The best "bang for your buck" company.

Will P.

Will P.

Joined
Mar 26, 2004
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Some of us are unable or unwilling (the misers!) to shell out for customs or top of the line production blades. What are the best "bang for the buck" companies with most products under $100?

I'm thinking Camillus and CRKT here, but my experiance even in this price range is kinda limited.
 
There's no doubt in my mind that the best bang for the buck in fixed blades is the Becker line from Camillus. Of course to the extent that John Greco still has some knives left in stock, these represent a high value item also.
 
Victorinox. They make some of the most used/useful knives in the world.

Paul
 
spyderco for me as well. Calypso Jr and Centofante III for $40, doesn't get much better.

Nitin
 
I'll also say Spyderco and V'nox. Their hard to beat in their respective price ranges.
 
I'll third the SAK's , they are awesome :) .

Swamp Rat is a good one , although not all models are under a $100 . Another company that comes to mind (aside from Becker) is BRK&T .
 
The ones mentioned definitely have good bang for the buck. I would also like to mention Outdoor Edge. They often dont get the attention they deserve. They have had great knives at great value. The Kit Carson model 4 collaboration, called the Magna. The Darrell Ralph Paragee framelock, very comparable to the Camillus EDC. They now offer the Blackwood hybrid fixed blade. I also liked the non collaborations such as there lighweight knives. I recently got one of there small axes. I like. I have been very impressed with every product I have bought from them. I recommend checking them out.
 
I think CRKT makes great lower priced knives. A pretty good bang. I have become interested in Benchmade's red class. but have yet to get one so I can't comment on their bang to buck ratio. I have also found Magnum a decent quality knife for the cheap price tag. But the "best" bang I've gotten for my buck has been Spyderco.

Of course Buck fits the category well too :p .
 
Will P. said:
I'm thinking Camillus and CRKT here, but my experiance even in this price range is kinda limited.
Click to expand...

I'll agree with those choices. Outside the office all I carry are Strider's, the office sheep get to see my CRKT's. CRKT is my favorite under $100 company. I have quite a collection. My current work EDC is an M21. I bought another just for back up too. I also have quite a bit of Camillus knives too. A lot of fixed blades.
 
I hadn't even heard of Outdoor Edge or BRK&T - I feel uneducated. I couldn't find the Blackwood fixed blade on their site, much to my disapointment as I need a new fixed blade (managed to break my Kabar :eek: ).

I dunno about Buck. A lot of their steel seems vastly overpriced. The same is true with CS... $100 MSRP for a 420 stanless knife? $300 for a AUS 8A? What are they thinking? Some of their high carbon stuff seems O.K., and I am happy with my Bushman. CS seems to sell finishes rather than substance though.
 
spyderco.

and the becker knife and tool, for the bigger cutters.

CRKT, cheap, that may be true, but if you're talking "best bang for your buck" you can't omit the "bang" part. Taking quality into account, their heat treat of the AUS6 is pretty lame. And they seem to be giving in more and more to the "trick" factor in knives, verses utility/durability.
 
Will P.,

I would stay away from cold steel, but that's just my opinion.... if your bushman works out for you, then that's definately cool.

Which Buck models do you feel are overpriced? When I look at buck knives, i see tried and true, rock solid, and utilitarian tools. for the most part, i feel like their prices tend to be right on. if you're looking at the tactical line, (BS880, 881, 800's, etc...) well... you're paying a pretty penny to have the name "strider" stamped on there...



but then again... IMO, having the name strider stamped... worth every penny. ;)
 
Will P. said:
I dunno about Buck.
Click to expand...

Look into the Buck Mayo Northshore, great knife for the money unless you are a steel snob (in which case I think it is is very tough to find a company who provides both quality steel and quality workmanship in an inexpensive package - Spyderco is your best bet).
 
When I think of Buck, I think of the M-9 bayonet. It's priced at over a hundred bucks, and it's made out of 425 steel. When I'm in charge of the Army ( :D yeah right) we will definately have a better bayonet. I'm not a steel snob, and the Mayo is a fine looking knife, but I would expect at somewhat better steel for the price, and other companies offer better deals.

CRKT does gimmick thing, and the AUS-6 is pretty piss-poor, but I like the Kit Carson designs and the LAWKS. Some of their "tactical" fixed blades have the problem of sucking... I'm thinking of the FirstStrike here.

BTW, I only got the Bushman because I need a hunting spear at one point and time, and at 20 bucks the price was right.
 
i'm not really dissing CRKT here.

i actually JUST used a CRKT DOG to open a can of corn. this is merely coincidence, as i've never opened a can with a knife before... anyhow, yea. the blade is dull as all hell now.


ok ok.

the thing that drives me crazy about CRKT is that the are always a dollar short, a second late, and inch too short. ALWAYS, just close to a great tool, but something holding them back.

For example. I love the m16/m21 lineup. But then I see tip down carry, slippery handles, crappy blade/bladesteel, and i think, god, this knife could be so cool if only for just a minor change...

Or how about the Steve Ryan Model 7 or the Bear claw? Once again, blade steel. but then what do these knives come in? GODAWFUL sheaths. I mean, crap sheaths. a knife is only as good as it's sheath, right? so i see great ergonomics, a great blade design, affordable price, all ruined cause i can't carry the damn thing. i actually recently bought a heat gun and some kydex sheets so... i might give CRKT another look-see in the near future...

and then there's the frivilous use of linerlocks, but i guess i can't complain too much cause it seems like every company's implementing those... god i hate linerlocks...
 
I have said this many times and I'll say it again....Get a swamprat! any swamp rat! you can not possibily go wrong with one. I use them for everything, anything! from chopping firewoods to sharpening pencils! lol. If you break it, they WILL fix it no question ask! try that with any other company! That to me, is best BANG for your buck.
 
Most of the major manufacturers seem to have at least a few really good bargains, but I agree with what seems to be the concensus.

Spyderco offers amazing value across their whole line. And their mid-level offerings like the Delica, Endura, and Native aren't just inexpensive... I think they're as functional as anything on the market at any price. You can get prettier and cooler, but not better.

The Becker line from Camillus has to be the price/performance winner for fixed blades. You can get better, but only at three times the price or more. And the improvements you get for that markup are relatively small ones.

--Bob Q
 
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