Tough knives at affordable price

The Cold Steel drop forged series seems extremely tough and affordable.

My kid has used/beat on a Drop Forged Bowie quite a bit and the edge stability and retention are very good.

The 52100 steel, integral construction and thick transition from handle to blade should make accidental breakage very unlikely.

Plus I’m pretty sure the “New” Cold Steel uses the same drop forging facility so the quality shouldn’t have dropped off (I hope…).
 
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scdub said:
The Cold Steel drop forged series seems extremely tough and affordable.

My kid has used/beat on a Drop Forged Bowie quite a bit and the edge stability and retention are very good.

The 52100 steel, integral construction and thick transition from handle to blade should make accidental breakage very unlikely.

Plus I’m pretty sure the “New” Cold Steel uses the same drop forging facility so the quality shouldn’t have dropped off (I hope…).
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My GSM drop forged "Survivalist" has been a great little knife.

If it was the only knife I had in my backpack or "truck" box, I certainly wouldn't feel "under-knifed" in any way. I think they're about $75-$85 USD... (*old pic)







EDIT- A short internet search just found me some offered at $59 USD.
 
Alone said:
My GSM drop forged "Survivalist" has been a great little knife.

If it was the only knife I had in my backpack or "truck" box, I certainly wouldn't feel "under-knifed" in any way. I think they're about $75-$85 USD... (*old pic)







EDIT- A short internet search just found me some offered at $59 USD.
Click to expand...
In my country it's 120€...
Drop forged Bowie is 90€...
Drop forged Hunter is 80€...
Drop forged Boot Knife is 60€...

Prices in Europe are just terrible.

But, Ontario SP-1 is 50€, and Ontario SP-6 is 60€, and I paid my SP-53 just under 80€ which I think is a good deal.

SP-53 is really a beast of a blade
 
LostCause said:
In my country it's 120€...
Drop forged Bowie is 90€...
Drop forged Hunter is 80€...
Drop forged Boot Knife is 60€...

Prices in Europe are just terrible.

But, Ontario SP-1 is 50€, and Ontario SP-6 is 60€, and I paid my SP-53 just under 80€ which I think is a good deal.

SP-53 is really a beast of a blade
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It looks like the SP-53 might serve you well.

I've beat on it, and a coupla' my SP-10 "Raiders", relentlessly...







Happy hunting!...
 
Both are stupidly tough.

However, I'm a 5160 guy at heart, so the SP-53 would get my vote.


Your mileage may vary...
 
I had the same problem as the OP. I decided on the CS recon tanto sk5 because of the thicker spine right through and thick tip. I beat the sh#t our of mine with no problems. At first I had a few small chips in the edge, but sharpened to a more robust edge angle and haven't had a single chip ever since. I honestly don't know how you snap one of these...

InOx6I7.jpg
 
FrannaM said:
I had the same problem as the OP. I decided on the CS recon tanto sk5 because of the thicker spine right through and thick tip. I beat the sh#t our of mine with no problems. At first I had a few small chips in the edge, but sharpened to a more robust edge angle and haven't had a single chip ever since. I honestly don't know how you snap one of these...

InOx6I7.jpg
Click to expand...
Whatever is prone to chipping will also snap with some more force/shock.

Keeping grind obtuse will prevent any steel from chipping.
 
2DF79BC5-2C88-4308-8EC8-267B4533065E.jpeg
Ontario Joe Pardue Utilitac. Carry one in my car & have another in my briefcase. Tough, sharp, inexpensive on the big river site.
 
If we are talking knives you intentionally abuse and try to break, get one of these. 5mm (0.20") thick, tempered to withstand endless throwing, sharpens to a razor edge (not much retention, of course). You might be able to break the tip, but just grind a new one.
IMG-2022-03-04-14-40-03-227-2.jpg
 
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