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

[ToneGrail]

Since I bought a Spyderco Tenacious I'm 2010, I keep returning to it because of its durability, egonomics and utilitarian blade shape. I paid just over $30. It's a no frills hard use work horse.

 

[afishhunter]

Have a pic? What do you like about the Rough Rider knives? I've never heard of them.

Check the Traditional subforum.
There is a thread there, Rough Rider and Related Slipjoints. Lots of pictures and reviews.
It is well worth reading.

What I like about them is they are low cost (average under $10 to around $15) and are built as well or better than a Case knife costing 4 times as much.
They are among the sharpest knives out of the box you can find, and the blades all have a good heat treat.
Also, you can try different patterns, without bankrupting the bank.
I have 40 or so Rough Riders, I've yet to get a bad one. Never any blade play, no to miminal gaps, no to minor blade rub, even on 2 spring 3 or 4 blade knives, the pull averages around a 5 on all the blades, and the blades are well centered.

 

[22-rimfire]

Here's another high value low cost knife for me. This is a perfect example of this, so I'll spell it out in detail why to me, this is a great example of knives of this type. Haven't had this all that long, and only had it out in the outdoors a few times, but super impressed with it so far.

Schrade Schf52 frontier knife ($36)

I believe that is one of Mistwalkers designs. Been wondering if the new Schrade will keep them. I think it's a pretty good value and conforms to my sense of High Value-Low Cost for a knife of this size.

 

[98Pete]

Kershaw 1776 Link. Have been very happy with it for about 2 years. Skinning cables , up to 500mcm is easy. Will have to try some of the other suggestions. Is the tenacious made in USA? I like that the Link is and it's only about 40 bucks.

 

[whp]

So basically any knife is high value and low cost from what's going on here.

Bucks Bos 420hc, 14c28n etc also are very low cost but amazing performance. What would you call that if 8cr13mov is high value? You then call those steel super high value? Lol it's pure comedy here.

I get what you guys are saying it's plain as day. But I don't agree one bit.

I define high value as getting a lot of knife for the money paid. That doesn't t mean the a 50 dollar knife has to be the same quality as a 350 dollar knife to be a good value. If the 50 dollar knife is half as good as the 350 dollar knife in materials, finish and functionality, then it is a better value even though it is an inferior knife. Value is quality related to price. A very low price requires less quality to be a high value.
Although I can appreciate a 500 dollar knife, I would rarely consider one a good value. Maybe because I have too little experience with high priced knives. I have a drawerful of high value knives and just a few high cost knives. Two different animals.
See?

 

[spyderg]

But GEC's are not low cost overall for a traditional. It took me a good year after they went into production to consider buying one of their knives regardless of how long it would likely last. I like GEC knives a lot.

A high value-low cost should be a knife non-knife folks would consider buying. Most think spending $50 is a heck of a lot of money for a pocket knife.

Well op said define low cost for yourself. I think $50-$100 is reasonable to expect to spend on a good solid performing knife, even as a relative newcomer to the knife world. Once you're looking past a cheap disposable knife and start considering value in a knife you are bringing in a lot more factors than the cheapest knife on the shelf.
I mentioned a couple that are inexpensive options a knife newbie would likely consider anyway.
But in my experience, although more expensive than say rough rider or case as examples, Gec far exceeds their quality and offers more value for the dollar. My first purchased traditional knife was a GEC boys knife which I Did think was a bit pricey at the time of purchase but as soon as I got it in hand I knew it was a bargain!

 

[W. Anderson]

I'm getting a lot of use/abuse our of a Kershaw/Emerson CQC-4kxl that I got on sale for 21.00

Steels a bit soft but it sharpens easily. I've been stabbing lots of stuff full bore and gave it a few earnest spine whacks, and have thrown it about 20 times, to no avail. I'm trying to break this thing, and I'm pretty shocked at how well it's doing in the durability department. 30 seconds on the sharpmaker and i'ts back to shaving.

One con: when gripping it tightly enough for abuse (Or probably the forces imparted to it during said abuse, it does develop a bit of lock stick.


Still, for 21.00? I wish I wouldve bought a few.

 

[22-rimfire]

Well op said define low cost for yourself. I think $50-$100 is reasonable to expect to spend on a good solid performing knife, even as a relative newcomer to the knife world. Once you're looking past a cheap disposable knife and start considering value in a knife you are bringing in a lot more factors than the cheapest knife on the shelf.
I mentioned a couple that are inexpensive options a knife newbie would likely consider anyway.
But in my experience, although more expensive than say rough rider or case as examples, Gec far exceeds their quality and offers more value for the dollar. My first purchased traditional knife was a GEC boys knife which I Did think was a bit pricey at the time of purchase but as soon as I got it in hand I knew it was a bargain!

I think you're $50-$100 number being reasonable for a newcomer to the knife world is a bit optimistic, especially on the high end. I doubt my older brother would ever spend $100 on a slip joint and he can certainly afford them without blinking. I doubt most new folks would buy a Spydie Delica which fall into this range and I think are a great value. Not so sure that GEC far exceeds the Rough Riders to be honest even though I will spend the $100 over the $10-$15 Rough Rider in most cases. Rough Rider slip joints are amazingly well made. I have been really impressed with Rough Rider knives. Certainly GEC has them beat on the scales/handles, but new folks might not even notice that.

If you are referring to the Lick Creek boys knife (#14), I think they're special. I have a two blade version that I think is fantastic and I like the CC barlow version. I don't collect GEC's, but some would wonder why I own about 20 of them if I didn't collect.

 

[horseman1]

The value is the tricky piece for me.

It seems like one should make sure to consider the warranty and the customer service from the manufacturer in the value calculation if it important to you, unless of course the knife was so inexpensive it really doesn't matter. I have personally received good warranty/customer service from Buck and Kershaw in the past. I'm sure there are other manufactures that have good/poor after the sale service as well, but I have no experience with any others. There are threads about that here on Blade Forums.

Along the same lines would be parts availability (if applicable).

I understand some people even sell their knives! (I just keep adding to my pitiful collection, so I don't consider this as part of the equation!). If you are looking to give it as a gift or resell it someplace, the brand reputation/recognition may matter to you (or your buyer) and maybe even the country of origin. This might then be considered as part of the value as well.

It's easy to understand why people have different ideas on this subject.