Favorite least expensive, high-quality knives

J

James Y

Joined
Feb 18, 1999
Messages
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As far a a high-quality, extremely inexpensive favorite, I would have to go with two pocketknives by Victorinox...the Classic and the Pocket Pal.

Of course, the Classic may be the most commonly found folder being carried today. It is patterned after the "lobster pattern" of pen knives.

The Pocket Pal is a pen knife that is probably a version of the "senator" pattern of pen knife. It is 3.25" closed, and has only 2 blades, a spear and a pen blade, making it a "pure" pocket knife.

Both of these knives can be had for under $10. They are easily carried, non-threatening, and for everyday light-duty little chores, are excellent, IMO.
Jim
 
I had a Victorinox pocket pal. My dad took a liking to it, and so it disappeared from my collection into his pockets. Then he lost it a week later.

Pretty good value. I got it for about $9.95.

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Chang and the Rebels of the East
(Southern Taiwan Shall Rise Again!)
 
Chang, you're slipping. Didn't you have some type of tin-foil 'Lo-Jack' hot glued to the knife? (BTW, where have you been, Chang? Razor scooter need new streamers?)--OKG
 
OKG, taking a shot at the youngster.
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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
The Pocket Pal is the knife I always have in my pocket. Got mine for $4.99 a few years back.

Paul

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Trust no one...
 
I agree with you, guys: Victorinox.
One of my favorites is the Spartan with the slightly rough Economy scales (made from nylon and not so slippery as the smooth cellidor ones). Pretty basic, but it is very light for pocket carry. I mostly use it for slicing bread, cheese, pealing fruits, tomatoes, peppers, opening bottles (wine bottles too), cans, packages, and only in rare cases as an emergency screwdriver. What I like in the Victorinox knives that they are comfortable to use, easy to clean, and cheap.
After reading some enthusiastic posts (by tschlosser and mnblade on former BFC threads) about the Rambler model I recently got mine too. It is the Classic + bottle opener/wire stripper/Phillips screwdriver added. Still tiny enough but much more versatile. You can get it from Blowout Knives for $ 12.00 + shipping. I like it! The same time I got a Soldier and a Pioneer too. Now the Pioneer with red scales is discontinued, so you can get it cheaper ($12.00 at Blowout Knives). The new Pioneer is with silver alox scales, you can see it at swiss-knife.com (they have the whole current product line of Victorinox and Wenger and their prices are very friendly too: if you order for more than 150.00 CHF = cca. 75 USD, they promise you get free priority shipping in 4-10 days!) I like the Soldier more, because the aluminium holder of the keyring is biting my palm when holding the knife.
For everyday use, especially if you cut a lot of fruits, vegetables and other metal corroding stuff, SAKs, and especially Victorinox SAKs are great.
 
Of course, I mean the aluminium keyring holder on the Pioneer. This is absent on the Soldier, that is why it feels much comfortable IMHO. The sharp aluminium protrusion on the Pioneer does not feel secure enough either. Maybe Victorinox should consider another lanyard attachment method, like that one on the Wenger Soldier with the keyring.
 
Yep, the Vic SAKs are great. I know a guy who has an old Spartan that's beat to hell and even missing a handle. But he swears by the knife. When I pointed out to him that it's broken, he got indignant and said, "What do you mean, broken!? It still cuts, doesn't it? It still opens beer bottles, doesn't it? It still turns screws, doesn't it? It still opens cans, doesn't it." I reckon he'll still be toting that knife 25 years from now.
Anyway, to this list of quality, affordable knives, I'd add the Schrade Old Timer and Uncle Henry knives. And I hear great things about the Opinels, but I've never owned one.
 
While I'll agree tht SAK's are great my favorites are the utility scandinavian knives. These folks know how to make them good yet inexpensive. Take a look at Helle or Mora's for bang-for-the-buck!
 
Yeah, the opinels are really great. They cut like demons, they sharpen easily, and they're cheap enough you can cut 'em up (I mean customize) with a Dremel to your heart's content, and if you don't like, throw it in a drawer and forget about it (I never throw away knives).
 
Opinel for folders and Frosts of Sweden for fixed blade. These knives are cheap enough to be almost disposable but the thing is, they take all kinds of abuse and keep working fine. They are not the prettiest knives but I think they are still the best users or 'beaters' out there. At around $10.00 a pop, I think everyone should get one of each.
 
Another vote for the SAK. This blue aluminum pocket pal is one that a friend of mine picked up for me a couple of years ago when he went to Germany.
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Gee, I was thinking Spydie Endura and Delica.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
i've fot a little old timer peanut jack, great little knife-solid, well finished, tough. the steel isn't horrible, it sharpens up nicely, and was really cheap, too. edge holding isnt amazing, but it does most everything i ask it to. i also had an uncle henry folder, it had the same nice finish, and a little better steel-a stainless...no idea what it was, though. any ideas?
 
Columbia River. Where else can you get a smooth operating liner lock Wharncliffe for less than $20!

Dean
 
littleknife:
I also have a Pioneer and after I bought it I worked for a while rounding the edges a bit off the key ring attachment. However, it still does stick out quite a bit more than the attachment on other SAKs.

It seems the key ring attachment on the Pioneer, like the older SAKs, is a part of the aluminum liner. The key ring attachments on the more recent models are part of the stainless steel backsprings. And they are positioned better with smoother edges and finish.

I guess the reason I always push the SAks (esp. Victorinox) is they are inexpensive, high quality, consistent QC, and very easy maintenance. If it gets dirty, I have no qualms about running the whole knife in soapy water, whereas I would not do that to my other slipjoint pocketknives, even stainless bladed ones.

One is always present on me, regardless of what more expensive "tactical" folder(s) or multi-tool is on me.
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Jim
 
OKG, that was harsh
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. Razor scooter!? Hahahahaha! I don't scoot around in those stupid things. I'm learning to use something called a "car". You'll like it a lot, old man. It's a Buick. I'll use it next time I drive by your house to steal your dentures. BTW, what time you want me to pick you up to play Bingo at the nursing home?
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Chang and the Rebels of the East
(Southern Taiwan Shall Rise Again!)
 
I like CRKT and some of the Timberline knives look pretty nice as well. The new VDL designed by Butch Vallotton looks very good and is a great value as well.
By the way the VDL ia a Timberline knife if I didn't make that clear in the above paragraph.
 
My favourite is a three and a half inch hollow grind folder with green handle.

It feels like it weighs in at about 5 ounces. In the palm, it warms to touch. Swings open with a smooth twist of the thumb and clicks to a firm closing.

I simply love this knife. Amazingly it comes from a country that is not even famous for making noticeable or commendable blades. I believe it is China!

However, using is believing. It penetrates paper like water and flicks back to his handle as like grease lightning.

Would you believe it costs only $2.50! This is what I call "Sent from Heaven."



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