What Knives under $20 Exceeded Your Expectations?

I'll jump on the Ka-Bar dozier folder bandwagon. I have two, but I use the folding hunter more.

I also picked up a schrade old-timer on the cheap. I use the curved spey blade on an almost daily basis.
 
Douk douk, Case, Boker and Hen and Rooster Sodbusters,Rough Riders,Mercator K55 kat, Some decent Higonokami (traditional Japanese work knives) with lamin ated blades can be found for $20ish.
 
I wouldn't trade anything for my Boker Subcom, any variation of it is an excellent little blade. A real workhorse.
 
ColdSteel RoachBelly, Canadian Belt Knife, Finn Bear. $12.99ea SMKW !
Magnum knives a division of Boker
RoughRider knives
Tramontina Machetes
Vict. SAK's
Moras
 
Confederate said:
That may be true, but I've been given three nice Victorinox knives and I couldn't keep an edge on any of them...

Let me put it thus, and I'm not trying to insult anyone: Even the cheapest Smith & Wesson folding knife will take and keep a better edge than that found on a Victorinox. The fact is, they're just not made to be dedicated knives any more than they're intended to be dedicated screwdrivers or ice picks.
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Not to sound condescending, but this probably reflects more on you than on INOX.
 
Victorinox SAK's and kitchen knives
Leatherman Micra and Squirt models
Cold Steel Krupps steel fixed blades (Finn Bear, kitchen knives)
Old Timer slipjoints (pre-China carbon steel versions)

Confederate said:
That may be true, but I've been given three nice Victorinox knives and I couldn't keep an edge on any of them. I like having some of the tools the knives offer, but an RC of 56 is just too soft for anything but the most mundane uses. It'll open UPS packages, bird feed, potato chips, mail, and strip a wire, but it's not like it's a dedicated knife.

Let me put it thus, and I'm not trying to insult anyone: Even the cheapest Smith & Wesson folding knife will take and keep a better edge than that found on a Victorinox. The fact is, they're just not made to be dedicated knives any more than they're intended to be dedicated screwdrivers or ice picks.
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LOL - I know right? My SAK blades bend and break whenever I try and cut anything else other than mail and potato chip bags!

Seriously, out of all the Super Steel knives I own, those SAK's are the easiest to sharpen and take a WICKED sharp edge. They don't hold that edge as nearly as long as my BG-42 or VG-10 knives, but their ability to sharpen up very quickly makes them attractive to use because they get so damn sharp. Stop sharpening them on a jagged rock and you might appreciate them a little more. ;)
 
I'll take a cheap SAK over any Smith and Wesson any day. In fact I'll take a broken SAK over any Smith and Wesson any day. Come to think of it I've never broken a SAK but I have broken a Smith and Wesson.
 
Byrd Catbyrd---if it were titanium and had a black clip it would be my ultimate perfect knife. As is. the design is the closest to my definition of perfection I've ever seen, and I only paid $17 for it.
 
The prices might not be the same since it was years ago when I bought these knives, but some under $20.00 knives I bought that were very good for the money were:

Cold Steel Mini Pal - $8.00
Cold Steel Ready Edge- $10.00
Victorinox Recruit- I bought several at Target for $7.50 each
Victorinox Huntsman- $18.00
Buck Diamondback- $12.00
 
+1 on the Kabar Dozier Folding Hunters (AUS-8) - it even impressed my father-in-law who used it extensively during yard work and sprinkler repairs at my home during a recent visit.

Also, Swedish Frost (military knives) - thinner blade, but easily sharpened and a VERY comfortable handle.

-Mike
 
i bought an M-tech hombre for $16 and the blade is great and the lock up is solid. i know ill get ragged on for buying m-tech but its a great blade
 
I have a Buck Mayo designed folder thats made in China that was a great buy for the money.I was surprized at the quality.The blade is supposed to be something similar to 440c.I've used it on & off for about a yr. cutting cardboard,plastic clamshell wraping,rope,etc. & have'nt sharpened it yet.It can still shave hair.
Another good deal was the ColdSteel folder that had the Openiel twist lock.I can't rememmber the name ( Twistlock?)
 
Ditto - Another vote for the Ka-Bar Dozier folding knives - some of the best folders under $20. Also, The Spyderco Byrd knives.
 
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