Working man's Giveaway ***WINNER ANNOUNCED on Post #42***

[5K Qs]

Padruig, I'd like to enter your generous GAW! :thumbup: I'd like to also tell you how impressed I am that you're willing to do this here in your very first month at BF! I'm a big fan of Opinels and I'd be stoked to win a sheath hand-made by a fellow Porch denizen!!

I'm going to take the liberty to actually post pics of THREE knives that I consider to be superb workers as well as super values.

The first is a Rough Rider Half Hawk in SS and smooth tobacco bone. It's built like a tank, looks like a dream, and cost me about $10 shipped. I consider it my RR version of GEC's Hay'n Helper.

Second is a knife I bought while visiting my daughter in Spain a couple of years ago. It's a JJ Martinez navaja de campaña with wood handles and stainless blade. As you can see, it's essentially another vote for a Sodbuster Jr type of knife. At the conversion rate at the time I purchased it in Granada, the 9 euros was probably under $11.

Third is another souvenir from my trip to Spain. This is a Joker I bought for the equivalent of under $20 in Valencia. Big, beefy, but super-slicey carbon blade and, to my eye, gorgeous olive wood covers.

Best wishes to all the entrants, and Holiday greetings to everyone!

- GT

 

[traumkommode]

I'll play. Mine's this #66 Moose, which I'm calling a high value folder because I got it for pretty sure less than what it went for new, and that's a rarity for the GECs I've picked up. It is solid and it cuts everything in it's path. If it weren't for this one, though, it'd be a yellow delrin Case Sodbuster Jr. that I used to have. Gifted to me, but there's a place local where I can pick up Sodbusters for $21. Talk about knives that can cut...

 

[davek14]

Awesome pouch, count me in.

Opinels and Svords probably are the best bang for the buck traditionals. Good blades in basic handles which lend themselves to modding.




Those and used knives at yard sales etc.

 

[r redden]

Padruig first welcome my friend we are glad you are here. This is very generous of you and even more so for you being new. I love Opinel knives and that sheath looks great. Please count me in.
I think my bang for the buck vote would be the Victroinox Farmer less than $50 and quite possibly the best EDC available.

 

[cchu518]

Hello and welcome excellent leather work! NAE but I just wanted to share my favorite edc.

It was low in price but high in usefulness! Case mini trapper with a wharncliffe blade as ground.

I carry this one more than any other knife, given one away and lost another. It has fantastic piercing ability as a regular edc.

I work in an office so that's about as working as I usually get but as a compact urban edc I really gotta say that it excels at what it does!

I hope you enjoy the holidays and the many friendships to be made in the forum!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[jerok8]

Great kindness! I'd have to say that the Buck 501 is that knife for me. Great size, and really very attractive.

 

[Faiaoga]

I suggest the folding electricians knife or TL-29 design as a great basic working knife for cutting, light prying and for use as a screwdriver.

 

[Cambertree]

...let's celebrate the working man or woman! Folks who appreciate tools that are purpose built and budget friendly.

To enter, simply describe the traditional knife that you feel offers the best bang for your buck, your workhorses that have provided you the best value. And as it seems appropriate for this sub-forum, pictorial accompaniment is very much encouraged!

The best value traditional knife I've had is definitely my Opinel No. 7 carbone. It was in a handful of all different size Opies I got at the same time at my local gunshop. I gave away about five to friends and family, letting them choose what size they liked, and the No. 7 was what was left.

I would have rather had the No. 8, at the time, but oh well, no matter.

Over the next few years that amazing little 'penny knife' was my primary EDC. It taught me what I now call 'Carl's Dad's Rule' - "It doesn't have to be big - just sharp." And I learned the basics of sharpening and stropping on it. I will say in praise of Opies, that their combination of bladesteel, and thin edge geometry not only makes them excellent slicers, but also great knives to learn sharpening on. Any sharpening technique or media you want to try is quick to show results and easy to undo if you don't like it. I've also played with a bunch of different patina types on it.

This is my No. 7 and a new Olive wood stainless No. 8. I tend to keep a few spare in my 'gift knife pool'.



That pool also has Moras in it.



At top is my personal 'go to' Mora: the Triflex, along with two from the new run, a Pro S, and the thicker bladed, carbon Robust.

Not much to say about these that hasn't already been said. Moras are the most consistently factory sharp production knives I have ever seen - along with a well known modern manufacturer. If I only had a Mora and an Opinel, for my pocket knife and sheath knife needs for the rest of my life, I don't think there would be many cases, where I could say I didn't have 'enough knife'. (Yes it would be boring, and no I would never want to contemplate such a possibility, but you know what I mean!)

These Svord Peasant knives are rough as guts in their fit and finish, but great value as well. The 15n20 carbon steel Svord use is used industrially for the teeth of timber sawmill blades, so it's very tough and impact resistant and takes quite a nice edge.



Both these knives have been used a fair bit in their time, and are great, cheap utility knives. You do need to be able to resharpen them first though, in my experience. If you don't know how, they're a good place to learn - I suggest taping the tang tightly in the handle first.

All the above knives were probably less than $20USD at the time I got them.

These next good value working knives would cost about that, or not much more, I would think.

Schrade USA made Old Timers bought on the secondary market. The 194OT, 36OT and 8OT:



And just because any discussion on this theme has to include a Swiss Army Knife.

Victorinox Recruit:



The reasoning around this next category of good value work knives was explained to me by Murray Carter. His yardstick was - Imagine you spend say $200 on a nice kitchen knife. Now if you use that knife even only say 200 times a year, over the next five years you've basically had a top notch tool that's given you pleasure every time you use it for about 20c per use.

So I won't go as far as referencing custom knives, as the only working people I personally know who use custom knives for work and would claim they are good value are also knife collectors.

But I will make two more categories which a working man might use if he accepted Murray's premise above.

The first category are the $50ish knives. I'll use a bunch of Case knives as an example, pictured with the blade I use most on each open.



From top:
SS Peanut.
SS Pocket worn, Harvest Orange medium Stockman.
CV Mini Trapper advertising knife (this one was well under $10, come to think of it).
SS stag Mini Trapper.
SS Scout.

Then there's there's a few outstanding work knives that cost me around $100, more or less.



From top:
GEC Northfield Li'l Carver 26 in burnt stag.
GEC Northfield 25 EZ Open Sheepfoot in Natural Stag.
Queen No. 9 Stockman in amber bone.
GEC Farm & Field 71 Bull Nose in O1 tool steel.

I include these because, except for the 25, all of them have also been long term work and outdoor (and sometime food prep) knives. I think they're great value work knives, but realise the average punter might not agree.

I have met a few workers who use their own personal knives in the $50-100 category, but not many using knives worth more than that.

Well that's my take on a few good value working mans, or working womans knives

Good idea, Pàdruig, and you're obviously a fine sheathmaker. Very nice work.

 

[deltaboy]

Count me in I love and have several Opinels.

 

[Henry Beige]

It has been Opinel for me for something over 40 years. That and a German sodbuster. In recent years, I have explored a number of others: MAM, Mercator, Douk-Douk,, Higo No Kami, Svord, low-end Cold Steel, Aitor, Mora, Marttiini, Hultafors, Condor.

Opinel remains at the top of the heap for me, along with Mora. This 612 has been my favorite:

This little Anza has probably worked harder than any knife I own.

 

[deskil]

I only have two Opinels, both a bit modified. The No.7 is more of a dress knife, while the No.9 is definitely a work knife. The Opinel performs well in either role and has since 1890. They are surprisingly capable, especially in the larger sizes and they do their work with a certain kind of charm not often found elsewhere. Their value is unsurpassed in pocket knives, to my mind. They are what they are...kind of like Popeye the Sailor Man.

 

[scattershot]

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Here's mine, the Victorinox Compact. It will do just about everything I need done with a pocketknife. Why, there's even a blade in there somewhere!
(This one is not mine)

 

[jasonandalysha]

IMHO The best "bang for the buck" would be a 4 1/8 Trapper pattern. Even the China made ones will serve you well for years (not ideal) but still a classic at an amazing price. Two very very useful blade shapes. Personally I use the spey blade for everyday tasks and the clip point kept pristine for food prep. Great idea for a giveaway BTW. Cheers !

 

[glocktenman]

I think the 51OT s are great knives for the price. Less than $20 and its a brute. Not a big difference between the US made and the imports. Serous bang for the buck!

 

[JB in LV]

Not an entry; this is a terrific giveaway Padruig. Opinels are great and everyone should have one or ten. People fondly remember their father's or grandfather's old pocket knife - I do too, but I also remember really liking the Opinels my grandparents brought back from France.

 

[joeradza]

Another great workingman's "peasant" knife is made by MAM of Portugal. flatblackcapo posted a pic of his sheepsfoot, but they are made with various blade shapes and configurations for no more than $15. This one is the linerlock with what I would say is a leaf shape blade. 4" closed with a 3.25" stainless blade.

 

[btb01]

Great giveaway, Pàdruig! Count me in! It's hard to beat the value of an Opinel, and to be honest, I have trouble decided between several of the knives mentioned here when it comes to best bang for your buck. Rough Rider's are surprisingly well made traditional knives for their price point, USA-made Schrades are great knives and can still be acquired for a reasonable sum, Mora's, Opinels, SAKs... there's a lot of affordable goodness to be had when it comes to functional, traditional knives. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!

 

[Pàdruig]

Thank you all for the fantastic entries, I am very honored. You folks have displayed a great selection of value oriented work horses, I love it.

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas, I am giving this thread a bump to see if it drums up any further interest. I am looking forward to holding the drawing soon!

 

[Ramrodmb]

Padruig,
I would love to have a shot at that custom pouch you made. Count me in if I meet the requirements.
I agree with many others on the Opinel as being a great bang for your buck. As well as the Moras mentioned. The Buck 110 is also a great value, in my opinion, for $34. And it comes with a decent leather pouch.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Mark

 

[willythekid]

My vote is a cv yellow case stockman. I've got a load of hard use from mine! Much thanks for the chance.