What Is Currently The Best Buy Out Of Folders

colubrid

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2005
Messages
5,103
Just wondering because in my last hobby (Flashlights) there was a list of the top 10 best buys in flashlights and everyone pretty much agreed on what the best values were.
 
That would be a VERY large list but I personally consider the BM 710 and the ZT 0300 series as top values. I can come up with a ton more but those two come to mind immediately
 
I would make sure Byrd and Rough Rider were right at the top of that list. Both companies deliver products that equal or surpass others costing several times more.

To put specific models at the top of the list is more difficult, since there are so many out there. I'll give it a shot (in no particular order):


Wal-Mart Spyderco Native
Spyderco Tenacious
Spyderco Delica or Endura
Buck 110
Benchmade Vex
All Byrds
Case Sodbuster
All Rough Rider/ Marble's slipjoints
Kershaw Leek

The real standouts are the Rough Riders and the Byrds. Rough Riders are ridiculous, amazingly good values. They have been blowing me away lately. If you're willing to do a little bit of final finishing yourself, they are equal to Case, except Chinese made. And they cost about 1/4 as much.
 
Last edited:
If you mean bang-for-the-buck, then:

Mercator K55, $20
Douk Douk, $25
Opinel, $8 up
Kabar Dozier folders, $23
AGRussell Featherlite $35-$50
Byrd $15-$30

Great knives for smallish money.
 
Just wondering because in my last hobby (Flashlights) there was a list of the top 10 best buys in flashlights and everyone pretty much agreed on what the best values were.
The top 3 hottest knives right now are:

- Zero Tolerance 0300 series
- Spyderco Military CPM-S90V
- Kershaw Tyrade


My personal Top 10 is:

- ZT 0302
- Spyderco Manix
- Spyderco Stretch II - ZDP-189
- Benchmade McHenry Williams 710-D2
- Benchmade Rukus
- Benchmade Kulgera
- Kershaw Junkyard Dog -II with CPM-D2/Sandvik composite blade
- Kershaw Leek ZDP-189
- Any Spyderco Military
- ZT 0200
 
Last edited:
Well in no particular order.
1. Spyderco Tenacious
2. Spyderco Delica
3. Buck 110 ($26 at wal-mart)
4. The entire byrd line
5. Almost any SAK
6. Benchmade Griptilian
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
Let me think about the last 4 I just realized that I’m running out of space in my list and I had like 10 more knives I think are great for the money.
 
One of the best bangs for your buck is the Wallyworld Spyderco Native. Get one while you still can.
 
Kabar Dozier Folders
Byrd Folder by Spyderco
Boker Plus CLB Folders

RKH
 
I think the ZT0200 is one of the best buys you can find. You get a custom designed knife with top flight materials, and excellent fit/finish. You can't beat it for $125.00
 
Kershaw Skyline

Buck 110

Both can be had for around $30 and both are made in the US. Outstanding value. :thumbup:
 
I personally feel that the emmerson mini commander and the benchmade 710 are awesome for their price point (130 and 105) and compare well even to more expensive knives.
 
The Spyderco Endura 4, Delica 4, and Native; if you prefer a stainless handled knife the best value to me by far is the Kershaw Leek.
 
For under $40., I'd say get a Buck 110. Wally-World usually has 'em real cheap. Nice & hefty, the heat-treat is about the best there is, IMO, it comes with a great guarantee, and a great family/company history as well. If I was ever reduced to having only one knife (:eek:The horror!) I would probably keep my 110.

After the 110, it's easy to figure if you want to go smaller, or larger if need be.

All the other brands & models mentioned here are good deals as well, and they'd all serve well. But the 110 gets my :thumbup:.

thx - cpr

EDITED TO ADD: oh yeah - forgot about the SAK's. The standard ones are my favorites, but I'm taking a liking to the large ones (Trekker types) as well. They can usually be had for $30.-$40.
 
Last edited:
Just wondering because in my last hobby (Flashlights) there was a list of the top 10 best buys in flashlights and everyone pretty much agreed on what the best values were.
Agreed? Here? Ah, you must be new!

Very few people agree here on anything, but there are clusters of folks who agree within certain limitations; however, they tend to be at odds with other clusters who agree differently.

In guns, flashlights, computers and knives, quality and performance go together quite nicely; so nicely that there does seem to be large areas of agreement. In knives, performance is not necessarily a criteria for cost effective analyses. Rather, how well the tolerances of how well the blade fits in the handles, etc. Thus, we see some knives that go for several hundred dollars that don't actually translate into better performance, but they sell like pancakes. Other knives are dismissed out of hand because people don't like the manufacturer or the way the knives are marketed.

And in all fairness, different people have different needs. It's not like Fenix lights that can fill a whole hosts of needs for people across a wide gamut of needs. They're waterproof, can put out a lot of light, use inexpensive rechargeable or lithium batteries and can be had for a reasonable price. Some people are utterly convinced that the extra money they pay is well spent; others aren't so sure. Some are outdoorsmen, while others are cops and still others use their knives in inclement weather under grueling situations. Blade sizes vary, as do locks, steels, etc.

I've always thought that among the best bangs for the buck has been the Cold Steel Voyagers. Strong, sharp, durable and inexpensive. So that's my vote.
 
One of the Blade Mags recently named the Spyderco Tenacious as the best buy.

Wallworld seems to have a great price for them, especially when you ship the to the local store for free.
 
Back
Top