WHat is the absolute best traditional knife for the money.

B

Big Papa

Joined
Dec 3, 2013
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153
What you thoughts on the best knife for the money?
 
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I'll jump in and be the first of many to say that you can't do much better than a Nr. 6, 7, 8, or 9 Opinel, in either Carbon or stainless. Maybe rough rider, too. Just about any pattern. What is your price range? That'd be helpful to know if you want more specific, tailored responses.

Edan
 
I am a fan of the Queen Gunstocks and the Queen Serpentine Jack #2. Consistent quality with good but non-nailbreaker springs. I have the gunstock in curly zebra and in carved stag bone and #2 in carved stag bone. I would pick for size. The Jack #2 is 3 1/8 while the gunstocks are a little bigger. Either has D2 steel which is almost stainless but acquires a beautiful patina. These are bargains compared to GEC and IMO have the best steel on the market.
 
"Best" based on what set of weighted criteria? And what monetary value do you apply to each of those criteria?

Best knife for me, a middle-aged officer-worker indoorsman whose cutting needs are very modest? And for the kind of money I feel comfortable spending? I'd say an Alox-handled Victorinox Cadet, Pioneer, or Electrician. $25 or so. Flat, light, cuts stuff, sharpens easily, little maintenance, and has additional useful tools other than just a blade. I have a Vic Cadet in my hand right now. So far today it has been used for opening boxes, stripping wires, and filing my nails. I wish I lived a life where the bottle opener got more usage. :)
 
Victorinox Recruit for 12 bucks is hard to beat. Whole lot of knife for 12 bucks and a lifetime warrantee. Tremendous value there.

Vic%2520SAK%2520Recruit.jpg
 
I'll second Edan, Opinels are the best bang for the buck all around, been carrying one for about 20 years, and even though I have plenty of Case and Gec 's, Laguiole, etc. my trusted #9 is my go to knife for rough and dirty work. If you are talking something with a backspring and bone, wood, or stag scales, brand new out of box ( and not flea market or second hand market) then I would say Boker classics ( German made carbon steel) you can if you shop around, prices for Boker are all over the place, can find a Boker German made carbon steel stockman for around $30-$35 bucks, their stag knives are a few bucks more and really nice, and cost considerably less than Case or Gec, both Case and Gec are brands I really like and have a number of examples, but for a value ratio Boker wins over Case and Gec IMO. But everybody's needs and scale is different.

Pete
 
These two were made by my eldest son and I on a weekend knife smithing course at nearby Tahmoor.
They are by a long way the most expensive knives I've ever purchased but we made them together and they are unique.
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woops sorry forgot about the 100$limit.
 
Moras and RRs for under $15 give you a lot of quality, but for a little more money Queen's D2 in both slipjoints and FBs is hard to beat for a very reasonable price.
 
BP,
Boy, it makes me laugh when we get this type of request. There are so many things to consider. Size, scale material, blade steel, number and type of blades.

If you say you have $100 you can get one really high quality folder with special scales and special steel. Or several really good ones that are a little more 'plain' but will give many years of good use.

That's part of the service and purpose of this forum, to give you a spot to check out and read threads that give you some feeling folks have about specific makers, materials and designs.

I say go to the photo threads and look at the pictures and see what attracts you.

300Bucks
 
Impossible to say. It's a completely relative question and subject entirely to personal preference. Shop about and see what you like the look of and weigh the results against what you can afford. Simple.

I suggest you have a good look at what the ladies and gentlemen who frequent our porch like to play with and go from there. Good hunting.

Paul
 
Overall, I think Victorinox knives offer excellent fit and finish at an excellent price. I think the Alox models are the best of the bunch.

Opinel offers a great knife at a low price.



Edit: Oops, I read it as most value and not best for money..... I couldn't really say otherwise.
 
I guess I would say Victorinox Cadet (or the like). I don't have many knives though, so what do I know? Seriously, I know very little.
 
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