Low cost value knives

D

DeadOnTarget

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Feb 25, 2013
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So recently after buying as Morawood carving knife for $15, I found exceptional quality in probably the cheapest knife I ever bought. Now I have heard of Opinels before and just haven't decided to buy one yet. Well now after my Mora experience, I decided to order an Opinel lucky No. 7 and a Svord Peasant. Guess I am developing a liking of carbon steel for the edge retention... But I m wondering and hunting around. If with just a little searching I have found these great value knives, what others are out there?

Looking for the knife experts to chime in with known value knives and well everyone like knife pictures of any you may found to be of good value.
 
Victorinox Swiss army knives. Entry level Kershaws typically get good reviews. Bucks usa made folders are very high value at a very reasonable price. Especially the 110 and 112. Beautiful knives.
 
Douk Douk
Mercator
Otter Messer
Various Higonokamis
Most any brand of sodbuster
 
JAB said:
Douk Douk
Mercator
Otter Messer
Various Higonokamis
Most any brand of sodbuster
Click to expand...

Oh me like the Higonokamis, simple folder and hand craft carbon steel blade...

My grandfather had a old case sodbuster, just about forgot about those.
 
I've been having alot of fun with budget knives lately. I wouldn't make any special performance claims, but all of them that I've tried have been plenty durable and easy to sharpen.

Here is an MTech I bought for around $20 (similar to a Schrade schf13):

MX-8108.jpg


After extensive, but relatively easy modifications, it now looks like this:

2q9xwlv.jpg


Changed the shape of the handle and ground the tang flush with the scales. Reground the blade to full flat and rounded the spine. Great little knife to practice mods on and never had to worry about messing anything up since my initial investment was so low. Great cutter now with the new grind.
 
Tools with a strong price:performance ratio are what I'm all about. It's something of an obsession of mine.

In addition to those already mentioned, a few others to look at are Svörd's less expensive models, F. Dick's Pro Dynamic and ErgoGrip series for culinary and butcher's knives, and Imacasa and Tramontina for machetes. Ontario's Old Hickory line often sees a lot of use outside the kitchen and it's common for folks to pick them up with the intent of modifying them. Condor has a lot of items that punch above their price point as well. MAM of Portugal is a brand to look at if you like Opinels, too.
 
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I got my wife one of the Vic chef knifes and she likes is a lot.
Don't discount the steel on Vic folders though.
For the price it is excellent steel, my Sharpmaker get that rostafrei razor sharp with minimal effort.

As stated in earlier posts there are lots of low cost blades out there that perform well above their pay grade.
Opinel carbon and stainless are great folders.
Also, like Fortytwoblades said, some great low cost machetes are made by Tramontia.
I got a few of them of his site and they are superb tools.
I'm about to use the 18" one to clear some backyard brush in a bit.
 
I'm with apophis in that I won't make any bold claims that they will "out perform" higher quality Knives and steels, but for what I paid I have zero complaints about my
Sub $20 Schrade folders
$20 something crkt's
And $30 kershaws

Ontario Rat and Esee avispa/zancudo are good bargains too.
 
Don't overlook Rough Rider, Colt and Marbles knives. All good knives and inexpensive.
Rich
 
Here we have the Herter's "Improved" Bowie bought in the late 1960's for less than $2. High carbon 1095 steel with an African mineral wood handle. It holds a hair popping edge for a long time. A great all-round outdoor knife.


DSC02510_zpsbdvoj39l.jpg
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Tools with a strong price:performance ratio are what I'm all about. It's something of an obsession of mine. :D

In addition to those already mentioned, a few others to look at are Svörd's less expensive models, F. Dick's Pro Dynamic and ErgoGrip series for culinary and butcher's knives, and Imacasa and Tramontina for machetes. Ontario's Old Hickory line often sees a lot of use outside the kitchen and it's common for folks to pick them up with the intent of modifying them. Condor has a lot of items that punch above their price point as well. MAM of Portugal is a brand to look at if you like Opinels, too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the list and bookmarking your site for future shopping!

Really need to save up for a belt sander... After a band saw for woodworking and cutting knife blanks...
 
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