Nice and inexpensive

I only have 2 knives, they're both in use. And they're both inexpensive to people here (but still expensive to me, a person saving money for education).

They're both fixed blades.
Drop Forged Hunter and Recon Tanto.
Fixed blades are also cheaper than folders, which also works in my favor.

But yes, folders are the most popular generally. I own none tho.
 
Smiling said:
I only have 2 knives, they're both in use. And they're both inexpensive to people here (but still expensive to me, a person saving money for education).

They're both fixed blades.
Drop Forged Hunter and Recon Tanto.
Fixed blades are also cheaper than folders, which also works in my favor.

But yes, folders are the most popular generally. I own none tho.
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If you could only keep one, which would it be?
 
Henry Beige said:
If you could only keep one, which would it be?
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That is tough choice.

I have Recon Tanto for longer time so I'm bond to it. Also I use it for lots of harder jobs.

But Drop Forged Hunter is my EDC since I can conceal it more easily. But it's still able to do most of jobs Recon Tanto can do.

Since I'm no longer working at construction site... if I had to only pick one it would be Drop Forged Hunter. It is really a general purpose knife and suitable for EDC.
Even though Recon Tanto is my favourite, I would have to let go of it mainly because I can't really carry it.
 
grownstar said:
Another vote for the Kershaw Dividend. Slim, light and plenty of cutting edge. Speedsafe is fine with me and the KAI warranty is great.

Think this one was 35 shipped.
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I really like the Dividend. It's thin and has a nice shape. With the aluminum scales, it allows for four clip placements. I know tip-down isn't popular but that works very well for shirt, breast, or vest pocket carry. With the deep carry clip that Kershaw sent free upon request, it's perfectly sized for those kinds of carry too.

The only issue on this model is the steel choice. I have trouble paying $40ish for 420HC. It's a similar problem to the 8Cr13Mov in Kershaw's more expensive Chinese knives. I don't know why they didn't just use 14C28N. The price isn't too far off from the basic Leeks that do. I'd gladly pay $45 for a Dividend in 14C28N.

The answer for me was to get the M390 version. It's one of the more affordable choices in M390 and better fits the carry style I mentioned. There has been some debate on the minor changes to blade shape but overall, I'm happy with it.
 
The Ontario Rat 1 with a d2 blade is one of the very best values in the folder world. Fine slicer that is strong enough for hard work and holds an edge pretty well. For under 40 dollars!
 
I have the RAT 1 and 2 but in AUS-8. I have the D2 versions in my wishlist at BladeHQ.
This thread gave me the drive to get out my RAT 2 and tune it up on the Wicked Edge. I'll be carrying it this week.

I posted earlier that I had a bunch of what I consider budget knives. That's kinda how I've gotten into the hobby.
My favorites as of late are Bestech and Civivi, along with some Kizer, Kershaw, and CRKT.

Here's a couple pics of some of the budget collection.

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The Spyderco Salt H1 in this next pic is my first "quality" knife. I bought it when I got a boat and got into fishing. It has been in saltwater countless times and cut bait, fish, rope and all kinds of various things, and has been flawless.

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Here are some options at this price range (under $100). Sorted list based on my personal collection :
  1. GEC Pemberton Jack. Traditional knife. 06 Pattern. Dual blade with the longest blade abt 2 1/16 inch. 1095 High Carbon Steel. Tidioute trim is around $90, if you can find it.:D Made in the USA.
  2. CRKT CEO Liner Lock. 3.1 inch D2 blade. G-10 handle. Around $60. Blade Magazine Best Buy of the year 2019 !!
  3. Bestech Hornet Liner Lock. 3.5 inch D2 blade. G-10 "contoured" handle. Around $60. BHQ Exclusive.
  4. CRKT Pilar Frame Lock. 2.4 inch D2 blade. Carbon Fibre handle. Around $50. BHQ Exclusive - currently out of stock though.
  5. Ontario RAT Model 1. 3.6 inch D2 blade. G-10 handle. Around $40. Solid hard use knife.
 
Problem for me is that anytime someone says inexpensive and lists a price... I usually have to increase that for about 100% to get it delivered to my door. Living in Europe sucks big time when lurking in a US based forum! Great suggestions everyone though...

For me one of my best budget knives was the RAT 2 and if I was in the market for a bigger knife, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a RAT 1. I think they are great knives for the price. Out of the box it had one of the sweetest action I had tried. I neglected ir for a while and now it is not as smoth, but some cleaning and oiling will fix that in minutes.

Mikel
 
The question of « inexpensive » is really specific to each one

I like Victorinox
Other good leads to follow:
Manly
civivi
Kershaw
Steel will
Bestech
entry models from spyderco
Some cold steel
Some CRKT

depending on your budget and on what kind of knives you like , you may find something interesting in their product ranges
 
Inexpensive $39, 3.5" S35VN steel blade, G10 handle flipper knife. I can't say the name or I'll be damned to eternity or something!

 
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Civivi is killing the budget folder, the Elementum is just a great looking knife, CRKT needs to up their game, or will be out in a couple of years
 
Mikel_24 said:
Problem for me is that anytime someone says inexpensive and lists a price... I usually have to increase that for about 100% to get it delivered to my door. Living in Europe sucks big time when lurking in a US based forum! Great suggestions everyone though...

For me one of my best budget knives was the RAT 2 and if I was in the market for a bigger knife, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a RAT 1. I think they are great knives for the price. Out of the box it had one of the sweetest action I had tried. I neglected ir for a while and now it is not as smoth, but some cleaning and oiling will fix that in minutes.

Mikel
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I also live in Europe and the more inexpensive knives are sometime not very interesting because the shipping costs represent an important share of the price of the knives :(
That is a reason why I prefer to focus on mid or high end production knives
 
Therom said:
I also live in Europe and the more inexpensive knives are sometime not very interesting because the shipping costs represent an important share of the price of the knives :(
That is a reason why I prefer to focus on mid or high end production knives
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Are there any knife stores or online sites in Europe where you do not have to pay for the jump across the pond shipping? I know there are probably more knife restrictions for what you can get.
 
cbach8tw said:
Are there any knife stores or online sites in Europe where you do not have to pay for the jump across the pond shipping? I know there are probably more knife restrictions for what you can get.
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I'm in Europe and irony is that ordering online is slow, expensive and unreliable.

Luckily Cold Steel distributor isn't far from me, and pricing is more than fair. Sometimes even cheaper than buying online (since you pay shipping).

That is also reason why I look ito CS lineup first whenever I need a knife. Pricing and availability. Plus, you get to see what you buy.
 
You can find a number of Case mini copperlocks in the $60 range. Lots of choices for scales. Small but capable lock back knife. If you want bigger and can spend a couple of bucks more there is the Tribal Lock.

That said the Buck series of lock back knives like the Squire and the larger 110 are a good choice as well. Rat 2 in D2 is a good suggestion, but not American made.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
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