Opinions : Most under-rated production knife brand?

Buck is known for good knives but they are usually outdoor knives but they made a tactical knife called the 830 marksman. It is a flipper riding on a bearing system the lock is really strong and kind of odd but you get used to it. It is made of 154cm with a Paul Bos heat treat and an aluminum handle with a deep carry reversible pocket clip. Just try it out I think you'll love it and if you don't it is only $90 and you could sell it or trade it.
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Spyder59 said:
Ontario knives
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I completely agree. Everyone chooses esee or kabar Becker or some other company over Ontario. I'd rather have the rat 3 than the esee 3. Why? Because the Ontario rat 3 is imperfect, and therefore gives me the choice to make it better on my
Own terms. And I like that. Also I don't mind abusing the hell out of it. Even the folders though. The Ontario rat 1 is my favorite folder. I've chipped the tip, it's covered in scratches and the spine has a bunch of nicks from the time I bet my friend I could baton a small 2" branch for kindling. And I did! Completely messed up the liner lock, had to take it apart, place it in a vice and use pliers to bend it back, but it still works flawlessly to this day. Anything j throw at it. That thing gets more pocket time than my ZT 0350, Spyderco paramilitary 2, Delica 4, kershaw blur s30v and cold steel recon 1.

It may be mainstream. But it's still underrated
 
Doctor_big said:
Link please...?
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Kizer's with G10 and VG10 are easy to find for $80 http://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-Vanguard-Laconico-Gemini--34151 Btw, this Gemini is an incredible knife at twice the price ;)

To get all the way to titanium frame you usually break the $125 mark http://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-Titanium-Frame-Lock-Knife--25153...although I've seen some Kizer models close out at much less than that.
It's hard to beat the value there. I don't consider that over-rated at all. Likewise, I don't think I'd consider Kizer under-rated any longer. They've definitely gotten the attention they deserve and still remain a great value.

My current under-rated knife would have to be RealSteel.
 
I have to chime in too with Ontario. Often overlooked and rarely suggested when people are asking for recommendations on a bomb proof fixed blade. And not many here would contest the value of the Rat folders but they seem to be overlooked as well.
 
I know there is some controversy over China based knife companies and I love to support USA made companies. But I think it would be ignorance to think that quality can't be produced in all the corners of the world.

My two bits goes for- Reate Knives.

Some of their models are expensive, but some are very reasonable...(considering the level of quality, fit, finish, and materials) I own the Horizon D, Torrent, and Dark Hills. I picked up the Dark Hills from GPKnives for $175. They are fantastic and not well known yet. Heck, they make good enough knives that Todd Begg decided to put his name on them...what is the rest of your thoughts on it?...I have enjoyed mine.
 
On the higher end, but IMO...Fantoni and Viper are two Italian brands producing some truly interesting designs largely flying under the masses radar.
 
I just bought an Enzo Birk 75. I hope it's under rated. I hadn't read about it here so I took a chance on it. Guess I'll find out.
 
I'll add another yeah for Al Mar knives. Excellent knives all the way around. I'd also say that the Boker plus line has definitely raised their level of quality of fit n finish along with some excellent & interesting collaborative designs.
 
I'll have to second the Ontario knives. Great knives. In fact, I bought an Ontaria RAT model II (pink) for my daughter's first knife. I like both Ontario's folding and fixed blades.

Along those same lines, I think Esee knives are great...Very good, reliable fixed blades.
 
rushane said:
I just bought an Enzo Birk 75. I hope it's under rated. I hadn't read about it here so I took a chance on it. Guess I'll find out.
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Great knife 👍🏻...the f&f on mine rivals similar knives that cost me significantly more.
 
ugaarguy said:
Viper by Technocut. The Kyomi has been excellent in the week I've had it.

I think Kizer is overrated. They cost as much as knives made with similar materials in non-communist countries.
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Absolutely, this is my favorite....
 

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knolan said:
On the higher end, but IMO...Fantoni and Viper are two Italian brands producing some truly interesting designs largely flying under the masses radar.
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I was going to post this exactly. Very nice F&F on the Viper Keeper(s) I've experienced. Keep almost picking up one of the Fantoni CUT folders.
 
just take a quick peek at viper, how is N690Co steel compare to s35vn. I also look at kizer, although I never have one, but it has some incredible value, flushed steel insert and ceramic bearing(which doesn't rust/harder than steel/no corrosion),s35vn,TI all over.
 
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weaponwh said:
just take a quick peek at viper, how is N690Co steel compare to s35vn. I also look at kizer, although I never have one, but it has some incredible value, flushed steel insert and ceramic bearing(which doesn't rust/harder than steel/no corrosion),s35vn,TI all over.
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I have heard that N690Co is like suped up VG10. I have also heard that it is an amped up 440c. I'm not quite sure on that, but my Kyomi holds an edge very well and is easy to touch up with my strop. I have really enjoyed it.
 
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Kwon Kwang said:
I actually must disagree with you. Cold Steel certainly makes a fine knife, but I wouldn't say they're underrated at all. They're a very popular and successful company, and it's been quite some time since I've seen much anti-CS circlejerking.

I think CRKT is very underrated. They're one of the most innovative knife companies around today and I've always found their quality to be superb, even on their cheaper offerings. In time, I'd like to add more of their products to my collection. They've got collaborations with some great makers and, while I think some of their stuff is goofy (I'll say the same about Spyderco, one of my top favorite knife companies), they do know what they're doing. I don't think CRKT gets the praise they deserve, and I think that's largely because they don't seem to follow trends in the industry.
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People put down cold steel for their marketing. As a result, they underrate the actual knives by never using them due to preconceived notions.
 
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