Yikes.. I'm lost!!!!

[clanderson]

Ok guys.. I know there are a few threads out there asking about this kind of question.. But I am clueless to the point where I don't even know how to choose a knife suggested in those threads! Ahh!! So many types of steels, different brands, and a HUGE variance in prices!! HELP!

What I'm looking for is a nice little pocket knife with a great steel, locking mechanism (or at least really stiff holding when open) and under $50.. Just something to carry around with me everyday.
I have been looking around at blades and bought my first nice sharpener, and I feel like I've caught something very contagious..!

Anyways, recap - little pocket knife, great steel, stiff blade (or locking mechanism) under $50!
I really look forward to some of your suggestions!

 

[mnblade]

What I'm looking for is a nice little pocket knife with a great steel, locking mechanism (or at least really stiff holding when open) and under $50.

Two questions: Is carbon steel okay, or do you prefer stainless? Approximately what size do you prefer? Meaning when the knife is closed.

By the way, welcome to the coolest little corner of the Internet. Specifically this little sub-forum, which is full of knowledge, character (and characters), generosity, goodwill and a shared love of old-time knives.

-- Mark

 

[clanderson]

Probably around 3" closed. And as for the steel, I'm not sure.. I don't care so much about the blade looks, but would like a steel like (my limited knowledge is telling me this) s30v

 

[AKC]

Welcome to BFC!

At this juncture, I would suggest a Victorinox of some type....

 

[mnblade]

Probably around 3" closed. And as for the steel, I'm not sure.. I don't care so much about the blade looks, but would like a steel like (my limited knowledge is telling me this) s30v

If you're looking for a traditional-type locking knife (like the ones discussed in this thread), I don't think you'll find one with that steel. And definitely not under $50. You'd probably have to go custom.

Or, are you looking for a modern knife? If so, you'd be better off asking here.

-- Mark

 

[clanderson]

I think I spoke too soon when I said I didn't much care about the looks - I don't want one of those knives I had in boyscouts lol. I really love the look of the small Bucks/Cases and the seemingly popular GECs

 

[billypilgrim]

I guess you might be able to go with a Buck 110 in S30V although they might a tad above your price range.

 

[clanderson]

Is 420HC a big downstep from S30V..?
Obviously, my fantasies are bigger than my budget lol..

 

[TLARbb]

First, I don't think you'll find an S30v blade in a traditional locking folder for under $50, but I could be wrong. My thoughts are you should take a look at a Buck Knives model 55. It will have 420 stainless, but with a very good heat treat and will be in your price range.

Another suggestion in your price range is the A.G. Russell Barlow lockback. Still not s30v, but a decent steel and well suited to the knife. He also sells a small lockback with VG-10 steel and is in your size range and available with carbon fiber covers for less than your price point and some other versions of it that are a bit more.

A 3" closed knife is really pretty small and options for fancy steel are limited in that size and your price range.

I hope this has been of some help.

Ed J

 

[clanderson]

You guys really are helping a lot! Thank you for your welcoming suggestions - it's a refreshing thing to find in forums hahaha.

I like the Bucks suggested - the 55 looks about the right size too! Maybe I shouldn't get so caught up in the steel. Being a newby, I want to jump for the best of the best without any thought I suppose.



Is this an ok knife?
I'm posting a pic of the knife as we don't allow linking to commercial websites from the thread. The CV is a non stainless carbon steel. It is well liked by the majority of folks you'll find on this forum.

I like the multiple blades and love the look of it! Know of anything like this..?

 

[mnblade]

I have a 55. Great knife, I don't care what the steel snobs say.

Another option might be the Kershaw Indian Ford. I'm really intrigued by this affordable little import.

-- Mark

 

[pinnah]

Welcome to the world of traditionals!

One thing I love about traditional knives, is that they don't scare people as much, so I get to use them more often.

If you like the look of Buck knives and really want S30V, you can get a quasi-custom Buck 503 or 501 from Buck's custom shop.
http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=customknife.build

That will end up a bit north of your price point, but you'll have your blade material of choice.

Regarding blade material... It's your knife. It's a very personal thing. There's no debate that fuel injection is best, but traditional muscle cars have carbs. Traditional knives have traditional blades oriented towards laborers who would be expected to put a quick edge on the knife in the field with a basic stone. Typically these are (compared to modern super steels), softer and easier to sharpen steels but are often tougher. Carbon steel and good quality (but not super) stainless are common. Buck's version of 420HC is typically highly regarded for working knives. As with carburetated engines, it's sort of a mind-set change.

Lastly, if you want to dabble on the cheap and don't mind fiddling with and tuning up a knife to save dollars, take a look at the traditional French Opinels. They are very light, carry well and are insanely tough knives. But, out of the box, they are crude, ugly and in need of some love. But, with a small bit of love....


Opinel #10 (drop point) & Opinel #8 by Pinnah, on Flickr

I grew up carrying Bucks. Still love Bucks. Own a good number of them. But I carry a $15 Opinel most days at this point.

 

[Bob W]

Your desires for a locking blade, traditional style, exotic steel, and a $50 price limit are not compatible. Still, there's no reason you can't get a great knife for that price if you're willing to give-and-take on your criteria.

A lockback might be just the thing. First place to check is AG Russell. The "Medium Lockback Barlow" seems like just the ticket. The steel is fine for everyday use, IMO, but it's certainly no "super steel."

Want a higher grade steel and are willing to fork out a bit more $$? Canal Street Cutlery makes a beautiful "Pinch Lockback" in D2. It's a bit longer than 3", but it's a slender pattern that should carry well.

If you don't actually require a lock, there are certain patterns of knives that tend to have stiffer springs. Trapper knives and sodbusters for example. Any pattern can be made with a stiff action, but there's usually no way to know without handling them in person.

In my opinion, if you want the very best pocketknife that $50 can buy, look at Boker models in carbon steel.
If you want to spend more and get a better steel, a more exclusive name, or a less-common pattern, look at Great Eastern or the Schatt and Morgan File & Wire knives.

Hope this helps!

 

[TLARbb]

Welcome to Bladeforums and to the Traditionals subforum. We hope you enjoy your visit here and will come back often. We'll do our best to help you find what you want.

There are lots of good knives out there in the $50 price range. But, they likely will not be "outstanding" knives for that price point. Don't be afraid to look at the Rough Riders and Steel Warriors out there. The steel is not at all special, but it is servicable on the ones I have. You can try out a pattern or type without spending a lot of money. When you find the one that fits your tastes, then you can move to other options.

Case has some very nice slipjoint knives for around $50. Most Case knife knuts prefer the carbon steel versions, but they make a limited number of patterns with that steel (CV). GEC knives are more expensive, but they offer 440C stainless in several models (GEC trademarked). Queen knives offer D2 tool steel blades and it is a great steel and corrosion resistant, but not stainless. It's good stuff for knife blades though.

Think on this question a bit - Are you going to use it or just look at it? If you are going to use it, GEC's 1095, Case's CV, Queen's D2 are going to be very appropriate. If you are going to look at it, any stainless will do. If there are special environmental conditions that you have to deal with then we probably need to know more to help you narrow down a bit.

I'm sending you a visitor message about a Kershaw knife that might be right up your alley, but I'm not supposed to post a direct link in the forum threads.

Ed J

 

[clanderson]

Thank you, and sorry about the link to a vendor - should have noticed that in the rules!

Any other suggestions greatly welcomed - The Buck 55 and the Case 079 are the best candidates so far!

EDIT: Many thanks again, hahaha! By the time I wrote this, many of you added your own suggestions - I have some more research to do, I'm excited! Hahaha

I think that Case is looking mighty fine though still!

 

[Boggs]

Clanderson......

Just to help and to give an idea of blade steel costs......

Schatt&Morgan File and Wire Series in ATS 34(154cm Equivalent) starts at $89
Northwoods Gladiator in S60V $175

And neither will be found at 3".........

 

[TLARbb]

You guys really are helping a lot! Thank you for your welcoming suggestions - it's a refreshing thing to find in forums hahaha.

I like the Bucks suggested - the 55 looks about the right size too! Maybe I shouldn't get so caught up in the steel. Being a newby, I want to jump for the best of the best without any thought I suppose.



Is this an ok knife?
I'm posting a pic of the knife as we don't allow linking to commercial websites from the thread. The CV is a non stainless carbon steel. It is well liked by the majority of folks you'll find on this forum.

I like the multiple blades and love the look of it! Know of anything like this..?

You open up to a huge field with a knife like this. My favorite being the Texas jack, 2 blade version.

The knife Peregrin inserted in your post is the stockman version with 3 blades. It is amber bone, carbon steel version. A very good knife and in your price range.

Here is a photo of the Kershaw Corral Creek:

It's 3-3/8" closed and a decent stainless. Best thing is it is pretty easy on the pocket and the wallet.

One other warning, you will get tons of suggestions. Take your time and a deep breath every now and then and you won't likely be overwhelmed. We all like it here because there is such a wonderful variety of cutlery to crave.

Ed J

 

[Bob W]

Is this an ok knife?

I like the multiple blades and love the look of it! Know of anything like this..?

It's a beautiful knife, I happen to have one similar but with the rounded bolsters. It's one of my favorite Case patterns, the medium stockman. The same knife in "smooth chestnut bone" is absolutely stunning, as is the "deep canyon" brown bone. Still, given the hit-or-miss quality of Case knives I cannot recommend it unconditionally. The stockman knives I've fondled recently have had no issues with blade play. But I've been unhappy with jagged poorly-finished edges. That may not be a problem for you if you're going to sharpen it up and carry it anyway.

Here's the same knife in smooth bone, rounded bolsters, and CV blades:

Here's the same style pattern from Boker, in true carbon steel and the same price or less than Case:

A bit more expensive for better steel, here's a Queen Medium Stockman in D2:

Have you considered something a bit collectible / discontinued? This is perhaps the most common pocketknife of all time, the Schrade 34OT Middleman, a medium stockman in 1095. Even though Schrade went bankrupt in 2004, the original USA-made Old Timers are common in the secondary market and within your price range.

(The blade etch is an advertisement for a hardware store)

 

[qncygnnr]

Asking a KnifeNut about what to buy or carry is like giving gasoline and matches to a pyromaniac and telling them not to start a fire! Clanderson - this is not a contracted disease, this is a genetic disorder Embrace the idea that if this not just a passing "fancy" you will buy, sell, and trade many knives as you refine your knife interests. If you got it ... you got it "bad" like the rest of us (KnifeNuts). Explore the patterns you like by getting the less expensive versions of the knives you're interested in ... if you EDC it and find yourself saying; "I'd like this pattern even better if it had (x) steel or (y) covers" then you're going to make better buying/trading decisions going forward. Collectors have an entirely different approach - if you've got it that bad you're beyond human help!

Here are a few smaller locking knives, and a comparison to the GEC Calf Roper (#66). Bear, Ruko, Buck, and Explorer. The bottom knife is an Explorer "Little Stubby" which was my USN EDC for many years - it's a bull of a knife ... thick, stiff blade and a linerlock (the aluminum frame disqualifies it as a trad). The #66 is my EDC now.



If you want to try a "smallish" lockback with a traditional flair give the Bear & Son a try. US made, Carbon steel, traditonal looks (yellow delrin, wood, bone, or stag covers), readily available and relatively inexpensive.

Scott D

 

[clanderson]

Does Boker have a smaller stockman? The only one(s) i could find were 4" closed - I'm looking for around 3" or so.

Again, thank you to everyone!! You have all been a HUGE help! And have posted many beautiful knives!!