Underrated Knife?

J

JNieporte

Joined
Nov 1, 2004
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Search function isn't working, sorry. But I figured I'd ask my question and a moderator could move it if needed: What do you think is the most underrated production knife?
I think an Opinel is very under-rated, especially for only around $8 each.
Moras and basic Victorinox SAKs are pretty under-rated.

I started thinking this at the knife shop today, when I was looking at "cheap" knives. The Victorinoxes and Moras are around $15, maybe less depending on the model. I can buy an Opinel No. 9 for $8, a Victorinox Spartan for $10, and a Mora for $8. That's only 26 for three really good knives. The Moras and Opinels are available in carbon steel, which I think is better than stainless. What do you think?

Edit: No, I'm not comparing "underrated" to "inexpensive". It was just a coincidence I guess.
 
JNieporte said:
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Moras and basic Victorinox SAKs are pretty under-rated.



Edit: No, I'm not comparing "underrated" to "inexpensive". It was just a coincidence I guess.
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On this forum i dont believe tht moras or SAKs are underrated. I see most raving about both all the time.

I was going to say spydercos Byrd series, but those are quite popular as well.
 
No thumb stud, no pocket clip, no titanium, no G-10, no ZDP-189. But it is light weight in the pocket. It is hand filling. It is good looking. It is a darn good slicer. And it's only $30. (Got mine for $20:D). Nothing wrong with a thin Sandvik blade and linerless Bubinga wood. Everybody loves the scandis but nobody loves a folding one. :confused:

Frank
 
Cold Steel, no wait, Busse, or Strider? Truly, JUST KIDDING!

I think its Gerber. I've never had a problem with one. I think they represent outstanding values.

JUST MY OPINION. I have other knives I'd sooner use, but I've never had a Gerber fail me. I've heard others have...

Also I dont hear a ton about Fallkniven. Maybe I need to search... but i figure if I dont see it frequently come up, that can be assign its underappreciated too. I think they under appreciated. I need to get another one...
 
I only buy high-value inexpensive knives, and was pleasantly suprised when i joined this site a few weeks ago to see that there weren't many(if any) snobby collector-types talking down about my blades(Mora clipper and Opinel 4''), not that it would have really bothered me anyway. It was just nice to see that these no-BS functional cheapies have a good following in knife circles, since i know they do in bushcraft/camping nut circles.

I just received my my first Opinel a few days ago, it came RAZOR sharp, and is so simple and elegant looking. I'm going to refinish the handle to give it a custom look as well as waterproofing the wood so it wont swell on me, great blade and fun little project for about 8 bucks - cant beat that!

I'm probably going to pick up another fixed blade(either a classic mora, or a Kellam Puukko to spoil myself with) to round out my collection, 3 knives seems like the perfect little quiver amount. 2 fixed blades and a EDC folder.
 
I think the CRK&T M-16, M-18, and M-21 lines are under-rated in general, although they do have some devoted adherents.
 
Will have to agree on some of the CRKT's...they get some bad talk on here, but they have been some of my better performing knives. I have a fixed blade that seems to be a very well made knife that I never hear anything about...it is a Blackie Collins designed Bear MGC, made in the USA. Comes with a nice sheath with kind of a "locking button" on it. The knife is double edged-partially serrated on both sides...it was given to me by a friend, so I don't know much about how much it cost or anything. I don't have any details on the steel either...but this is a really nice knife IMHO.
 
I would say the sebenza is underrated. I know people have talked about how nice they are. But i actually got to handle one, and it's even better then everyone says.
 
sirahren said:
Cold Steel, no wait, Busse, or Strider? Truly, JUST KIDDING!

I think its Gerber. I've never had a problem with one. I think they represent outstanding values.

JUST MY OPINION. I have other knives I'd sooner use, but I've never had a Gerber fail me. I've heard others have...

Also I dont hear a ton about Fallkniven. Maybe I need to search... but i figure if I dont see it frequently come up, that can be assign its underappreciated too. I think they under appreciated. I need to get another one...
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Iv never actualy had a POBLEM with Gerber either. IV owned a few of there knives and they are OK. The Fatty F probably has the best serrations iv ever seen. The only problem with it is that the rubberized material on the handle wore out in no time flat, and the screws that held the pocket clip on stripped out because the material they are screwed into is too soft. But it cuts fairly well, and the lockup is solid. Consider its a $30 or less knife, its not a waste of money, its just not all that great.

I Think Queen Cutlery is under rated. They make some NICE traditional folders!

I think the Ontario Cutlery XM has to be the most under rated tactical folder ever. even the Kabar Mule gets more praise than it does, but its a great knife!
 
Buck Nobleman...

I bought it cuz i liked the way it looked, and didn't expect to be impressed. But I am HIGHLY impressed with this knife!!

The steel is easy to sharpen and stays sharp a hell of a lot longer than any other 440 I've used. It cuts amazingly. Fit and finish literally stunned me when I took it out of the box. I've had knives costing 5 times this much that still had unfinished grind marks and stuff, but all surfaces on this thing are perfectly buffed! And this is only the second knife I've ever owned that didn't have pocket clip issues. Everything on this knife is still locked up tight as then I bought it!

This knife even ranks in my top 3 list of folders I've ever owned...

1. Benchmade mini AFCK
2. Spyderco Native
(alas, both were lost)
3. Buck Nobleman
 
SilverFoxKnows said:
No thumb stud, no pocket clip, no titanium, no G-10, no ZDP-189. But it is light weight in the pocket. It is hand filling. It is good looking. It is a darn good slicer. And it's only $30. (Got mine for $20:D). Nothing wrong with a thin Sandvik blade and linerless Bubinga wood. Everybody loves the scandis but nobody loves a folding one. :confused:

Frank
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Just checked out this knife... NICE!

I hope they make a version with studs and a clip, tho. I've been trying to find an edc knife with a carbon steel blade, and came up short. I had a Cold Steel Trail Guide in carbon v, which was an AWESOME knife. But it had a crooked blade, so I sent it back, only to find out it had been discontinued...

WTF!!!!! Someone FINALLY comes out with a carbon steel knife that has a pocket clip and opens one handed.... AND THEY QUIT MAKING IT???

Why is it impossible to get the knife I want? :grumpy:

I hate that "shiny" has replaced "functional" in the modern market :jerkit: :thumbdn: :confused:
 
What about ENTREK knives?

Recently got a Badger, and man I love this knife! It's small, but with a full length handle. It's a real sleeper.....it deserves more credits!

Anybody else experience with this fantastic little tank?

CZ
 
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of some of the lower end Kershaws. I got a Vapor about two years ago at Wally World for $19 bucks, and it is excellent for its price point.
 
I think an Opinel is very under-rated, especially for only around $8 each.
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I wouldn't say they're under-rated; they get great marks around here regularly.

What's a good Opinel model to get?
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There have been some very positive comments recently on the Garden Folder. Haven't tried it myself though.
I carry a carbon #8 in my work bag, and have kept one in my backpack for years. But a #7 or #6 would be more comfortable for pocket carry.

You can buy a set of ten for $60 in a nice wooden display box. Brings the price down to $6/knife.

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My vote for under-rated knife, the AG Russell Hunters Scalpel. I've been wearing mine to work every day for the last couple of years, and it's a great tool to have handy! I don't hear of many other folks carrying them though.
 
is a Case Sod Buster jr. I simply love this knife. Small in the pocket, big on cutting. Tough, cheap, and good looking.
 
Victorinox knives are great for little $$, but I do not think they are under-rated, b/c they sell well. I'l throw out the BM red class folders--the Vex, the Monochrome, the Pika series--these are inexpensive but solid knives IMO.
 
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