Dirt Cheap Folders for Knife Instruction?

K

kjbenner

Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
274
Hello all,

In the summer I work at a BSA summer camp, where I run the first-year camper program. Part of what I teach is wood tool use, care and safety. This means how to properly use, carry, care for, and sharpen saws, axes, and knives.

I'm looking for some suggestions as to some real cheap folders that I can use for lending out to scouts when teaching. I'd be looking to get about a dozen of these, so anything that's cheaper in bulk is a welcome idea. The idea is that I can lend these out to the whole patrol I'm teaching, as not all boys have their own pocketknives and I don't have enough beaters to pass around.

Here's what I'm looking for:

  • ~2"-3" blade
  • slipjoint or lockback
  • clip, drop, or spear point
  • ~$3 per knife

The last item on there I think will be the hardest to meet. I'm not looking for quality cutlery here, just something that can be sharpened easily and preferably hold up to being stored in less than ideal environments for an extended period.

Thanks very much for any ideas offered,

Kevin
 
Try checking out Smokey Mountain Knife Works on the Net. They carry

several low priced brands and some in bulk. I think it's really great your taking

the time to teach these skills. Good Luck! :thumbup:
 
Look at some of the Imperial or Schrade lots up on ebay, I've seen some fairly large lots go for cheap.
 
The closest I can think of would be a small Opinel, but even that will cost more than $3. For example. Any of the real cheap folders I've seen are frankly hazardous and generally will not take much of an edge.
 
You may want to look into Rough Rider knives. If you can get a bulk deal off the net you may get to/close to your $3.00 per price goal. And, they are very decent knives for the money. I have 3 I use as beaters and have been happy with them in that role. Made in China of 440 steel.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
The closest I can think of would be a small Opinel, but even that will cost more than $3. For example. Any of the real cheap folders I've seen are frankly hazardous and generally will not take much of an edge.
Click to expand...

I agree, they cost a bit more than you're looking for, but at least you know you're getting quality. Maybe if you ask around they might be able to cut you a deal for the bulk order.
 
I too have had few Rough Riders and for the money, they are not that bad. For what you are talking about, I think they would work well.
 
I would shy away from the Opinels because they are prone to be really hard to open and close if you get them too wet.

I'd look at Rag Weed Forge and consider a fixed blade Mora. A fixed blade is going to be safer to work with. The Eriksson #511 is used extensively for outdoor training like what you describe. They're $8 @, but maybe Ragnar would cut you a deal if you buy a certain quantity. Go to www.ragweedforge.com

I've also seen some "Sodbuster" knives go pretty cheap.
 
In all reality, for Boy Scouts I've always felt that you can't go wrong with a Victorinox. When I was in Scouts those were the knives that everyone got the most exposure to. All the leaders carried Victorinox SAKs. Heck, everyone I know owns one. The two I'm going to reccomend are a little over your price but I'm sure if you called Smoky Mountain Knife Works they would be more than willing to work with you given your circumstance and the fact that you're buying in bulk.

The Bantam:
http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?A=&range=81&Brand=117&Mode=Brand&SKU=V53941

The Pocket Pal:
http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?A=&range=181&Brand=117&Mode=Brand&SKU=V53281
 
I think some of the offerings from Rough Rider fit the bill perfectly. You can find a number of different patterns for right around $4 or $5, and from what I've read, they're quite decent knives.
 
I got a budK catalog yesterday that has Timberwolf knives on closeout. I think the "Uncle Jack's Pick" would be a good training lockback with a 2 3/4" blade. The catalog lists them at $4.99 but the website still has the $8.99 price so, if you're interested I'd suggest calling them. 800-543-5061

http://budk.com/product.asp?pn=TW70
 
Smokey Mtn Knifeworks has a TON of folders in your price range. Go to www.eknifeworks.com , left column click on folding knives, when the 4000+ selection comes up, sort by lowest to highest and you'll find pages of folders in your range. How many do you need?
 
Thinking about it, I second checking with Smokey Mountain. I would caution everyone to be careful recommending cheap knives with which you're not personally familiar.
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions, it seems like SMKW will be my best bet. Originally I was thinking of just gong as cheap as I can get a knife for, but as Esav Benyamin pointed out, I don't want one closing on a scout's fingers because it's shoddy.

There's a couple I was looking at that are more than I can really spend, but If I can get a discount might work:

Vic Solo:
http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?Mode=Text&SKU=V53842

Vic Gardener:
http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?Mode=Text&SKU=V53567

I absolutely trust Victorinox's quality, and I'm sure that either of these would hold up to what will be thrown at it. I like the solo for the blade shape and lanyard hole, the gardener is just a bit cheaper.

If It turns out that a discount isn't going to happen, I was thinking this one:

Poorman Sodbuster:
http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?Mode=Text&SKU=PM203115

The style is just right for what I'm looking for, I just have no idea just how bad the quality will be. If these are only going to last one summer or less, I'd rather put the extra money up and get one of the Victorinoxes.

Keep the ideas coming, you've all been very helpful.
 
With a no-name brand and ultra-low price, like the Poorman Sodbuster, the lack of specific steel would be the deal-breaker for me. At least if they said carbon steel, you might be buying a knife that actually cuts.

How soon do you need to decide? It might be worth ordering 2 or 3 different cheapies from Smokey Mountain, and evaluating them yourself before you buy a bunch of them for the kids.

Smokey Mountain ships pretty fast.
 
Does it have to fold? You can get a usable paring knife for $3. If you can get hold of some leather they can make sheaths for them. Or use cardboard and duct tape.
 
Go to bladematrix. Type "imperial" in the search box. Sort the results by ascending price. You'll find several decent Ireland Imperial pocketknives for under $3 each.

Paring knives by Victorinox, Opinel, Old Hickory are pretty good and inexpensive. Perhaps the scouts would like to make sheaths for them?
 
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