Inexpensive vs. cheap

T

thepaladin

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Feb 8, 2013
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I got a Colt Titanium Stockman today. it ran about $17.00 and I figured it was a long shot, but it's a nice knife. I've gotten some knives that were "cheap" in all the various meanings of that word and were simply black holes I threw money down but now and then I find "inexpensive" knives that stand up and perform well. I just wondered if anyone else wanted to comment on this or share their "pleasant surprises"?

So far I've had good luck with this Colt and some Rough Riders. I also got 3 imported John Primble knives and they are very nice (though not as inexpensive as the Colt or the Rough Riders). I'll probably (God willing) add a few more Colt folders and I think I'll try a couple of the Remington Stockman models next (I also have 3 American John Primbles ready to order...when i manage to set aside some more knife money )
 
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I've got a Colt Hawkbill. Like it a lot and bought another as a spare. I've some RR Hawkbills as well and they are just as good but not quite as good looking IMO.

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STEVE UK
 
I bough a few RR's and "Frost Family" (probably the only Frost knives I'd buy) knives that turned out to be good deals. I only buy them if the price is right.
I bought a RR whittler for 7 bucks that is an excellent knife. F&F is excellent. A RR 4 blade camp knife for 5 bucks that's worth every penny. A Frost Family canoe for 7 bucks that is also put together well. These knives are in like new condition.
But......when it comes down to it, it's all about the steel.
They're good to look at and fiddle with but when I go out, I drop a Case in my pocket.

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defining, recognizing and understanding the difference between inexpensive and cheap is a cornerstone of what keeps me coming around here.
 
wouldestous said:
defining, recognizing and understanding the difference between inexpensive and cheap is a cornerstone of what keeps me coming around here.
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Totally this! For example, Opinels are inexpensive, but not definitely not cheap. I'd seriously consider taking a No. 8 as my only knife, if I had to make that choice.
 
I have also seen some cheap stuff that wasn't inexpensive and it applies to more than just pocketknives. I have two Colt folders, a canoe and a trapper. The trapper is a serious pocket knife and the canoe is really well made and has the most appealing spear blade I have seen so far.

I paid just over $20 ea. for these knives; I consider them very good for the money, i.e., inexpensive. Definitely not cheap.

Ed J
 
I've bought a couple of Frost that were borderline (but at the cost I wasn't really surprised). I've never gotten any of the Frost Family Series. I'm hoping to pick up a few more of the Colt Titanium Series. May try some after I get those and the Primble and Remington knives I want to order.
 
bwperdue said:
Totally this! For example, Opinels are inexpensive, but not definitely not cheap. I'd seriously consider taking a No. 8 as my only knife, if I had to make that choice.
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Really? I mean really? Only One? That is a very strong statement. Ok then,I don't have one, never even had one in hand but on the basis of that comment alone I am ordering one right now.
 
I hope you enjoy it; I'm betting you will. I like the way they cut and sharpen, the minimal number of parts, the light weight, the fact that the shape of the handle lends itself equally well to both cutting away from me and a paring grip, and while I don't rely on locks, I appreciate how well the simple twist ring works. I'm really interested in hearing your thoughts once you get one and use it for a bit.
 
The Douk-Douk also fits the description of inexpensive. Mighty sturdy and useful knives, much like the opinels I'm sure, although I have yet to own one. (an opinel that is)
 
notthatsharp said:
The Douk-Douk also fits the description of inexpensive. Mighty sturdy and useful knives, much like the opinels I'm sure, although I have yet to own one. (an opinel that is)
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:thumbup::thumbup:

And there's the other biggie of cheap/low cost knives; the working man's folders from other places. As much as I have come from admiring the Rough Riders because of my friend Chet's abuse of them and the way they hold up, they and the others mentioned like Colt and Steel Warrior are but copies of the traditional American patterns that we all love. But I find that I have a great interest in the cheap/low cost folders from other places. The Opinel from France, the Herter sodbuster from Germany as well as the vintage Mercator, the friction folders from Spain and Sardinia, the Okapi from South Africa, and others. There's a simple beauty to a simple working tool, and cheap does not often mean bad. Cheap can be used to describe a price that is so low that it is totally out of proportion to the great utility of the item. And if something hangs around as long as the old Mercator or Opinel, they must be great because the working masses do not have the money to waste on anything that does not perform it's task.

Cheap can be very good, sometimes.
 
I just finished a pouch for one of my Robert Klass knives (this was a Trapper). Klass was made in Germany till recently. These are Chinese but very well made, the back spring meets the blade almost invisibly and it has a very solid feel. They've all stood up very well.
 
NZ Svord Peasant, Mora, Boker Plus Bushcrafter, higonokami (japanese douk douk) are all inexpensive and punch well above their weight IMO.
 
Inexpensive vs. cheap is a critical distinction.

I'm pretty sold on the Opinel as being at or near the top on the price/value heap. The #9 is my most carried blade. Always have a #10 in the pack as a back up.


edc-pair by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
I also like the Opinels a lot, have several and all except one are modified to my taste. Latest is a nr. 12, I made in to a spear point, modified the handle and waxed the wood brown. To me the ability to modify them easily is a major plus.
 
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This is a John Primble Whittler that was pretty inexpensive. It's an import but is a very nice knife. I'm planning on sending for some American made Primbles soon, possibly my next order. They are about double the price (though to be fair also larger). I'm interested to see the difference.
 
wouldestous said:
defining, recognizing and understanding the difference between inexpensive and cheap is a cornerstone of what keeps me coming around here.
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The difference is in american usage
In english English there is no difference, both mean inexpensive
In American Usage cheap means shoddy
 
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