im interested in cheap folders these days...

My cheapest nice knives are the RAT 1 and RAT 2. Will slice in a super way, due to thin blade and a great edge-grind.
 
The Chill is a cool knife, lots of blade in a small package and for $12 its no loss if you dont like it. I also really like the Opi 8, the RAT 1 and Utilitac 2. Also check out the Lansky Responders, groovy knives for the prices.
One of my favorite cheap azz knives is the Darryl Ralph Mtech signature, just by the design. And if you want to live dangerous, mtech is the way to go lol. 440c blade and mine has pretty good f&f. Flips and waves, big blade, only downside is you have to drill it for tip up.
 
pinnah said:
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.
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How was opinel Not in the first 10 replies?!

Count me among those who feel that an Opinel is a Very good slicer for the money. I have handled one on a regular basis, and it was a nice inexpensive piece, and not "cheap".
 
I agree that the Opinels are fantastic knives for the money. I have a No 8 and a No 6. Both are feather light and can achieve fantastic sharpness.
 
When I started buying more expensive knives, I sold most of my less expensive ones because they were not getting any pocket time. The ones I kept were a couple of opinel 8s, a spyderco ukpk, a buck vantage and 503, and some swiss army knives. I'd recommend the 503, Buck's 420 hc is really easy to sharpen and it's un-intimidating.
 
I'll never buy a non-titanium framelock ever again, after owning a Kershaw Thermite. That thing was wayyyy too heavy for it's size. I had a Kershaw Cryo and didn't think it was too bad for the size, but the Thermite felt ridiculous. Not to mention that it was clunky, I hate AO, and the fit and finish was poor. That being said, it was a $30 knife and I put a mean edge on it, it was the first knife to ever slice my thumb open.

I do have a few cheaper knives, like Moras and SAK's, but I think you are asking more along the line of budget folding knives.
 
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
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Keep forgetting about them. I would take even an Enlan SRM no name over that taylor brands stuff. And in my experience (Yes I actually use knives), I have been far more pleased with how SOG does AUS8 (or CS, or Ontario, or ect...) than no name brands like schrade do their 8cr. Of course, my opinion.

I've had several of the Kershaws you mention and all were good. I'll second the Thermite suggestion. Just a quality product from a quality company. Tenacious is another good suggestion with a company that will stand behind their product.

Other great budget blades I have are: Enlan EL-01 (takes the cake for value, $17 4" flipper), Ontario Utilitac II (possible the best budget blade out there), Kersahw tremor (discontinued but you can still find them <$30 if you look around).

I own knives of all price levels. I wouldn't say I have gone back to budget blades or stayed with higher end stuff. I appreciate quality for what you pay. Therefore, good budget blades from mostly good companies get used in my collection quite frequently.
 
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Both are capable of cutting the things I need to cut but, along with lots of "features" I don't care for; black blades, tanto, part serrated, assisted open and fiddly lock, they also feel cheap in the hand compared to my favored Spyderco and CRK knives. They are all I need but not necessarily all I want!
 
I think you bring a different mindset to carrying and using a sub-$20 knife: It's largely disposable. Not that you'd abuse it frivolously, but in the back of your mind is the idea that if it gets damaged in use, it's no big hit on the budget to replace.

A parallel idea, which I subscribe to, says "every knife a user knife." This means there are no precious hard-to-replace items in your daily carry.

Finally, I personally get more of a kick out of using a China cheapie and having it prove usable far beyond what its price would lead you to believe. And if it croaks in use someday, well, that's how the China cheapie crumbles.

I don't work in the trades, so I have no need of a "job knife" that may end up getting used hard. If I did, I probably wouldn't buy at the bottom of the price scale, but I'd happily carry an inexpensive and easily-replaced one that does the job because it would free me from worrying that it might get wrecked in use.
 
Opinel is a great knife. I kept one on my desk for years as a letter opener utility knife etc. Also no one in the office ever gives them a second look
Opinel and SAK are 2 knives that do not seem to upset people
 
WuGod said:
The Chill is a cool knife, lots of blade in a small package and for $12 its no loss if you dont like it. I also really like the Opi 8, the RAT 1 and Utilitac 2. Also check out the Lansky Responders, groovy knives for the prices.
One of my favorite cheap azz knives is the Darryl Ralph Mtech signature, just by the design. And if you want to live dangerous, mtech is the way to go lol. 440c blade and mine has pretty good f&f. Flips and waves, big blade, only downside is you have to drill it for tip up.
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Second the Lansky Responder -- 15 bucks but it doesn't feel like it
 
I think there are more good options in cheap folding knives than ever before. With only a few exceptions (***cough-Nura-cough***) the overseas manufactured Kershaws are great bang for the buck and there's enough variety to find something to fit your taste. The Chinese Spydercos are well built knives but if you don't already like the looks and ergos of a Spydie, there may not be much there for you. Opinels, SAKs, Mercators, Rough Riders are all great options for a more traditional style knife. The RAT 1/2 and ESEE Zancudo/Avispa generally draw a lot of praise but I'm actually rethinking both of the larger knives after seeing unacceptable lock wear with only light use. I think the CRKTs and KaBars are a step below. Somebody posted a picture of the CRKT Endorser above and it's a beautiful knife with a way under-built liner lock. The Squid has received so much praise I may have to check it out. Enlan/Bee make a few awesome models. I'd avoid Gerber, M-tech, TacForce and all those other gas station brands like Ebola.

Cheap knives are a gateway drug; they tend to lead to mid-priced, expensive, mid-tech and finally "you're sleeping outside with the dog" knives. I still have most of my cheap folders although it's hard to get back to carrying them after toting a more expensive blade. FRN or plastic scales seem too cheap after getting used to G10. G10 seems cheap after milled Carbon Fiber. Steel frames seem heavy and out of balance after handling titanium framelocks. It's hard to go back to the farm after you've been to Paris...but you never stop appreciating the knives that got you where you are (or in the mess you're in). YMMV.
 
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S&W knives started the hobby. Even now I still have a soft spot for them; beautiful designs, inexpensive and good ergos. Cut well and easy to sharpen too. Try taking a look at them first; for all you know, they may not be the 'junk' others say. I would know, since I own no less than 7 of them.

Alternatively, Sanrenmus, Enlans and Ganzos are extremely low-cost and bang for buck.
 
I've been extremely happy with both the Esee Avispa and Esee Zancudo. I've carried the Avispa everyday for well over a year and have had zero complaints. It takes and holds a great edge, and has zero blade play. It's light, comfortable in hand and in the pocket. For the price I'd find it hard to beat.
 
Another vote for the RAT 1/2. I have the RAT 1 and I've been carrying it outdoors pretty consistently. I found that it's quite capable, good at slicing while still sturdy enough for other tasks like whittling and such. Opinels are nice too, but I only use them for food prep and light slicing, plus they're rather hard to clean and tend to get the blade stuck if they get wet. Also I've been carrying the Kershaw Cryo 2 lately and it's pretty decent for its price, the hollow-ground blade makes for a great slicer. I've been using it to make sandwiches for the last few days, works great for food prep as well as other tasks. The all-steel construction means it's pretty heavy, but also means you can use the handle to open a beer bottle in a pinch and not worry about leaving dings on it.
 
Check the Kershaw Oso Sweet. That's an awesome little knife. Assisted open with flipper, liner lock, good blade shape...all kinds of good points for a knife on the cheaper side. I think around $30. I have one and I always find myself grabbing it for work. I think the blade shape would be good for the kitchen as well. Of course I'm usually only in the kitchen to get a beer, so my opinion there doesn't really count...
 
I had a Zancudo and liked it, but didn't end up keeping it due to having too many knives, but then I prefer framelocks. At the same price as the Avispa is the Boker Trance, which is a real favorite and an excellent performer. The Byrd line is also inexpensive and performs well above their price points, with the Robin and Meadowlark at the top of my list.
 
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