Recommendation? Dream knife has 8Cr13MoV blade. Alternatives?

There was a time when 8Cr13Mov represented a better value in budget knives. In 2021, that just isn't true anymore. There are so many better choices at competitive prices. When I say "better", I mean significantly and demonstrably better in categories such as edge retention and corrosion resistance. For instance, 9Cr18Mov or 14C28N can cut circles around 8Cr13Mov. Both of those steels also have notably better corrosion resistance than 8Cr13Mov.

Even if you don't order from BladeHQ, you can still use their advanced search function. Here are all their Civivi knives in 9Cr18Mov. Not only does Civivi offer exceptional fit, finish, and action; they've perfected the heat treatment for 9Cr18Mov. It tends to hold a better edge than other 9Cr18Mov as well as a lot of the Chinese D2 out there. Definitely check out the Baklash.

https://www.bladehq.com/cat--CIVIVI--3293#/filter:blade_material:9Cr18MoV

If you are shopping the global market and want a nice budget knife with great action in 14C28N, look for the recently upgraded Harnds Talisman.
 
FabledAutomatic said:
Right now I'm really enjoying the looks of the Boker stuff. Specifically the two you mentioned, plus the kwaiken air, which hasn't been released yet.
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Just an FYI, I see a lot of BladeHQ and Knifecenter links, both great websites. However, as a fellow Canadian, I must say that buying a folding knife from the United States, especially one that has a flipper tab, assisted or a weak detent isn't really an option. So, while it is fun to check out American retailers, you're realistically going to be limited to Canadian retailers.
 
Gideons said:
Just an FYI, I see a lot of BladeHQ and Knifecenter links, both great websites. However, as a fellow Canadian, I must say that buying a folding knife from the United States, especially one that has a flipper tab, assisted or a weak detent isn't really an option. So, while it is fun to check out American retailers, you're realistically going to be limited to Canadian retailers.
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Right, good reminder.

Wait, hows he going to get an LCK then?
Especially since the new ones are assisted :confused:
 
So I skimmed over pages 2 & 3 so I might be speaking on matters covered but I want to drop in my 2 cent.

First on the subject of steel. I personally avoid the 8cr and other Chinese steels but I also personally avoid all things made in China. I however will not shy away from including Chinese products in any recommendation list if it is not already an exclusion. I will say that the issue I have often seen with 8cr13MoV is that frequently it is just done poorly and results in the steel preforming below what it is capable of. I will say I had a CRKT knife in that steel and it was a fantastic knife I let it go but not for being a made or inferior knife but simply I had too many knives that were better fits it didn't really have a home anymore. I also have been purging most Chinese made things from my inventory no matter how good so goodbye 8cr for me.

I have knives in 420HC which is probably the "worst" performing steel you will find a good knife made from but when done right it will preform well and is the primary steel you find in most Buck knives. My knives have all types of steel from many high end to low end stainless options and some semi stainless and I also avoid carbon steels myself again as a preferential aspect.

I think plenty have given some good options for you to look into and hope you can find a knife you will be happy with.
 
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Dergyll said:
Right, good reminder.

Wait, hows he going to get an LCK then?
Especially since the new ones are assisted :confused:
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While retailers do have problems with the CBSA policy, they still can get flippers/assisted knives in stock at a much more inconsistent rate than before (and often more expensive probably because of the additional costs they incur now). Which is good, until you need a warranty/repair done on your knife...
 
Dergyll said:
Right, good reminder.

Wait, hows he going to get an LCK then?
Especially since the new ones are assisted :confused:
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There are Canadian retailers currently selling the LCK + large.

Buying them once they're in the country isn't a problem at all. Having them shipped across the border means receiving a letter from the CBSA, instead of the knife you ordered. An expensive mistake.
 
I have many knives in many steels they all cut what I need. Had my AG Russell cowboy on vacation slicing tomatoes perfectly and use it often.
 
PirateSeulb said:
... First on the subject of steel. I personally avoid the 8cr... I have knives in 420HC which is properly the "worst" performing steel you will find a good knife made from but when done right it will preform well and is the primary steel you find in most Buck knives...
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While 420HC usually isn't good, Buck's 420HC is probably the most well-known example of the difference a good heat treatment can make. While the average 9Cr18Mov starts from a better place on edge retention, Civivi gives it a comparable boost. It's good enough to catch the heels of budget knives in super steels with less stellar heat treatments.

On the other hand, I've had a lot of 8Cr13Mov over the years. It does vary but the best I've had is still subpar versus 12C27, 14C28N, Acuto 440, 9Cr18Mov, Chinese D2, or even a well-done AUS-8.

BTW, I just did a quick web search for where to buy Civivi knives in Canada. A bunch of Canadian retailers came up. Are there issues with ordering within Canada?
 
Perhaps someone can do a reblade for you? Plenty of talented folks here in the forums.

I can sorta understand your situation. One of my dream knives is a Spyderco Resilience in S35VN or Maxamet perhaps.
 
DangerZone98 said:
Perhaps someone can do a reblade for you? Plenty of talented folks here in the forums.

I can sorta understand your situation. One of my dream knives is a Spyderco Resilience in S35VN or Maxamet perhaps.
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So much easier said than done. I'm having a few reblades done and so far the pricing has ranged from $150 plus materials on the low end for a simple folder to $800 plus materials for a reblade on a Sebenza... And that's if you can even find someone to do it for you. I've been hunting for someone to do the Sebenza reblade for nine months now.
 
Here's a few.
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Was just about to say Buck Langford or Buck Decatur, then realized they dont use "high end" steel...:p

Alliance Design Anchovy flipper is what I was look at, but it's a little expensive.

Maybe a WE Miscreant?
 
Chronovore said:
While 420HC usually isn't good, Buck's 420HC is probably the most well-known example of the difference a good heat treatment can make. While the average 9Cr18Mov starts from a better place on edge retention, Civivi gives it a comparable boost. It's good enough to catch the heels of budget knives in super steels with less stellar heat treatments.

On the other hand, I've had a lot of 8Cr13Mov over the years. It does vary but the best I've had is still subpar versus 12C27, 14C28N, Acuto 440, 9Cr18Mov, Chinese D2, or even a well-done AUS-8.

BTW, I just did a quick web search for where to buy Civivi knives in Canada. A bunch of Canadian retailers came up. Are there issues with ordering within Canada?
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Are there issues with ordering within Canada?
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Nope. Getting them across the border as a private buying is generally a no go, but if you buy them from a dealer who brought them in, it's no problem at all.
 
The Kizer Begleiter is a fantastic knife and VG-10 is a solid steel,it may not be a “super steel” but it’s a really well balanced steel..I have knives that costed 10 times as much as my Begleiter but few that get as much pocket time as my Begleiter.it has a great design,a silky smooth action and it disappears in the pocket.its a knife that could easily go from a gentleman’s knife that you would carry in a suit and tie to a work knife that you use daily in the shop..I HIGHLY recommend this knife,it’s hard to beat for the price
FabledAutomatic said:
Anyone have any experience with the Ganzo fh11 or fh13? Also curious about the Kizer Begleiter
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FabledAutomatic said:
Nope. Getting them across the border as a private buying is generally a no go, but if you buy them from a dealer who brought them in, it's no problem at all.
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While the Kershaw Link isn’t really of the same style of the knives you have mentioned,I definitely recommend checking it out..here in the USA you can get the USA made Kershaw Link for $80 in 20CV(which is an amazing steel) it also has some nice OD green anodized aluminum scales to boot..for the price,one would be hard pressed to find a better knife for the price..a Benchmade knife in these same materials would run you $200+..I bought the Kershaw Link in M390(M390 and 20CV are extremely similar) for $70 a few years ago and that was the knife that made me start collecting..if you decide you want to try out some of the more premium steels,USA made Kershaw knives are an excellent starting point.in the USA most of the Kershaw knives in premium steels are between $70 and $110 and they have used S30V,S35VN,M390,20CV,CPM-154 and M4
 
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