Most under-rated/best bang for the buck?

The EKA Swede 92(aka Normark American Hunter). A good knife by itself, a great value for the money.
Since the knife is not widely sold, I'll describe it: folder, lockback, 3.5" blade, clip-point, Sandvik 12c27, saber-flat grind, not one-hand-opening (but made so with the addition of a do-it-yourself thumbstud), brass frame with rubber scales, can be taken apart easily. It sells for around US$30 at the few online stores that sell it, although I paid CAN$29 (approx. US$19) locally. I bought three of these knives recently.
Also, the Schrade Sharpfinger and the Schrade Guthook.
 
Neil Blackwood's work (judging from a small sample) is finished as well as that of makers charging twice as much.
 
Here are a few candidates for best-bang-for-the-buck ...

* Victorinox Soldier
* Schrade Old Timers
* Opinel
* Case Sodbuster in carbon steel

With care, any of these could literally last a normal knife user (i.e. not a spine-wacking, couch-stabbing knife knut) a lifetime. And, I'm pretty sure they're all less than $20.
 
Most of the CRKT line-up, specifically the zytel-handled M16s, KFF and Companion.
Outdoor Edge Field Lites and Wedge.
Kershaw Whirlwind and the new Vapor 2 (looks like a Sebenza!)
 
A.G. Russell Camillus D-2 ARCLITE. Wrap some shoe laces around the handle, and you have an awesome cutting tool for $40.
 
I would have to say, in my opinion, the most bang for the buck has to be any CRKT that you can get a good deal on. A while back, Smokey Mountain Knife Works had a special on CRKT Mirages, 9.95 for zytel, And 14.95 for the aluminum handled ones. I think it is hard to beat that with a stick!
 
Best bang for the buck and/or underrated:

Benchmade 550
Spyderco Meerkat, Spydercard
Victorinox Soldier, Hiker, Executive, and Classic
Kershaw Liner Action (drop point), Chive, Scallion
Cold Steel medium/large clip-point Voyager
Buck 700 series pocket knives

Jim
 
Best value for a hard use knife has got to be Newt Livesay. The Air Assault is an incredible knife with the most comfoertable handle I have seen.
I'm wearing a Woo Ex which is probably the best neck knife I have ever used and has seen tasks it was never meant to (i.e. prying open lockers looking for drugs, cutting through steel belted tires, chopping through my mother in laws lasagna,)
For pure cutting performance Frost's of Sweden is the indisptable king. The Swedish Army knife for six bucks or a #1 mora will outcut knifes costing 100 times as much. I properly sharpened mora is the performance equal of any knife for low stress cutting tasks.
Chad
 
Best bang in a folder has got to be Opinel.
Fixed blades would include Schrade Sharpfinger, CS Bushmen, the Swedish Moras, and anything by Newt Livesay.

Paul
 
Alberta Ed included a Schrade Old Timer stockman in his list of good value knives. I went to buy one of those at the local Walmart today, but left without it. The clerk got out the last one they had in stock for my examination. I found that the sheepsfoot blade was wobbly, and decided not to buy it.
Is this typical of the Old Timers, or did I just come across are rare lemon? Maybe it was the last one they had because no one would buy it.
 
All the Junglees' with the AUS-10 blades are hard to beat for the prices. The one's that have come through my shop have been flawless(good quality control). I haven't had one returned or bad feedback from customers and I ask for feedback.:D
 
Alberta Ed included a Schrade Old Timer stockman in his list of good value knives. I went to buy one of those at the local Walmart today, but left without it. The clerk got out the last one they had in stock for my examination. I found that the sheepsfoot blade was wobbly, and decided not to buy it.
Click to expand...

W.T.,
I have several Old Timers and have never had one with a wobbly blade. I have even bought many of them at Wal-Mart (the prices are hard to beat:)). I would guess that that one had been abused or just came with a defect.

Steve
 
Best bang for the buck?

CRKT on closeout (I bought 12 of the Mirage closeouts. My part of the X-mas shopping is done. Plus, for $35, I got three new knives for myself.)

Camillus Arclite (Sent mine off to Taz for some G-10 scales.)

Schrade (Old Timer, Uncle Henry. The Schrade+ steel on my Old Timer skinner takes and holds a pretty nice edge. I'm thinking about a Sharpfinger.)

Spyderco Ladybug (Put one on the keychain for all those little tasks.)

Victorinox Rucksack or Trailmaster (Nice package for camping, hunting, survival. Locking blades.)
 
I just stumbled across some serious bang for the buck - or Buck for the buck, as the case may be.
For just $15 you can get a Bucklite 422 (basically a lightweight, finger-grooved Buck 112 Ranger), with black, green or orange handles <a href="http://www.ndsproducts.com/buck.html">here</a>. They also have the 424 (Bucklite II, 3 7/8" closed lockback) in black and orange for $13, and a 426 (Bucklite III, 4 7/8" closed lockback) in black for $17. Darn good deals, IMHO.
These would make good, affordable Christmas gifts for folks you know who could use a good knife but don't know or care about handmades, pocket-clips, fancy locks, etc. Just a good, solid knife to work with.
 
The entire line of Buck Strider folders. Hell, that mini spearpoint model might as well be an economical small Sebenza with G10 scales!

I know I'm biased, but...

The Benchmade Axis locks feature a locking mechanism that flat doesn't wear out, and when you consider the other locking mechanisms that do, especially on high-end production and custom folders (thinking linerlocks), the Axis really shines. Especially at street prices! :)

Professor.
 
Cold Steel Bushman
Newt Livesay anything
Opinels
Frosts, Kellam,and Ericsson (sp?)moras

But my first choice goes to the Becker line.

Totally bombproof. Very ergonomic. Outstanding customer service (kudos to you Mr. Fennell), though you probably will never need to call them. A knife that will probably outlive you. And every knife in the Becker line can be had for under $100.
 
Aitor knives may be one of the best values in fixed blade military style knives. Depending on where one finds the information, Aitor has claimed the stainless steel used in the blades to be similar to or better than 440C and 440V. Most of their fixed blades knives sell for less than $100. I paid $89 for a 7.25 inch bladed Nato Bowie, and have yet to see another similar knife made of 440C or better selling for less than $100.
 
Another vote for the A.G. Russell D2 Arclite! For $39.95 you get a nice 3" D2 steel fixed blade that will pay for itself in the first year alone. I put a bit of black heat-shrink tubing over the handle to give it a bit more grip and it looks and feels great. If you like D2, nothing else out there comes even close to it in price!

Doug
 
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