Good value knife

[leapinglizard]

Last week I ordered a couple knives that included a Spyderco Tenacious. They arrived on Friday and I have been very pleasantly surprised at the quality of that knife. I nearly did not add it to my order as I had not seen one and I knew it is made in China and I did not know what to expect. Maybe less than the Byrds? I have always been pleased with the Spyderco's I have previously purchaed,...some more than others, But this Tenacious was the least expensive one I have ever ordered.

But it is a NICE knife! G-10 handles, steel liners, flat grind, decent steel, and very good fit and finish. I am quite impressed! I paid less than $35 for it and am now thinking about ordering several more for friends. For a low priced knife, it is a real value. I just don't see now Sal and Co. can have them made overseas, import them, and have them re-sold for such a low price. It is not a custom, but makes a great EDC. And for less than $35, you can afford a spare. All I have done is move the pocket clip to the other end of the handle for a tip 'up' carry.

Reccommended without reservations!

 

[Frostyfingers]

I've had a very similar experience with the Tenacious. I recently bought one from knifecenter, and was very much impressed with it. It is now my edc of choice, after (like you) moving the clip to tip-up position.

 

[GlassJax]

- Or try a Buck 110 for under $30 from Wallmart
- Or try a Case Sodbuster Jr with CV Carbon Steel under $30 most places where it is found.

Why express amazement at a company outsourcing and ptroviding a good product at a good price? There are many Made in USA knives out there that are great for day to day carry.

YMMV,
Jax

 

[Dagon]

> - Or try a Buck 110 for under $30 from Wallmart

I have a Buck 110, in fact Cabela's more upmarket model. It is a nice classic knife but I prefer the Tenacious over the standard 110 as an affordable edc, as the weight is roughy half (!) and the Spyderco's steel is likely better than the standard 420 steel of the 110. I also prefer the grip of the G10 handle, the clip and the good one-hand opening ergonomics, but these are more a matter of taste.
I don't have the case sodbuster, I can't comment on that.
I do see a few other incredible value for money knives in the same price range:
- the Brownning Ice Storm (if bought at CDNN is less than $30) is in my opinion an even better deal than the Tenacious. Superb smooth Mcusta build quality and it has VG10 steel.
- The Boker Plus Trance or Boker Plus M-Type are 2 affordable and very well designed modern framelock folders.
- my favourite affordable edc is however the Eka Masur. Scandinavian elegance, compact, a birch handle that's warm to the touch, decent 12C27 steel. Every knife nut owes it to him/herself to check it out.

These alternatives are however respectively made in Japan, Taiwan and Sweden, if you really are about that (obviously I don't, I care mainly about the product quality itself)

 

[sketchbag]

Benchmade Monochrome.

Stainless steel frame lock, N690 blade steel
$30


I'm quite pleased with this N690. On paper it looks good with around 17%Cr 1%mo 1%vanadium and 1.5% cobalt. It takes a very keen edge, I'm able to get it hair whittling with little effort (seems to make a fine burr that comes off cleanly, some other knives seem to form a big burr that folds back and forth and are more challenging to get hair popping). Holds it nicely too, I've sliced up a bunch of cardboard and it still whittled hair, also sliced up some beer cans without noticing any blunting (under light, didnt do any hair whittling tests after that)

 

[Fishstalker]

I also recently purchased a Tenacious. It's a sweet knife. It carries so well that it's replaced my Mini Grip as my EDC. Like you, I've recommended it to several friends. IMO it's currently the best bang for the buck EDC.

 

[desmobob]

The Tenacious is indeed a great deal, but I'd rather buy the Spyderco Native in S30V made in Golden, CO, USA, Earth! (About $39 at Wal-Mart, I believe) It's possibly not as rugged as the Tenacious, but the CPM blade steel is top-notch and the knife is extremely light in weight. And it keeps people working here in the US.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[Reeek]

I consider the Kershaw large and small Cyclones as great values too. Plus you can roll a small wheel switch on top of the knife when it's open to enable or disable the Speed Safe.

 

[SilverFoxKnows]

> -
- my favourite affordable edc is however the Eka Masur. Scandinavian elegance, compact, a birch handle that's warm to the touch, decent 12C27 steel. Every knife nut owes it to him/herself to check it out.

+1 on the EKA 88. It's an oft overlooked knife. Good cutter, comfy handle, decent steel, fair price.

Frank