Lookig for a knife for daily use

I responded to this thread in Laventrix and to whoever it was that put 2+2 together, USA prices will not be relevant

You will not - I repeat not get a decent knife in Oz for $10. A Buck 110 is a great knife, bit on the heavy side for some but the killer is that it costs $70+++ plus here.

The best inexpensive folding knife is the Opinel, you can get one from the link I posted for AU$22 plus postage. If you go to a bricks and mortar store prepare to pay double. The Byrd line costs more again but is the lowest cost one-handed opener I recommend

Fear of losing a knife should not be reason to risk injury. Keep away from that cheap Chinese made junk. Get the best you can afford and learn to use and look after it properly.
 
Ok, just as you said above, I shall spend more on a better knife, rather than those cheap knives. I just took a look in amazon, but the knives there are really more expensive.
However, I don't understand why most of people think that Chinese made goods are junks, not only knives, but also many other things. Just because they are cheap? I also bought something "made in China". They were really very cheap, but some of them were also of good qualities. Maybe you had unpleasant purchase experiences before?:confused:
 
Chinese factories do make some good knives, and they also make some dangerous junk. The best way to stay safe is to buy from a well known, older company. Be aware that the good Chinese knives, while cheaper than a similar blade made in the United States, will still cost a lot more than $10.

I vote for an Opinel or a Swiss Army knife. Both solid and relatively inexpensive.
 
There are differences between Chinese made knives. ALL modern knife manufacturers are capable of producing good knives. The problem, especially in China, is quality control. Because most cheap knives sacrifice something to keep costs low, they are bad choices.

What makes a good folding knife?

1. Good blade steel and good heat treating
2. Good handle shape and material
3. Reliable lock
4. Precise manufacturing tolerances
5. Fit and Finish

Getting all these qualities in a cheap knife is next to impossible. So something gets left out:

1. Mystery steel with questionable heat treat can result in poor edge holding, rusting, chipping, cannot attain a sharp edge, fragile.
2. Handle can be uncomfortable, too slick, flexible or weak.
3. Lock fails and the knife closes unexpectedly. This can result in a trip to the emergency room.
4. The chances of getting a lemon is too high. The lock, the pivot or the pocket can be loose or loosen in time, rendering the knife useless or even dangerous. Loose parts can bend or break.
5. The knife opens rough, cheap screws can come lose or worse, strip. There are unfinished rough spots, making the knife look and feel cheap.

Any or all of these things can happen to a crappy knife. If the quality control is well maintained by a reputable company, you will get a quality product regardless of where it's made.
 
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There has been some really great tips so far. The one I would keep in mind is that quality does *NOT* equal price. You can find some really great knives inexpensively, and conversely really poor quality knives which are very expensive.

I would browse around your local knife/gun shops and see what they suggest or recommend for your price range. Let them know right off the bat that you're not looking to buy, but are shopping around and trying to learn more. Shop owners will typically be very happy to let you know their thoughts and with you not looking to purchase they won't try to sell you the top-of-the-line knife they have in stock. If they're particularly helpful they may even be able to point you to a specific shop or store which might have a better selection to fit you.

Don't expect to get *any* information from the sales staff in big name retailers. 99% of the time they will be less informed than you about knife selection. You can find good deals there, but you have to know what you're looking for before you walk in. I just bought a Kershaw Blackout from a Walmart, and the 16(?) year old girl working in the sports department looked like she had never handled a knife in her life ;)

When shopping around, also keep in mind the larger and more trustworthy knife maker names - Benchmade, Kershaw, Buck, Victorinox/Swiss Army, Spyderco, etc. etc. Chances are any knife in their lineup will be reliable and quality made (of course with some exceptions).

You mentioned you are looking for an inexpensive knife to carry every day. That would mean something small, light, reliable, and with good quality. The first knives that pop into my head are the Spyderco bugs. They are *very* small, and lightweight, so they would be easy to carry all the time without worrying about the hassle or weight. They are made by a great company with good quality control. They are also full stainless steel, so I would only assume they would be very durable and last you a long time. On top of that they retail here in the states very inexpensively.

- Spyderco Bug - $8
- Spyderco Honeybee - $10
- Spyderco Grasshopper - $15

Just my $.02 :)

- Woody
 
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swoody said:
There has been some really great tips so far. The one I would keep in mind is that quality does *NOT* equal price. You can find some really great knives inexpensively, and conversely really poor quality knives which are very expensive.

I would browse around your local knife/gun shops and see what they suggest or recommend for your price range. Let them know right off the bat that you're not looking to buy, but are shopping around and trying to learn more. Shop owners will typically be very happy to let you know their thoughts and with you not looking to purchase they won't try to sell you the top-of-the-line knife they have in stock. If they're particularly helpful they may even be able to point you to a specific shop or store which might have a better selection to fit you.

Don't expect to get *any* information from the sales staff in big name retailers. 99% of the time they will be less informed than you about knife selection. You can find good deals there, but you have to know what you're looking for before you walk in. I just bought a Kershaw Blackout from a Walmart, and the 16(?) year old girl working in the sports department looked like she had never handled a knife in her life ;)

When shopping around, also keep in mind the larger and more trustworthy knife maker names - Benchmade, Kershaw, Buck, Victorinox/Swiss Army, Spyderco, etc. etc. Chances are any knife in their lineup will be reliable and quality made (of course with some exceptions).

You mentioned you are looking for an inexpensive knife to carry every day. That would mean something small, light, reliable, and with good quality. The first knives that pop into my head are the Spyderco bugs. They are *very* small, and lightweight, so they would be easy to carry all the time without worrying about the hassle or weight. They are made by a great company with good quality control. They are also full stainless steel, so I would only assume they would be very durable and last you a long time. On top of that they retail here in the states very inexpensively.

- Spyderco Bug - $8
- Spyderco Honeybee - $10
- Spyderco Grasshopper - $15

Just my $.02 :)

- Woody
Click to expand...
Interesting. But what I've learned is that quality comes at a price. Comparing my ZT 0350CB to the $100 higher ZT 0301, I can definitely tell you that I got what I paid for. Not that I'm saying you can't be overcharged for a knife, but damned if you could find a brand new Large Sebenza 21 for less than $385.

It's not like cheap knives aren't good. It's just that my standards are set much higher. I hate my knives developing blade play after only one day of use. I hate dealing with a dull blade that can't even slice paper before the day is done. And I honestly doubt there's a beefy knife that would fill my hand, have a good grip, and have properly placed choils and jimping for less than $20.
 
dsmegst said:
There are differences between Chinese made knives. ALL modern knife manufacturers are capable of producing good knives. The problem, especially in China, is quality control. Because most cheap knives sacrifice something to keep costs low, they are bad choices.

What makes a good folding knife?

1. Good blade steel and good heat treating
2. Good handle shape and material
3. Reliable lock
4. Precise manufacturing tolerances
5. Fit and Finish

Getting all these qualities in a cheap knife is next to impossible. So something gets left out:

1. Mystery steel with questionable heat treat can result in poor edge holding, rusting, chipping, cannot attain a sharp edge, fragile.
2. Handle can be uncomfortable, too slick, flexible or weak.
3. Lock fails and the knife closes unexpectedly. This can result in a trip to the emergency room.
4. The chances of getting a lemon is too high. The lock, the pivot or the pocket can be loose or loosen in time, rendering the knife useless or even dangerous. Loose parts can bend or break.
5. The knife opens rough, cheap screws can come lose or worse, strip. There are unfinished rough spots, making the knife look and feel cheap.

Any or all of these things can happen to a crappy knife. If the quality control is well maintained by a reputable company, you will get a quality product regardless of where it's made.
Click to expand...

Exactly good points and useful tips for me. Thanks.
 
Noctis3880 said:
Interesting. But what I've learned is that quality comes at a price. Comparing my ZT 0350CB to the $100 higher ZT 0301, I can definitely tell you that I got what I paid for. Not that I'm saying you can't be overcharged for a knife, but damned if you could find a brand new Large Sebenza 21 for less than $385.

It's not like cheap knives aren't good. It's just that my standards are set much higher. I hate my knives developing blade play after only one day of use. I hate dealing with a dull blade that can't even slice paper before the day is done. And I honestly doubt there's a beefy knife that would fill my hand, have a good grip, and have properly placed choils and jimping for less than $20.
Click to expand...

I really cannot imagine a knife over $300...Won't you feel very pity if it cannot be used any more one day?
 
Kcollecter said:
I really cannot imagine a knife over $300...Won't you feel very pity if it cannot be used any more one day?
Click to expand...

That's why you need 2! :D

This is how the sickness begins. I thought $30 knives were over priced. Then I bought my first $50 knife. Then a $100 knife. That first Sebenza is a major hurdle. But once you're across, it won't seem that bad. There's a reason why we use the term "addiction." :o
 
It sounds like this, the more knives you bought, the more experienced you are, and the knives you owned are also more and more expensive. Then totally into knives.:jerkit:
 
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