Most underrated modern folder

SmedleyButler

SmedleyButler

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Oct 20, 2014
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Here's a question for you guys:

What's the most underrated folder in your opinion? I have bought a few knives that I think are overrated but would be really interested in what you guys think others might be missing out on. My collection is pretty vanilla I suspect and would like to broaden it. I have ZT's, Spydercos, Lionsteel, Benchmade, Sebenza, DPx, Boker, Mcusta, Kershaw and a few Balisongs and Autos...

Most underrated modern folder?
 
My instant reaction would be the RAT 2. Great knife for the price. The Buck 110 and Kershaw Leek come to mind too.

Also, for what it is as an outdoor knife the DPx HEST 2.0 doesn't seem to get enough love.

And of course, the Douk-douk and Wildsteer WX. :p
 
If we are talking individual knives, and I have owned my share of both customs and productions, I would have to say;

For production:
The Spyderco Gayle Bradley is the most under rated.

For Custom:
That's a tough one, but anything by Andy Fitz is under rated and under appreciated.
 
That's why it's underrated! People poo poo on it like it's a coworker sitting next to you in the office with mono. But in actual use it ain't so bad. I prefer anything but 8Cr I think most people do, but it doesn't make it an awful steel for general use or budget use!

Case in Byrd I did a little unofficial test over the summer and picked up a Byrd Cara Cara 2 for yard work, the thing dominated the Spyderco Domino when cutting vines and such doing yardwork. I knife that was 9 times more than it with CTS-XHP. In the case of the Cara Cara the chisel grind and serrations trumped the steel type and thicker grind of the Domino. The only thing that cut through vine and weeds better than the Cara Cara was an Opinel.
 
cchu518 said:
That's why it's underrated! People poo poo on it like it's a coworker sitting next to you in the office with mono. But in actual use it ain't so bad. I prefer anything but 8Cr I think most people do, but it doesn't make it an awful steel for general use or budget use!

Case in Byrd I did a little unofficial test over the summer and picked up a Byrd Cara Cara 2 for yard work, the thing dominated the Spyderco Domino when cutting vines and such doing yardwork. I knife that was 9 times more than it with CTS-XHP. In the case of the Cara Cara the chisel grind and serrations trumped the steel type and thicker grind of the Domino. The only thing that cut through vine and weeds better than the Cara Cara was an Opinel.
Click to expand...

Don't believe the Hype! (We owe that to Chuck D)

Anyway, you can't dismiss a steel based on public perception, which is very often misguided.
Try it, I mean really use it, and if it works for what you need, then it's a good steel regardless of the endless charts and 'super steels' that are thrown out there on a what seems like weekly basis.

There are so many factors that make a steel work, or not, that it's not just as simple as it's name....
 
a knife i bought and was honestly surprised with was my Kershaw Crown. bought it solely based on the price and asthetics. shipped to my door for $12. it came reasonably sharp but after a quick touch up i was pleasantly surprised with how well the knife performed. i whittled about 3 little projects out of mahogany and granted it would no longer shave hair it wasnt dull either and was working just fine. 8cr13mov isnt a bad steel at all and has laughed everything off that i have thrown at it. granted ive not tried to go beyond the means of the knife either...
 
Leatherman E55b. Pretty much ignored and forgotten, but a nice multipurpose lockback folder with a 3.1" 154cm drop point. I picked up mine for $30 after it was discontinued and I couldn't be happier.
235-e55b.jpg
 
JR88FAN said:
Don't believe the Hype! (We owe that to Chuck D)

Anyway, you can't dismiss a steel based on public perception, which is very often misguided.
Try it, I mean really use it, and if it works for what you need, then it's a good steel regardless of the endless charts and 'super steels' that are thrown out there on a what seems like weekly basis.

There are so many factors that make a steel work, or not, that it's not just as simple as it's name....
Click to expand...
That's what I was trying to say except for the thumb typing and typos got in the way lol. On my phone right now. Like I said the Cara Cara 2 outcut my Spyderco domino in my un official summer steel test doing yard work! Do t have the Domino anymore but still have the Cara Cara.
 
Alnamvet68 said:
I would say the ESEE Zancudo/Avispa
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These and the Ontario Rat 1 & 2. All four are just absolute gold. I was going to add 'for the price' to the end of the previous sentence, but I think that needs to be omitted for these knives. They are a huge value, but I'd still own them even if the price was higher than it currently is.
 
SOG Tomcat 3.0

20141229_094905_zps9982034d.jpg
 
Wow, some really excellent answers so far! This is exactly what I was looking for. Lots of knives listed here that I NEVER would have thought of. Cool. Thanks.
 
Kershaw Tremor.

I have no idea why it was discontinued, but it is definitely the most underrated budget folder. I bought mine for only 19 dollars with free shipping a couple years ago and after 2 years of using the knife I know it is more heavy duty than the RAT 1.
 
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