The price is right?

I have to say that for the price the Mini AFCK is a steal. I've spent a bit of money on Al Mar knives back in the 80's and I thought they were quite pricey at the time.
 
In my experience, two great examples are Chris Reeve Knives and Microtech Knives. Though expensive, examination reveals their true value as equal to their cost.
 
I think the ultimate best value knife has to be the Opinel. For less than $10 you get a decient high carbon blade and a fool proof lock. OK, not the best handle and not a one hand opening wonder, but several orders of magnitude better than the chinese knock-offs of other knives selling at twice the price.

Worst knife for the money ? Well the jury is still out on this one, but at the risk of surprising a lot of people I would go with the $400 Strider SNG. It's the only knife I've ever had that failed a spine whack test, and this one failed every one including the lightest ones, the tip rubbed the scale, and you can't have a paracord lanyard because the blade closes over the lanyard hole. It's the only knife I've ever sent back for repair straight out the box.
A month after I posted the knife I sent an e-mail to see if they got it OK, a week later I'm still waighting for a reply. :(
 
Yeah, I think I've sent a few un-answered emails to Strider... come to think of it, there have been un-returned phone calls too. Poor service aside, my SA is good to me.

Speaking of my SA...

I have to say that when I put the Strider SA next to the CRK Shadow III, the Shadow is of higher quality... for $65 less! It just so happens that the design of the SA suits my needs better. I like the flat-ish carry, and the high riding sheath. It is concealed without even trying. I am happy with my purchase of the SA. However, because I DO have some understanding of the knifemaking process, the value really is not there. If CRK can charge $185 for the Shadow III, Strider should be able to mirror the offering with the SA. There simply is not as much elbow grease put in to it. After all... when it's all said and done, it's just a piece of metal with some cord wrapped around it. Look at Scott Cooks Owyhee Hunter. Put an SA next to one of those then tell someone that the SA costs more. I guess taste overrides logic sometimes.
 
CRK is excellent in terms of money vs. value. They're handmade custom knives masquerading as production pieces. Don't forget that they come with an incredible warranty to boot.
 
Spyderco Delica best knife for the money hands down.
Kyle Fuglesten
 
still WOWs me. I have four khukuris and the JKM-1. I paid as low as $40 and as high as $150. And they're worth every penny. I have every intention of buying more.

Frank
 
I agree with Opinels & Spyderco. SAK's are superb value for money, each and every one of them. I inevitably use one daily.

Mike Obenauf's prices surprised me. I ordered a superb mini framelock in S30V for way less the price of a similar sized new Sebenza. Obenauf's workmanship is top, and the little monster cuts like the dickens. I'd encourage anyone to get one. My guess is Mike's prices will have risen dramatically now due to demand :(

CRK's I have to admit don't scream "Bargain" to me. But, as Archieblue points out, the satifaction is that they do indeed live up to their price and reputation once you live with them for a while. The Mnandi is extremely impressive (to me at least - thanks Archie).

On a slightly different tack, I've always wondered why there's such a big price difference between the Regular Sebenza Woodies and the Classics (and compared to the Mnandi for that matter).
 
Agree with Spydercos...a lot of knife for the money (except for the "name" collaborations).

However, gotta disagree with CRK...way overpriced.

Super-value = Microtech Black Marlin

Super-screw = Sebenza with pictures on the handles

All these are my own opinions developed from personal experience with these particular products...your mileage may, and most likely will, vary :)
 
The CRKT Urban Shark made me go :D, a real bargain.

The Gerber Guardian Back-Up disappointed me quite a bit.
 
The CRKT have been good to me for their low prices, as well as CS.
 
The Spydie Native and Camillus EDC (my only camillus) are both :D
Lots of knife for the money.

Can't say sebenza is
:barf: It's a lot of knife for the money too, at least in the plain old plain version.



...still trying to think of a knife I don't like...

Um, flea market knockoff?



:barf: Even for two bucks, not worth it to me.

edit: took out duplicate phrase
 
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