What are your favorite high-value low-cost knives?

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maximus83

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Nov 7, 2011
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I own a some fairly costly knives that use more premium materials, they are awesome. But I also have a great fondness for finding "high value knives." By this I mean, low-cost knives (define "low cost" however you want :p) that are great designs and great quality despite not using high-end materials, and they give you a lot of bang for the buck.

What are your favorite high-value low-cost knives?

A few of mine:

Mora companion carbon steel knife
  • Cost: $13
  • Why: awesome toughness and cutting performance as an all-purpose utility blade. I don't even like Scandi grinds, yet I love this knife.
Kershaw Cryo 2 G10
  • Cost: $27
  • Why: sub 3" blade for travel when local laws require it, strong frame lock mechanism proven by BladeHQ tests to support at least 380 pounds, excellent quality flipping/locking mechanism, excellent slicing and cutting performance, easy to sharpen.

Gerber Big Rock Camp knife
  • Cost: $32
  • Why: perfect Bill Harsey design, grip, ergos, and blade style, nice performing high-flat sabre grind. An excellent all purpose beater field, trail, or utility knife. The 440a stainless is surprisingly tough, I have batoned with it. While I have better slicers in high-end steels, it is perfectly adequate and a "good" slicer when sharp. And it is extremely easy/quick to field sharpen versus my more premium steel blades such as S30/35v. While I do still own and buy more premium 4" to 5" field knives in this class (just ordered a Bradford Guardian 4, for instance), I love this knife and use it constantly. And I'd recommend it to anybody who wants a quality, affordable stainless field knife about 4.5".

Could add many more, but interested to see what others list.
 
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Kershaw Emerson Cqc7k. Although any of the Kershaw Emerson line is a good value knife.

There are some Chinese companies like Real Steel and Ruike that are making good value knives today too.
 
Ontario Carter Prime. Simple, somewhat blocky design but the mechanics are that of a much more expensive knife.
 
A related question, based on my OP: What are some high-value but lower cost folders that use better-than-average steels?

By this I mean, a folder that is good solid design and quality, but kind of surprises you that they use a better quality steel in it despite a lower price point. Spyderco has a few in this category, as does Cold Steel, as does Benchmade.
 
SAK's.

The older I get, the more I really appreciate multiple use in a single object. A SAk is not just a knife, but a flat or Phillips screw driver when you need it, a bottle opener, can opener, awl, scissors, tweezers, and more. You can pick up a Victorinox recruit for less than 20 bills, and a tinker for less than 25. Hell of a bargain in anyones book.
 
maximus83 said:
Mora companion carbon steel knife
  • Cost: $13
  • Why: awesome toughness and cutting performance as an all-purpose utility blade. I don't even like Scandi grinds, yet I love this knife.
Click to expand...

You nailed it right there. I have other knives. More expensive by factors of ten... etc... but none of my fixed blades see as much use as my Moras.

I have said many times before, that the combination of Bahco Laplander, Mora Companion, and Fiskars X7 sits in each of my hiking, car breakdown bag, and camping bags. There's almost no shelter and short term survival task that couldn't be done with that trio and in total they'd cost about $55-60.

Something tells me you're going to get interesting responses from Ben Bouchard. He owns Baryonyx which is a whole website that corners the niche market of maximizing cost/function ratios with knives, axes, sharpening stones etc...
 
When it comes to low cost value folders the first brand to come in my mind is Opinel
I like especially the 7 with carbon steel

Second will be a Spartan or climber SAK

The issue with the definition of "low cost" evolve as you spend more on your "high value" folders ;)

So even if it is not a low cost I have enjoyed the Delica 4 for a "mid value" folder
It offers a lot of what I enjoy with an higher value folder at less than $70

For the same price you can get 3 SAKs or 6 Opinels but I don't feel any regrets when I shift from an higher hand to my Delica
 
Old carbon steel imperials which are easily had for under 20$ and often even less than 5$

Bucklite max 482 - 20$
Buck 283 nano bantam - 12$

Victorinox classic - 15$
Victorinox pocket pal - 15$ ( discontinued )
Victorinox recruit - 17$
Victorinox tinker - 20$

Case sodbuster jr - 25$

Mora 4" carbon steel blade - 10$-15$
( Removed the handle and made my own, and the model doesn't matter because many are the exact same blade )

Stanley 10-499 utility knife - 8$
 
Rough Rider slip joints would fall in the high value low cost category.

Cold Steel Tuff Lite.... pretty good function and value.

As mentioned, the Victorinox SAKs are my favorite high value-low cost knife. If you have never used one much, they will surprise you as to their utility day to day.
 
And as long as 22-rimfire posted, I might as well just throw out that he and i are going to agree on Condor knives generally being good bang for the buck.
 
Low-cost high-value is pretty much what I'm all about. There's SO many good options out there to even make a dent on listing them all.
 
#1 Real Steel H6, any of them. Great action decent steel and has a really nice feel in the hand. 14C28N. $40-45
#2 Kizer Vanguard Intrepid. VG10. $85. A little expensive but a great knife.
#3 Kershaw Blur 14C28N Around $50. Great all around knife
#4 Most of the Kershaw line.
#5Stedmon knives ZKC CO2 440C Around $50. There a few more in their line that are the same price
 
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Kershaw scrambler...


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Great looks, great design and ergos, stout feel, and Kershaws ht on the 8cr is as good as anybody in the business... definitely just right for the price...

If they'd make a Scrambler 2.0, made in America with better materials, it snatch one up in a heart beat!
 
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maximus83 said:
A related question, based on my OP: What are some high-value but lower cost folders that use better-than-average steels?

By this I mean, a folder that is good solid design and quality, but kind of surprises you that they use a better quality steel in it despite a lower price point. Spyderco has a few in this category, as does Cold Steel, as does Benchmade.
Click to expand...

Kizer.

I have a one on order, forgot the exact model name but it's the bamboo one, s35vn blade full metal frame lock flipper.

From what i hear it was a great deal when it was 100$, it's for 60 on blade hq atm.
 
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