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

Maximumbob54 said:
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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Well I guess as long as you weren't expecting a bunch of other results meeting your criteria, carry on.

As I said, there isn't much of a market in the US for your criteria because it's *almost* impossible.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
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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This thread is interesting to me in that most of my knives are USA made in the sub 100 range. I took a minute to look around on blade HQ. Your no GFN and FRN standard precludes a lot of knives that would have otherwise made the list. What makes those materials undesirable?
 
jbmonkey said:
bought from one place I know they don't charge sales tax yet. once in awhile have free shipping sales. sorry can't tell ya where as it's violates deal spotting rules
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If I understand correctly, I think you can name them, just not link to them if they're not a BladeForums contributor.
 
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A few months ago I purchased a Buck Spitfire, and I must say it is an awesome knife! If you want something that can be disassembled, the Buck Vantage is also an awesome knife **Mine came in G10 scales and S30V, not sure how much they are these days though.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
Mantis MT7.2
S30V at 3.25"
G10 with a liner lock

This is an $80 knife of a decent size and construction and while I'm not keen on the "Besh Wedge Tip" I'm sure it still cuts anything as needed. Definitely a tough looking little knife well under the max price.

This is a subject near to my heart since I've looked at my collection and buying habits. I like supporting US business when they make a good product and I really feel like sometimes the imports push our US production hard to meet the price vs production cost. So my point in this post is you don't have to resort to imports for a good EDC. You may have to sort through what you define as decent but they are out there. And this was just the few I found in a few minutes!!!
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Mantis knives were imported. And in at least several cases, the steel was not what it was advertised to be. I'd steer clear of that.
 
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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As others have said, even explained, Buck.
 
Idk. Id just buy an 89 dollar hoguendeka magnacut and save up for scales i wanted. Ive found buying a "lesser" knife than that always leaves me wanting
 
Maximumbob54 said:
Mantis MT7.2
S30V at 3.25"
G10 with a liner lock

This is an $80 knife of a decent size and construction and while I'm not keen on the "Besh Wedge Tip" I'm sure it still cuts anything as needed. Definitely a tough looking little knife well under the max price.
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I doubt that knife is made in the US. I even question the steel. Jared West has been proven multiple times to be undependable as a supplier of true statements.
A quick read of his current FAQ page shows that he's up to his old tricks again. Worth reading just for the laughs.
The Mantis Knives design team doesn’t feel that they should ever be governed or limited by “industry norms”, as a result, a team of metallurgists, who have been working closely with the Research and Development team at Mantis Knives, have come up with what we consider to be an alloy that will set new standards in excellence for our industry.
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HAHAHAHAHAHA!

I'd suggest removing that one from your possibles list.


Maximumbob54 said:
No plastic no matter how fancy. So no FRN, GFN, Grivory, polymer, any of the above. To be decent means micarta, G10, or better as a minimum. No pinned or riveted together construction. Their is no denying your bone stock Buck 110 in 420HC isn't a great knife but I want knives that can be fully broken down for deep cleaning, swap out worn or damaged washers or whatever other fix..
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G10 is glass fiber reinforced plastic. So are FRN and Grivory.

Kershaw still makes several models in the US with aluminum handles. I'm usually happier with FRN than aluminum, but if aluminum is OK then I'd recommend them.
 
I've found Kershaw heat treat to be "hit or miss".
Nice knives, but at least in my experience, I wouldn't call them " quality".
✌
 
I am shocked that nobody has yet advised the OP to save money and get a Sebenza, like in the good old days, 😆though the original designer/owner was South African, so I do not know if they are considered a pure US product.....

(not a serious post, just in case people take it seriously)
 
GPyro said:
I've found Kershaw heat treat to be "hit or miss".
Nice knives, but at least in my experience, I wouldn't call them " quality".
✌
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I think Kershaw, like their sister company ZT, frequently runs their heat treat a little soft for less breakage and warranty claims.
 
Knives of Alaska, which happens to be in Denison, TX, make a line of folders that won't break the bank.
 
knarfeng said:
I doubt that knife is made in the US. I even question the steel. Jared West has been proven multiple times to be undependable as a supplier of true statements.
A quick read of his current FAQ page shows that he's up to his old tricks again. Worth reading just for the laughs.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

I'd suggest removing that one from your possibles list.



G10 is glass fiber reinforced plastic. So are FRN and Grivory.

Kershaw still makes several models in the US with aluminum handles. I'm usually happier with FRN than aluminum, but if aluminum is OK then I'd recommend them.
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I feel like this is technically correct in that I had to look up if epoxy resin is considered to be a polymer and yes it is. Weird. I guess I get to yank the Corvette guys chains saying they have a plastic car. And I'll edit the first post.
 
GPyro said:
I've found Kershaw heat treat to be "hit or miss".
Nice knives, but at least in my experience, I wouldn't call them " quality".
✌
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I've had a few Leeks off and on for years now that I've never had issues with but that's still a single digit sample size. What problems have you had?
 
calm said:
I am shocked that nobody has yet advised the OP to save money and get a Sebenza, like in the good old days, 😆though the original designer/owner was South African, so I do not know if they are considered a pure US product.....

(not a serious post, just in case people take it seriously)
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Serious answer : My small Sebenza with S45VN is the only blade I've ever in my life had chip along side of the edge. I read online you have to sharpen through the "burned" steel so I laid the edge angle back some and had to over focus on the chip but it's never happened again. Not sure that's the real answer but it did work.

Silly answer : Would buying a used Sebenza qualify as a "budget" purchase? :p
 
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