Inexpensive knife that every knife guy (or gal) should own

Pocket: Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite $15 and Victorinox Recruit $15
Neck: Outdoor Edge Wedge $15
 
For steel and handle materials, the Buck Vantage Pro. For premium steel, the Spyderco Endura/Delica with zdp189 and the Manix 2 with s110v.
 
leek
emerson (any)
dozier custom (any)
benchmade axis-lock (710 personal fav)
sodbuster type (locking if possible)
 
collim1 said:
Becker BK9.
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If we're including $90-100 blades on the list, maybe we should get a more clear definition of "inexpensive knives"? Heck, I wouldn't even call the Endura an "inexpensive" knife. Of course, to someone like Trump, a Sebenza would be inexpensive, but, to me, an inexpensive knife is a knife the average non-knife nut joe on the street might be willing to buy, the Walmart/Target shopper, the guy working a minimum wage job, the 13-14 year old making money mowing lawns or from a weekly allowance...based on my dealings with people like that, saying I paid more than say, $30 for a knife gets a "really?" or "seriously?" or "wow" or "why?" type reaction.
 
Case Trapper, Mora Clipper, Buck 110, and Becker BK-16. Many would "trade" the Trapper and the 110 for one nice Spyderco folder. If you shop around a bit you can get them all for about $150 and have all your light-medium cutting needs well covered... as well as having examples of some of the finest, no-BS classic designs ever made.

If you need to chop big stuff or fight off rampaging zombie grizzly bears, save up another $100 or so and get a Becker BK-9 or one of the similar models from Ontario or ESEE.

For the kitchen, Victorinox sells some well-ground, comfortable chef's knives for under $50. And of course everyone should have at least one SAK. (Old Hickory is another solid choice for kitchen blades, especially if one prefers simple carbon steel.) For Pete's sake do not spend $100+ on a "set" of 10-20 half-vast knives, most of which you'll never use. All most cooks really require is a chef's knife and a paring knife... everything else is optional.

Naturally none of these are made of the very finest steel on the planet, but they do represent a great deal of affordable functionality and provide a fine overview of the development of production knives. I would obviously prefer everyone buy handmade knives - preferably from me :D - but for right about $300 a person could have every knife they ever really need.
 
I'll keep it under $50 since most all here would probably consider that inexpensive.

SAK Alox Cadet, or other SAK models.

Case knife, whatever pattern you like. I really like the Peanut, Pen knife, Swayback Jack, Copperlock, and the Mini Trapper. If not a Case, some other American traditional such as an older US Schrade.

Can't think of any Moderns I care for at $50, or even $100.
I guess I would go with an Endura. Got mine when they first came out in early 90's, and still have it, but I no longer care much for the model, but many will.
 
nemesis said:
Victorinox super tinker, huntsman or farmer for folders.
A Mora for a fixed blade.

It amazes me how the value for the dollar of these two knives puts them amongst the ranks of higher end knives for me. Not long ago I sold off nearly my entire knife collection of mid grade knives and went to all Hinderer and Busse but my SAKs and Mora remained after the cleanse and upgrade.
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I couldnt agree more.
And I will add SOG Flash II
 
A lot of great suggestions. I edited it so that I defined inexpensive as under $50
 
The Kershaw Link is a no brainer. Great knife for around 40.00.

The CRKT Razel is another nice EDC for around 40.00.


Mike
 
The Boker Trance, the CS Tuff Lite or Mini Tuff, many if not most Victorinoxes, most Moras or Hultafors, many Rough Riders.
 
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