inexpensive knife companies

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greasedjewelry

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Oct 25, 2008
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i've been trying to find a high quality knife for a descent price: under 50$. preferably a boot knife, or other small fixed blades. Also, are there any companies that salvage materials to make knives, other than scrapyard?
 
For folders I can whole heartedly recommend Byrd. I'm particularly fond of the Cara Cara, Flight and Catbyrd for a full sized folder.

For fixed blades, I don't have as much experience. Moras are 8$ or so and cut very well, but it's not your tactical prybar kind of knife. If you want something beefier, I've had good luck with my Kabar short heavy bowie.
 
Queen Cutlery makes some nice fixed blades in D2 for under $45.

Cara Cara's are good unless you manage to disengage the lock and cut your finger off (dont ask how I know).
 
The new Boker Plus Dozier seems interesting. The blade is 3", full tang AUS8. It's 50 euro in europe, meaning USA street price will most likely be below $50.
I plan to check it out myself


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Scrapyard doesn't really salvage materials, despite what their name implies. That might have been the case when they started but reading their message boards leads me to believe Dan buys his steel from dealers in ready-to-use form. I don't think he's out there crawling through the junkyard looking for something to melt down.
 
greasedjewelry said:
i've been trying to find a high quality knife for a descent price: under 50$. preferably a boot knife, or other small fixed blades. Also, are there any companies that salvage materials to make knives, other than scrapyard?
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The cost of materials is only a small part in the cost of making a knife. Labor, machinery, marketing, utilities. These all cost. Using salvaged materials would actually cost more, because you would never know exactly what steel you were getting and you would constantly have to be tweeking your heat treating process and machining processes.

That being said, to find a lower cost knife that does what you want it to do, define your target. Diferentiate between those properties that you "NEED" from those that you :"WOULD LIKE". Then look for a knife with the properties that you "NEED".

For instance, if you decide that what you really want is premium steel, you may find that something like a Buck Kaala would suit you just fine as it has excellent steel and heat treat, though you might have to improvise on the handle and sheath for use as a boot knife.
 
under 50$. preferably a boot knife, or other small fixed blades
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Here are some that I own and can personally recommend:

AG Russell (Woodswalker, Hunters Scalpel, Bird and Trout, etc.)
Mora and other Scandinavian brands from Ragweed Forge.
Buck - Special, Woodsman, Pathfinder.
CRKT - Sting, Stiff KISS
 
Go for a Blind Horse Knife. ...support good folks, a small company, and keep your money at home. They use old saw blades and the like... SUPER COOL! UNBELIEVABLE that you can get one for under $50!!! I'll definitely be gettin' one! http://www.blindhorseknives.com/
 
elkins45 said:
Scrapyard doesn't really salvage materials, despite what their name implies. That might have been the case when they started but reading their message boards leads me to believe Dan buys his steel from dealers in ready-to-use form. I don't think he's out there crawling through the junkyard looking for something to melt down.
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+1 on this.
No used materials in a Scrapyard knife. No Way :)
 
The value of Mora knives can't be overlooked in a thread such as this.

Great knives, great price. Very functional, and they are pretty in the frank utilitarian appeal as well.
 
Cold Steel, occasionally, if you want something that will last and isn't too fancy.
 
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