Good cheapish knife?

K

KnifePyro

Joined
Jun 21, 2010
Messages
24
So my friends birthday is coming up. He always buys cheap chinese knives for carrying and they always break. He's never owned a good brandname knife, so I was thinking of getting him one for a gift. What are your suggestions for a decent knife in the $25-$30 price range?

Thanks.
 
rat 1 folder, some guy is selling it in for sales forum
leatherman squirt ps4 multitool if he likes multitools
 
Take a look at the Buck Vantage Select. It comes in two sizes and is around that price range. Spyderco's Byrd series also offers some good choices as well. If you think he might like a more traditional style knife a Case or Queen sodbuster is another option.
 
Hi KnifePyro -

A lot depends on what you think your friend will like - does he like an assisted opener?

Check out kershawguy's thread in the exchange - he sells Kershaw blemishes for a lot under the retail price - the blemishes are sometimes so slight that I cannot event tell what the problem is.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602230

I just sent a friend a Leek blem with a composite blade - it was around $38, and that is a STEAL for a composite Leek - which is a small, assisted opening knife that is slim and a great everyday working knife.

I am sure you will see a ton of great suggestions here, because there are a lot of choices with the specifications you stated (even though I blew up $8 over your budget...).

best regards -

mqqn
 
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mq, I saw that thread too and can't decide. He has one for $22 and then the Junk Yard dog composite blade for $45, and then there is one thread for Rat 1 knives for like $29 shipped, and then the SPyderco Tenacious runs around $30.

Any one of the blems what you would consider best bang for the buck or a steal> New guy here also
 
look at Klein--usually available at hardware or contractor supply houses; coupla different models and great value.
 
I would go with the Dozier folder by Kabar. It is very nice for the money, AUS 8 steel, smooth opener, and one of the most perfect feeling handles.
 
Browning Ice Storm series.
Seki, Japan; modern steel foundries, modern grinding machinery.

VG-10 steel. :thumbup:
Wicked grinds.
Same blade (w/o damascus overlay) as on $200 + Mcusta folders... :D
 
You could go big and get him a Buck 110 from Walmart for less than 30 smackers.Everybody needs at least one.
 
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Pick anything from Kershaw in that price range, and you can't go wrong.
 
LawyerSam said:
mq, I saw that thread too and can't decide. He has one for $22 and then the Junk Yard dog composite blade for $45, and then there is one thread for Rat 1 knives for like $29 shipped, and then the SPyderco Tenacious runs around $30.

Any one of the blems what you would consider best bang for the buck or a steal> New guy here also
Click to expand...

Hi LawyerSam -

The $22 dollar knife is a Scallion - open google and paste the following into the search window -

1620H3

That is what kershawguy has for scallion blems for $22 delivered - they will be more like $30+ on ebay with shipping etc.

Scallions are nice, a little smaller than a Leek. Both are assisted openers, meaning that they will open with a spring assist after you start the blade open with your thumb pressing on the thumb studs.

The Junk Yard Dog is a little larger knife, again, copy the model number and search google to see pictures and specs of that model to see if it is something that you will like. The particular JYD that kershawguy is offering is the one with a composite blade - here is a link that I found searching for the model # listed in kershawguys post -

http://www.1sks.com/store/kershaw-1725cb-junkyard-dog-2-composite-blade.html

You can see that kershawguy is very reasonable on the blems. The styling of the JYD is something that you have to decide on yourself.

Other Kershaws to look at are the Centofante (smaller) and the Shallot ( a little larger than the Leek), the Skyline (not assisted opening, but a "flipper" that gets great reviews) and the OD-1 - another flipper.

You can find many reviews on Youtube for these knifes if you want to see them in someones hand and see them open/close etc. I like to check those videos out before buying.

A few people here are also recommending the Spyderco Tenacious, and I have never had one, but I do know that Spyderco makes some fine knives as well.

best regards -

mqqn
 
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I would say Rat 1 or spyderco tenacious. But since he buys cheap knives he is probably not gunna like the spyder hole because most cheapies use thumb studs. He would probably like the rat 1. or but both let him pick one and keep the other. I own both and love em.
 
I second the Buck 110 from Wally World - if it's available where you are. It's a classic.

Another classic - the Victorinox 'Farmer' ALOX SAK. I think it was IraWoods.com that still had them on closeout in a collector's tin with a 2xAA Victorinox (Inova!) LED flashlight - for $20 - may have been a different vendor - google it - my memory is not what it once was. Amazon has the Vic SAK line - some at good prices - many with free shipping. There is a fellow named 'felinevet' on an SAK-specific forum with a good selection, too - even some special runs - some can be pricey.

Stainz
 
LawyerSam said:
mq, I saw that thread too and can't decide. He has one for $22 and then the Junk Yard dog composite blade for $45, and then there is one thread for Rat 1 knives for like $29 shipped, and then the SPyderco Tenacious runs around $30.

Any one of the blems what you would consider best bang for the buck or a steal> New guy here also
Click to expand...

Just buy the one that appeals to you most. No one here can make that decision for you. Everyone's hands are different with different levels of dexterity and coordination. That being said, whatever you feel comfortable paying, and if possible try to handle a knife before you buy it. At around $30 any knife of the ones you mention is a good buy and a safe investment. If you were considering a $300 knife, that would be a different story. For that amount of money I would have a barrage of questions myself.
 
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