High Value / Low Cost Traditionals

All though I really like Victorinox with the exception of their single blade and scout like (think Farmer) offerings I consider them more multitools. Same thing with Opinels I like them very much but IMO they are French friction folders and not true traditional even though they've been around since 1890. When I think of traditional knives I think of slipjoints in various patterns. Three brands I would recommend to discover what you like and don't like are Rough Rider, Marbles and Colt. I believe all these are made in the same factory and they are imported. Almost all of the patterns are less than $20 some as low as less than $10 and still have good F&F, edge retention and aesthetics. Here is a picture of less than $100 worth of Rough Riders.


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Opinel for sure. If you're cheap like me, the best bang for the buck is buying (barely) used on the second-hand market.

-- Mark
 
Fixed blades: Old Hickory 7" Butcher with a Kabar standard sheath or Russell 5" Green River Hunter with Kabar 5 1/4" sheath. Best value for money.
 
Douk-Douk. 6 parts including bail. Easy to open even with gloves. Can be sharpened anytime anyplace.
 
Not sure what low cost is to you but I've really enjoyed the boker traditionals I've purchased. I haven't cared for the few rough riders I've had but I have not had many. For some reason the rough riders I've had don't get along with my thumb nail and I struggle to get the things open. I suspect it's mostly a personal thing. However, the bokers spring tension and F&F is pretty comparable to queen, IMO, which cost a fair bit more. GEC is still pretty dang nice.

AG Russell has a few budget options on their website from varying brands but I have no experience with them. The AG Russell branded stuff I have is generally pretty good except they tend to favor a softer spring which I'm not super stoked about all the time but I like that better than wearing out my finger nail on some of the GEC's or queens I've had.
 
Phil in Alabama said:
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.
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Well said!

I'm partial to the Schrade 8OT. Still a bunch of USA-made ones out there at a reasonable price.
 
L.H.S said:
You can't go wrong with the classics:

- Mora
- Victorinox / Wenger

But Rough Rider is doing cool stuff. Check out this Moose with black washed blades and copper hardware. Like $15 shipped.

8tDvEDb.jpg
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I just got that moose - that copper sure gets a tarnish
 
I like several patterns of the Swiss Army knives, most of them are outstanding values. The Opinel knives for folders and the Mora fixed blades are really good buys too. Going a little higher in price Case makes some good knives in interesting patterns for a nice price too!
 
If you want to try out traditional patterns, Rough Rider is the way to go. There's other brands like Colt or Steel Warrior, but Rough Rider is probably the best with finish and consistency. I haven't tried any Colts, but I've tried a few RR's and SW's. The dye on the SW is terrible. It bleeds and wears off, even on to your hands with normal use. The dark red bone I started with is now a weak magenta. I haven't had that problem with RR's bone. OTOH, the tortoise shell acrylic SW I have I have absolutely no complaints about.

The advantage with Rough Rider (and similar brands) is you can try several different patterns for the price of a nice GEC and find out what you like and don't like.
 
Deinos said:
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 :)
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SAK
Buck
Some of the basic Case models.
Rough Rider.
 
Low cost knives that are well finished often give a great deal of satisfaction. Plus, they can be put to work on rough or foul tasks without hesitation and still come back for more. Rather like a friendly non-pedigree Cat or Dog, uncomplicated!

I agree with the suggestions, Opinel, and some other European knives, Buck, Rough Rider have all pleased me. SAKS are good and functional but I can't really bond with them.....
 
Buck 37x or 38x, the Chinese made ones, are excellent knives for around $20. However, you can find gently used US Schrade Old Timers, & sometimes even new ones for that price range. These are superb pocket knives that should last a lifetime.
 
FYI While you can still find Colts on the auction site and a few other places, no new Colts are currently being produced. SMKW had them made in the RR factory but lost the license. Some of Colts like the carbon steel slippies and buckshot bone have gone to the RR label and at least one Colt is under the Marbles label.
 
winchester73 said:
FYI While you can still find Colts on the auction site and a few other places, no new Colts are currently being produced. SMKW had them made in the RR factory but lost the license. Some of Colts like the carbon steel slippies and buckshot bone have gone to the RR label and at least one Colt is under the Marbles label.
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As an aside - I have a RR, tang stamped too, with a Marbles etch - so pretty sure those are same factory
 
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