im interested in cheap folders these days...

1

10fingers

Joined
May 1, 2011
Messages
660
i have been carrying $75-$150 folders as workhorses since around 2009 and before that it was whatever lowes or home depot had on the shelves. usually a cheap kershaw, sog or gerber.

im not a steel snob and actually prefer my work knives to have a slightly softer steel so the 8Cr13 series china made steel will be just fine for me i think.

anyone else ever go back and try out the current offerings of sub $25 pocket knives after getting used to the quality higher end materials in your favorite brand? I've tried to shake the urge but i keep finding myself checking out the $20-$25 china made kershaws and I'm thinking i may end up with a couple.

if so did you quickly go back to higher quality or were you pleasantly surprised?
 
10fingers said:
i have been carrying $75-$150 folders as workhorses since around 2009 and before that it was whatever lowes or home depot had on the shelves. usually a cheap kershaw, sog or gerber.

im not a steel snob and actually prefer my work knives to have a slightly softer steel so the 8Cr13 series china made steel will be just fine for me i think.

anyone else ever go back and try out the current offerings of sub $25 pocket knives after getting used to the quality higher end materials in your favorite brand? I've tried to shake the urge but i keep finding myself checking out the $20-$25 china made kershaws and I'm thinking i may end up with a couple.

if so did you quickly go back to higher quality or were you pleasantly surprised?
Click to expand...

I carried a SOG flash 2 for a good while and got tired of the poor heat treat on the one I had. So I bought an affordable Chinese Schrade in 8cr13mov and it blows the SOG away blade steel wise, mine also has recycled beer can scales so it's pretty tough. At first it was going to be an in between knives knife but it's doing fine several months later, and lock up has zero play still. Honestly though, I'd go for their 9cr18mov for the same price range. I gave my brother a SCH304M in that steel and it holds a great edge, way better than the SOG ever did, even the 8cr13mov blows away their AUS8.

As always thes are just my observations with what I own and have used. There are plenty of great low priced knives out there and Walmart has a few good choices, any of them will be good. Just research the HRC before purchase. Avoid anything too low and you will be good.
 
I don't like a lot of the cheaper folders, but the Kershaw Thermite is an exception. Excellent knife and almost nothing to complain about it.
 
Hard to beat the Spyderco Tenacious
line. I carry and beat a Persistence and it has held up rather well.
 
I had a S&W no-name awhile back. It was good at opening packages, but nothing heavy duty. Lock up was not so good.
 
thanks Boris, the twitch has been catching my eye at lowes recently. thanks for mentioning schrade! i forgot about them:thumbup:

the Thermit does look awesome! I've been pondering over the RJ tactical, shuffle 2, ember, freefall and injection.. might just get them all:p
 
Not me. I can tolerate a cheap fixed blade a lot more than a cheap folder.

$15 Mora? No problem, it will do everything I need. But very few folders in that price don't have issues that would bother me.

When I was you her I had a dozen or so knives in that price range, mostly Gerbers and Buck knives. None of them were satisfactory in the long term.

I find the $60 to $100 range for folders to satisfy me just fine. Benchmade Griptillian or Spyderco Endura come to mind.

For $25 I will take a Victorinox Tinker over any locking folder in that price range.
 
$25 is about what I paid for my RAT 2. It's a whole lot of knife for $25.

It's got about as much soul as any modern folder I've tried (read: none), but it's rock solid and works well. If you want a rugid work knife that you don't feel like you need to pamper, I'd definitely recommend it.
 
10fingers said:
thanks Boris, the twitch has been catching my eye at lowes recently. thanks for mentioning schrade! i forgot about them:thumbup:

the Thermit does look awesome! I've been pondering over the RJ tactical, shuffle 2, ember, freefall and injection.. might just get them all:p
Click to expand...
Please don't buy a Twitch. The blade play is completely unacceptable and takes away from everything good about it.
 
bladeboss said:
Please don't buy a Twitch. The blade play is completely unacceptable and takes away from everything good about it.
Click to expand...

noted thanks:thumb up: two quick negatives for the twitch.. ill avoid it

was just looking at the kershaw chill.. anybody have one?

i have heard so many good things about the rat 2 but man i can't get over how ugly it is! plus its a sure thing at this point and I'm feeling a little dangerous with my cheap folder interest:p looking to go out on a limb and try something different
 
Opinels have pretty cured me of longing for expensive knives. Easily modified. Great slicers. Incredibly tough. People friendly. Easy to carry.

Opinel by Pinnah, on Flickr


The #9 Inox (middle) is my favorite for EDC. The #10 is my backpacking/woods knife.
 
I really dig Rough Riders. Also the Dozier lockback. It's the closest you get to a Delica for $20.
 
I love inexpensive knives. I've owned and used plenty of spendy knives, but I really get more enjoyment out of "humble" pragmatic ones.
 
Any knife would make an intial cut
Its a matter of how well and for how long.
Having said that cheap knives
Are great for what they are.
Its a pity when more expensive knives
Are treated like royalty
Which eats away at the joy of misteating
The simplicity of man's best non organic friend.
 
I can't stop singing the praises of the CRKT Squid. I've yet to see a sub $30 folder come anywhere close to it.
 
asdf12345 said:
I don't like a lot of the cheaper folders, but the Kershaw Thermite is an exception. Excellent knife and almost nothing to complain about it.
Click to expand...

The Thermite really is great, it is effectively the same design as the XM-18/0560/0566 just slightly smaller and using budget friendly materials and manufacturing. The basic design (3.5" flipper, G10 front, frame lock) paired with the Spanto (a Hinderer style) blade give you all the features the higher end knives offer, but at a price that appeals to a lot more people. The blackwash version is especially nice.
 
I saw you mention the Kershaw Injection. I've had the 3.5 and it's a hell of a knife for the money. Great Todd Rexford design, full flat grind, classy touches like a decorative pivot and machined G10 handles. Can't recommend it enough.

Another budget beast is the Ontario Utilitac 2. Also a great work knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top