It’s interesting how much fun one can have in a hobby at any price point

The Ontario Rat 1 and more recently the Opinel No.15 Slim are the budget knives that have punched above their weight for the long term and gotten more use than a lot of expensive knives. If I had smaller hands I'd include the QSP Penguin, but I have larger hands, so I gifted it to someone else. Two upscale pieces I'm really drawn to are the Zero Tolerance ZT 0640 Emerson and the Spyderco Caribbean. Both upscale pieces aren't knives I get a lot of use for for the moment, but I always like to have them nearby.

51755094386_e5718acf32_b.jpg

51924755637_cc6a76a34c_b.jpg
 
DangerZone98 said:
Just randomly noticed that my Father mainly carries his CRKT Clever Girl that we picked up a few months ago. Now I’m not bashing on this particular knife at all; I like the Persian style blade shape and the feather weight despite its size. He owns nicer Spydercos that come in better steels and US made custom knives, but the CRKT still gets plenty of EDC time.

I don’t own any expensive pieces myself, but I also find myself enjoying my budget knives as well even if I have others with technically superior specs. Some days, it’s my Cold Steel mini Bowie with its ‘laughable’ 8Cr steel, or my super cute Mora Eldris that handles 99% of my knife needs if we exclude food prep.

I suppose the point I’m trying to make, if my wordiness can be forgiven, is that there’s enjoyment to be found from your impulse purchase you drunkenly bought one night all the way to the crown jewel in your collection. The budget and nicer pieces in the collection can stand side by side. Supersteels are nice to have, but they alone don’t tell the whole story. Specs are certainly worth paying attention to, but they do not guarantee enjoyment.

What ‘budget knife’ has stayed with you all this time? What’s the upscale piece that stands out above the rest?
Click to expand...
Personally I've drunken purchased all of my crown jewels! Otherwise I feel nuts spending that kind of money! 😂
 
The Grendels said:
The Ontario Rat 1 and more recently the Opinel No.15 Slim are the budget knives that have punched above their weight for the long term and gotten more use than a lot of expensive knives. If I had smaller hands I'd include the QSP Penguin, but I have larger hands, so I gifted it to someone else. Two upscale pieces I'm really drawn to are the Zero Tolerance ZT 0640 Emerson and the Spyderco Caribbean. Both upscale pieces aren't knives I get a lot of use for for the moment, but I always like to have them nearby.

51755094386_e5718acf32_b.jpg

51924755637_cc6a76a34c_b.jpg
Click to expand...
For me personally, ZT is the intersection of quality and value. I have two more on the way 😂
 
The Grendels said:
The Ontario Rat 1 and more recently the Opinel No.15 Slim are the budget knives that have punched above their weight for the long term and gotten more use than a lot of expensive knives. If I had smaller hands I'd include the QSP Penguin, but I have larger hands, so I gifted it to someone else. Two upscale pieces I'm really drawn to are the Zero Tolerance ZT 0640 Emerson and the Spyderco Caribbean. Both upscale pieces aren't knives I get a lot of use for for the moment, but I always like to have them nearby.

51755094386_e5718acf32_b.jpg

51924755637_cc6a76a34c_b.jpg
Click to expand...
Not sure if many people know about this knife, but QSP makes a “Penguin plus”. It’s a dealer exclusive (I think), with jigged titanium and 20CV for about $150…. It’s 7.8” OAL vs 7” for the regular one

Edit: the “Plus” is actually not an exclusive, just that specific jigged-ti version
 
Ah I was not aware. Never handled it myself, and been a while since I watched a review for it. Looking at a pic again, though, indeed it looks like it could use 14.73% more handle height.
 
mitchnola said:
Recently got a rat 1 n 2. Super impressed, really don’t need anything more than them, excellent knives, action and f&f for the price!

Now for the wants, my favorite pieces are my Les George mefp Talos and WnC Talos. Absolutely love them! They’re the wants I had to have and consider myself fortunate to have found em!
Click to expand...

I own a RAT 2 and I love it. The only thing that didn't make me buy a RAT 1 is that, for it's size, it is heavy (due to the non-skeletonized liners). But now that I think about it, I have plenty of tooling to skeletonize them myself and save a few grams. I will try with the RAT2 and if I don't ruin the knife, in the next purchase I will throw a RAT1.

Mikel
 
I had some demo work to do today and had my Hultafors GK with me. It never ceases to amaze me at what it can do. It's probably pretty similar to what the the Mora Robust does.

It gets treated like a pry bar and chisel and keeps going strong. I've put a convex edge on it and it also gets a workout when I'm camping/hiking. It's a really versatile knife that costs about the same as two or three cups of coffee. Love it.
 
My Civivi Baklash in OD G10 and 9Cr18Mov is one of my most carried and used folders. The blade stock is super thin, and it has an even thinner hollow grind, so it’s an incredible slicer, and the handles are contoured just perfectly for a comfy grip.

But, though I love the Civivi, I also carry and use a Reate Torrent in M390. I picked it up used for a fair price, but they originally sold for near $400 back in 2015. It’s larger, much heavier, has thicker blade stock… and feels absolutely amazing to flip out and use.

They both have their places, and both will continue to be loved.
 
I’m fortunate enough to have and use/carry a few nice, higher end knives. And I’m kinda prejudiced toward US made items as well. However, a while back I acquired a Civivi Riffle (as a throw-in) in a trade. Was going to just give it away until I put it in my pocket one day. It was lightweight, thin, easy to open, had pretty good steel and was just the right size. So I kept it and have carried it relatively often ever since. Then I noticed the Riffle was to be discontinued! ☹️ And, afraid that I wouldn’t be able to replace my example if I lost or damaged it, I immediately began searching for a back-up. Well, I found a dealer that had them marked down to $33 and I bought four 🙂. Not sure I’ve ever been happier or more excited knife-wise than when I secured my back-up $33 Riffles!

Knives are truly a great hobby and can be enjoyed at any level.
 
Leo Greer said:
My Civivi Baklash in OD G10 and 9Cr18Mov is one of my most carried and used folders. The blade stock is super thin, and it has an even thinner hollow grind, so it’s an incredible slicer, and the handles are contoured just perfectly for a comfy grip.

But, though I love the Civivi, I also carry and use a Reate Torrent in M390. I picked it up used for a fair price, but they originally sold for near $400 back in 2015. It’s larger, much heavier, has thicker blade stock… and feels absolutely amazing to flip out and use.

They both have their places, and both will continue to be loved.
Click to expand...
I have the Praxis and Mini Bullmastiff. Both excellent knives. Made me appreciate flipper knives. 😁
 
Leo Greer said:
I've wanted the Praxis for a while, but I just don't think I'll carry it vs. the Baklash. Maybe one day... :D
Click to expand...
Is it the size? It carries surprisingly well in the pocket despite what the specs tell you. Sizable knife that handles like a smaller blade, if that makes any sense.
 
Murphy Slaw said:
Bingo.

As a fixer/builder/maintainer I need a knife I can abuse if I'm in a bind, and not feel bad about it.
Click to expand...
This is exactly the reason why I don’t consider 1095 knives or classic Buck knives outdated. Steel technology has gone a long way, true, but the old dogs still work just fine.

Also, a well made 5160 Kukri will get the job done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top