Dexter Russell a C-A knife?

jideta

jideta

Joined
Apr 8, 2020
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So I got this based upon a review of sorts on I think the Cheap Knife thread.
I mean how bad could it be for less than 10 bucks?
Is it just another cheap-ass knife?

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Okay, the one I ordered was a little bit more than 10 bucks. The cheaper version is called the Sani-safe line or something and the handles are a sterile looking white.
First of all, this is a cheap knife.
Is it cheap-ass? Well it's made in the good ole USA so I'm not calling it that. Yet.
Did I say this was a cheap knife?
Feels like a toy, hardly weighs anything, and it flexes like a filet blade.
Another reason I'm not calling it C-A is that it's freakin wicked sharp.
I've had a few Spydercos (I sold them in the early 80s) and this thing may be sharper than Spyderco's serrations. Which as you know, is saying a lot!
It's one of those blades that might cut you if you just look at it wrong.
Too bad because it doesn't feel like much more than a plastic knife.
A plastic knife that no doubt can do some damage.

I expect that Dexter Russell's whole line is about the same quality as most of the blades are priced about the same.
Is it worth it?
If you want a knife that's just barely a knife but freaking wicked sharp then yes. I have no doubt this thing will rip through just about anything you care to rip through.
I think sharpness aside if it was like 5 bucks I'd recommend it as a disposable picnic type knife or something where if it broke or got lost who cares.
Perfect tackle box/tool box knife.
Did I say this thing was wicked sharp?
 
Dexter has a ton of different lines, that one is one of the industrial lines. They are cheap because they are constantly lost, worn out or sharpened away in use, but they aren't bad knives at all. They work really well for what they are.
 
Gonna see if I can find one a little larger. Perfect I think for cutting up the ribeye after grilling.
Did I mention it was freakin wicked sharp?

BTW this is miles above those C-A department store fruit knives hanging on the rack.
 
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Hickory n steel said:
Good knives, the sanisafe line is used where I work, but they have green handles.
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You can get the USA made with green blue white etc handles. Many Restaurants & commercial kitchens use them and they work fine. No frills or fancy but Great for working in your kitchen.. I sold them for years to Restaurants I sharpened for. They are a good value.
 
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In this same vein of thought, the Victorinox serrated paring knife is a whiz knife to have in the kitchen or picnic basket. Light as a feather yet a slicer and dicer with the best of them. Even comes with a plastic blade cover for easy and safe transport. Less than 10 dollars.
 
Ben Dover said:
Old Italian proverb
"Cheapa U buy,cheapa u get!":D
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Dexter Russel is the exception. Cheap you pay. Quality you get. Not fancy, but amazing knives. My wife and kids abuse my DR net knife. It has gone through miles of cardboard, and the dishwasher a hundred times it’s still the same as it was when it was new.

Pretty sure the “review” the OP was referring too was mine. I love these knives.

I just bought the bucket of pairing knives. Different colors. I thought pretty fancy for them. Turns out I was wrong. They are different colors for different foods to prevent cross contamination.
https://www.dexter1818.com/media/pdf/Color-Splash-June-2013.pdf

My dad used to go to china town and buy these knives from a barrel for $1 each. Worn down butcher knives. He’d reprofile and sharpen them Then get years of service out of them. He would say these are real knives.

When I discovered the Sani Safe line. I recognized them immediately. I was super excited because I knew how much he liked those old knives and how indestructible they are.

Interesting experience to find something you didn’t know you were looking for.
 
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lonestar1979 said:
Victorinox paring knives are some of best cutters ever,light and inexpensive,i i have 4 inch one,and their tomato serrated knife,both are very good and thats what i i use in kitchen and outdoors mostly
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This.

Add a kydex sheath and you have a great inexpensive EDC.
 
Dexter Russell and Old Hickory are high quality inexpensive knives.
Some of their patterns/designs have been made without changes (other than improvements in heat treat over the years) for over 150 years.
Just basic carbon steel like 1095, and riveted wood scales, along with designs that work. They must be doing something right.

Some patterns/models are available in stainless steel with plastic or rubber handles now for fools who think carbon steel and wood are "unsanitary". Never mind the fact that our ancestors used carbon steel, wood handles (also wood cutting boards, and cast iron pots, pans, cauldrons, dutch ovens, wok's, etc.) for thousands of years without harm, or humans going extinct.
 
eveled said:
Dexter Russel is the exception. Cheap you pay. Quality you get. Not fancy, but amazing knives. My wife and kids abuse my DR net knife. It has gone through miles of cardboard, and the dishwasher a hundred times it’s still the same as it was when it was new.

Pretty sure the “review” the OP was referring too was mine. I love these knives.

I just bought the bucket of pairing knives. Different colors. I thought pretty fancy for them. Turns out I was wrong. They are different colors for different foods to prevent cross contamination.
https://www.dexter1818.com/media/pdf/Color-Splash-June-2013.pdf

My dad used to go to china town and buy these knives from a barrel for $1 each. Worn down butcher knives. He’d reprofile and sharpen them Then get years of service out of them. He would say these are real knives.

When I discovered the Sani Safe line. I recognized them immediately. I was super excited because I knew how much he liked those old knives and how indestructible they are.

Interesting experience to find something you didn’t know you were looking for.
Click to expand...

See what you started.
I'm now on a Really Cheap Knife (RCK) mission!
 
eveled said:
Dexter Russel is the exception. Cheap you pay. Quality you get. Not fancy, but amazing knives. My wife and kids abuse my DR net knife. It has gone through miles of cardboard, and the dishwasher a hundred times it’s still the same as it was when it was new.

Pretty sure the “review” the OP was referring too was mine. I love these knives.

I just bought the bucket of pairing knives. Different colors. I thought pretty fancy for them. Turns out I was wrong. They are different colors for different foods to prevent cross contamination.
https://www.dexter1818.com/media/pdf/Color-Splash-June-2013.pdf

My dad used to go to china town and buy these knives from a barrel for $1 each. Worn down butcher knives. He’d reprofile and sharpen them Then get years of service out of them. He would say these are real knives.

When I discovered the Sani Safe line. I recognized them immediately. I was super excited because I knew how much he liked those old knives and how indestructible they are.

Interesting experience to find something you didn’t know you were looking for.
Click to expand...
Also Kosher Jewish folk use one color for meat. One for vegetation, etc So the colored Handles of DR SaniSafe work great for them.
 
Ooo. I might have to snag a few of these and try them.

I have a few Vic paring knives and stainless steel Moras in my kitchen.
 
Over the years, I've switched most of my paring knives over to Yaxell Ran.

These knives "do it" for me!:thumbsup::):thumbsup:
 
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