What traditional lockback for ~$50 today?

supratentorial said:
For knives made in Japan, a small Moki Fish Owl might be another one to consider if you can increase your budget by about $10 (including shipping)... or another $10 more for the larger one.
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Oh no! :eek: Not the Moki's. If I got one of those knives, how would I stop at just one? :) I'd end up homeless with a pocket full of knives if I went down that path .... Maybe next year if Obamacare only goes up by 40% and not the 56% being projected ... :(

And they seem a little too delicate for my daily use on the farm. For an office job environment, I'd dump the Buck's in a heartbeat for one of those.
 
I know you asked about lockbacks, but on a farm, it seems like a fixed blade might do you more good. There are a good number of knives in that price range, that would work well. No reason you couldn't stick one in a pocket if you don't like belt carry. Queen knives with D2 steel cut like anything, mountain man is good if you can find one in your range. They make some linerlocks, old style like an electrician's knife, but I don't know if that's a strong enough lock for you. Umm ther is a traditional type of knife at your price point at one of the approved bladeforums dealers. I'll leave a VM with the name since it does have a pocket clip. All other respects it's fine, stag textured delrin handles, good sized blade, lockback, and decent steel.
Thanks, Neal
 
I use fixed blades for larger tasks. I have tried fixed blades and lockbacks in a sheath on my belt but, they get hung up too much on stuff to be a good daily option. I find a folding pocket knife to be a much more practical everyday carry option.

It's sort of like the rifle too nice to carry in the rifle rack of your pickup versus the beater you have there when you need it. A pocket knife on me is better than a better option (fixed or folder) left at home. I like a larger grip and the leverage I can get with a stout folder versus a smaller fixed blade too.
 
I'd definitely consider Bear and Son. I've heard about their hit or miss quality but recently decided to give them a try. They offer 2 different size carbon lockbacks, 3.75" and 3". I went with the 3" in walnut. While not perfect, I was pleasantly surprised by the knife. Solid lockup, no horizontal or vertical blade wobble. Looking for faults the blade isn't centered and small gap along backspring, neither of these are a dealbreaker for me. Not sure if I got lucky with this purchase or if this is representative of Bear and Son current quality. The 3" was under $40 shipped, the 3.75" is under $50 shipped.

BR1.JPG

BR2.JPG
 
A.g. Russell has a ton of traditional knives under $50, just less choice in covers. I'm sure I'm repeating myself but they really are good quality hard workers.
 
I mentioned earlier that I had a Buck 501 coming, and I got it. Depending on the size you're looking for it's worth checking out. I love it! I don't know why I went for it and I didn't know if I'd like it, but I'm really happy with it. I usually stick with a 110 or 112 (and I still will), but the 501 will be in my pocket for quite a while. My pants will be kinda heavy because I'll still have a Case of some sort on me too...
 
A few dollars over the $50 US price point but I have a Canadian made Grohmann R340S. Unique look and stainless steel with a lockback and Rosewood handles. With the Canadian dollar at 76 cents US you could pick one up for a bargain if you can find one south of the border. Apparently they sell like hotcakes in the Maritime provinces. The local knife shop said he gets requests from the factory to return any overstock as they have other retailers waiting for them. The price listed on the Grohmann site is at least $10 CAD more then I paid in store.

http://www.grohmannknives.com/index.php/products/outdoor/folding-knives/340s-mini-russell-lock-blade-detail

,,,Mike in Canada
 
Sid, a couple of quick questions.
Does blade play other you severely?
And how do you feel about stag?

What would the main usage for the knife be?
 
johnny twoshoes said:
Sid, a couple of quick questions.
Does blade play other you severely?
And how do you feel about stag?

What would the main usage for the knife be?
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Minor blade play isn't a big issue with me generally, especially if it is in the vertical plane. Side to side play is more of an issue.

Stag is okay with me but, nothing special and not worth paying any premium. Woods and micarta are my favorites. Carbon fiber is nice but, like stag generally not worth the premium price to me.
 
Sid, I recommend the EKA lockbacks from Sweden in 12C27 steel as well.

I can't post dealers here, but there are ones both in the 'States and Finland that stock a few models that come in under $50. Check out the Swede 8, the Classic and the Executive.
 
Cambertree said:
Sid, I recommend the EKA lockbacks from Sweden in 12C27 steel as well.

I can't post dealers here, but there are ones both in the 'States and Finland that stock a few models that come in under $50. Check out the Swede 8, the Classic and the Executive.
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Knifeworks is a paid BF dealer member. They carry EKA knives, including the "Swede 8".
 
Cambertree said:
Sid, I recommend the EKA lockbacks from Sweden in 12C27 steel as well.

I can't post dealers here, but there are ones both in the 'States and Finland that stock a few models that come in under $50. Check out the Swede 8, the Classic and the Executive.
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That Swede #8 in wood sure looks nice. While priced a bit above some generally similar knives it does seem to offer an advantage with a better blade steel. That one just might end up in my pocket.

Thanks for mentioning it. I need to look over their website some more but, based on pricing from the BF supporter mentioned above it looks like many of them are $45~$65 with the #8 in wood being under $50.
 
Nice one Sid, you can't go wrong with the Swede 8. I can't post photos of mine as I gave my walnut one away to one of my brothers as a birthday gift, and my orange one away to a good mate who is going to work on Melville Island in the far north of Oz.

The earlier ones have a hollow grind and the later ones a scandi/sabre grind. They have nested steel liners and all my ones came with a nice belt sheath as well.

Enjoy!

(And thanks for the correction on the Stateside vendor, Frank. i'd rather err on the side of caution than incur your wrath, mate!)
 
I'd recommended the Buck 500.

The Buck 112 is the prettiest production knife made IMO, but it's entirely different feeling in the hand compared to the 110 due to the front bolster. It feels much shorter. But in the pocket, it's just as much of a brick as the 110. If I'm going to carry that much weight, I just reach for my 110.

The 500 feels more like a thin 110 in hand as it has the same basic shape to frame. But in the pocket, it feels much, much better.
 
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