What's the best value-for-money lightweight folder?

C

coote

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Apr 3, 2006
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I am of the opinion that a $10 knife can often do most of the things that a $200 knife can do... but maybe I'm wrong.

I sometimes think about getting a nice new light knife, and I have had my eye on the Cold Steel medium Voyager with the plain blade. But maybe there are better options. I don't get to see a big variety of knives in my corner of the planet...and my budget is far from unlimited.

If I wanted to buy a good strong, lightweight, locking folder for using when hunting and trapping, which ones are the best value for money?

Thanks.... Coote.
 
For a 10.00 dollar knife I think its hard to beat an Opinel in one of the larger sizes. A number 9 or 10 opy will do some impressive work. Once you waterproof them with spar urathane or Minwax sealer they work very well in damp conditions too.

In the same price range is the Finish Hackman folders of the butterfly design. They are being made now by another Finish company, and Ragnar has them for about 10 bucks. Good quality stainless, and a design that is as safe as it is strong.
 
coote said:
I am of the opinion that a $10 knife can often do most of the things that a $200 knife can do... but maybe I'm wrong.

I sometimes think about getting a nice new light knife, and I have had my eye on the Cold Steel medium Voyager with the plain blade. But maybe there are better options. I don't get to see a big variety of knives in my corner of the planet...and my budget is far from unlimited.

If I wanted to buy a good strong, lightweight, locking folder for using when hunting and trapping, which ones are the best value for money?

Thanks.... Coote.
Click to expand...

You are hard pressed to beat the Buck 110 or 112 (my favourite of the two), although not exactly light weight. I recently bought a Buck Alpha Dorado and I really like it, although it may too small for what you want. Actually, buy them all - that's why we were put here on this earth, isn't it? :)

doc
 
I'm a Schrade kinda guy, and my best cheap offering is a lightweight lockback SP3, SP8. Zytel handles, stainless blades, and you can get them cheap off eBay all day long. The Irish Imperials aren't bad for cheap either, just not as good IMHO as the NY USA ones.
 
Ka Bar Doziers, under $20.00 bucks.

Ka-Bar-Dozier-Groupshot.jpg
 
There are all under 50$

Delica / Endura
Native
Buck 110 / 112
Opinels
Griptilian
Kershaw Storm
Byrds
CRKT M16's
Victorinox Soldier
Kabar Dozier

For a light-weight and dependable folder under 30$, here is what I would personally choose, in order:

-Sak Farmer. Efficient blade design, extremely corrosion resistant and useful woodworking tools such as awl and saw. 20$ at various online retailers.

-Opinel #10. This size fills my hand well. Again, very efficient blade geometry, sharpens easily on rocks and can be had for 10$. I'd buy an 8, 9 or 10 and see how you feel about size.

-Byrd Cara Cara. Available in stainless, FRN and G10, take your pick. Roughly 25$. Great ergonomics and construction.


If yu don't mind the weight, then by all means a buck 110 is a superb knife. Just built a shelter and campfire with mine earlier this afternoon.
 
I currently like the Spyderco/Byrd Meadowlark in either FRN or G10 scales (slim profile) coupled with a SAK Cadet (Alox - also very 'thin') Both Meadowlarks were around $25 w/shipping and I found the SAKs for under $20. I like these 'cause of the price and for the reliability. The Byrd line from Spyderco is an excellent choice if you are unwilling to shell out a bit extra for a Delica or Native or Endura or ...

bargainedc1.jpg


bargainedc2.jpg
 
Sorry, I didn't read the "trapping and hunting" part of your post. Um..maybe this? I purchased this Kershaw Storm at WallyMart for around $27. A bigger blade for such a slim profile. A little weighty, but it's all metal - not really noticeable at all though. BTW, I'm no hunter, so the previous post was more along the lines of a city EDC set-up on the cheap.

kershawstorm002b.jpg
 
+1 on the Dozier Ka-bar folders. I have the lower one in that photo above. I reprofiled the edge quite a bit and now it is a great cutter. Mac
 
From my limited knife accumulation, my vote would go to either a Spyderco Native or a Vic Soldier for all around carry in the field. My Remington Bullet knife works very well for field dressing, light skinning, etc. I would suggest for trapping that you carry a small hatchet/axe for the more heavy duty chores along with a sharp knife. I have been pleased with the SOG Hunter Revolver (not a true folder) for many of the routine chores hunting. The saw blade would come in handy for making clean cuts for stakes and so forth while trapping.
 
S&W makes a large-sized aluminum-titanium frame-lock, 440-C steel blade, that is a very tough knife that is ideal for hunting/camping.

It is called the "Urban Camo" model. Shop around and you can find one for $10-20. I picked up a bunch when one of the dealers had them on special. They are as well made as my Benchmades and Spydercos; straight and true with excellent lockup. 440-C is a high carbon steel that is the very close 1st cousin to ATS34/154CM steel (only 440-C is more stain resistent) and not to be confused with lesser 440-A/B steels.

http://slygear.com/smith_wesson_h_r_t_urban_camo_frame_lock_serrated.html

http://www.knifecountryusa.com/stor...-framelock-knife-with-urban-camo-coating.html
 
I have the S&W Magnum that was given to me last year by one of our daughters men friends, so as not to hurt her feelings, I carry it and it handles the garbage jobs. It sharpens up easy enough and the edge seems to be fairly tough. The paperwork said it's a forged blade, but I got no clue on that one. I sprung the clip on it and can't get the danged thing off, but other than that, it's a fine freeby blade.
 
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