What's the cheapest carbon steel full tang blade you can recommend?

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lexif

Joined
Feb 15, 2013
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As the title says, I'm looking for a knife.
Carbon Steel and a full tang (not only full length, but width, too) are a must, and I'd prefer a 4.5-5" blade length.
I'd still like to keep it inexpensive, though.

Any recommendations?
Thanks.
 
Everybody loves them, I only have one and Im not impressed so far although I would give them another chance. Look at a Kabar Becker BK16 or maybe a Boker bushcraft knife if you dont mind made in China.
 
lexif said:
I've only heard bad things about them so far.
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The sheaths are good quality as are the knives the fit and finish is less than perfect and I think that is where a lot of negative opinions come from. You get what you pay for and with condor you get high quality but they need a little work.
 
I'm not sure what exactly your definition of "inexpensive" is, but I've heard that Beckers are pretty tough for their price.
 
You might look on the auction site and look for an older USA made Schrade 15 ot. They are 1095 and usually can be had under 50 in good used cond. if patient.
Harold
 
lexif said:
So far I've only found a few below $100. I'd like one closer to 50 if possible.
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If you're serious about a Becker product, the Eskabar is $35. It's a skeletal design though, can be cord wrapped, but no handle slabs. The similar Becker Necker is under $40.
The least expensive Becker with handles is probably the BK16 that runs around $65-70 retail.

Still, the most steel for the money is probably Condor.
 
The Cold Steel Bushman is very affordable and quite useful. I bought a couple to keep in different kits and packs and they actually work rather well. The new sheaths look much better than the old ones, too. Last time I checked they were about $25.

Beckers are definitely give you a lot of bang for your buck, the BK2 if you don't mind the thickness (I'm not to fond of it) or one of the Tweeners (I like all three).

Perhaps something from Ontario's Ranger line.

Or an Anza knife, I think all of their offerings except for one or two cost less than $100.

I don't know how good Condor knives are, my only experience is with their parangs and goloks. I ordered a few of them through a wholesale dealer and they were very nicely made (for machete type tools, which are usually a bit roughly finished).
 
What's so bad about Condor ? I've really enjoyed their offerings a great deal. My Nessmuk was a grand little knife, that took a downright scary edge. Also my Hudson Bay is a really robust knife that can chop and hack with a great deal of ease, and even has a bit of traditional flair. I'd go as far as to say it's one of my favorite choppers/big blades. The blade steel isn't some proprietary "super steel", but 1075 is more than serviceable for most applications, and plenty tough. They aren't cheap, but rather inexpensive IMHO. Good entry level or beater knives as far as I'm concerned.
 
becker bk11? Rock solid, great kabar warranty, 1095 steel, under 40 bucks. You can't go wrong. Throw some micarta on it if you'd like, it'll serve your purposes well.
 
Condors are ok. Mine required some sharpening. About $30. Knives are just tools. The criteria were: 1. 1095 and 2. cheap. The answer then is the Condor. There are various models.

I will observe that many knives require sharpening right out of the box, except blades like the Mora. Then again, Mora doesn't use 1095.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll go with the Condor. If its problems can be fixed with resharpening and maybe some sandpaper and oil on the handle, it sounds like a good deal.
How would you say their steel compares to that of a Mora classic?
 
I love all of my Condors. Their steel holds an edge well enough, and is easily touched up. (At least that's what my experience is)
 
Kabar Mark 1. Carbon steel, 50 bucks on that site named after a river and a rain forrest, little more than a 5 inch blade.
 
Other than Condor, I have had good luck with the Cold steel GI tanto. Really tough, not the best edge holding and the sheath is ok at best but I believe I bought mine for under $20. It's a good serviceable knife for not much cash.
 
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