Cheapskate Heroes

A.L. said:
Well, in a true cheapskate fashion I cheaped on buying some leather and managed to scavenge enough scrap to modify the stock sheath.
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That's not cheap, that's absolutely an upgrade.
 
scdub said:
Direct from Ukraine.

Grinds and finishes are even and consistent between all five of these examples. 👍

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I can't say enough good things about BPS. They give off an Old Hickory vibe. Just well done all around at a price you can't beat. I have a Raven which is basically the Adventurer model with a plastic handle and plastic sheath and no fire starter.

There little Puukko may be the star of the show. I keep one in my desk drawer at work that is my apple eating knife. Crazy sharp, takes a wonderful edge. I use it every day, and the apple patina proves it ;)

It's funny, but out of all of the hundreds of knives I have, I'm seriously considering taking the Adventurer as my primary fixed blade while hiking Yellowstone this year. It's lightweight, super sharp, more than capable. I may take the scales off and see if I can either counter sink the screws better or replace the hardware since they do sit pretty proud, but honestly that knife with a multi tool and a tiny GB hatchet back at base camp should have me covered.
 
I just ordered a couple of these. I consider them cheaply priced because of the obviously huge investment that must have gone into R&D for these. Truly groundbreaking!

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It's even equipped with Bluetooth!

Edit: the write up just makes me hungry for another, maybe when they release a tanto version.

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I've been toting my Cold Steel Kobun around recently. I belive I paid about $33.00 for it years ago, so it definitely counts as a cheapskate special. Long blade, thin hollow grind, slim handle, and AUS-8 given an (apparently) proper treatment: all good things to me.

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I always liked the knife but rarely carried it due to the stock sheath that's too retentive and just plain uncomfortable to wear with any available clips that I've tried. BUT, I've come up with a simple, albeit inelegant solution: a modified static line setup.

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I tied a loop of paracord through the uppermost eyelet on the sheath, then added a soft loop with a pull-the-dot snap for security. With this setup I can easy position (or reposition) the knife in my waistband without having to worry about it flopping around too much and the snap loop lets me easily add or remove it without having to unwind my entire belt. And, with the shortened paracord loop, I don't have to worry about the entire sheath coming out and dangling from my waist.

Video in-use:
https://imgur.com/7NWNxUV

I would like to replace the securex sheath with a kydex one, but so far have not found anyone offering a taco-style sheath - which I would prefer over the larger, bulkier pancake style.* Until then, I'm content to carry as shown.


*I'll be glad for suggestions re a source for a kydex taco sheath.
 
oldmanwilly said:
I've been toting my Cold Steel Kobun around recently. I belive I paid about $33.00 for it years ago, so it definitely counts as a cheapskate special. Long blade, thin hollow grind, slim handle, and AUS-8 given an (apparently) proper treatment: all good things to me.

1YPP9hj.jpeg


I always liked the knife but rarely carried it due to the stock sheath that's too retentive and just plain uncomfortable to wear with any available clips that I've tried. BUT, I've come up with a simple, albeit inelegant solution: a modified static line setup.

9qNjN0o.jpeg


I tied a loop of paracord through the uppermost eyelet on the sheath, then added a soft loop with a pull-the-dot snap for security. With this setup I can easy position (or reposition) the knife in my waistband without having to worry about it flopping around too much and the snap loop lets me easily add or remove it without having to unwind my entire belt. And, with the shortened paracord loop, I don't have to worry about the entire sheath coming out and dangling from my waist.

Video in-use:
https://imgur.com/7NWNxUV

I would like to replace the securex sheath with a kydex one, but so far have not found anyone offering a taco-style sheath - which I would prefer over the larger, bulkier pancake style.* Until then, I'm content to carry as shown.


*I'll be glad for suggestions re a source for a kydex taco sheath.
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I had the same issue with my Kobun lol. I found that mine “broke in” over time though. My Kobun sheath is much more friendly now than 2-3 years ago. I wish the handle had a bit more thickness.
 
DangerZone98 said:
I wish the handle had a bit more thickness.
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I agree with you there and add that I also wish the guard was just a bit longer on the edge side to offer a bit more protection from slipping onto the edge. Since these are still cheap, I have considered ordering an extra 1 or 2 and trying to add a custom handle. I also wouldn't mind the Lynn Thompson special as I prefer the blade profile, but it's not cheapskate friendly.
 
Wow what a bargain I found!

I know a lot of members here will only buy American made. But this Kizer fixed blade is one of the best deals I have found. The full flat grind blade came extremely sharp. The micarta scales have great grip and are contoured all except the very edge which I don’t notice when gripping it. No hot spots. I have a large hand and I can get a full grip barely. Excellent kydex sheath with no rattles what so ever. It does come with a very cheap knockoff teklok that reviews online say will break so I just took it off. Will put an Ulticlip on it. I’m carrying it in front pocket along side my Hinderer and it disappears in the pocket. Otherwise the whole package is a quality made knife and sheath.

To top it off it’s made of 3V. Wow $50 doll hairs?!!! What?! The D2?version is the same price now as this 3V.

People have tested it online and it’s coming in around 61-62 RC. Kizer states 61-62.5.

Would make a great neck knife if you carry that way. I plan to just front pocket carry it when I do but also I think this will be my dedicated truck console knife.

Anyways just want to share that this is an excellent knife with excellent steel and on sale right now at Amazon for $50.

Do yourself a favor and get one. If you don’t like it, free returns on Amazon.

If anyone knows where you can get a $50 3V knife that is better than this I’d like to know.

Have a great Thursday!



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adluginb said:
Wow what a bargain I found!

I know a lot of members here will only buy American made. But this Kizer fixed blade is one of the best deals I have found. The full flat grind blade came extremely sharp. The micarta scales have great grip and are contoured all except the very edge which I don’t notice when gripping it. No hot spots. I have a large hand and I can get a full grip barely. Excellent kydex sheath with no rattles what so ever. It does come with a very cheap knockoff teklok that reviews online say will break so I just took it off. Will put an Ulticlip on it. I’m carrying it in front pocket along side my Hinderer and it disappears in the pocket. Otherwise the whole package is a quality made knife and sheath.

To top it off it’s made of 3V. Wow $50 doll hairs?!!! What?! The D2?version is the same price now as this 3V.

People have tested it online and it’s coming in around 61-62 RC. Kizer states 61-62.5.

Would make a great neck knife if you carry that way. I plan to just front pocket carry it when I do but also I think this will be my dedicated truck console knife.

Anyways just want to share that this is an excellent knife with excellent steel and on sale right now at Amazon for $50.

Do yourself a favor and get one. If you don’t like it, free returns on Amazon.

If anyone knows where you can get a $50 3V knife that is better than this I’d like to know.

Have a great Thursday!



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Civivi, Real Steel, and Ruike are all solid too. Civivi’s on this forum if I’m not mistaken.
 
adluginb said:
^ Yes I have a fixed blade Ruike that is in 14C28N and it is a nice blade but just looked and it’s up to $80 now. It is a bigger knife but still. $50 for 3V steel is a steal…😎
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Do you mean the Ruike Jaeger? It's been a famous bargain for years now, back to when it was only $60-something before COVID. It is real 14C28N but they don't run it as hard as some people would like. People say the same for that Kizer but they at least keep it above 60. The Jaeger is only supposed to be 58-60 but emphasis on the 58 with some dipping slightly below. Still, great knife and that does enhance the toughness of an already extremely tough stainless steel. It works for the kind of knife it is. The Jaeger also has good ergonomics with attention to detail, like rounding the exposed tang.

My only real complaint about the Jaeger is that the adjustable retention doodad on the sheath eventually wears out. The sheath isn't actually Kydex and has a screw-down piece that slowly wears away when tightened down over time. I've honestly thought about getting custom Kydex for mine.
 
Chronovore said:
Do you mean the Ruike Jaeger? It's been a famous bargain for years now, back to when it was only $60-something before COVID. It is real 14C28N but they don't run it as hard as some people would like. People say the same for that Kizer but they at least keep it above 60. The Jaeger is only supposed to be 58-60 but emphasis on the 58 with some dipping slightly below. Still, great knife and that does enhance the toughness of an already extremely tough stainless steel. It works for the kind of knife it is. The Jaeger also has good ergonomics with attention to detail, like rounding the exposed tang.

My only real complaint about the Jaeger is that the adjustable retention doodad on the sheath eventually wears out. The sheath isn't actually Kydex and has a screw-down piece that slowly wears away when tightened down over time. I've honestly thought about getting custom Kydex for mine.
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The Jager is fantastic. The sheath on mine has slightly loose retention though.
 
Chronovore Chronovore Yes that’s it! Currently still priced at $69 which is what I paid for mine last year. I did find it for $80 also on Amazon so for people looking at it make sure you buy the one that is priced cheaper.

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I decided not to go with an Ulti-Clip just because that would have made the clip ($18) cost 35% of what the knife did.

I read the reviews on the knock off amazon clips and found one that was $8.49. It’s a plain metal clip, and it came with plenty of attachment pieces. Seems to be nice and durable for the price.

So for $50.99 + 8.49, ($60) In my opinion I have a very nice edc fixed blade knife with 3V blade steel.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my CPK EDC’s, REK Ember and my Redmeadow Cowbell. But for $60 this is a heck of a knife.

I’m going to use it a lot around the house this weekend. My plans right now are that it will probably end up as the truck console knife. Now with the clip on it, I can also carry it comfortably if choose to.


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David Mary said:
Liked for the Range Boss. I don't like corn!
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Absolutely! I've had a Range Boss for only 3 days and I'm already sold on it, despite mine being in 4116 steel. Not enough time yet to say how well the edge will hold up, but I'm putting a little blind faith in Cold Steel's ability to sell well-tempered blades. It's one of the few knives I can comfortably carry on my back pocket all day.

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I will say this, at less than $13.00 each, these are excellent knives. If CS ever started to offer them in decent steel I think they'd be a serious competitor with the Spyderco Endura. My cheap self wouldn't hesitate to order a couple in 14C28N at whatever cost*, given the chance.






*well, obviously not "whatever" cost. But some reasonable price increase, say $3.50, would be acceptable.
 
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