The Surprisingly Good

Dimashkieh said:
The action is very impressive! $50
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Harnds has released a handful of wins over the years. The Talisman remains a budget favorite. The Harvest is good but needed a little file work on the scales to hit "great". Both had surprisingly good "drop shut" action right out of the box. Maybe I'll carry one tomorrow...
 
Civivi. Fit and finish, action, and I must say I am very impressed with ther 9cr based Damascus. The Riffle took a little breaking in and adjusting, but I love it as well as the Exarch in cf and Damascus and the McKenna Damascus.

I've yet to try one of their regular steels, and have no plan to.
 
Here are a pair of Talismans. I carried the green one in 14C28N today. It's a good full-sized knife with decent ergonomics and a nice blade shape. These both had drop-shut action right out of the box. There is a little slop in the pivot between open and closed, but lock-up is solid on either end.

The tan one is the older model in AUS-8. I'm pretty sure it came out before Civivi existed and cost $35 at the time. It was a major win in the budget category back then. Besides the steel upgrade, the 14C28N model seems to have slightly improved fit and finish or at least tighter tolerances. Unfortunately, I can't take it apart for further inspection. There is a free-spinning one-sided T6 body screw on the newer one. Talking with other people who own this knife, this is not a common issue. :confused:

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I tried Harnds as a large folding/work knife based on a recommendation from someone here on BF. What looking around for it I found out they had it in a tanto blade! I bought it immediately and it has been one of the best bang for the buck knives I've ever owned. Carries great, has good ergos, and I think the D2 may actually be D2. It holds a hard, sharp edge for quite a while. And the tanto is great for light scraping, using as a wood chisel, and all the other things you do with something it has a chisel end on it. Love that knife and carry it the time. Five years ago I think I paid $40 for it.
 
midnight flyer said:
I tried Harnds as a large folding/work knife based on a recommendation from someone here on BF. What looking around for it I found out they had it in a tanto blade! I bought it immediately and it has been one of the best bang for the buck knives I've ever owned. Carries great, has good ergos, and I think the D2 may actually be D2. It holds a hard, sharp edge for quite a while. And the tanto is great for light scraping, using as a wood chisel, and all the other things you do with something it has a chisel end on it. Love that knife and carry it the time. Five years ago I think I paid $40 for it.
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Harnds has been around for years but usually seems to fly under the radar. They are a sub-brand of Flyer Industrial, which is also the parent company of Tonife.

There has been limited testing on these. One Harnds knife passed an XRF test via LTK. In a cut test by Pete (Cedric & Ada), a Tonife in 8Cr14Mov did relatively well. In a more in-depth cut test by Outpost 76, a Harnds in 14C28N did well and was within the performance range of other known brands using 14C28N. Between that and my own use over the years, I don't doubt the veracity of their steel stamps.
 
At the lower end, I'd say the QSP Penguin (micarta and D2 steel for $32) and Ontario Rat 1 (D2 for $37) are pretty hard to beat for material, build, and price.

For a little bit more you get the Kizer Mini Sheepdog (154CM steel sheepsfoot and G10 for $69), Spyderco Byrd Raven 2 (Best Byrd, CTS BD1 steel, and G10 for $97), and Kershaw Blur (Sandvik 14C28N and Assisted Opening for $75).
 
Black Oak Bladeworks said:
Edited to add I missed that this was just supposed to be folding knives...

Price, $12-20. Mora Companion fixed blade series. 14C28N for the stainless models, Other option is just listed carbon steel. Handle is a polymer with many color options.

Pros, Its a really good quality for the price. They hold an edge well, and I find the handles comfortable with good grip when wet to.

Cons, The sheaths are not so great for them, I find them to feel cheap and the sheath retention isn't the best. But its a $12 dollar knife so there will be trade offs.:)
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+1 for the Moras. I went on a buying streak with them. Beat the snot out of the companion at a park. No chips on the edge, plus easy to sharpen for a beginner like me.
 
Dimashkieh said:
You absolutely nailed it. I’ve been playing/using it for a couple of days, but the scales are too sharp. They definitely need some work.
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The easiest way I've found to do this is with an emery board. Ever since the first time I swiped one from my wife, it has been my go-to for quick Micarta and G-10 mods like breaking crisp edges or rounding corners. Use the coarse side to get the shape you want and finish with the fine side. (As always, take care not to breathe in the dust.)

Since then, I've hit the beauty aisle when shopping at local stores to find different sizes and shapes. Now I keep a zip-lock of them in my tool kit.
 
Toomanyquestions said:
What folding knives have offered surprising quality for money spent? The question has no price range, although it would be nice to have a mixture of price points. Links to full reviews are welcome.

The format below might be helpful for those who come afterward.


Price range

Brand / model / features - lock, steel, handle material, pivot, etc

A short summary of what you found impressive - what did you notice when you held it, took it apart, used it hard, etc
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I think I spent $28.00 on this years ago, maybe $32.00.
It's an Ontario Knife Company Utilitac II, tanto point in AUS-8 steel with a liner lock that still works after many years.
It's heavy and squarish in hand, but it is probably the easiest of my knives to get atom-splitting sharp, it keeps that edge well enough, and it has an amazing point (well, two, in fact).
It flicks open easily and has proven to be lots of fun to cut stuff with.
 
Chronovore said:
The easiest way I've found to do this is with an emery board. Ever since the first time I swiped one from my wife, it has been my go-to for quick Micarta and G-10 mods like breaking crisp edges or rounding corners. Use the coarse side to get the shape you want and finish with the fine side. (As always, take care not to breathe in the dust.)

Since then, I've hit the beauty aisle when shopping at local stores to find different sizes and shapes. Now I keep a zip-lock of them in my tool kit.
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I have to thank you my friend for the emery board advise. I “confiscated” one of my wife’s with 4 sides of different grits. That was an easy work with great results on the Falcom. 👍
 
Manly Wasp 14c28n

A well made modern slip joint. Easy to carry..clip it to your pocket and forget it, very “slicey”, excellent heat treat, and all that for $55 + shipping.

 
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Check out the Baby Banter from Civivi. Around $60. Small, with a great choil, chamfered scales G-10 and a deep-carry clip. A variety of colors. Smooth deployment. A winner based on what I like in an EDC.
 
The James Brand "Elko" keychain knife is surprisingly tight, solid, and a perfect small knife built like a CRK. I have a larger Damasteel folder on order, I forgot the name.

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