The Surprisingly Good

Zulus said:
That one ??
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The very same! Yeah, I got it as part of a package deal. See, I really wanted a fancy aluminum-bolstered S35VN Espada XL, and this guy had one. He was getting rid of a ton of old Cold Steel stuff cause he just had a baby, so, it was good for everyone. He wasn't planning on getting rid of the fancy Espada though, but he could tell I'd love it more than him, so I convinced him to give it to me for $300.

He was selling more and I thought, eh, since I went this far, what will another 50 bucks get me? He was selling the Voyager for like $50 originally, and a GRIK in AUS-8A for $30, but he gave them both to me for just $50 on top of the Espada. So, it was an awesome deal. That is $510 street price, minus tax. Saved $160.

He also had a bunch of older XHP models that I missed out on though, unfortunately. Just trying to stock up on the large/crazy/nice models with good steel while I can, before it switches to some BS steel or switches production to China. I really hope they don't do that. Cold Steel can stay decently good if they stay in Taiwan, keep the tooling, and keep good steels.
 
Hashishiin said:
The very same! Yeah, I got it as part of a package deal. See, I really wanted a fancy aluminum-bolstered S35VN Espada XL, and this guy had one. He was getting rid of a ton of old Cold Steel stuff cause he just had a baby, so, it was good for everyone. He wasn't planning on getting rid of the fancy Espada though, but he could tell I'd love it more than him, so I convinced him to give it to me for $300.

He was selling more and I thought, eh, since I went this far, what will another 50 bucks get me? He was selling the Voyager for like $50 originally, and a GRIK in AUS-8A for $30, but he gave them both to me for just $50 on top of the Espada. So, it was an awesome deal. That is $510 street price, minus tax. Saved $160.

He also had a bunch of older XHP models that I missed out on though, unfortunately. Just trying to stock up on the large/crazy/nice models with good steel while I can, before it switches to some BS steel or switches production to China. I really hope they don't do that. Cold Steel can stay decently good if they stay in Taiwan, keep the tooling, and keep good steels.
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Give me that guy
Please :^D
 
~$20

Ka-Bar Dozier Folding Hunter, AUS-8, backlock, plastic handles

Everything you need, nothing you don't. Near perfect design (in my book: ergos, blade shape, hollow grind), incredibly light, does everything I've needed.
It has two drawbacks:
-the steel needs to be sharpened frequently
-you have to pick a side with the thumbstud: I'm a lefty, and swapped it, but now I can't open it with my right hand

I have several much nicer knives, but would be content with this in my pocket 99% of the time. I could write a decent essay on its fine qualities.

ArUS87p.jpg
 
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Used to be anything by Kershaw or Ontario. As their knife prices increase, I find their value to be diminishing. I recently have tried a couple forbidden brands and have been blown away by the quality, all around.

Everyone's budget is different. It's a changing world in our knife hobby, with the drastic post-Covid inflation in the prices.
 
The Boker Plus Collection 2021 Epicenter. Todd Rexford designed model, M390 blade, Ti frame/bolster lock, marbled CF overlays. US price 411-440 but I got it from a Netherlands dealer for 368. I was completely blown away by the quality of this knife. Yes, it was pricey (for Boker Plus), but I took a chance knowing that it was made by Lionsteel even though there wasn't much in the way of reviews on it anywhere.


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Great Eastern Cutlery 71 Bullnose.​

Fantastic package, at a low price (when I bought them) , similar to a Case XX sodbuster, but the overall action and feel is a step above. The O1 steel ones are extra nice.

RRs are also good value.

Opinel too

Mora, definitely
 
Chuck_Nunface said:
The Boker Plus Collection 2021 Epicenter. Todd Rexford designed model, M390 blade, Ti frame/bolster lock, marbled CF overlays. US price 411-440 but I got it from a Netherlands dealer for 368. I was completely blown away by the quality of this knife. Yes, it was pricey (for Boker Plus), but I took a chance knowing that it was made by Lionsteel even though there wasn't much in the way of reviews on it anywhere.


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So you're saying a $400 folder was shockingly good? I would hope so, man!
 
I have found the CRK / Blade HQ Carbon Fibre Mnandi to be better then expected. While I expected and got CRK quality, fit and finish I didn’t expect to be completely blown away by this little knife.
The knife punches way above its weight class in both durability and usefulness. I came to the Mnandi from traditionals, Buck stockman to be exact. I bought the Mnandi to be my “ Fancy” knife because my stockmans were worked hard and it showed.
I thought this would be a church and date night knife. I was wrong. The knife as become my EDC and has never faltered. For almost 2 years as my daily companion and have only gone back to the 303 when I flew to Vegas because I wasn’t afraid to lose a cheap Buck beater. The Mnandi is as at home in the shop as it is in the office. It’s marketed as a gentleman’s knife which I thought excluded us redneck tradesmen…WRONG!
It’s been in my pocket and used for everything I’ve needed a knife for. In and out of the trades. Work or home this knife does it all , job site to office.
I’d say it was a bargain at $495.
 
Billy The Hungry said:
Used to be anything by Kershaw or Ontario. As their knife prices increase, I find their value to be diminishing. I recently have tried a couple forbidden brands and have been blown away by the quality, all around.

Everyone's budget is different. It's a changing world in our knife hobby, with the drastic post-Covid inflation in the prices.
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Kershaw yeah, I mean, they have 3cr advertised on some knives. What's wrong with Ontario, though?
 
Dimashkieh said:
Petrified Fish 838 in D2 and G10/CF scales. The action an finishing are both very impressive. A LOT of a knife for $35

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I have the base model of this knife. It is very nice but did have a few crisp edges. The longer depression running down from near the top of the finger groove curves up into the transition at the edge of the scale. That line was especially crisp on mine. So I spent maybe 10-15 minutes smoothing up those edges with an emery board.

Given the price and how easy it is to fix, it really wasn't a big deal. Seriously, it's $35. It looks great, has good action, and gets one of the better heat treatments on budget D2 from China.

BTW, that "trident" blade shape makes this knife feel like a big brother to their PF818, which was also designed by David Chen.
 
Hashishiin said:
Kershaw yeah, I mean, they have 3cr advertised on some knives. What's wrong with Ontario, though?
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Absolutely nothing! I was thinking about the Rat 1 and 2 knives when I wrote that. I personally feel that for $40, those knives are grossly over priced. AUS8 and slick plastic scales are outdated, especially for $40.

They're great knives though.

Maybe a better example is a Spyderco Tenacious. I think they're going for around $50 now. I remember when they were $30. I had one, and pawned it off. It microchipped horribly.
 
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