High Value / Low Cost Traditionals

Deinos

Deinos

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Feb 7, 2016
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In the same vein as the "high value/low cost" post in the general/modern section, what are the traditional equivalents? What would you suggest to someone dipping their toe into the traditional pool that didn't want to invest in the more expensive GEC, Northwoods, etc. right away, or just didn't have that kind of money to invest in a quality old school slipjoint or fixed blade?

Editing to add that I am talking "retail" price, not getting lucky on a diamond in the rough at an antique shop or a screaming deal off of the exchange :)
 
Some people will probably say Rough Rider, but I have no experience with them.

It's hard to go wrong with a Victorinox, and Otter-Messer Anchor knives are fun as well.
 
I have become a fan of MAM knives out of Portugal.
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Buck 300 series. I only have experience with the US-made 301 and 303, not the imported 37x-38x series.

Case's lower cost Delrin/Synthetic handled models.

Rough Rider is a good product, at least the two I have are.

Victorinox, Opinel if those styles are of interest.
 
My personal favorite "bang for buck" model is the Case medium stockman (6318).

Shouldn't have much trouble finding a Jigged bone version for $38 or even a little less. 3 blades, good quality, made in USA.

All of the suggestions so far have been good though, and this is just my personal opinion.
 
Rough Rider, Marbles, SAK, Opinel, Rite Edge, Sarge (at least their BSA Barlow) MAM, The Buck 30x series (at the high end of "low cost") and the 37x/38x/39x. The 110, of course, can be included since they can be had for under $30.
I've heard some of the Frost lines, like the 'Steel Warrior' are good knives. (I stay away from Frost knives though)
The Taylor Schrade/BTI Schrade Old Timer, Imperial, and Uncle Henry lines are good.
The Cold Steel Kudu and Eland are a good inexpensive knife, too.

For fixed blades: Rough Rider, Marbles, and Mora.
The Cold Steel models with the Krupps steel blades are good, too.
If you like them, the Ontario 499 and 498 could be considered inexpensive, at around $50 or so. I know there are much more expensive production fixed blades out there.

Please note, that to me, any pocket knife that costs more than $19.95 is "expensive", and I have to justify to myself getting it.
For fixed blades, I consider anything over $25 to $30 "expensive".
There are so many good knives available for less, that I find it difficult to spend more.
 
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Opinel, Mora, Filmam, Marttiini, Hultafors, Mercator, Antonini, Rough Rider, Marbles, Aitor, Douk-douk, Condor, Okapi. I have low-buck knives from all these outfits, plus some others that I do not consider to be particularly good values. Tops in my list, though, are Opinel, Mora and Rough Rider
 
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In American traditional pocket knives, Case Sodbusters and Slimline Trappers. You may have to look over a few to get a really nice example but they're out there. Solid and durable, easy to sharpen, classic patterns.
 
You can't beat
The Vic classic, pocket pal, recruit, and tinker for high value low cost 20$ and less knives.

The case sodbuster jr for under 30$

The buck 110 for under 40$

And for under 20$ any day of the week, you can't go wrong with you're good old carbon steel imperials.

You pretty much have to go to an overpriced antique store and try to pay more than 20$ for them, Because they made them to be as inexpensive as they needed to be, and they made so many of them.
 
Traditional folders I'd go with Rough Rider. Fixed blades, it's hard to beat Mora.

You could get a small, medium and large RR for the pocket, and a couple of Moras for under $100.
 
mmarkh said:
Case
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It depends on your income and out-come for bills and rent.
I've never considered Case as "inexpensive" when compared to Schrade (USA or Post USA) the Buck 30x series, Colonial (when they made slipjoints) Western, Camillus, Utica, Rite Edge, and others.
True, for the most part a Case costs less than say a GEC, Queen, or (German) Puma, Eye Brand, or Böker, But there have always been knives that are just as good as a Case (or better) that cost less than a Case in the same pattern, and were, or are, still made in the USA.
 
Case yellow delrin, particularly the Trapper, and for a long time the Schrade 8OT sawcut brown delrin stockman. These two knives were, and still are, in a huge number of pockets, along with the ever popular Buck 110. Great knives but not fancily adorned keeping prices affordable for most folks.

I'd like to stumble across a Mercator K55K "black cat". Maybe soon, some gun and knife coming up in the next few months that I should be able to go to.
 
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