What are some great budget knives?

[Chronovore]

I don't know if you are still on the hunt but I just took a look around at your only available dealer. I felt better after remembering the currency difference.

The Kizer Gemini, designed by Ray Laconico, remains one of my all-time favorite designs. I'd recommend the Black Micarta version in N690 if $120 Canadian isn't too much. They also have more expensive versions in S35VN with either carbon fiber or titanium. I have a couple of the more premium versions but often find myself carrying the Micarta models in N690.

I think someone already mentioned their more afforable Mini Begleiter. That's another winner in N690 and Micarta. The Towser K costs about the same as the Micarta Gemini and is currently sold out, but that's a fun knife. It actually runs on multi-row bearings.

All the recommendations for Civivi are solid. I still like the Baklash, which is pretty competitive at around $72 Canadian. They actually have a Naja over there, which is fantastic as a large folder. Civivi does an excellent heat treatment on their 9Cr18Mov so it'll punch above its grade on edge retention. My Riffle didn't have the same level of action but was still a great knife. The Chevalier is fun if you want a button lock.

 

[Greggy]

The Brazen is under $50!!

The Brazen in Tanto and Backlash are the two best Civivis in my stable. The Chronic comes in third, a smallish so called gentleman's knife. Smallest blade I own. Cannot go wrong with Civivi.

 

[MolokaiRider]

 

[Billy The Hungry]

the new d2 version for a few dollars more is great for edge keeping

I had one of these in AUS 8. That is actually a great little knife, and I've been thinking about picking up another one. They're handy when you want a good user that you forget is in your pants

 

[LostCause]

Mora Robust
Glock 78
Ontario SP-53

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Kizer Begleiter Mini linerlock with Ti scales, milled 3D pocket clip, and M390 blade for $139. Amazing knife, built like a Sebenza.

 

[Chronovore]

I had one of these in AUS 8. That is actually a great little knife, and I've been thinking about picking up another one. They're handy when you want a good user that you forget is in your pants

I have the AUS-8 model and it has served me pretty well. Beyond the loss of corrosion resistance, I'm not sold on the idea of a D2 upgrade. Testing between AUS-8 and D2 on the Rat knives has been closer than most people expected, with AUS-8 actually coming in ahead on a multi-edge cardboard test.

We've had a lot of discussion on the D2 coming out of Asia in recent years. It's generally a better bet than 8Cr13Mov on edge retention, but it varies a lot between companies. There have been questions about the consistency or purity of the starting material, as well as questions about mass heat treatment. A related issue is AUS-8 being a better bet than 8Cr13Mov despite similarities in stated composition.

That's not to say China can't do a good budget steel. I'm a well-known proponent of 9Cr18Mov. Even in the cheapest models from Schrade, edge retention can be pretty decent once you get past the effects of the factory grinder. On the other end, WE seems to have perfected the heat treatment for 9Cr18Mov. Their Civivi, Sencut, and Ferrum Forge models in 9Cr18Mov perform very well.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I have the AUS-8 model and it has served me pretty well. Beyond the loss of corrosion resistance, I'm not sold on the idea of a D2 upgrade. Testing between AUS-8 and D2 on the Rat knives has been closer than most people expected, with AUS-8 actually coming in ahead on a multi-edge cardboard test.

We've had a lot of discussion on the D2 coming out of Asia in recent years. It's generally a better bet than 8Cr13Mov on edge retention, but it varies a lot between companies. There have been questions about the consistency or purity of the starting material, as well as questions about mass heat treatment. A related issue is AUS-8 being a better bet than 8Cr13Mov despite similarities in stated composition.

That's not to say China can't do a good budget steel. I'm a well-known proponent of 9Cr18Mov. Even in the cheapest models from Schrade, edge retention can be pretty decent once you get past the effects of the factory grinder. On the other end, WE seems to have perfected the heat treatment for 9Cr18Mov. Their Civivi, Sencut, and Ferrum Forge models in 9Cr18Mov perform very well.

While I am sure your testing source has its value, my own personal experience in the Rat series is the D2 is more resistent to edge deformation, and cuts longer than the AUS8 versions.

The AUS8 definitely responds faster to sharpening and stropping though, and seems to polish up very quickly.

They are still both great EDC options for sure.

 

[Billy The Hungry]

I have the AUS-8 model and it has served me pretty well. Beyond the loss of corrosion resistance, I'm not sold on the idea of a D2 upgrade. Testing between AUS-8 and D2 on the Rat knives has been closer than most people expected, with AUS-8 actually coming in ahead on a multi-edge cardboard test.

We've had a lot of discussion on the D2 coming out of Asia in recent years. It's generally a better bet than 8Cr13Mov on edge retention, but it varies a lot between companies. There have been questions about the consistency or purity of the starting material, as well as questions about mass heat treatment. A related issue is AUS-8 being a better bet than 8Cr13Mov despite similarities in stated composition.

That's not to say China can't do a good budget steel. I'm a well-known proponent of 9Cr18Mov. Even in the cheapest models from Schrade, edge retention can be pretty decent once you get past the effects of the factory grinder. On the other end, WE seems to have perfected the heat treatment for 9Cr18Mov. Their Civivi, Sencut, and Ferrum Forge models in 9Cr18Mov perform very well.

I'm happy enough with my Rat's AUS 8 since I reprofiled it. I remember D2 being harder to sharpen? I'm happy enough with AUS 8, to be honest. I don't work in a factory any more.

I used to sharpen my knives every day, or every other day. Now I rarely have to sharpen them. Usually stropping keeps me where I want to be!

 

[Chronovore]

While I am sure your testing source has its value, my own personal experience in the Rat series is the D2 is more resistent to edge deformation, and cuts longer than the AUS8 versions.

The AUS8 definitely responds faster to sharpening and stropping though, and seems to polish up very quickly.

They are still both great EDC options for sure.

The two tests I'm referencing are the Cedric and Ada rope test where the D2 won and the Outpost76 cardboard test where the AUS-8 won.

 

[sharp_edge]

Under $100, buy a Cold Steel Recon 1 if you want a big Folder. Rat 1 is a good value but it is no match to Recon 1 from every aspect maybe just a bit cheaper. I am not a small folder guy and my small folders are limited to Spyderco Delica, benchmade miniGrip and Bugout.

 

[ktataragasi]

Hi I currently have a small collection going I have a pm3 lightweight, pm2 sv45, honeybadger 8cr, and dragonfly sv10, for fathers day my sons giving me 100$, I like all my current knives but I don't really use my dragonfly much, I think I'd like to get somthing that's not a spyderco and somthing with a more standard blade shape like drop point or even a tanto or sheep foot. Anyways any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks

If you are OK with made in China check out Kizer. They are my favorite budget brand and have a lot of fantastic designs. You also get some of the best action regardless of price.

 

[NG VI]

Civivi Ortis (or the Badlands Vagabond for drop point with studs, identical cutting edge and other details) ~$98



CJRB double red coral micarta Maileah (~$38)


Kizer Laconico M390 Yorkie in red paper micarta (~$110) and Lundquist 4V Feist in black micarta (~$99). I include these because I think they are extremely good buys and offer a compelling enough value at a low enough price to represent the high end of 'budget' and also the entry level of full featured EDC type knives. The smooth paper micarta is great, has a very vintage feel to it. Like an alternate universe 1950s Victorinox product or something.






another Swaggs design, the Chili Pepper is neat

The Domin Sheepsfoot, look at it





Civivi Chevalier, it's just sweet. The Activ Bantam rocks too.

 

[NG VI]

 

[tony281sc2]

The Rat 1 in D2 has gotta be one of the best original budget knives. I picked one up a few months ago to use as a beater/work knife to TRY and dull or rust the D2. It held up (and continues to) very well. If It said S30V on the blade id probly believe it.

It’s holding it’s original edge great, and despite it being 90 degrees the last couple weeks I can’t get it to rust other than a couple tiny brown dots after a couple neglectful days that just wipe off with my finger anyway. Very rugged knife for the price.

I don’t have enough experience to really comment on Civivi D2, but I can vouch for Ontario’s D2

Edit : I purchased my Rat 1 (D2 & FRN) sometime around April and it says Taiwan on the blade