has to live in factory provided housing like an indentured servant.

Also the Sage 2 is quite cheaply priced for an s30v knife with titanium handles. Maybe not simply for an s30v knife, but I challenge you to find another s30v/titanium handle knife that is cheaper.

 

[Josh K]

Some of the Spyderco S30V steel knives are cheap, but the cheap ones are made in China and Taiwan. Like the Sage 2, s30v steel with titanium handle, but has Taiwan stamped on it.

What about one of the Blackfoot series of folders from Lone Wolf? This won an award for best value knife of 2009.

You can get them in a few different handle materials and without serrations. I believe all Lone Wolf's knives are made in the US. You can get the Blackfoots for around $100.

I specifically mentioned the Native, which is a Golden (USA) made knife.

Regardless of how well it's made there are 2 problems I have with it being made in Taiwan.

1. Part of the fun of knives is showing it to your friends and people. But for anyone who isn't familiar with it when they see "Taiwan" stamped in the blade it makes you look like a cheap person who owns a cheap knife.

2. I like to buy in the US to help create jobs here, and I don't like companies who take jobs away from us by having all their products build in overseas factories that don't treat their workers good.

With the knives by Lone Wolf, if they are made in the US like I remember reading, then you know at least it wasn't made by some poverty stricken Taiwanese guy who has to live in factory provided housing like an indentured servant.

Also the Sage 2 is quite cheaply priced for an s30v knife with titanium handles. Maybe not simply for an s30v knife, but I challenge you to find another s30v/titanium handle knife that is cheaper.

Since Spyderco's factory in Golden is maxed out for knives, I wouldn't say they are taking jobs away from us. Also consider they don't make any extra money sending it to Taiwan.

Provided housing makes you an indentured servant? I'd leap on a job that not only fed my family but also gave me room and board. $170 isn't cheap for a S30V knife with titanium handles.

 

[J.Mattson]

Regardless of how well it's made there are 2 problems I have with it being made in Taiwan.

1. Part of the fun of knives is showing it to your friends and people. But for anyone who isn't familiar with it when they see "Taiwan" stamped in the blade it makes you look like a cheap person who owns a cheap knife.

Fair enough, though that’s completely personal preference. To me the unimpeachable quality of the knife speaks for itself.

2. I like to buy in the US to help create jobs here, and I don't like companies who take jobs away from us by having all their products build in overseas factories that don't treat their workers good.

Fair enough, though when you buy one, your supporting a great American company.

With the knives by Lone Wolf, if they are made in the US like I remember reading, then you know at least it wasn't made by some poverty stricken Taiwanese guy who has to live in factory provided housing like an indentured servant.

Didn’t your other thread about this same topic teach you that at least in this case your incorrect about indentured servitude…a few years ago I worked in a restaurant and lived in an apartment above, it saved on rent, and made for a short commute. I certainly wasn’t slave labor.

Also the Sage 2 is quite cheaply priced for an s30v knife with titanium handles. Maybe not simply for an s30v knife, but I challenge you to find another s30v/titanium handle knife that is cheaper.

The Benchmade 635 can be had for less I just sold one for $110, lightly used. The benchmade 760 can be found brand new for around the same price to the Sage RIL, same goes for the Alias II same goes for the Leafstorm. And at least IMO these knives aren’t better then the Sage, good but not necessarily better.

See words in red

 

[James0723]

Yes but that was just you as an individual, this is being done on a mass scale for hundreds of people at a time and buildings are being specifically built for it. I can't say what the factory provided housing is like for the Spyderco factories in China or Taiwan, but I have seen a documentary about a jeans factory in China, and there it was like dorms with people sleeping 4 to a tiny dirty room in bunk beds. I would assume, until I see evidence to the contrary that the Spyderco manufacturers in Taiwan and China have similar housing as this is standard over there.

As for the price of the Sage 3, it's a discontinued knife but they can still be commonly found for $163.

http://www.google.com/products?q=spyderco+sage+II&hl=en&aq=f

The benchmade 635s are typically a little more expensive, definitely not cheaper:

http://www.google.com/products?q=benchmade+635s&hl=en&aq=f

and really the benchmade 760 can be found for $163 dollars? The only one on google product search is $229. Where can we get them for $163?

http://www.google.com/products?q=benchmade+760&hl=en&aq=f

Alias 2 = typically $176

http://www.google.com/products?q=alias+2+knife&hl=en&aq=f

As for the leafstorm it only has a 2 inch blade and the handles are not pure titanium but also made of G-10

And you have to consider that the Sage 2 is discontinued unlike the above knives so it was even cheaper when it was actually being made.

 

[shunsui]

For a folder, pick up a FRN Spyderco Endura in VG-10 steel, or a Spyderco Pacific Salt with H1 steel.

You might get a kick out of this cheap S30V fixed blade:

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=401

Then take a look at the Spyderco S90V mule fixed blade before they're gone.

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=323

Add a handle tutorial is here:

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35469

 

[J.Mattson]

Yes but that was just you as an individual, this is being done on a mass scale for hundreds of people at a time and buildings are being specifically built for it. I can't say what the factory provided housing is like for the Spyderco factories in China or Taiwan, but I have seen a documentary about a jeans factory in China, and there it was like dorms with people sleeping 4 to a tiny dirty room in bunk beds. I would assume, until I see evidence to the contrary that the Spyderco manufacturers in Taiwan and China have similar housing as this is standard over there.

We’re not talking about jeans and Spyderco isn’t levi’s. Aside from the fact that if I were making a documentary about poor worker conditions I would try to find factories with…well poor worker conditions.

As for the price of the Sage 3, it's a discontinued knife but they can still be commonly found for $163.

There is no Sage 3, there is a Sage I and a Sage II, neither of which are discontinued.

http://www.google.com/products?q=spyderco+sage+II&hl=en&aq=f

The benchmade 635s are typically a little more expensive, definitely not cheaper:

A brand new 635 can typically be found within $20 plus or minus of the same price as the Sage.

http://www.google.com/products?q=benchmade+635s&hl=en&aq=f

and really the benchmade 760 can be found for $163 dollars? The only one on google product search is $229. Where can we get them for $163?

$170 at knife works, Benchmade uses imposes a minimum advertised price, you have to actually add it to your cart to see the actual price.

http://www.google.com/products?q=benchmade+760&hl=en&aq=f

Alias 2 = typically $176

Which is near as makes no difference, the same price.

http://www.google.com/products?q=alias+2+knife&hl=en&aq=f

As for the leafstorm it only has a 2 inch blade and the handles are not pure titanium but also made of G-10

I just listed common Ti frame locks.

And you have to consider that the Sage 2 is discontinued unlike the above knives so it was even cheaper when it was actually being made.

The Sage RIL is not discontinued

again, words in red

 

[James0723]

I know it's the Sage 2, "3" was just a typo as can be seen from me writing "Sage 2" everywhere else and the link going to Sage 2's.

A brand new 635 can typically be found within $20 plus or minus of the same price as the Sage.

Not according to google products search. Please link me to where you can buy Benchmade 635s for less than $163

A knife being a little bit more than another knife is not "the same price". These are all cheap prices for s30v with titanium handles btw, most knives in this configuration are well over $200. But I asked you to find me one cheaper than the Sage 2, you have not done that. The Sage 2 can now be officially known as the cheapest s30v titanium handle knife available.

 

[J.Mattson]

For the best value S30v knife, I personally would go with the Buck Vantage Pro. When I buy knives online I will always call and first make sure they have them in stock and second I’ll ask them to pick me out a good one. In this case I would ask them to find me one with an good, early lock up, good centering and no other problems. Most reputable places are happy to do this (at least in my experience) often times I end up talking about knives to the person of the phone for a while.

 

[J.Mattson]

Please link me to where you can buy Benchmade 635s for less than $163

A knife being a little bit more than another knife is not "the same price".

I don’t wanna get dinged for deal spotting, so I’ll shoot you an email when I get a chance.

When the difference in price is so small (relative to the total cost of the knife) its in my mind at least near as makes no difference the same price.

 

[James0723]

I don’t wanna get dinged for deal spotting, so I’ll shoot you an email when I get a chance.

When the difference in price is so small (relative to the total cost of the knife) its in my mind at least near as makes no difference the same price.

Yes but when you consider that these are all s30v/titanium handle knives that are on the lowest end of the scale already and we are trying to find the absolute lowest then $10 does make a difference.

 

[harkamus]

snip -

so I can't have a blade over 5.5Inches

I envy you.

Kershaw Blur.

 

[Josh K]

Yes but that was just you as an individual, this is being done on a mass scale for hundreds of people at a time and buildings are being specifically built for it. I can't say what the factory provided housing is like for the Spyderco factories in China or Taiwan, but I have seen a documentary about a jeans factory in China, and there it was like dorms with people sleeping 4 to a tiny dirty room in bunk beds. I would assume, until I see evidence to the contrary that the Spyderco manufacturers in Taiwan and China have similar housing as this is standard over there.

I've seen a documentary. That has to be the worst argument I've ever heard. There are workplaces here worse then that, you don't see people refusing to buy USA made products now do you?

 

[harkamus]

Lol...standard where people sleep 4 to a tiny dirty room in a bunk bed?

China may be overpopulated and have sweatshops around, but I doubt Spyderco has anything to do with that. Also, even the US has sweatshops. It's just that no one ever hears about them.

Way to make a generalization.