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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Good, Cheap, Knife Brands?
- Thread starter bcknives
- Start date
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- Mar 8, 2008
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The Marble's machetes (and now some of their axes) are made by Imacasa, so they're good stuff! I haven't played with any of their China-made knives though.
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- May 28, 2012
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- 3,189
Queen Cutlery out of PA makes good D2 knives that are reasonably priced.
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- Sep 5, 2005
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- 2,826
Although some have recommended Victorinox, I've found their blades to lacking in edge holding capability. If you need a multi-function, multi-tool device, I like the Leatherman Ti-Charge. Not only does it have some outstanding tools, it has an excellent S30V knife blade. The downside is that the Charge is a bit heavy. The Victorinox is okay for some applications, but I have three of them (all gifts), and the blade edges just don't get to the sharpness I'm used to. The blades also are thin and not made for heavy duty use. They do what they're supposed to, I reckon, but they're limited. And I've always been curious as to what blade steel they use.
As noted above, Bear and Son makes some outstanding knives. They specialize in Damascus steel at reasonable prices, and though it's not as beautiful as some Damascus, it's easy to sharpen and it stays sharp!
And if you're into camping knives, one knife you should consider is the Cold Steel Rajah II. Imagine a 6-inch Kukri blade that can pierce and chop, all in a folding knife that can be drawn as it comes out of the pocket. Again, you can check out the YouTube for a review. For the price, I don't think you can find a knife that can touch it. It's BIG, but it's great for outdoor use or just hiking or camping. It's great for self defense or just chopping wood.
The Byrd Cara Caras are very nice knives, available in G10 and FRN.
The Bear mini-Pocket folding knife. It stays sharp.
The Bear pocket knife also is beautifully crafted and keeps a great edge.
This CRKT titanium knife is great for business men and for discreet
carry, plus it's beautiful. And it's reasonably priced. It has an AUS8 blade
and has excellent edge holding capabilities.
As noted above, Bear and Son makes some outstanding knives. They specialize in Damascus steel at reasonable prices, and though it's not as beautiful as some Damascus, it's easy to sharpen and it stays sharp!
And if you're into camping knives, one knife you should consider is the Cold Steel Rajah II. Imagine a 6-inch Kukri blade that can pierce and chop, all in a folding knife that can be drawn as it comes out of the pocket. Again, you can check out the YouTube for a review. For the price, I don't think you can find a knife that can touch it. It's BIG, but it's great for outdoor use or just hiking or camping. It's great for self defense or just chopping wood.
The Byrd Cara Caras are very nice knives, available in G10 and FRN.
The Bear mini-Pocket folding knife. It stays sharp.
The Bear pocket knife also is beautifully crafted and keeps a great edge.
This CRKT titanium knife is great for business men and for discreet
carry, plus it's beautiful. And it's reasonably priced. It has an AUS8 blade
and has excellent edge holding capabilities.
One of my favorite brands hasn't been mentioned yet, although its not exactly ''tactical'' if that's what you want by I really like Gerber also and if your looking for a folder or multitool Leatherman has some great (not the cheapest) offers.
hope I was helpfull,
~offspring~
hope I was helpfull,
~offspring~
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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- Apr 6, 2000
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- 90,915
I also REALLY like the Aitor Castors. Their "survival" knives may be silly but their utility folders are actually pretty boss! Carbon steel, full flat grind, splinter-picker tip, great ergos, firm snap, and a good half-stop. It's like what you'd get if an Opinel and a Douk Douk had a Spanish baby.
I always liked Aitor. I wish I could find a good source for their multitools/"Spanish Army Knives" again. Those Castors look like archaic Italian designs.
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Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 90,915
Might be both. I wouldn't be surprised if they go back to ancient Rome, as friction folders.
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- Jun 13, 2006
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For "cheap" I'm using $20 as a max. Here are my favorite brands:
Mora (wood handled)
Victorinox (Recruit and others)
AG Russell (Hunters Scalpel and Woodswalker)
Opinel (any)
Tramontina (machetes)
Old Hickory (carbon steel kitchen knives, great for outdoors)
For a bit over the $20 max, check out:
Condor
Boker's German-made traditionals
Buck Woodsman and Pathfinder
Marttiini
Messer (Anchor Knife)
Svord and EKA are on my list of knives to try. Can't recommend them since I don't own them yet. That Aitor Castor knife is now on my list too.
Mora (wood handled)
Victorinox (Recruit and others)
AG Russell (Hunters Scalpel and Woodswalker)
Opinel (any)
Tramontina (machetes)
Old Hickory (carbon steel kitchen knives, great for outdoors)
For a bit over the $20 max, check out:
Condor
Boker's German-made traditionals
Buck Woodsman and Pathfinder
Marttiini
Messer (Anchor Knife)
Svord and EKA are on my list of knives to try. Can't recommend them since I don't own them yet. That Aitor Castor knife is now on my list too.
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- Mar 8, 2008
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"Messer" on your list should be Otter Messer. They are also known as Mercator, as they are the manufacturer of the famous Mercator K55K
For knives I consider cheap for all sorts of different stuff the knives I've been pleased with are,
OKC utilitac II-aus8a blade, super comfortable, 4 way pocket clip, opens and closes better than any knife I own
Junglee venom/jf2-ats-34 steel,razor sharp out of box, good size, 45$ shipped, thin liner lock though
Blackhawk pointman-(if you can find one cheap enough) aus8a steel, great open and close, great grip, thick blade you won't be afraid to break
Crkt Ryan model 7-8cr13mov steel blade, 15$ shipped, cuts anything and everything I put in front of it
Sog salute-8cr13mov steel, 29$ shipped, very solid build, lockback is solid, low ride clip and a great value EDC
Bee L-05-8cr13mov steel, 13$ shipped, classic design and decent build quality
HK soldat-n680 steel, made in USA, I got this to try and being 45$ shipped with n680 steel was a great buy because I live in a very wet area and actually the blade is very similar to 154cm in my cutting tests
These are what I can think of off my head without pics, but being young, new to the knife world and having a job that can break knives I am always looking for sub 50$ knives that I like and these are a few in my edc lineup that I use more than my benchmade, and many other knives
OKC utilitac II-aus8a blade, super comfortable, 4 way pocket clip, opens and closes better than any knife I own
Junglee venom/jf2-ats-34 steel,razor sharp out of box, good size, 45$ shipped, thin liner lock though
Blackhawk pointman-(if you can find one cheap enough) aus8a steel, great open and close, great grip, thick blade you won't be afraid to break
Crkt Ryan model 7-8cr13mov steel blade, 15$ shipped, cuts anything and everything I put in front of it
Sog salute-8cr13mov steel, 29$ shipped, very solid build, lockback is solid, low ride clip and a great value EDC
Bee L-05-8cr13mov steel, 13$ shipped, classic design and decent build quality
HK soldat-n680 steel, made in USA, I got this to try and being 45$ shipped with n680 steel was a great buy because I live in a very wet area and actually the blade is very similar to 154cm in my cutting tests
These are what I can think of off my head without pics, but being young, new to the knife world and having a job that can break knives I am always looking for sub 50$ knives that I like and these are a few in my edc lineup that I use more than my benchmade, and many other knives
Mora and Opinel have long been my first choice for cheap and good knives. There are others, many have been stated above.
To 42, I have never seen these before....so in my best Peter Griffin voice, "Ye Bastard."
You likely cost me some money !
To 42, I have never seen these before....so in my best Peter Griffin voice, "Ye Bastard."
I also REALLY like the Aitor Castors. Their "survival" knives may be silly but their utility folders are actually pretty boss! Carbon steel, full flat grind, splinter-picker tip, great ergos, firm snap, and a good half-stop. It's like what you'd get if an Opinel and a Douk Douk had a Spanish baby.
Edit: Oh yeah--don't forget EKA!
You likely cost me some money !
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- Mar 8, 2008
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Heeheehee--I'll be getting them up on the site shortly. They're sweet li'l knives and I'll probably be keeping one of the big ones for myself. 
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- May 15, 2012
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Lots of recommendations going on here. I'll say Buck also. Hope you find what you're looking for!
So many brands to keep track of...
I actually have the Mercador Cat Knife, but not being thrilled with the design or quality I hesitate to recommend it as one of the great "cheap" knives. The Anchor Knife, on the other hand, is built like a tank.