Who likes Inexpensive high value knives, USA,China,etc,any country....

[Etna]

I love some of the high value knives but sometimes cheap means cheap.

I avoid the SanRenMus, Ganzos, Enlans, Navys and those other mystery steel Chinese brands. When the knives themselves aren't outright copies, they exhibit highly variable steel quality and some questionable build quality. I've had duplicate SRM 7010 knives and one held an edge and sharpened as well as can be expected for a $20 knife, the other acted like some kind of pot steel. The Enlan EL-01 is generally a decent knife but I've also seen some unacceptable lock wear on some. Many very cheap knives come from Pakistan but I've yet to see one that I'd trust in my pocket. Gerber, CRKT...two great names in the knife world that all too often produce horrible quality yet inexpensive knives. M-Tech, TAC-Force, Schrade, S&W, Browning...well, most of the time you'd be better off with a good stick. .

What mystery steel? Sanrenmu and Enlan claim to use only 8cr13mov steel for their entire production line, while S&W uses 7cr17 and 7cr17mov for most of their non-assisted folders and Schrade uses 8cr13mov, 9cr14mov or 9cr18mov.

Not high end steels, and definitely not junk. I have used my S&Ws to cut zip ties and dig holes in the soil.

 

[not2sharp]

What mystery steel? Sanrenmu and Enlan claim to use only 8cr13mov steel for their entire production line, ...l.

We should recall that 8cr13mov is the Chinese equivalent of AUS 8. And that most of those very high value collectibles produced during the early 1980s by Al Mar ,SOG and even Spyderco were made from AUS 6 or AUS 8, roughly equivalent to 420J and 440A. China is as capable of producing junk as anyone else, but their better stuff is much better then we give them credit for. Some of the better MTEC lines are producing stuff equivalent to the 1980s Gerbers, like the BMF and LMF knives (IIRC they used 440A), at 20% of the price, and these come with real micarta handles rather than a rubber material that is susceptible to the ingredients in common insect repellant.



n2s

 

[lonestar1979]

killgar, I found the same knives under different brand name ,and for good price.cant wait to get them.

 

[lonestar1979]

Brand name is Steel Warrior,and theyre something like Rough Rider knives.Should be decent quality.Killgar,do you have any experience with Falcon knives, theyre made in Italy,and make manual and automatic knives for decent price.

 

[GronK]

I would hate dying with a cheap blade on me thinking, "I could have had a Sebenza! USA all the way for all the usual reasons and because life is too short to not carry the very best I can afford. I'm the cheapest SOB ever for most things but when it comes to hobbies I splurge.

 

[DShiflet]

I own lots of knives in that $20-50 range. I own lots of Kershaw's budget line as well as the Leek/Scallion/Chive which all fall into that bracket. I own 4x Ontario Utilitacs as well as several of their SP lineup which are $50 or less, some Condor stuff I have is within that range, a decent amount of the Cold Steel stuff I own is as well. Buck has some classics under that $50 limit like the 110 and 119. Then there's stuff like Opinel, SAK, Mora, Douk Douk, Svord Peasant, Imacasa, Tramontina...

 

[Hackenslash]

What mystery steel? Sanrenmu and Enlan claim to use only 8cr13mov steel for their entire production line, while S&W uses 7cr17 and 7cr17mov for most of their non-assisted folders and Schrade uses 8cr13mov, 9cr14mov or 9cr18mov.

Not high end steels, and definitely not junk. I have used my S&Ws to cut zip ties and dig holes in the soil.

The problem lies not in the critical ratios of Chromium, Vanadium, Molybdenum et.al., the problem lies in inconsistent heat treats. Your mileage has apparently varied

 

[Hackenslash]

That's interesting. My opinion differs I guess. I have found the SRM 7010 to be their best offering. Some others I'm not as impressed by. I've purchased 10-20 of them as they make great gifts and sharpened most of them. I wish Rough Rider made knives in that steel. If they did I wouldn't mess with Sanrenmu. It's about the lowest tolerable steel but it's OK.




+1 on most of those. :thumbup: I loves me a peasant in particular.

I was wrong on the SRM model I had trouble with...it was the 7063.

 

[killgar]

Brand name is Steel Warrior,and theyre something like Rough Rider knives.Should be decent quality.Killgar,do you have any experience with Falcon knives, theyre made in Italy,and make manual and automatic knives for decent price.

I just did a Google search for "Steel Warrior stiletto", and they are NOT the same as the Rite Edge stiletto, very different in fact. I've never seen the Rite Edge stiletto branded as anything other than "Rite Edge".

I don't have any experience with the Falcon brand. Once I discovered the Rite Edge, with stainless steel liners and solid bolsters, I chose to stop looking at stilettos with brass liners or hollow bolsters.

 

[lonestar1979]

.....

 

[lonestar1979]

Will zero grind these Falcon bayonet blades thenAlso Im looking for Rite edge....Going to Europe in couple months (Germany and Italy )and maybe Ill find something I like there.Have seen some nice custom manual stilettos on youtube videos,made by Italian makers.Some of these Falcon stilettos I handled have really nice fit and finish,and they have 2-3 sizes, 4-6 inches with stag handles,olive wood,and bone.

 

[Hackenslash]

Will zero grind these Falcon bayonet blades thenAlso Im looking for Rite edge....Going to Europe in couple months (Germany and Italy )and maybe Ill find something I like there.Have seen some nice custom manual stilettos on youtube videos,made by Italian makers.Some of these Falcon stilettos I handled have really nice fit and finish,and they have 2-3 sizes, 4-6 inches with stag handles,olive wood,and bone.

I have a Falcon Fish Tail Sicilian Stiletto and it's just OK. The materials seem pretty decent but the fit and finish, especially the wood scales, leave a lot to be desired. Of course, if you're into tinkering, you could do a lot to make the scales look and fit better.

 

[not2sharp]

Gerber vs Mtech

30 years on there are new options.

(Left to right Gerber LMF, Mtech Stealth Force, Gerber BMF, Mtech Delta Force)

n2s

 

[inkynate]

The BK-15 feels like an incredible value at the disco'd prices. Surprised they're still available really.

 

[Boozoo Chavis]

I've found Mora Knives to be one of the best bangs for the buck out there. They are very well made knives with good Sandvik steel and are very durable. I've also been very surprised at the quality of Enlan knives for the low price point.

 

[upnorth]

I have a soft spot for affordable simple knives. Moras come in mind first. They just work, and I enjoy the simple aesthetics too. I bought mora axe/hatchet yesterday and I love it for that same reason.

I have a LOT of knives and axes etc. Most all ran between $50-$200. You can get some nice working outdoor tools in that range. I probably have about 15 Moras and the Companion H.D. that I use the most sits in a Spec Ops Combat Master, which is hilarious because the sheath cost about 4 times what I paid for the knife, lol.

 

[Quiet]

Like I'm sure everyone else has said (I do plan on going back to read through the thread), I too enjoy inexpensive knives that provide a high value to cost ratio. I don't generally purchase Chinese knives unless they are Kershaw. There is a long list I could name of knives which range from perfectly adequate all the way to attractive performers for VASTLY less than some of the favorites around here. I have many of, and love those expensive knives also. But there's just something about the smoothness of the RAT 1, or the quaint charm of the Opinel, or the excellent quality of even the cheapest Victorinox SAK. The laser sharpness of the Mora. The dependability of the Buck Vantage with its excellent Paul Bos heat treat. I could go on, but I think you get the point.

 

[Brian.Evans]

I know my favorite fixed blade under $85 dollars! S35VN too.......

Details in my signature.

 

[A.L.]

I have a LOT of knives and axes etc. Most all ran between $50-$200. You can get some nice working outdoor tools in that range. I probably have about 15 Moras and the Companion H.D. that I use the most sits in a Spec Ops Combat Master, which is hilarious because the sheath cost about 4 times what I paid for the knife, lol.

I recently made a leather sheath for mora classic #2 and I think the material cost almost the same as the knife. But why not?

 

[jkwithawave]

The BK-15 feels like an incredible value at the disco'd prices. Surprised they're still available really.

I couldn't agree more. It's the only knife I carry under $50. So much knife for the money.
I spent more on the micarta scales than I did on the actual knife. Plus more than double, nearly triple for a custom sheath. It would have served me just fine in the stock configuration though.