Your cheap knife that performs damn well

longbeachguy

longbeachguy

Joined
Oct 11, 2005
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This has probably been done before, but not recently, I don't think.

What knives of yours that have no "snob appeal" and didn't cost much are true champs as users in your opinion?

The one of mine that inspired this thread is the Kabar Dozier folding hunter. About $20. AUS8 steel and Zytel handle. It's the knife that gets used most at home, but when I go out I've got a Benchmade or my new XM-18 in the pocket.

If I didn't "know" anything about knives and steels I'd swear this thing was the end all be all of folding knives. It's edge retention is marginally inferior to my S30V knives, but it sharpens back up effortlessly. Based on the quality edge someone like me (with mediocre skills) can put on it at 20 degrees per side it competes with the toothy edge I struggle to put on my S30V knives at 15 degrees per side, and it lasts almost as long.

If I wasn't indoctrinated with all this steel snobbery I wouldn't ever need another knife.

So what's the knife you carry and use when no one is looking?
 
Boker Trance is quite a bargain. In fact, most of the Boker CLBs are outstanding for the money.
 
Any Mora. I have a S-1, #510, and a 740mg. The 740 is not as good as the other two (handle ergonomics), but they're all performers.
 
A Schrade Old Timer 1250T. 25yrs of use...it still has it's original tip, and resharpens with little effort. My old West-Cut K-5 does the down & dirty work in the garden... I have Bark Rivers in A2..Spydercos in VG-10, and so on...the high end knives are saved for the fun stuff!!
 
s.c. said:
Boker Trance is quite a bargain. In fact, most of the Boker CLBs are outstanding for the money.
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+1 on the Trance. My back pocket knife rotates between a small sebenza, a Buck Mayo TnT and a Boker Trance. The Trance costs almost nothing when compared to the other two but I sure do like it.
 
A first model Spyderco Native in GIN-1, serrated. This thing is the one I grab when going to do chores, yard work, etc. It has become the one I use when knife abuse is on the schedule, root cutting in the dirt, trimming dry wall, etc. I have broken the tip once, and reprofiled it. The serrations are worn to about half original depth. It also spent about a 6 month stint lost, lying half covered in dirt outdoors in the flower bed. Had no rust when I found it.

The amazing thing is, there is still no blade play of any kind. Zero.
 
Buck 110, not necessarily a cheap knife, but I got it about 15 years ago, with a mini buck knife for about $30. Not bad for all the use I 've got out of it. Still solid as a rock in lock mechanism, and definitely will be passed someday.
 
SOG Trident folder($60),CRKT Voodoo($60),Buck Mantis($10),Browning Icestorm($30),Spyderco Native($35),Boker Sub-com($25),are all low priced,great,reliable knives,I use frequently.
 
Case 64 Scout Knife. $23.00 and is a TOOL! I do all knids of stuff with. Can Opener / Bottle Opener / Screw Driver / Leather Punch / Great 2" Blade. ~baba~
 
I still have and use a couple of old VICTORINOX knives.

Don't know the model numbers/names, they are about 4.25 inches closed. Bought them in the mid '80's.

When I think on it, these two have seen a lot of use.
 
I keep a little Boker Magnum auto in my pocket most of the time and it's a great little knife. Nice snap to the action and it holds a decent edge. The fact that I got it for $25 didn't hurt either. :thumbup:
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Remington M-series large folder, available for approx $20-25, made in the USA of 440HC steel, locks up tight and sharpens easily, maintains the edge decently. Great overlooked knife.
Need to mention my Benchmade Monochrome, N690 steel, locks up and sharpens easily and maintains a good edge as well. Price approx $35. Made in Taiwan, great bang for the buck.
 
Any practical (less than four layers IMHO) SAK. I use a Victorinox Soldier and Tinker all the time as my only knife (no back-ups) and I really love these knives. I am proud to say I carry the little red knives from Ibach. Both of those only cost around $20 each.
 
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10 dollar Made in Pakistan carbon steel bowie.Traveled the world,cleared fields in St. Vincent,dispatched sharks in the Bahamas,edged walkways in California,been used as a prybar,dug holes and cut ice holes in Wisconsin,been used in drunken knife throwing contest in Argentina,has split more wood than my axe.Always sharpened on concrete.Wouldn't trade it for anything.Iv'e been known to take it camping over my Busse Battle Mistress.I bought a back up but it was stainless and sucked hardcore,had to do some searching to find another in carbon steel that I gussied up but the first one retains it's battle scars.
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Gerber Ripstop, CRKT M16, Benchmade Vex, Buck Mayo Hilo, Byrd Meadowlark, Case yellow handle series, Mora, almost sny SAK, Leatherman Kick, Gerber Gator lockback, small Gerber AO, Rough Rider series.
 
Too many to remember. Gerber LST's, SAK's, Sodbusters, Moras. You can't judge the cutting by the name or the price (necessarily).
 
Here is a complete list, with prices, of my carry knives:

Opinel, $8
Old Timer 34OT, free gift, a duplicate of one already in my collection
AG Russell Hunters Scalpel, $20

As a strict rule, I won't carry anything that can't easily be replaced.
 
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