I'm new here although I've visited for years via Google when doing searches on various knife topics. I recently got on a kick to discover my own personal preferences actually using the most inexpensive (under $30) traditional folders I can find for EDC, which for me is something between 3.5 to 4 inches closed, preferably single blade to keep a low profile for pocket carry. The first two I want to try are the Case Sodbuster Jr. 3137 CV and the Opinel No. 6 Carbone, both of which arrived in the mail the other day so I wanted to (1) give my initial impressions of them and (2) solicit the thoughts of others on these or any other knives that fit this category.
Fit and finish on both are good for the price paid. The blades aren't centered at all but that's about the only thing I could find to really "complain" about if I were to complain, which I'm not. The blade on the Sodbuster is finished much better; polished very nicely and spine edges dehorned whereas the No. 6 spine is pretty sharp and might need to be sanded just a bit to take the edge off. The Sodbuster's construction naturally requires more fit and finish considering the backspring and pins, which the No. 6 doesn't have, and the pivot point having to be ground flush with the handle, whereas the pivot pin on the No. 6 is covered by the lock collar. All things considered it's pretty amazing that Case can hit the price point they do on the Sodbusters, although at less than half the price and manufactured in France, Opinel also does a super job on price no question.
The No. 6 came rather dull and couldn't slice regular notebook paper cleanly. It more kind of tore a jagged rip through it than actually cut it. About 10 minutes on my Sharpmaker remedied that nicely. On the other hand the Sodbuster came pretty sharp and sliced the notebook paper easily. I didn't take it to the Sharpmaker as I want to see how the factory edge performs and lasts. This would seem to be a distinct advantage of the Sodbuster for folks who need a sharp edge out of the box.
The most significant advantage of the No. 6 is the locking collar, a pretty innovative design that I've read has stood the test of time as far as reliability. The No. 6 is also much lighter in weight with a reputation for still being able to handle normal EDC-type usage for a lifetime and even beyond. However, the Sodbuster is simply a more substantial knife with a thicker blade that in theory could handle heavier tasks that the thin blade of the No. 6 might have trouble with on a sustained basis, but any difference could just be theoretical as neither knife is intended for truly heavy tasks such as prepping firewood or tactical/self-defense. That said, even the lock on the No. 6 might only provide a theoretical advantage over the Sodbuster considering the intended uses for these types of knives.
The Sodbuster blade is made of Case's CV carbon steel while the No. 6 uses XC90 carbon steel. I've read that both are 1095 derivatives but I don't know that for sure; perhaps someone with more knowledge can weigh in. In any case there seems to be a long-standing consensus, not to mention just plain usage by many multitudes over many years, that both steels work just fine. I can say that I was able to get the No. 6 screaming sharp with little effort to the point that it will slice very fine slivers of paper using almost just the weight of the blade.
The handle of the Sodbuster is high visibility yellow synthetic while the No. 6 is beech wood. Theoretically the Case handle material would be more durable but the standard Opinel beech has stood the test of time for the uses these types of knives were intended for. Although I haven't put the knives through sustained usage yet, initially the contour of the No. 6 handle feels better in my hand. Schlepping around the house and the backyard with each in a pocket, the Sodbuster's flat slabs and heftier weight seemed to rest better at the bottom of my pocket while the round, ultra light No. 6 bulged a bit and at times seemed to want to shift around and sometimes work itself into weird positions, for example when kneeling down to arrange the coals in my hibachi or getting rough-and-tumble with the doggies. It wasn't a big deal but it did catch my attention.
Overall after a Saturday BBQing and otherwise putzing around the backyard, the No. 6 seems like it would excel at food prep, even working as a small fillet knife in a pinch, while the Sodbuster might be a little better at things like sustained cutting of cardboard and rope as well as carving wood. My initial impression of both is that they're extremely good values that will serve those on a tight budget every bit as well as any traditional folder on the market today, just without any bells and whistles (although to some the lack of any bells and whistles coupled with rock-bottom pricing is a very nice bell and whistle in and of itself).
The next inexpensive traditionals I want to try are a couple of stainless knives -- the Buck 302 Solitaire in black sawcut delrin and A.G. Russell's War Eagle Blades 3.5 inch Lockback in yellow delrin. The War Eagle Blades are Chinese-made but A.G. Russell does a great job with his manufacturers in China -- I have one of his new Lockback Folding Hunters in stag and for the price, the quality and features are truly astounding.
Ok, that went longer than I originally intended. I hope I didn't bore anyone too much. My wife has some new cookware she wants to use for Sunday dinner and those cardboard boxes aren't going to open themselves....
Fit and finish on both are good for the price paid. The blades aren't centered at all but that's about the only thing I could find to really "complain" about if I were to complain, which I'm not. The blade on the Sodbuster is finished much better; polished very nicely and spine edges dehorned whereas the No. 6 spine is pretty sharp and might need to be sanded just a bit to take the edge off. The Sodbuster's construction naturally requires more fit and finish considering the backspring and pins, which the No. 6 doesn't have, and the pivot point having to be ground flush with the handle, whereas the pivot pin on the No. 6 is covered by the lock collar. All things considered it's pretty amazing that Case can hit the price point they do on the Sodbusters, although at less than half the price and manufactured in France, Opinel also does a super job on price no question.
The No. 6 came rather dull and couldn't slice regular notebook paper cleanly. It more kind of tore a jagged rip through it than actually cut it. About 10 minutes on my Sharpmaker remedied that nicely. On the other hand the Sodbuster came pretty sharp and sliced the notebook paper easily. I didn't take it to the Sharpmaker as I want to see how the factory edge performs and lasts. This would seem to be a distinct advantage of the Sodbuster for folks who need a sharp edge out of the box.
The most significant advantage of the No. 6 is the locking collar, a pretty innovative design that I've read has stood the test of time as far as reliability. The No. 6 is also much lighter in weight with a reputation for still being able to handle normal EDC-type usage for a lifetime and even beyond. However, the Sodbuster is simply a more substantial knife with a thicker blade that in theory could handle heavier tasks that the thin blade of the No. 6 might have trouble with on a sustained basis, but any difference could just be theoretical as neither knife is intended for truly heavy tasks such as prepping firewood or tactical/self-defense. That said, even the lock on the No. 6 might only provide a theoretical advantage over the Sodbuster considering the intended uses for these types of knives.
The Sodbuster blade is made of Case's CV carbon steel while the No. 6 uses XC90 carbon steel. I've read that both are 1095 derivatives but I don't know that for sure; perhaps someone with more knowledge can weigh in. In any case there seems to be a long-standing consensus, not to mention just plain usage by many multitudes over many years, that both steels work just fine. I can say that I was able to get the No. 6 screaming sharp with little effort to the point that it will slice very fine slivers of paper using almost just the weight of the blade.
The handle of the Sodbuster is high visibility yellow synthetic while the No. 6 is beech wood. Theoretically the Case handle material would be more durable but the standard Opinel beech has stood the test of time for the uses these types of knives were intended for. Although I haven't put the knives through sustained usage yet, initially the contour of the No. 6 handle feels better in my hand. Schlepping around the house and the backyard with each in a pocket, the Sodbuster's flat slabs and heftier weight seemed to rest better at the bottom of my pocket while the round, ultra light No. 6 bulged a bit and at times seemed to want to shift around and sometimes work itself into weird positions, for example when kneeling down to arrange the coals in my hibachi or getting rough-and-tumble with the doggies. It wasn't a big deal but it did catch my attention.
Overall after a Saturday BBQing and otherwise putzing around the backyard, the No. 6 seems like it would excel at food prep, even working as a small fillet knife in a pinch, while the Sodbuster might be a little better at things like sustained cutting of cardboard and rope as well as carving wood. My initial impression of both is that they're extremely good values that will serve those on a tight budget every bit as well as any traditional folder on the market today, just without any bells and whistles (although to some the lack of any bells and whistles coupled with rock-bottom pricing is a very nice bell and whistle in and of itself).
The next inexpensive traditionals I want to try are a couple of stainless knives -- the Buck 302 Solitaire in black sawcut delrin and A.G. Russell's War Eagle Blades 3.5 inch Lockback in yellow delrin. The War Eagle Blades are Chinese-made but A.G. Russell does a great job with his manufacturers in China -- I have one of his new Lockback Folding Hunters in stag and for the price, the quality and features are truly astounding.
Ok, that went longer than I originally intended. I hope I didn't bore anyone too much. My wife has some new cookware she wants to use for Sunday dinner and those cardboard boxes aren't going to open themselves....
