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

You're going to have levels of inexpensive. I was looking for "the most inexpensive knife in higher end steel" once and the Endura/Delica were good suggestions.

"Inexpensive knife everyone should own" to me means something like an Opinel, Svord, or Mora. Something you should have even if it's in addition to your EDC just because it's neat and pretty cheap.

Others might see even those knives as an investment. I'm just starting to look into retirement and I could see a $20 knife as something "we could afford this month" under some scenarios. It's easy to lose perspective and not understand.
 
I would say the Izula is a very nice knife. You can get it for around 50$ and it just has something to it!
 
Buck 110
Buck 301 Stockman
Opinel
a canoe pattern (Rough Rider or Colt for not a lot of dollars, or a Buck 389)
A Sod Buster pattern.
A Barlow (I like the two blade jobs from Rough Rider)
And for something really different, a Rough Rider large sunfish
 
james terrio said:
All most cooks really require is a chef's knife and a paring knife... everything else is optional.
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Very true words to live by. I have a Shun Ken Onion 8" chef's knife and whatever happens to be in my pocket at the time. All I need for the Kitchen.

Another vote for the Swiss Army, Buck 110, Kershaw Leek, Case Trapper, Opinel No. 8 and a Mora fixed blade of some sort. All one could NEED, but then again, it's no longer a case of NEED, rather WANT which drives us knife knuts nuts :D
 
SAK Tinker or Super Tinker. Retail isn't bad but I just received another Super from the auction site for $9 shipped. It's LNIB (courtesy of TSA bastards). With a new SAK Leather sheath I'm in under $25.

Combine with a MORA HD (your choice) and I'm in for under $50... That's both with shipping included :thumbup:
 
Rat model 1 $30.00
Boker Kalishnikov auto $35.00
Mora companion heavy duty $15.00
Cold Steel GI Tanto $22.50
CRKT No Time Off $55.00
Benchmade Griptillian(D2) $105.00
Becker BK-2 $85.00
Izula
 
ocnLogan said:
I haven't seen the Svord Peasant mentioned yet. They come a bit rough, but there is a great blade in there if you are willing to sharpen it up and make it how you want.

Although, honestly the only two that I feel that everyone should actually own/try at some point are the Opinel and the Mora. They help set "baselines" for what is expected/needed/wanted in a knife. If you want an outdoors blade, the Mora is always going to be brought up. You buy it, try it, and either 1) love it, and never move onto anything else, 2) like it, but want to try something different, or 3) hate it, and get rid of it. I expect most people fall into group 2, and as such they will probably know what they want different.

The opinel is similar. Its a great example of what a pocketknife should be imo. Not saying other designs aren't good, just saying that the Opinel is solid, comfortable to use and slices well. Once you try one, you'll likely end up rating future knives cutting performance relative to it, and will have an idea of what other features you want (i.e. one hand opening, etc).

Cheers :).
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Interestingly enough, I didn't like the Peasant til I got one of the plastic handled ones. Started with wood, figuring of course I'd prefer that. F&F of the handles was way too rough and raw for me, decided to try a plastic one months later and it was great. Got another just to see if it was a fluke, being plastic, but it wasn't. Weird but ultimately pleasant experience.
 
onojoe said:
There are some truly legendary knives out there that have been around for years. I think they are an important part of knife history. Do you think it is important to own one of these knives? There are some great knives that are truly bargains. Let us know which knife you feel is a bargain and that everyone should own. Lets keep them under $50.

I'll start with the...

Opinel (#9)
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Many of you are choosing a SAK but no one has listed the Victorinox Alox Soldier or Wenger's Standard Issue. Why are they all but ignored?

Both the Farmer (great knife, BTW) and the Electrician would not even exist if it were not for the Soldier/Pioneer model.
 
Kershaw: Leek, Blur, Skyline = all US Made

Spyderco: Chinese value folder...you got 4 to choose from but I personally favor the Persistence.


Ontario Rat 1 & 2 Taiwanese made...best $30 range EDC.
 
Leatherman Wave has been on me for several years now. Seems to be the one thing I don't leave without. Even if I don't have a dedicated blade on me (extremely rare), I've always got my Wave. I carry it with the pocket clip, although I could see how it might be too heavy/bulky for some.
 
Everyone (with the possible exception of hardcore knife knerds like us) should at least own a Victorinox Classic. Darn handy.
 
To me, the Dragonfly redefined how BIG a small, super light knife could really be. The Dragonfly2 is a flawless classic IMO that everyone should try.
 
I said earlier the Utilitac II. I'll also add the Kershaw Tremor. Discontinued but Kershaw guy still has them on close out. Fantastic knife for $25: http://kershawguy.com/products-page/featured-items/1950-tremor-closeout/

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