WHat is the absolute best traditional knife for the money.

[Big Papa]

Thanks 300 Bucks. I will do that. Nice comment.

 

[rb2]

Case sodbuster jr. Cheap as dirt and tough as nails.

 

[22-rimfire]

Best for the money? I would have to say a pattern that catches your fancy made by Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC). They tend to be more expensive than a Case or Queen, but I think they're generally "better". The Queen Mountain Man is quite a nice knife if you like fairly large folders. My favorite GEC knife is the Missouri Trapper #42 which is a fairly large 2-bladed traditional. I really like the Trapper Pattern. Case and Queen still make good knives. You might need to sharpen a Queen to your liking as mine tend to be a bit dull for my tastes from the factory.

Was looking for the first time the other day (Saturday) at Kabar traditionals and was impressed. Seem a lttle pricey for an upstart, but don't know much about them. They look and feel good (fit & finish, steel liners, nice scales) in D2 steel.

Hard to go wrong with a Victorinox swiss army knife if you like them. I carry one every day. Love them myself and they are perhaps the best bang for the buck in a traditional knife.

The Northwoods knives that Knives Ship Free are typically made by Great Eastern for them. They sell some nice stuff and carry a wide range of GEC knives.

 

[knarfeng]

I have always valued my Buck knives as delivering good solid performance for the money.

However, I have to agree with several that, if you just want something that cuts really well for not much money, it is really really hard to see beyond an Opinel folder or a Mora fixed blade. I'm partial to their stainless models. Both companies run their Sandvik stainless at ~58HRC. They perform well and can be had for about $15.00 a pop.

 

[dogstar]

SAKs, Opinels and Mora for a fixed blade.

I would agree with this for most folks. My personal favorite is the Svord Peasant knife, full-sized or mini. Once you solve the "blade touching the rear screw" issue, they are great. They have better steel than all of the above except for Mora, and they are easier to deploy than all of the above, again, except for Mora.

 

[billym]

SAK all the way

 

[Getahl]

I can't explain it, and, being a knife knit, it defies all explanation, but I find myself reaching for my Recruit more and more, even going so far as to wishing it were with me if I carry something else. Two superbly flat-ground blades, a can opener that doubles as a flat phillips driver, a passable cap lifter (took several tries to open a beer last weekend; it kept bending the flanges of cap), and you have a light, capable knife that can be had for less than $15 at Lowes. On top of that, add a lifetime warranty to the mix. It has become one of my favorites.

 

[sitflyer]

One that makes you happy

I feel that rinos nailed it in a nutshell! So many variables and individualities to consider makes this an impossible question to answer. Look through this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...quot-are-ya-totin-today?p=5502400#post5502400 and prepare to be amazed...

 

[Fred Sanford]

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.

Man I agree 100%. I feel like people have forgotten about Queen with all the talk about GEC. GEC does kick butt......but Queen is darn fine. Really darn fine. Love their D2.

 

[abcdef]

Per SAK Guy above, the answer is always sak, opinel & mora.