is there a decent $20 knife out there?

B

Billmanweh

Joined
Sep 5, 2002
Messages
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I've got a couple of nice folders that I carry but I'm looking for a decent edc/beater for around $20 or less. Fixed or folder isn't too important. Maybe a 3-4" blade. I'm going to mostly use it for practicing my sharpening anyway. Any suggestions?
 
Old Timer stockman. One of if not the best $20 knife out there. The Kershaw Vapor is also good in that price range, as are many different knives made by Buck. Any of them are available at Wal-Mart.
 
There's a couple of Mirage Gray Ghosts on ebay right now (not mine). These are excellent knives for very little money. Aluminum scaled liner lock with an aus-8 blade. The only disadvantage to this knife, imo, is its bead blasted, which I don't care for. However, I just took fine grit sandpapers and polished the blade a bit.
 
swiss army tinker is a great buy under 20$ (target had them for 4.98 last month) also crkt ryan plan b can be found for around 20$. both good buys imho
 
This is a pretty frequent topic which always gets a lot of enthusiastic answers! :D I've just been playing around with a good example of what you're asking for, a Dozier Ka-Bar folding hunter. (There are three versions.)

I'm sure you'll get a few more responses, soon, and maybe a link to recent threads. I want to toss in one comment, though, since you are looking for some sharpening practice, you might want to look specifically at high-carbon blades. These will give you an easier edge to sharpen and better results. Like, what's the use of working on a 420J2 blade that won't take a decent edge no matter what you do? :)

Try something like this Schrade Middleman stockman in high carbon steel with three different blade shapes to practice on. (Look at dat! Roadrunner beat me to it! Posted while I was composing this!)
 
M-Tech produces several folders and fixed blades thay aren't bad. I've got a few of the folders stashed as giveaways as I have a habit of handing out knives to anybody I come across that needs one. They use 440C for thier blades and have better than standard workmanship when compared to Fury and Master Tech knves. Also, they use original designs rather than knock off another maker's. The Ka-Bar Dozier line and Kershaw Vapors are also worthy of a look.

D13
 
the dozier kabar lockback folder. I think it's $20 from AGrussell. It always gets top marks in the sub $20 category.
 
Originally posted by dayuhan13
M-Tech produces several folders and fixed blades thay aren't bad. ... Also, they use original designs rather than knock off another maker's.
Click to expand...
They do use original designs but as far as I know they stole them from Mike Turber's BOSS line.
 
Originally posted by Esav Benyamin
They do use original designs but as far as I know they stole them from Mike Turber's BOSS line.
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware of that! I'll have to take a look into Mike Thurber's work. Thanks for the heads up EB!

D13
 
Gerber LST!!

Best knife ever. Carried and used one every day for 3 years, it's still exactly like it was then, just sharpened down a bit. Good steel, tight fit, solid lockup, good finger traction, cheaper than dirt.
 
See if you can pick up a used Buck 110. Great knife for the money considering they are only $30 new at Wal-Mart. I've had mine since I was 11 (13 years ago) and it's still going strong.

The 110 is one of those knives I've had sitting around forever and am just now rediscovering. I'm even considering ordering up a custom shop version.
 
If you want a folder that cuts like a knife blade is suppose to, then take a close look at the already mentioned Ka- Bar/ Dozier Folding Hunter collaborations. These high hollow ground AUS stainless blades is fairly easy to sharpen and will hold a good using edge. These models went thru many testing stages before it was given the okay for full production by Bob D. himself. It is my first choice in a production FRN handled low priced folder.

N2
 
well, I probably didn't stress the extent to which I mainly want something to practice sharpening with. I have a couple of benchmades that both cost over $100, and I just picked up a lansky basic sharpening kit and a spyderco sharpmaker and I just don't want to use my 941cfd2 to learn with.

and I guess the only other thing I'd like is to have a pocket clip so I can occasionally wear it.
 
I also vote for Victorinox. I have one and i am very pleased with it.
He is better then other expensive ones, in my opinion
 
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