Ever liked a cheaper knife better?

J

Joe Dirt

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I ask this question because even though I have some nice G10 Benchmade's that I am starting to really go for the little Kershaw Scallion that I just got yesterday.

The Scallion cost me 1/4th of the cost of some of my Benchmade's have. It has "lesser" blade steel and yet it's perfect.

It has nice full liners, nice aluminum handles, and is black TiNi coated everywhere. I love it.

Can a $32 knife be better than a $120 knife? I guess so, in some circumstances.

Maybe I'm starting to just like Kershaw knives a lot more but I feel that sometimes companies are just asking too much money for a knife that is not that much better.

The Benchmade 707 has "better" blade steel and an Axis lock. Other than that it's no better than the Scallion that I have. Both have aluminum handles and full liners. Both feel really nice. Sure the Scallion is a little smaller but that's not my point. Is the Axis lock and better steel worth it? I'm not sure anymore. I've had a few Kershaw's and I'm starting to realize that the steel thing is a lot of hype. Not even I can tell between how long 420HC lasts vs. 154CM.

I'm going to see how some more "cheap" knives fair when compared to expensive knives.

I think the G10 leeks will be every bit as good as the products from Benchmade, if not better. The Spec Bump I sent out on the passaround was far better in many ways than any Benchmade I've ever had.

Do you ever like a cheaper knife better?
 
eka (eka-kniven.se) offer sweda 92 (rubber with brass handle) with 12c27 steel,hrc about 58 is just about usd 30
 
A Keshaw Leek, now about 35-40 bucks is an ergonomic masterpiece!
I have knives 10-20 times as expensive, but I enjoy that Leek! I've carried it and its predecessor for 15-16 months, and it's easy to carry and deploy, and doesn't scare most people. I feel naked without it (and my 1095 canoe). A home run for Kershaw and Ken Onion! Easy to sharpen, and holds a decent edge; cuts lots of cardboard, and apples for lunch. Humble old 420hc (I think).
 
Schade 152. 20.00 at Wal mart for years. Best buy in a blade that I ever saw. Always liked high carbon steel anyway. Oh well, those days are gone...
 
I like the Spyderco Pacific Salt better than the Spyderco Impala.
And the new Endura 4 is better (IMHO) than ALOT of more expensive knives.
 
Helle Nying. paid $30 years ago, and it's still probably the most useful knife i own.

i own some Dalton autos for the gadget-factor, but EDC is usually the puukko or a Spydie 93mm Rescue.

and i keep looking at trying a Case Sodbuster in a belt pouch.
 
Price and how much you like something usually don't go perfectly hand in hand.

Knives are very subjective. Looks, feel, personality... these are a matter of design and not just high-end versus low-end.

More expensive knives have a lot of advantages, but it is not a shock when a less expensive knife captures my love as much or more than a more expensive knife.

All that said, my favorite knife is my Sebenza.
 
griptilians are cheap and great knives. AG Russell has an inexpensive sleeper in his featherlite line.

Both are in my EDC lineup.

Phil
 
Three Kershaw/Onion threads in a row, great to see that.
Yes, these liliaceous bulbs have been worth a lot more than their money due to the great design and innovation and ergonomics and dare I say beauty, regardless of the often just adequate materials... I mean, in a Chive or Scallion, 420 seems quite adequate since it's HC.
Likewise, Spyderco offers great value for money.
Wouldn't knock the old Benchmades though.... their Red/Chinese line of production is great value too (like the Taiwan-made 10210)
lots of people point out knives half the price of Sebenzas are just as good
(e.g. the Kershaw Ti Bump is quite semi-custom)
Seems it comes down to Kershaw being a high-quality company at low prices :)
best,
t.
 
For sure, especially if you count Swedish Moras, over the years I have picked up lots of sub $20.00 knives that are great.
 
The blade steel situation is starting to get rediculous. For what most people use their knives for, 420HC and 440A are sufficient. I can say without a doubt that my most expensive knives are not my favorites. This is especially true of knives in the $150 price range. As the price goes up from $150, the quality usually seems to go up proportionally. But I frequently fail to see any real difference in $80 and $160 knives.
 
Here's mine all EDC's.

Spyderco Salt 1-Trade but value at about $47.99

Victorinox Cadet-$19.99

Douk-Douk-$20.00

Know what? the Bloody SAK and Douk out-cut the $50.00 to $120.00 knives I've had! :p
 
My EDC is a fixed 4" blade Frost Swedish Army knife that I got for $8.95. I love the dern thing.Feel naked without it. (Not that I don't throughly enjoy being naked but........) Anyways, sent out for 6 more just so I'd never run out. I have never seen a blade hold an edge like this knife. The grip has a kraton like feel.Perfect ergonomics for my hand, and does any job I put it too well.
 
This is HERESY! Anyone who thinks they can clean fingernails without ZDP-189 has just not cleaned fingernails under adverse conditions.

It is ESSENTIAL that we develop the habit of throwing away all our knives when a better STEEL comes along. It is the American way.

"cutting apples" indeed!!! :eek:

Anyone who has cut an apple with SGPS will never return to lousy, stinking 420 stainless.

Unless of course the user is one of the unwashed peasants who think a Swiss Army Knife is actually a real knife. Look at how many they make! Would they have to make so many if they were any GOOD?

I rest my case. (Not "Case" but ...case)

:)
 
Cheaper is relative, but my Schrade stockman has always been a good knife. It was pretty cheap (got it on closeout), and its always performed VERY well for my uses. The simple slipjoint, when done right, is simply a pleasure to own!!!

-Anthony
 
Joe Dirt said:
I ask this question because even though I have some nice G10 Benchmade's that I am starting to really go for the little Kershaw Scallion that I just got yesterday.

The Scallion cost me 1/4th of the cost of some of my Benchmade's have. It has "lesser" blade steel and yet it's perfect.

It has nice full liners, nice aluminum handles, and is black TiNi coated everywhere. I love it.

Can a $32 knife be better than a $120 knife? I guess so, in some circumstances.

Maybe I'm starting to just like Kershaw knives a lot more but I feel that sometimes companies are just asking too much money for a knife that is not that much better.

The Benchmade 707 has "better" blade steel and an Axis lock. Other than that it's no better than the Scallion that I have. Both have aluminum handles and full liners. Both feel really nice. Sure the Scallion is a little smaller but that's not my point. Is the Axis lock and better steel worth it? I'm not sure anymore. I've had a few Kershaw's and I'm starting to realize that the steel thing is a lot of hype. Not even I can tell between how long 420HC lasts vs. 154CM.

I'm going to see how some more "cheap" knives fair when compared to expensive knives.

I think the G10 leeks will be every bit as good as the products from Benchmade, if not better. The Spec Bump I sent out on the passaround was far better in many ways than any Benchmade I've ever had.

Do you ever like a cheaper knife better?
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Yes, I have preferred some less expensive knives over their more costly counterparts. I like the BK&T "Crewman" better than several of the other more expensive knives I've owned when it comes to carrying in a police tactical vest. I also like it for a all-arounf backpack knife, even though it probably wouldn't be well suited for skinning game. It does, however, open canned goods, split small logs into kindling, dig out nails from lumber (allowing pulling with pliers). I also took one and forced the point thru an old car door (courtesy of the local police impound yard). Best of all is the great price (under $55.00), so one won't be as reluctant to apply the thing as a true "hard use" knife. Now that I own two of the "Crewman" knives, I sold my Dawson and Swamprat fixed blades. I am still debating whether to hang onto my Busse "Natural Outlaw". I haven't used the Busse, and am a bit reluctant to tackle the sharpening of its unique blase edge (probably just my ignorance re the sharpening issue though). I also like my Kabar "mini Warthog" (the 3 and a half inch blade model), but haven't had a chance to really test it out yet.
 
I think Lavan is right! I mean what does the poor cardboard box think when it is chopped to pieces by some lowly run of the mill stainless steel. And shouldn't people cower in fear when I whip out my foot long black, gnarly, toothy, camo kris bladed Pit Bull brand knife? Gentleman's folder indeed!
 
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