Inexpensive carbon folder

M

mp510

Joined
Mar 20, 2006
Messages
2,221
I'm looking for some recommendations on an inexpensive yet functional carbon steel folder with a relatively thin blade, much like an Opinel. However, I want this to be a hot 'n humid knife- one that won't have the wood swelling issues that an Opinel has. So, that means I'm going to need it to have a metal frame, but I can go for adornmants that are synthetic, bone, wood, (whatever works). The other condition that I'm looking to fill is that the knife must either lock (funky methods are okay as long as they are functional/ practical) or have a decent backspring. I want some sense of blade security. I have a friction folder (peasant) and I want to avoide possible swelling issues with wood. I want to keep this affordable ($15 to $25 if possible). I have no problem buying used pieces, so any suggestions are much appreciated.
 
Several of the delrin handled sodbusters are right up your alley! I have a yellow Case in CV steel that has a great backspring, and a nice thin grind which makes it easy to sharpen and cut like a champ!
There are even some with a lockback, but those are harder to find.
 
Robert Klass Kissing Crane, Brown Mule. Wood handled sodbusters in your choice of three sizes - KC35, KC36, and KC 37. Thin, carbon steel blades, strong back springs with lots of snap, and run in the $8-11 range all over the internet. I have seen some go for absurd prices on ebay, but real prices are quite inexpensive. All of mine came with a reasonable edge and sharpened to a nice edge quickly. Nothing fancy, just good, basic, carbon knives that work like the soddies they are.
 
If you watch eBay carefully and learn to distinguish the Chinese imports from the real thing, the USA-made Schrade Old Timers are sometimes in your price range. Consistent quality, many have carbon steel blades, and there are several lockback and bladelock patterns to choose from.

Also, I think the reputation of Opinels to swell is somewhat exagerated. i've had them get a little tight, perhaps even difficult to open, but never one that absolutely would not open at all. And that was in the forests of Central Arkansas in blazing heat, 90+% humidity, and frequent rain. Also, they can be treated so that humidity is less of an issue. My point, if you're looking for another knife with the ability and quality of an Opinel in the same price range, you're going to be disappointed.

Would you consider a fixed blade? Here's a bunch of carbon steel Swedish knives for under $25 each:
http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

Happy Shopping!
-Bob
 
What they said!:thumbup:

A sodbuster will be very hard to beat. They don't have any swelling issues, and a Case CV or a Klass will cut like the dickens.
 
Reading your post, before I even saw the responses, I was thinking Case delrin CV sodbuster. Based on your description I think that is the knife for you. Regardless, it's a fantastic knife.

If you can still find a delrin Case CV copperlock, that might suit you even better, as it locks. My CV mini-Copperlock is one of my favorite knives.
 
There have been some very favorable comments on Douk Douks on the board. Very inexpensive, takes a great edge, doesn't lock - but has a very strong back spring. I've been giving it some consideration, but haven't tried one yet.
Bob
 
Maybe a Douk Douk? I just bought one from Lee Valley 17.99$ Canadian. Carbon steel with metal handle, not a lock blade but it has a VERY strong backspring. Definitely a two handed opener. Blade thickness (around 3mm/4mm) is almost as thick my Spyderco Endura. Its weighs about 3 ounces and its overall thickness is about 7mm (a little over a 1/4 inch). Its about half the thickness of a single layer SAK (like the Vic Waiter)! You can carry it in light hiking shorts and totally forget its there, also to outside observers its not very visible either. I have no complaints with it so far (and don't anticipate any). Its pretty sturdy and fairly easy to sharpen. The top spine of the blade near the tip is rough and works great as a striking/scratching surface for a ferro firestarting rod.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=55171&cat=1,51222
 
I picked up a Douk-Douk from Lee Valley and it is a great, very slim and takes a good edge . . . but it's not in the same league for slicing as the Opinel.

Now if I could get an Opinel blade in the douk-Douk handle :D
 
Give your Opinel's handle a few coats of lineseed oil. That will take care of the humidity issues, trust me on a regular day in Buenos Aires you can't even open an Opinel! I did this with mine and they are working like a charm now.
 
Franciscomv said:
Give your Opinel's handle a few coats of lineseed oil. That will take care of the humidity issues, trust me on a regular day in Buenos Aires you can't even open an Opinel! I did this with mine and they are working like a charm now.
Click to expand...

That does work pretty well!

You have to sand down that awfull orange stuff the French put on them, then leave the linseed to soak in with several light coats. This will make the knife pretty darn water resistant. I've done the sane down and linseed thing and its worked well.

Lately I've gotten lazy in my old age, and just take a new Opinel and take off the locking ring, sand out the blade slot some to widen it, then brush a coat of Helmsman Spar Urathane over all the wood surfaces. Let dry and do a second light coat, Including the blade slot with the blade open at 90 degrees, and you will have a water resistant Opinel too.

Either method works well.
 
Thanks for the input guys! I'm definetely going to look into the linseed oil in the future. However, I've started looking at the Sodbusters ya'll recommended and I like those too- I believe one of those is definetely in my future. Too bad I noticed those before.

The Douk-Douk seems like it would definetely fit the bill as well- design and what not are right. However, the blade design does leave some to be desired. Who knows, someday, probably not in the too near future I'll end uo with one of those too.

You'll see soon enough what I end up getting. :)
 
Thanks to this thread I picked up a small Case yellow handle small sodbuster at the weekend . It has kicked out the medium stockman from my pocket this morning , it seems to have an attitude and I like it .
 
mp510 said:
The Douk-Douk seems like it would definetely fit the bill as well- design and what not are right. However, the blade design does leave some to be desired. Who knows, someday, probably not in the too near future I'll end uo with one of those too.
Click to expand...

If you find the DoukDouk blade to look strange, why don't you try the Mercator.
http://www.roedter-messer.de/mercator.htm

More of a traditional blade style, metal handle, carbon steel blade and the larger version has a locking blade.
The smaller version has no lock but a good, strong spring.
I have used these knives for quite a few years, and I find the steel and cutting ability to be slightly better than the DoukDouks, but not quite up there with the Opinels.

/ Karl
 
Karl5 said:
If you find the DoukDouk blade to look strange, why don't you try the Mercator.
http://www.roedter-messer.de/mercator.htm

More of a traditional blade style, metal handle, carbon steel blade and the larger version has a locking blade.
The smaller version has no lock but a good, strong spring.
I have used these knives for quite a few years, and I find the steel and cutting ability to be slightly better than the DoukDouks, but not quite up there with the Opinels.

/ Karl
Click to expand...
Karl, Ich hasse Sie! Ich finde dieses Mercator Klappmesser ist sehr interessant. Ich will ein kaufen. Wann habe ich dieses <thread> gescheiben, ich brauche einmehr messer, jetzt will zwei oder drei <Sodbuster> und ein Mercator kaufen. Danke.

(Karl- I hate you (Sarcastic)! I think the Mercator Klappmesser is very unteresting. I will be buying one of those. When I wrote this thread, I was looking to buy one more knife, now I'm going to get 2 sodbusters and a Mercator. Thanks)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top