Could we make a "best knife bargains" thread?

H

Hair

Joined
Nov 9, 2005
Messages
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The original post is below. I want to keep the list itself at the top:

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$10 and less:

CRKT Ryan Plan B (http://www.eknifeworks.com/)
Old Hickory kitchen knives
Opinel knives on Internet
Central Valley Wholesale SAKs

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$20:

Victorinox SAK
Ka-bar Dozier
Buck 110 set at WalMart ($22)
Boker Magnum chinese made slipjoints
Mora-style knives (http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html)
Browning Sportsman knives (Ebay)
Benchmade Pika and Mini-Pika (as low as $25)
Benchmade Benchmite II (http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BM10610)
Spyderco Byrd series
CRKT Rollock 1 (http://www.gpknives.com/item/Columbia-River-Rollock-Blue.html)
AG Russell Hunters Scalpel
Vintage Bruckmann knives, common on eBay in mint condition for $20-$40
Buck Taclite Linerlock w/ Wood Laminate Handles (http://www.eknifeworks.com/)

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$30:

Buck Mayo Hilo
Benchmade Monochrome
AG Russell Featherlite AUS 8 for $35
Timberline Envoy
USA-made Schrade Old Timers
Buck 119
Buck Nighthawk
Polkowski/Kasper Companion by CRKT

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$40:

Spyderco Native at Walmart
Buck Strider 889 for $45 on ebay
Buck Rush
Spyderco Endura and Delica in VG-10 for $40 - $50
BKT BK-7
CRKT M16s and M21s
Spyderco Centofante
Kershaw Centofante
Kershaw Chive
Kershaw Leek
Kershaw Scallion

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$50:

AG Russell Featherlite ATS-34 for '$50
Spyderco D'Allara

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$60:

Buck 110 Alaskan Guide 110 in S30V steel from Cabelas
Benchmade Griptillian
Cold Steel Voyageres

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$80:

Spyderco Spyderfly

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$90:

Buck/Strider 880SP (http://store.irawoodinc.com/bu88stsp.html)

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$100+:

Benchmade Skirmish
Al Mar SERE 2000
Kershaw Bump
Benchmade/Blackwood 630
Buck/Strider 882SBTG Tarani Police Knife (http://store.irawoodinc.com/bu88tapokn.html)
Spyderco Manix or Mini-Manix

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Other:

Ranger knives RD series
Becker (BKT)
Forschner kitchen line from Victorinox

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Well, not "we" since I am a knife newbie... but... well... you guys?

It would help me, of course, but would also be a very helpful thread to many members. It will help us make the most of our money.

For example:

$20: Victorinox SAK, Ka-bar Dozier, Buck 110 set at WalMart
$30: Buck Mayo Hilo, Kershaw Leek, Benchmade Monochrome
$40: Spyderco Native at Walmart

etc....

People could post suggestions, and then the person who made the first post (me if we use this thread, whoever else if a new one is started) can edit the suggestions in, organized by price, to make it easy for people to see all of their options.

The knives don't have the be incredible bargains, per se, but just knives that are well worth the money. So they don't all have to be Natives for 40 bucks, just knives that are solid for the price. This could help people see their best options in any price class. As a knife newbie, it takes a lot of time and research to find the right knife for me in a given price class. Something like this could help me narrow down my options to just the better buys and help me see what to avoid.

Hell, there could be a "what to avoid" section to for knives that aren't very good for the price.

And if something like this has been done before.... *hits self* d'oh. Sorry.
 
There have been posts on this topic before but I for one am ready for a new one.

You named some of the biggies that came immediately to my mind, i.e. Kabar Dozier for $20, Walmart Native for $40, Walmart Buck 110 for $23.

To these I would add Buck 110 Alaskan Guide 110 in S30V steel from Cabelas for $60, Buck Strider 889 for $45 on ebay, Spyderco Endura and Delica in VG-10 for $40 - $50.

This may raise some hackles, but I also think the Boker Magnum chinese made slipjoints are a great deal at under $20, based on my redbone sowbelly stockman. Steel is 440A and fit/finish are great. Definitely a good value. I've heard the same about Steel Warrior, but I odered one and was unimpressed. It seemed cheap while the Boker Magnum did not.

I've also asked about the Buck Mayo Hilo in another thread. 440C with Stainless linerlock and Mayo design for about $30. Seems like a great deal but I don't know for sure. If the 440C blade is treated to Paul Bos specs, I can't see how it wouldn't be a fantastic deal.

My two cents.
 
I will add one, Hair.

>$20: Opinel - various internet dealers
$20: Victorinox SAK, Ka-bar Dozier, Buck 110 set at WalMart
$40: Spyderco Native at Walmart
 
Thanks guys. I added your suggestions, and I will look into buying them myself :)

I guess we can use this thread to keep a running list of good bargains, and then maybe later someone can take the list and make a nice and official-looking thread for it. Maybe it can be stickied?
 
I neglected to mention, Kershaw Leek for $35 - $40. Great knife at that price, even if the steel is 440A. Mine seems to sharpen up and stay sharp just fine.

Also, and this is a little unconventional, but old Browning Sportsman folders, especially the Japanese made ones don't command much of a price on the collectors market, but they are very well built knives with 440C blades. You can find these on ebay for $30 - $40 in excellent or even mint condition. If you ever need a break from your Buck 110 these are great. The style tends to look a little more German to me, and the lock up is more tight than Bucks in my opinion. Plus your getting 440C instead of 420HC blade steel. I'm not knocking Buck or their excellently heat treated 420HC. Variety is the spice of life though, isn't it?
 
The Leek is one of the knives I am planning on buying very soon. I just forgot to list it. Thanks.
 
I'm going to chime in with a nod to the new Spyderco D'Allara drop point. It is a steal in it's price range.
 
How about the Benchmade Monochromes? N690 steel, frame lock, and BM quality all for around 35 bucks.
 
Sounds good. I want an inexpensive framelock knife and wad going to get the Buck Mayo Hilo, but I already have 3 Bucks and would like to try out of a BM, so I will probably get that instead. Added.

I'll add the Spyderco D'Allara to the list without a price, and then put it in a price class when I find out how much it costs (too lazy to go looking right now).
 
I think the regular and D2 minigrips and grips are pretty awesome deals....

I think the Natives and Centofantes are great deals, and the Centofante is constantly looked over, so check that one out...

The para I still think is a pretty good deal even at its lofty 115. I just can't find any other knife like it.

The spyderfly is clearly the best deal among balisongs, but it suffers from very real fit and finish and latch problems.
 
Ragnar has 'em for $30. Handfilling grip, lightweight, thin Sandvik blade cuts like a razor. More often than not that's what's in my pocket.

Frank
 
Ranger knives RD series
BM monochrome
Ka-bar doizer
spyderco native at walmart
becker knives

Just some of the ones out there.

TBG
 
I think the Benchmade PIKA and mini-PIKA is a great deal for a very well made knife. I see them for about $25.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10400

The Benchmade GRIPTILLIAN is another great one. $50-75.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=550

These are not as popular as some of the other models mentioned like the Buck but they are the real deal and when you handle and cut with one you immediately see the differences. Check out the blade steel and hardness and the handle material (and warranty and lifetime service/sharpening, etc.)
 
Ooops. Sorry. The new D'Allara drop point isn't listed on a lot of websites yet as it has only shipped to collectors club members. I purchased my numbered edition for 57 bucks. The older rescue version of this knife sells for 49. I think we can realisticly look for it to move at 55 when it hits the shelves in solid numbers.
 
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