Knives you underestimated.

[bigolegator]

These 2 for me (Rat2 and Dividend)...I love these smaller inexpensive blades. The Rat2 is probably my most used house blade and resharpens great.

 

[Chippa]

Rat 2 for sure, bought it on a whim and was really surprised by it and like you said it sharpens real easily. another one was the mini tuff lite. I usually subconsciously choke up on my blades when opening packages and stuff to not hit the insides, that one made me realize i dont need 3" plus to have a usable daily.

 

[mbkryan]

+1 for the Delica 4. I didn't expect much from it and ignored it for a very long time. Handled one at a pawn shop and realized what I was missing. Gave the guy the leatherman out of my pocket and $10 and took the Delica home. Now I believe it might be the best knife ever created IMO (value, size, ergos, variety, replaceability, durability, etc.). Wish I had the blue one or burnt orange.

 

[leghog]

Condor's Kephart. WAY underestimated. And picked it up from wallyworld online and delivered to my house for less than $35.

 

[Professor]

I underestimated this one for sure. Now it's my primary carry, and that's coming from the CRK world...

 

[sabre cat]

The Gerber EAB. Amazing little knife that saves my other knives from lots of abuse.

Another is the US made Kershaw Zing. I bought one because I liked the flutes cut into the blade but have grown to appreciate the overall ergos of the knife. One of my all time favorites.

 

[10fingers]

GEC navy knife. I would have never bought one for myself but i purchased a package deal and a navy knife was among the extras. Its the only one im keeping out of them all

 

[10fingers]

Condor's Kephart. WAY underestimated. And picked it up from wallyworld online and delivered to my house for less than $35.

Ive wanted one of these for a while but its one of those things that you end up picking something else instead when you go to purchase. Gonna have to grab one soon and see what the fuss is all about

 

[znapschatz]

Got this from a forum member for a price I couldn’t refuse. The edge was chipped, but easily resharpened to perfect. It carries sweetly without clip in RF pocket, and cuts well enough, although hard on the hand when the going gets tough. It’s still one of my favorites, though.

My second folder, bought because of recommendations by almost everybody. An okay knife, but probably a better cutter in the FFG form. Someday I’ll get around to one of those, but...

Then I got this one, and it has kicked the others out of my pocket for almost a year. I like everything about it; shape, handleability, pocket clip, flipper, cuts great and ease of sharpening. Due to a warranty issue with another Buck (different model), it was settled with an S30v version, but I haven’t used that one yet. This one has been good enough for me so far.

 

[jaypowell0185]

Ontario Rat 2. It could trully be some one's only knife and they would be just fine. And its under $30

 

[trevitrace]

View attachment 718933

Just curious what that thingy is next to the advocate. Thanks!

 

[palonej]

I think it's a bug Trev! Some weird kinda spider or some thing.

 

[bigolegator]

Just curious what that thingy is next to the advocate. Thanks!

Looks like a WE knives, or similar, spinner/fidget toy....Joe and his toys

 

[DougB2]

Kizer Vanguard Laconico Intrepid. Saw Kizer knives for the first time at a gun show last year and the price was what got me. I handled it a bit and I liked it. I was surprised; not to pick on this particular country of origin, but I didn't think they could do it so well for the price. Only gripes were the edge (needed work) and the blade opened a bit too easily, but it wouldn't tighten much more. In the hand, it reminds me of my Spyderco C10G Endura with foliage green G10 scales and VG10 blade. Has some weight, good fit.

 

[palonej]

Thought of another one I underestimated.
The Kershaw Link. I grabbed one of the HOB exclusives and have been very impressed with it!! Very solid knife with excellent steel that handles everything you can throw at it!
Pretty nice looking knife too!!
Definitely worth a shot!
Joe

 

[The cow]

Mora-for its cost and performance, I can see why many people stop there.
ESEE Junglas- First foray into "high end" knives. It'd very well be one of those "if I could only have one" choppers for the rest of my life.

I'll be brutally honest, high end knives tend to underwhelm me more often than not. I'll buy some critically acclaimed knives and end up not seeing its praise. More often than not, it has to do with sub-par ergonomics and/or obtuse edge geometry. ESSE 3/6, DPX HEST, Ka-Bar and a real Woodlore were among my biggest disappointments.

 

[Golden Goal]

(Buck Vantage) I like everything about it... pocket clip

Yes! This. The Vantage was my first "modern" folder and I still have yet to come across a clip design that I like better.

Forgot to add this earlier and I don't think I've seen any mention of it here - the Kershaw Skyline. I regret the years I wasted debating getting one but at least now I know better. What a great blade. The action on mine is just ridiculously smooth and I think the only knife I've ever unboxed with a better edge is a Les George mid-tech (looking at you, Chris Reeve). And the options that are available! Do you want a great all-around steel (wait, what finish do you want on it?) or do you want to flash some damascus? Sensible G10 or half the periodic table's worth of aftermarket scale materials? You can get pretty much any pocket clip design you want and mount it up or down (sorry lefties). And it's, what, $50? Just take my money...

 

[Planterz]

Opinel. I avoid cheap knives like the plague (Frost, M-Tech, etc), so I never really gave Opinels much thought, despite their good reputation. Finally tried a no.8 carbone. Now I also have a no.7, a couple no.6's (my favorite), a few no.8 Garden INOX's, and a set of no.8 and no.6 in oak INOX (for the muggy monsoon season).

My Opinels get used much more than my "real" knives now because they cut so well, and if I screw one up, who cares? Only $12 for a new one.

 

[d.r.h.]

Leatherman Crater and Rajah III

Ditto on the Rajah III. It is my go-to gardening knife.

 

[Subwoofer_CPF]

One of the biggest surprises recently was the Buck Selkirk. Not the best fit and finish, but that knife just works.

For something that looks a bit like an overgrown SAK utility knife blade, the OKC Black Bird SK-5 is excellent. It does everything I've asked of it, and strikes a storm of sparks from ferro-rods.

Both of these are now go-to knives and are what I grab if I don't have time to pick something else.