This knife snob loves these 3 inexpensive knives.

Redwood25

Redwood25

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Mar 31, 2015
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As a certified knife and steel snob, I have (and have had) many, many expensive knives. Like most of you, I started with cheaper knives and slowly moved "up". To keep this brief, I'll just say many knives have come, many knives have gone. Most of what I have is "nicer" stuff.

But I find myself with these 3 knives that, despite their status as inexpensive, I absolutely love, and have deemed as keepers, not to be sold or traded. And they see pocket time, too.

First, the Kizer Guru. Kinda klunky. Not super pretty. Yet in my hand, it feels perfect. Great flipping action (and I'm not a huge flipper fan, although two of these are flippers). Can't put it down.

Then the ZT0450CF. I instantly liked this so much that I bought several more as I came across them. I've gifted a few, traded a couple, but will absolutely always keep one of these. Small and light with a great action and feel. Even more surprising given my long and lanky hands. This little knife still feels fantastic in my paw. It's my daily companion on my morning run.

Lastly, the Benchmade 319 Proper slipjoint. Unlike many of you, I typically couldn't care less about traditional and slipjoints. I bought this on a complete whim when I saw it for sale at a fantastic price. Loved it immediately. I have another in the closet that will be shipped to my son in Seattle soon (sshhh, don't tell him). This is often in my left front pocket as a second knife.

Today? The Guru. CRK, Spartan, MKT, George, Fairly, and all the others will have the day off.

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I do want to get one of the BM 319 Propers myself looks great with the leather. The ZT is pretty nice looking too but I am not too much for the blackout look with the coated blades. I like the Kizer but looks like it will be a bit too much heft for me to enjoy. I am not really a snob, too poor to be, but it really just comes down to the final product and how it feels for me.
 
I've had a weird fascination with the Benchmade Proper. I, like you, am more suited towards modern designs, but that knife really interests me. The biggest draw, to me at least, is it uses high quality stainless steel.

It may be one I'll pick up eventually, if I don't like it I can always gift it to my brother or my Dad.
 
Danke42 said:
Those are all nice knives but when I think "inexpensive" I'm seeing under $50 US as the benchmark.
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Fair enough. I guess, in a knife world where $500 isn't unusual at all, and prices for some go well into 4 figures, I was using $150 as my "inexpensive".
 
I've never paid over $170 for a knife. I feel so cheap now. :D

Kidding aside, the BM 319 looks interesting.
 
My Cold Steel American Lawman in Xhp has seen serious pocket time and I think is an absolute bargain. It can be found for around $85.
 
Danke42 said:
Those are all nice knives but when I think "inexpensive" I'm seeing under $50 US as the benchmark.
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I'll go a little lower and say that 'inexpensive' to me means something along the lines of a Smith & Wesson, Schrade or a Gerber.

That is to say, <US$40.
 
You must be significantly wealthier than I am. Other than the Benchmade Proper, which is near the top of my range, all of those knives are more expensive than anything I own.

My most regularly carried pocket knives cost me less than $40. My most expensive (based on what I paid) was $130.
 
Redwood25 said:
Fair enough. I guess, in a knife world where $500 isn't unusual at all, and prices for some go well into 4 figures, I was using $150 as my "inexpensive".
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Your definition of inexpensive and my definition of inexpensive are very different.

I figured I'd see pictures of a mora, Opinel, RAT 2, tenacious... you know. The usual suspects.... like the ones guys like me get to carry...
 
I'll have to include myself in the $100 and less for inexpensive production knives and even that really is $50-$100 anything less and most are either cheap knick offs or gas station props. The exceptions being Mora, Opinel and some of the Chinese traditional pattern manufacturers like Rough Rider and a few others.

I have customs in folders and fixed blades and dropping $500+ isn't out of the question for a single knife. Now I know that only puts me in the lower end of midrange collectors and I know many people who wouldn't balk at droppin $2K on a custom but those guys are in another level than me, I drive a vintage 1989 Ford Ranger, they drive $80K-$100K cars, live in $1,000,000 homes and don't cut their own grass. ;)

So if I had to pick 3 that as a Cutlery Connoisseur, (I like that, kinda has a ring to it Cutlery Connoisseur ;) If I had to pick 3 it would be any Mora fixed blade, any folding Opinel and a Rat 1 or 2 folder for a hard working abuseable folder for edc.

Now if you move into buying used vintage knives, if you know what you're doing you can score some really knice pieces in near perfect condition for well under $100. Most of the older investment made prior to 1960 were quality cutting tools using premium materials for the era.

Now I'm just an old mechanic who's used knives daily for the last 45-50 years so take that into consideration and remember, as always YMMV. :)
 
19-3ben said:
Your definition of inexpensive and my definition of inexpensive are very different.

I figured I'd see pictures of a mora, Opinel, RAT 2, tenacious... you know. The usual suspects.... like the ones guys like me get to carry...
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Me too, the Tenacious was the first one that popped in my mind, I was kind of stunned at his list. Well, I suppose your bank account dictates what an actual budget blade really is since all of us have different budgets. :)
 
You are a knife snob if you consider those cheap! Totally kidding :D That price range I feel is a really good middle ground between high end and sub $50 crap. When I recommend a hard use knife with a certain level of quality I usually recommend knives in this price range. But for the snobs and knife nuts we like a little more :) Personally my CRKs haven't left my pocket since I got them. I've seen pics of that benchmade other places on the forum, it's catching my interest more every time I see it.
 
I bought the Esse titanium folder when it came out. Think I paid like 28 bucks for it. It's just a good solid knife and I find myself carrying it often. I have other good quality inexpensive knives that I enjoy also. I think you just have to do your homework when buying low priced, so you don't end up with a POS. I usually research BF for reviews before I buy.
 
Redwood25 said:
Fair enough. I guess, in a knife world where $500 isn't unusual at all, and prices for some go well into 4 figures, I was using $150 as my "inexpensive".
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yeah relative thing for sure. i was thinking 30 or 40 or dollar knives as inexpensive for my pricing abilities and levels. although someone reading this is thinking your higher dollar 500s + dollar knives would be the inexpensive ones.

goes to show good knives can be at many different price levels. thanks for sharing.
 
Redwood25 said:
Fair enough. I guess, in a knife world where $500 isn't unusual at all, and prices for some go well into 4 figures, I was using $150 as my "inexpensive".
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My most expensive knife tops out around your inexpensive, but I appreciated reading the post anyway :)
 
Deinos said:
My most expensive knife tops out around your inexpensive, but I appreciated reading the post anyway :)
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Yup. My most expensive knife is a Manix 2 in S110v,and G10.

Oh well. I'm happy to have beer taste, because I certainly dont have a champagne wallet!
 
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