That inexpensive knife that somehow always seemed too good to be true...

[ChrisB507]

I'm surprised the Ka-bar Dozier folder hasn't made an appearance yet. In D2 (Kabar's link), it can be found for around $40, and in AUS8, it's below $25.

I love the Dozier designs, and wanted to try one of his folders without spending $700+. It's a really solid mid-lock-back design that's been around forever. It's light, fairly thin, and just the right size for me. I've carried this model over some long-time favorites since picking one up in the last year.

 

[VorpelSword]

Maybe not right on topic: tell me if I got this right.

So as I have written on these forums, I gave our son a Randall knife before he deployed to Iraq in 2004. It wasn't ready in time (*a long story) so I went out and bought him a Chris Reeve "Green Beret" at a retail outlet here in Houston, Collector's Firearms. He wound up taking them both. Wore 'em both for extended periods (at different times) while on patrol, We talked later on, and he felt the CRK was a hardier tool for a warfighter in an active combat environment. Significantly, he did not take the Randall along on his next deployment, just the CRK; his load-out cutlery that time was the Green Beret along with a Leatherman Wave and a CRKT M21.

 

[dirc]

back in the 90s, a buck 110 was around $35... (I guess they're only around $60 today)

it was the beginning of the folding 'modern era', with good reason, being sturdy, solid & reliable back in 1964
...

prior to that... the only solid locking option was the mercator k55k -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_K55K
amazingly, these are still pretty much an amazing deal at only $30 today, pretty much the same 1075 blade & design as during the world wars... heck maybe since the beginning in 1867... think about that for a minute.... Bismarck could have carried this as his edc during the 1870 Franco-Prussian war

they have slightly more expensive versions now with stainless steel & copper or brass handles (still low cost)

imho, these 2 knives are more responsible for the folding knife industry today than anything else, period

 

[Lee D]

I’ll 2nd the K55K….and any SAK

 

[cbach8tw]

i am carrying my Byrd knife without a lock. I think it is the Tern. Surprised how sharp the edge is, sturdy in open position, comfortable G10 handle, basic steel but looking to see how well it holds up.

 

[chevyrulez1]

I have a Buck Bantam 285 that I bought years ago for less than $20. I have lots of other knives and much more expensive stuff, but I still love that Bantam. It fits my hand good, the blade steel is good and it will get wicked sharp. Another big benefit is you can use and abuse it and if it breaks it is cheap and easy to replace, but so far it has taken everything I have thrown at it. I did develop a small amount of side to side blade play, so I took the pocket clip off and hammered on the hinge pin a little to tighten it up and now it is like new except for the normal wear and tear scratches on the blade and pocket clip. I highly recommend for anyone who was looking for something inexpensive, and made in the USA

 

[Hashishiin]

Repeating my dirty under $30 list - will never stop supporting these dudes

RAT 1/2
GRIK
Buck 110 Slim Select
Otter-Messer K55 Mercator
Douk-Douk (carbon or 14c28n)
Opinel
M.A.M
Higonokami

 

[cbach8tw]

Another is my Buck 112 Slim in 420HC. Lightweight, sharp and comfortable handle, and slim. I went for the green, while I got the black one for my daughter.