Need a good knife with a very limited income.

G

GhostXXX

Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Messages
6
Hey all,

I thought this would the best place to come and ask for some advice. I want to get a knife for everyday use around the garage and outside. The work load ranges from minor to medium cutting and puncturing.It can be fixed blade or a pocket knife. At first I thought about getting a GI Tanto but that hasn't worked out since they are sold out EVERYWHERE. My budget is limited. Let's say about $40 tops.

What would you guys suggest?

Thanks,
Artem.
 
Spyderco Native

Victronox

Cold Steel Bushman

Also look up the thread that was talking about a bug out knife for $30. There are not to many fixed blades in your price range worth getting but there are some.
 
A SAK if you want tools and don't need locking blades, a Mora if you need a sturdier blade. Both are excellent workhorses and good allrounders. As you need puncturing I guess the Mora would be slightly safer, also it is obviously stronger.

Just my $.02 :)
 
Steinar said:
A SAK if you want tools and don't need locking blades, a Mora if you need a sturdier blade. Both are excellent workhorses and good allrounders. As you need puncturing I guess the Mora would be slightly safer, also it is obviously stronger.

Just my $.02 :)
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With your budget, Moras would definitely fit the bill. The Byrd line would also offer some good folders.
 
GhostXXX, if you don't need or want a folding knife, get yourself two $10 Mora Clipits, pay the S&H, and you'll have some left over for two nice lunches somewhere. Or if you do need a folding knife, get yourself two nice Opinels, pay the S&H, and you'll have enough left over for three nice lunches. :D
 
There are literally hundreds of great knives in that price range. Swiss Army Knives, Opinels, Spyderco, Frosts/Mora/Eriksson, Buck Special/Pathfinder/Woodsman, Anza, etc., etc.

Myself, for working around the shop I have a couple of older USA-made Chicago Cutlery Utility kitchen knives. "High carbon stainless steel", full tang, solid wood handles.

You just need to do a bit of shopping and decide what design and materials are best for you.

BTW, $40 is probably two or three times more money than the average American spends on their pocket knife. I think you'll do fine. :)

-Bob
 
Here are a few recommendations....

Buck 110
Buck 112
Spyderco Native
Kabar Dozier
Victorinox Swiss Army Knives (many models under $40.00 dollars).

And don't forget to check out the EXCHANGE section of Bladeforums:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=672

You might be able to get a more expensive knife for something that you are willing to part with (watches, rings, tactical gear, other knives, flashlights, camping gear, clothing....almost anything really).
I've made many many trades with fellow forum members and I have been very happy with almost 100% of the trades.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
GhostXXX said:
Hey all,

I thought this would the best place to come and ask for some advice. I want to get a knife for everyday use around the garage and outside. The work load ranges from minor to medium cutting and puncturing.It can be fixed blade or a pocket knife. At first I thought about getting a GI Tanto but that hasn't worked out since they are sold out EVERYWHERE. My budget is limited. Let's say about $40 tops.

What would you guys suggest?

Thanks,
Artem.
Click to expand...


Go over to Target and pick up a combo pack of two SAK's for $20, then spend another $25 on a Boker Trance. That is a bit over your mark, but that would be my recommendation for all the knife you will likely ever need in and around the house, garage, car, etc.

I'd go with the Trance first if you don't want to buy all three up front. If you decide you want a multitool, the SAK packs at Target are very good values.
 
Boker Trance or Subcom, Kershaw Leek, Chive or Vapor, Buck 110, Mora, Spyderco Native, Cold Steel Bushman or GI Tanto, Benchmade Monochrome
 
Wow that's a lot of choice. Didn't expect that many. Thanks everyone.

What kind of blade steel would you recommend. Stainless or carbon?
 
GhostXXX, I wouldn't worry about what kind of steel it is unless you are working in or around salt water. In that case I would choose stainless, but otherwise I prefer carbon steel. That Opinel Garden knife I mentioned earlier seems to only come with a stainless blade, or that's the only way I've seen it listed so far. It will work well for you, as will the inexpensive Mora fixed blade called the Clipit, which has a non-polished carbon steel blade. Nobody needs a polished blade for a work knife. Many Moras also come in a stainless steel version, so pick your poison. Don't sweat the small stuff. :D
 
Stainless is probably your best bet.

For under $40.00 dollars I can't think of many carbon blade knives these days...
Opinel, Old Hickory, maybe some Case models or some Boker models?

You're not going to have much selection in your price range.

Personally, I don't care for carbon blades all that much.
I like easy maintenance knives that I can use around water without much worry.
Not to mention I don't care for the taste carbon blades impart to food.
 
What kind of blade steel would you recommend. Stainless or carbon?
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In that price range I would consider the particular steel to be of secondary or tertiary importance. Shop according to design and function first, then once you've chosen a knife model check and see if it's available in different steels.

For example, many of AG Russell's knives have several steels to choose from. Buy the basic model with OK steel, or pay a bit of a premium to move up a grade or two. The Mora knives are also available in different steel choices.

The basic stainless steels used on Swiss Army Knives or Buck knives are very good. Nothing fancy or expensive, but very functional. I also like the carbon steel blades on the Opinel models and the vintage Schrade Old Timer knives. May not be the latest, greatest, hardest steel on the market, but they take a razor sharp edge and are easy to maintain.

-Bob
 
Thanks AllenC and Bob. I'm currently looking into Kershaw Black Vapor II Knife. Looks very tempting.
 
As others have said, MORA offers fine value at a low cost.

Also, consider QUEEN CUTLERY, they make fixed blades in some very nice styles which you should be able to get at under 40 if you shop about! American knife too!
 
Spyderco Native. For $40 you will not find better steel + great ergos. you can get it @ Walmart or on their web site
 
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