Is there still a "decent" US made budget knife? Maybe...

Maximumbob54 said:
Saying it like that I at least get your point. Another potential listing would be the $100 to $200 range which would explode with options. But my point stands that I'm trying to show there are US made options meaning you don't have to immediately cross boarders for a decent EDC. I've only recently this last few years been ready and willing to spend over $200 on a good knife. And I still feel like you hit that wall of diminishing returns at that $200 price point. But that's a whole different conversation.
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allow frn or other plastic handles and pins and rivets and slip joints and doors open too.

eliminating pin and rivet setups is silly as screwed construction came from lower skill and cheaper labor to assemble. not for taking apart to play barbie doll dress and undress with parts or cleaning. you knocked out almost all american traditional knife patterns. you're setup is set to fail, is my real point....asking for too much for too little......
 
I was trying to stress the budget point at under $100 to show that doesn't mean you are left with the bargain bin leftovers.

14C28N is what I consider these days to be a good budget oriented steel and it's not the only one. Remember when D2 was hard to find...? Not everything has to be yesteryear's 420HC or mystery blend carbon steel.

No FRN or similar was again just trying to show you can get options that don't have to use plastic to cut price corners. Does that mean I hate FRN? My near daily carry Delica in K390 says NO!

And eliminating rivets or pins is not a reflection on them being low quality. Or maybe in one point only. I carried my older Buck 112 for years before I noticed it was getting annoyingly loose. I can send it home to the mothership or beat it with a hammer. Does that make the 110/112 junk? It took nearly twenty years to reach that point. And I bet Buck would make the knife look nearly new again.

But this was my list. I'm eager to see anyone else's list with what stipulations they list! :)
 
calm said:
Is there a US made 14C28N?
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Honestly have no idea. From Kershaw's website:

kershaw.kaiusa.com

Leek

<p>The Kershaw Leek just may be the ideal EDC. With its 3-inch blade, the Leek is a good-sized knife, but not too big. The slim design makes it easy to carry and its razor-sharp blade of high-performance 14C28N means it can take care of a full range
kershaw.kaiusa.com kershaw.kaiusa.com

  • Country of Origin USA: Design, Prototype, Quality Control, Manufacture

They sure don't mention source of materials... :confused:
 
By the way, as a n00b who has recently taken deeper interest in knives, I am sincere in my exploration of what constitutes quality.

I tend to take a pragmatic approach to things. A knife's purpose is to cut. American made pocket knives that meet the OPs specs have all cut as well as I needed them to. Does a $500 knife make a more quality cut, or is the difference in how well it holds an edge and how easy it is to sharpen? Are those two measure opposed to one another?

Durability is a factor. I don't use a knife for work. I have never worn one out. I would guess most people haven't. How is durability determined absent experience?

Operation is a factor. Some knives are a PITA to open. I prefer one that is slick opening and "snappy" in opening and closing. They can't be overly loose or sloppy or overly tight.

Corrosion resistance is a factor. I take good care of my stuff, so any old stainless checks this box for me.

Fit and finish are factors. For what I want in a knife, it doesn't need to be artfully executed. I may change my mind as my interest grows. I can appreciate artful execution but as it stands now, I am a function over fashion kind of guy.
 
Dranrab said:
All but one of those is subjective! I suppose good could be quantified in some way, but the word good, unqualified, is subjective. Eye-pleasing, well beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
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To steal a famous quote again, “I know it when I see it. “
 
The worst injury I ever had handling a knife was when I got my big fat finger in the way of the blade closing on a Leek. And now, no liner locks or frame locks around here anymore. I even gave away my CRK Inkosi to the grandson. But it's OK, he's got a finger or two to spare.
 
SharpBits said:
This is a good thread. It is pointing out a real empty spot in the market for US makers.
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Not really.

No US makers want to (and probably can't) operate in that price point with the current economy.

If sub $100 is the goal, remember that it will cost 15% of that just to ship the box. You'd go broke in a month.

Who would intentionally choose to do that?
 
J. Doyle said:
Not really.

No US makers want to (and probably can't) operate in that price point with the current economy.

If sub $100 is the goal, remember that it will cost 15% of that just to ship the box. You'd go broke in a month.

Who would intentionally choose to do that?
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Knife Center currently has 692 listings for US made folders under $100.

GP Knives currently has 1,305 listings for US made knives under $100.

Blade HQ currently has ,344 listings for US made pocket knives under $100.

So I guess someone is out there making them. If anything I'm not sure it's that empty. I just set a lot of limitations on my list.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
Knife Center currently has 692 listings for US made folders under $100.

GP Knives currently has 1,305 listings for US made knives under $100.

Blade HQ currently has ,344 listings for US made pocket knives under $100.

So I guess someone is out there making them. If anything I'm not sure it's that empty. I just set a lot of limitations on my list.
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Thank you for addressing that, I was writing a similar reply when yours popped up. The limitations/specific desires of your list eliminates a majority of the contenders that fit the "major" protocols most people would consider. Eliminating things like FRN or Grivory to consider a knife "decent" is especially detrimental to the conversation when plenty of people would prefer one of those options to aluminum or steel. It's a preference, not an indicator of quality.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
Knife Center currently has 692 listings for US made folders under $100.

GP Knives currently has 1,305 listings for US made knives under $100.

Blade HQ currently has ,344 listings for US made pocket knives under $100.

So I guess someone is out there making them. If anything I'm not sure it's that empty. I just set a lot of limitations on my list.
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I was specifically referring to adhering to the parameters of your first post.

Apparently not very many if you whittle away the things that "allow" them to exist in that sub $100 category, like higher end materials. Or quality.
 
Ilikesharpstuff said:
Thank you for addressing that, I was writing a similar reply when yours popped up. The limitations/specific desires of your list eliminates a majority of the contenders that fit the "major" protocols most people would consider. Eliminating things like FRN or Grivory to consider a knife "decent" is especially detrimental to the conversation when plenty of people would prefer one of those options to aluminum or steel. It's a preference, not an indicator of quality.
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I see your point but I counter with the third line down from my original post:

"The rest are all my own desires so of course everyone can/will argue but this is my list:"
 
J. Doyle said:
I was specifically referring to adhering to the parameters of your first post.

Apparently not very many if you whittle away the things that "allow" them to exist in that sub $100 category, like higher end materials. Or quality.
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Of course not, once again, this is my list and I highly encourage anyone else to create a list to their tastes.
 
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