Hi folks,
With the rising cost of knives I thought I started re-thinking some of my own choices and thought I would pass what I found along to you. In return, please send the rest of us your choices in keeping with the $38 limit.
This is a list of knives that can be currently bought for less than $38 that I use regularly and think are great values. Some knives that are my favorites did not make the list because the cost is too high. I have knives costing hundreds of dollars, both custom and production. These inexpensive knives have proven themselves and are worth the money and are better, in many ways than some expensive knives. They are certainly a smarter buy.
Neck Knife/Gear Knife
1. The Outdoor Edge WEDGE
I cannot say enough good things about this knife. The knife has a very useful and comfortable design. It slices like a laser beam because of the very wide, thin blade. It has enough point to do fine work. It has proven itself on game, fish, and in general utility by a lot of people. You will note that Spyderco has used a similar concept on their blades to enhance performance. The knife holds an edge decently and is very easily sharpened. It takes a wickedly sharp edge. The sheath clips the blade in so it cannot be dislodged, even under the rigors of white water rafting, hiking, and etc. It is adaptable for wearing around the neck, clipped to your pants, or on the straps of your gear as it has a clip on the back of the sheath, a hole for a chain and other options. It is not too long so it wears well, yet the handle is such you can grab and use it. Out of all such knives I own or have tried, this is my favorite, hands down. For $15.95 you will want to buy them as gifts and give them away, as I do. It is made in Taiwan, like many top Spyderco knives.
Folding Saltwater/EDC
2. The Benchmade Lone Wolf MINI-LANDSLIDE
I was surprised at this knife. I wanted something cheaper than my more expensive salt water knives so I ordered this one. Wow! It is a bright orange lock back. The lock is very thick and the blade spine is, too. The blade is made of N680 and is extremely corrosion resistant, as I have reason to know. The blade shape is great for skinning, gutting, and general use. The current version is the same approximate size and length of the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian. The edge holds up very well, better than 420HC but not as good as my ancient Buck knives with 440C from the 1960s. This is my current walking, camping, fishing knife, having replaced more expensive knives. A great knife that can be had for $27 to $37. I think it is made in the USA, the company is American, anyway.
Everyday Carry
3. Leatherman STYLE
This cool little knife goes where I go. It is smaller than a small Swiss Army Knife, but the blade is bigger. It has a knife, scissors, file, screw driver, and tweezers all in a small, trim package. It costs a whopping $13.95. It is made in the USA.
4. Victorinox ALOX CADET
This is a wonderful, slim knife that comes in a choice of colors. It sells for about $24.95 and boasts a bunch of useful tools. It has a knife blade, nail file, two screw drivers, a can opener, bottle opener, and a wire stripper. I love this knife and it often goes with me into places where other knives are frowned upon. One country lists Swiss Army Knives, this one included, as a tool, and not a knife. Therefore it is legal to carry where all others are banned. In one country I frequent, knives might get you arrested, though they are not illegal. But this knife is accepted and you will not be bothers. I do not like SAKs in general, but I love this knife.
5. The Kershaw LEEK
This slim gentlemans/gentlewomans knife is still available for $34.95, unless you want fancy colors. It has great steel and is very sophisticated looking. It opens with the Speed-Safe assisted opening and the blade is useful for a multitude of everyday tasks around home and office. However, do not let the slim lines fool you. The 14C27N steel blade is a full 3 inches long. This is a great pocket knife, purse knife, and general duty knife you never tire of taking out and looking for tasks to put it through. It is made in the USA.
Fixed Blade Hunting and Camping
6. The Kershaw SKINNER
This knife is about the same size as the ESEE Izula but comes with stainless 14C28N steel for the 2 3/8 blade. I like the bright orange version. It is a great skinning knife and the edge stays sharp longer than some knives with super steel blades. It has great ergonomics and comes with a leather sheath. The G10 scales are removable for cleaning or in case you want to cord wrap the handle. It is made in the USA and only $30.
7. The Kershaw FIELD KNIFE
This knife has a great shape and it boasts a 3 ¼ 14C28N stainless steel blade. Its design is unusual looking but is very useful. It has G10 scales that are removable for cleaning and a leather sheath. All of this and made in the USA for only $34.95.
Folding Hard Use
8. The Cold Steel MINI-RECON
This knife sports a very tough 3 inch AUS8A blade. It has the seemingly indestructible Triad Lock. It will take the abuse and keep coming back for more. It is currently being offered for $31.95.
Well, there you have it. I would like to hear your choices. Please keep the actual current selling price below $38.
Doc
With the rising cost of knives I thought I started re-thinking some of my own choices and thought I would pass what I found along to you. In return, please send the rest of us your choices in keeping with the $38 limit.
This is a list of knives that can be currently bought for less than $38 that I use regularly and think are great values. Some knives that are my favorites did not make the list because the cost is too high. I have knives costing hundreds of dollars, both custom and production. These inexpensive knives have proven themselves and are worth the money and are better, in many ways than some expensive knives. They are certainly a smarter buy.
Neck Knife/Gear Knife
1. The Outdoor Edge WEDGE
I cannot say enough good things about this knife. The knife has a very useful and comfortable design. It slices like a laser beam because of the very wide, thin blade. It has enough point to do fine work. It has proven itself on game, fish, and in general utility by a lot of people. You will note that Spyderco has used a similar concept on their blades to enhance performance. The knife holds an edge decently and is very easily sharpened. It takes a wickedly sharp edge. The sheath clips the blade in so it cannot be dislodged, even under the rigors of white water rafting, hiking, and etc. It is adaptable for wearing around the neck, clipped to your pants, or on the straps of your gear as it has a clip on the back of the sheath, a hole for a chain and other options. It is not too long so it wears well, yet the handle is such you can grab and use it. Out of all such knives I own or have tried, this is my favorite, hands down. For $15.95 you will want to buy them as gifts and give them away, as I do. It is made in Taiwan, like many top Spyderco knives.
Folding Saltwater/EDC
2. The Benchmade Lone Wolf MINI-LANDSLIDE
I was surprised at this knife. I wanted something cheaper than my more expensive salt water knives so I ordered this one. Wow! It is a bright orange lock back. The lock is very thick and the blade spine is, too. The blade is made of N680 and is extremely corrosion resistant, as I have reason to know. The blade shape is great for skinning, gutting, and general use. The current version is the same approximate size and length of the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian. The edge holds up very well, better than 420HC but not as good as my ancient Buck knives with 440C from the 1960s. This is my current walking, camping, fishing knife, having replaced more expensive knives. A great knife that can be had for $27 to $37. I think it is made in the USA, the company is American, anyway.
Everyday Carry
3. Leatherman STYLE
This cool little knife goes where I go. It is smaller than a small Swiss Army Knife, but the blade is bigger. It has a knife, scissors, file, screw driver, and tweezers all in a small, trim package. It costs a whopping $13.95. It is made in the USA.
4. Victorinox ALOX CADET
This is a wonderful, slim knife that comes in a choice of colors. It sells for about $24.95 and boasts a bunch of useful tools. It has a knife blade, nail file, two screw drivers, a can opener, bottle opener, and a wire stripper. I love this knife and it often goes with me into places where other knives are frowned upon. One country lists Swiss Army Knives, this one included, as a tool, and not a knife. Therefore it is legal to carry where all others are banned. In one country I frequent, knives might get you arrested, though they are not illegal. But this knife is accepted and you will not be bothers. I do not like SAKs in general, but I love this knife.
5. The Kershaw LEEK
This slim gentlemans/gentlewomans knife is still available for $34.95, unless you want fancy colors. It has great steel and is very sophisticated looking. It opens with the Speed-Safe assisted opening and the blade is useful for a multitude of everyday tasks around home and office. However, do not let the slim lines fool you. The 14C27N steel blade is a full 3 inches long. This is a great pocket knife, purse knife, and general duty knife you never tire of taking out and looking for tasks to put it through. It is made in the USA.
Fixed Blade Hunting and Camping
6. The Kershaw SKINNER
This knife is about the same size as the ESEE Izula but comes with stainless 14C28N steel for the 2 3/8 blade. I like the bright orange version. It is a great skinning knife and the edge stays sharp longer than some knives with super steel blades. It has great ergonomics and comes with a leather sheath. The G10 scales are removable for cleaning or in case you want to cord wrap the handle. It is made in the USA and only $30.
7. The Kershaw FIELD KNIFE
This knife has a great shape and it boasts a 3 ¼ 14C28N stainless steel blade. Its design is unusual looking but is very useful. It has G10 scales that are removable for cleaning and a leather sheath. All of this and made in the USA for only $34.95.
Folding Hard Use
8. The Cold Steel MINI-RECON
This knife sports a very tough 3 inch AUS8A blade. It has the seemingly indestructible Triad Lock. It will take the abuse and keep coming back for more. It is currently being offered for $31.95.
Well, there you have it. I would like to hear your choices. Please keep the actual current selling price below $38.
Doc
