Latest entry from my "knives for cheapskates" files...

R

RH

Joined
Jan 31, 1999
Messages
2,094
I have a few overriding principles in my knife hobby – I only buy knives that are legal in my state, I buy knives that I intend on carrying/using at some point (no safe queens), I favor lockbacks, and I am cheap. Not “re-use dental floss” cheap, but I try to keep my knife hobby under budgetary controls, as there are many more things I need to spend money on than knives or any other non-esssntials. I am a knife bargain hunter, and I share my finds with y’all to enjoy.

My latest find was found in one of my favorite hunting grounds – the Smoky Mountain catalog. SMKW is currently running a line of Beretta folders designed by Jack Busfield. Two sizes (4” and 5” closed), 3 AUS8 blade types (trailing/persian, drop, and clip) and 3 handle materials (SS, Micarta, and G10). Mediums - $14.99 - $19.99, Larges - $19.99-$24.99

I first bought the medium (smaller size) in Micarta, since I’ve never had a Micarta handled knife. For $14.99, I figured you can’t go wrong. I was so impressed with it, I went on eBay and got myself the G10 model as well, for the same price.

The G10 has a remarkably similar construction as my G10 Rookie, including the single steel liner and adjustable pivot. The Micarta is really nice a classy looking, and feels a lot lighter than the G10 but just as sturdy.

Overall Pros:
Very high quality fit & finish
shaving sharp
Tight, wobble-free lockbacks
Spyderco-style, 3-screw blackened clips
Full steel spacers
Dual thumbstuds
Lanyard holes
Good steel (I’m no snob, AUS8 is fine for me)
Made in Japan
The handles form small front & rear guards for a secure grip
The front ‘guard’ covers the blade tang when closed, making a neat appearance and not catching on pockets.

Overall Cons:
They only come with 30% serrated edges. I have grown to prefer plain edges, but since I use the Sharpmaker it doesn’t bother me so much, especially at this price. On the plus side, the 70% that is not serrated is a true double-ground edge, not single bevel.
The thumbstuds are a tad too big, and can catch on the pocket
Clips are only right handed, tip up (no problem for me, this is my preference)
No choice on blade types – trailing comes with Micarta, clip with G10, and drop with SS.

In summary, these knives are my newest “best buy”. People get all hot under the collar when you compare to their favorite brands, but I would say these compare favorably with knives costing twice as much, easily. Better quality & materials than any of the half dozen CRKT folders I have owned, and better for the price than just about any FRN folder I can think of.

Even if you can’t bear to carry a “Beretta” knife, I think they would be great gifts, because any non-knife person who has a passing familiarity with Beretta firearms will be impressed with the name, and the knives are better than anything else in that price range (including my last “best buy” – the KaBar Dozier).
 
I don't buy knives quite that cheap anymore but...

I just wanna say that you're a perfect example of how this forum is good for EVERYONE into knives at all and not just for people who collect customs or high-end knives or even $100 knives.

I'm sure it's discouraging to some people when it looks like many people on this forum must be rich or something and nobody wants to talk about low-end knives.

Great post!
 
When I first came here in '99, my collection consisted of a drawerful of Chinese knockoffs and a 15-year old NIB Buck 110 (still NIB today!). I lurked a long while, and then registered and posted sparsely at first. There were tons of threads about Spydercos, Cold Steel, Benchmade, Bucks, Gerbers. The Military and CQC7 were real cutting edge. I researched for hours and days before settling on my first "quality" knife purchase - a Delica. $40 was a lot of money to spend on a knife, I wanted to make the right decision! $40 is still a lot of money, in my opinion.

The FS/FT forums used to have lots of knives in the $15-$50 range, now they are full of high-end William Henry's, Busses, etc. I think this hobby has a very steep acceleration curve, and most people who have been into it for more than a year or two have graduated to cutoms, curio collecting, and steel snobbery. It's a shame because in 1999, it was a big leap from POS knockoffs to Spyderco, but I learned that the quality and pride/enjoyment of ownership were worth the price. I think now the snobbery has reached a level that is intimidating to lurkers or newbies, because everyone is no longer talking about $40 Spydies, but $100+ pieces.

My point in posting about the Berretta's is that it is a mistake to assume that inexpensive means cheap. An educated consumer can enjoy this hobby on a budget, and have some high quality knives to play with. sales, closeouts, used, blems, and overlooked brands are sources for great deals.
 
Originally posted by RH

The FS/FT forums used to have lots of knives in the $15-$50 range, now they are full of high-end William Henry's, Busses, etc. I think this hobby has a very steep acceleration curve, and most people who have been into it for more than a year or two have graduated to cutoms, curio collecting, and steel snobbery. It's a shame because in 1999, it was a big leap from POS knockoffs to Spyderco, but I learned that the quality and pride/enjoyment of ownership were worth the price. I think now the snobbery has reached a level that is intimidating to lurkers or newbies, because everyone is no longer talking about $40 Spydies, but $100+ pieces.

My point in posting about the Berretta's is that it is a mistake to assume that inexpensive means cheap. An educated consumer can enjoy this hobby on a budget, and have some high quality knives to play with. sales, closeouts, used, blems, and overlooked brands are sources for great deals.
Click to expand...

Well said! You are wise beyond your ears.:D

I carried a CRKT Doolittle (Commander Series) for years. It was my first "tactical folder". I then got an aluminum-handled Mirage that cost me $60!:eek: It hurt to dump that much money, but I was proud of it. (The knife goes for $15 now on Ebay.)

Then, I picked up a Benchmade Ares at a gunshow and...

: ) o==3

It was all over from there. I was hooked and your "acceleration curve", which you were very accurate about, took over.

CRKT has dropped off their quality, but companies like Kershaw have raised their quality for the same price.

More and more companies are adding quality to low-end prices and joining that niche. Notice that Ka-bar has joined that niche recently by offering affordable folders.

Companies like Buck have always been there and have a quality product.
 
Nice thread RH :)
Really something to think about...


Here's a picture of some Beretta Busfield folders for ya'all

shoppingmatrix1_1762_431205380



NsB
 
To add another great one to the list, New Graham has SAk Tinkers for $9.99. Can't beat that with a stick!

I haven't held the Berretas yet. BiMart has them, I believe. Will have to take a look.

I have also owned a fair number of CRKT knives and have always thought they were a tremendous value.
 
My latest favorite low budget cutters are the Frosts (of Sweden) Swedish Army Knife. SwAK. 4 1/8" Stainless scandi grind and a finger guard. Unusual on a Scandinavian knife. It arrived sharp and really cut after 800 grit on the mousepad.
The other is an Old Hickory kitchen knife. Thin carbon steel that gets sharp!
And I like watching it turn colors ;)
Got them both for around $20 at SMKW.
 
But, if you're making/asking for suggestions on cheap, as in 'inexpensive' quality knives...maybe I can help you out a bit here...

Fixed blades by Anza, wicked sharp, for $20 on a good day...

Frame locks by Kershaw, the Vapor II is roughly $20 at 'Wallyworld'

Kabar 'Dozier' folding hunter lockback, model 162, A G Russell, $20

These are all good knives for the price, based on my experience...

Of course, the SAK's (thanks for the New Graham tip Ed T!)

Mel
 
for a good value. Light, sharp and fun. And small enough to use in the office without causing a panic. I picked mine up for $40 at a B&M shop. A savvy shopper could probably find it for less. But I like being able to hold a knife before I buy it.

Frank
 
I have owned a Beretta folder or two and they make great knives for the cash. I was thinking about picking up one of the Busfields and now that I have another positive review, I think I will.
Matt
 
I awoke this morning to find I was high bidder on a older Buck 110 with leather pouch. It's been sharpend but not mauled. I'm going to send it back to the factory for polishing-resharpening.
On the subject of cheap knife Anza is hard to beat-made me a 2.5 inch carry knife to conform with local laws for $30. Nice guy.
Oh, and the price for the Buck 110..................$11.52
 
I would love to see some more lower end knives going up for trade and sell.I do have several 100.00 spydies and a sebenza,and 50.00 is alot of money to me so you can see how I look at my Sebenza.:eek:
I just bought a ex cond PE progrip for 26.00 and was very happy with it.:D
 
RH,
I saw the knives advertised in smoky and was pretty weary of them at first after seeing how cheap they were, but after your review and also finding out the knives were made by moki (who also has made folders for spyderco and many others) I decided to order some myself!!!
Thanks for the informative review!!!! :)
 
Well I have up a couple of lower end ones up right now trying to trade for a lower end one and it doesn't seem like anyone is interested.
 
I just received the Beretta Busfields from smoky. To say the least I was quite impressed. No blade wobble whatsoever!!! Moki put the same care into these as the ones they have made for spyderco!!!!


:D :D :D
 
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