Stepping down in price doesn't always mean stepping down in quality.

[TheEdge01]

I bought a new Kershaw Link with the 420hc blade and aluminium handles earlier today. The fit and finish on this thing is outstanding, blade is centered with no play, strong assisted opening, and it came nice and sharp out of the box. I had the intentions of getting something a little more expensive like a new Spyderco, but the Link really caught my eye.
They had two Gerber autos in stock, the 06, and Propel. The blade on the Propel was loose, you could move it about an 1/8th of and inch from side to side and both knives had very weak springs.
Anyway, after a touch on the Sharpmaker fine stones, this thing is now hair shaving sharp. 420hc is a lower end steel, but considering the fit and finish and that this is a 42 dollar knife, I can't complain. If you are in need of a good durable budget knife, I recommend taking a look at the Link.

 

[thebrain]

I recently purchased a blackwash tanto link from ebay with a broken tip for a song. Just tonight I reground the tip and cleaned it up. The link is a great knife and a fine choice of american craftsmanship.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Buck is a real testament to you're title statement if you're interested in finding more knives that are very affordable.
I'm not into assisted openers, but I'm glad you were able to find a quality knife you like for a good price.

 

[unwisefool]

The link is a great knife for the price. Very solid and well made.

 

[oldtymer]

Nothing wrong with 420hc if heat treated right, a lot of happy Buck owners will agree.

 

[TheEdge01]

Buck is a real testament to you're title statement if you're interested in finding more knives that are very affordable.
I'm not into assisted openers, but I'm glad you were able to find a quality knife you like for a good price.

I agree, I have a Buck 110 and really like it.

 

[TheEdge01]

Nothing wrong with 420hc if heat treated right, a lot of happy Buck owners will agree.

I am one of the happy Buck owners. I agree with your statement about Bucks 420hc, they seem to have mastered their heat treat process. Some claim their 420hc edge retention is on par with 8cr13mov.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I agree, I have a Buck 110 and really like it.

What true American knife lover doesn't ?

I've never had a Kershaw in 420hc and probably never will, but I'm sure that if they do a good job on ht it'll perform well.

 

[NJBillK]

I agree on the price point, but I went a different direction...

For a total of $70, I went full custom.



@Daado makes some Great knives, and he does so at Very reasonable rates!
This is one of my favorite knives to carry. It's like it was built for my hand, thin behind the edge, and his HT of 52100 is dialed in.

 

[Mo2]

Kershaws usa made knives are pretty decent if you like speedsafe and dont mind the materials used. now there overseas produced knives is a different story. at least they have a full warranty. they are popular with many sheeple people and they make what sells.

 

[palonej]

Agree on all points stated on the Link!
I went with the HOB Exclusive with s35vn and it is a home run! Use mine as a work knife and it is a beast! They did a great job with the steel and it is a very solid knife that fits my hand beautifully!
Joe

 

[NJBillK]

View attachment 724237 Agree on all points stated on the Link!
I went with the HOB Exclusive with s35vn and it is a home run!
Joe

Joe, if you don't have one yet, grab a ZT770cfM4. It is similarly shsped, but bumped up in materials.

 

[evilgreg]

Stepping down in price doesn't always mean stepping down in quality.

It's not just that there are some fabulous inexpensive knives out there (though I agree, there are some great cheap knives), sometimes I think that there is also a far side of the hill on the average quality versus cost graph. I've found that beyond around $250 - $400 the more I spend on a knife the more it seems likely to reduce quality. I've bought more $500+ lemons than I have in the $250 - $400 range. My luck with >$1000 knives has been even worse, including a couple of customs from respected makers that were huge disappointments.

I have a Kershaw Tremor that I paid $12 for that is still going strong years later . . . amazing knife for the money.

 

[NJBillK]

Does anyone know if KAI makes a version of the Volt 2 with upgraded materials?

ETA: nevermind, I thought it landed between the 450 and 452...
Volt 2: 3.25" blade, 7.1" oal
ZT 450: 3.25" blade, 7.35 oal

Looks like it wouldn't fit my hand, seeing as the 450 is a touch small for me...

 

[Deltadag]

NJBillK, post: 17253641, member: 377110"]Does anyone know if KAI makes a version of the Volt 2 with upgraded materials?

ETA: nevermind, I thought it landed between the 450 and 452...
Volt 2: 3.25" blade, 7.1" oal
ZT 450: 3.25" blade, 7.35 oal

Looks like it wouldn't fit my hand, seeing as the 450 is a touch small for me...[/QUOTE]

Have you considered the Kershaw Volt SS? Granted, it has all-steel handles instead of glass-filled nylon (and consequently weighs almost exactly an ounce more) and is a frame lock instead of a liner lock, but if you are fond of RJ Martin's styling it's worth noting that the Volt SS is also slightly larger than the Volt II, with a blade length of 3.44" a handle length of 4.25" and an overall length of 7.75". This might be just enough bigger to achieve the fit you need at a price identical to the plain-edge Volt II (or at most about five bucks more). Regrettably, the blade steel remains the same, 8Cr13MoV - which still isn't bad since we're considering a model retailing for well under forty bucks.

 

[115Italian]

The link is definitely a great example of kershaws capabilities in making a good folding knife. I personally think their usa made blades are their best. Real steel knife co. offers some great blades in the $45-$55 dollar range as well. Sandvik steel with good fit and finish for the price.

 

[TheEdge01]

NJBillK, post: 17253641, member: 377110"]Does anyone know if KAI makes a version of the Volt 2 with upgraded materials?

ETA: nevermind, I thought it landed between the 450 and 452...
Volt 2: 3.25" blade, 7.1" oal
ZT 450: 3.25" blade, 7.35 oal

Looks like it wouldn't fit my hand, seeing as the 450 is a touch small for me...

Have you considered the Kershaw Volt SS? Granted, it has all-steel handles instead of glass-filled nylon (and consequently weighs almost exactly an ounce more) and is a frame lock instead of a liner lock, but if you are fond of RJ Martin's styling it's worth noting that the Volt SS is also slightly larger than the Volt II, with a blade length of 3.44" a handle length of 4.25" and an overall length of 7.75". This might be just enough bigger to achieve the fit you need at a price identical to the plain-edge Volt II (or at most about five bucks more). Regrettably, the blade steel remains the same, 8Cr13MoV - which still isn't bad since we're considering a model retailing for well under forty bucks.[/QUOTE]

I will take a look at that one. I actually like 8cr blade steel.