The inexpensive valuable knife list.

We've helped many members learn that there's difference between "cheap" and inexpensive knives that are a real value to the user. The problem with great inexpensive knives is that they're not well known outside of knife knut circles.

Here are the top two inexpensive knives that everyone should have. The folders made by Opinel of France and any of the Moras made by Frosts of Sweden.

Lets compile a short list of truly quality knives that don't cost an arm and a leg. Please post only about knives you have first hand experience with instead of what other people think of them so we're giving members a real endorsement. Let's leave your favorite piece of junk China/Pakistan off. We're not looking for cheap knives here, just inexpensive but valuable that cost you $25 or less.

Folder - Opinel
Fixed - Frosts Morakniv

Folder: Spyderco Delica 4 or Endura 4. My EDC for 10+ years and never ever failed me.

Fixed: ESEE Izula, 3, 4 or 6. Best warranty in the business.

Fixed: Mora Classic No. 1
Folder: Victorinox Pocket Pal, Bantam, Pioneer and Farmer.
Always Knife: Vic Classic SD.
Gentleman's knife*: Case yellow handle, CV blade Peanut and 32087

* A gentlemen should always have a nice traditional knife that not only serves for general duty, but also fits into a more "formal" situation where he might be called upon to slice a chocolate for a lady, as to not smear her lipstick, or to slice a lemon/lime for her drink.

Kabar Dozier folders

Case knives, Moore Maker knives. Any group buy by hso!

Yellow Handled CV Sodbuster.

Victorinox Spartan

Russell Green River knives perform way above their pricetag. Cold Steel's Carbon V blades like the Master Hunter are great as well, but it looks like they're using a different steel these days.

Look, any knife that costs more than $25 is too expensive for this thread.

This is to help people who think spending $20 at WalMart for a POS folder is a "great deal" when we can point them to real value for the same price or less.

Douk-Douk
Case Black handled Sod-Buster from Lowes, $18, sorry but it is SS.

The 2.75" Spyderco Persistence is a decent knife for the money.

It is part of their budget line, but mine was well worth the $25 I paid for it last year.

The Case sodbuster sold at Lowe's is not 23 not 18.:mad::mad:

Yeah the Persistence/Ambitious line of liner-locked, G10-scaled Chinese Spydies is pretty awesome for the price.

Fixed - KaBar TDi (not super practical, but one of the few sub $30 fixed blades I have experience with).

Folder - Buck 110/112 EcoLite, like a friend sent me, available for under $30 online. Not only are these great knives, but they're made in the USA too.

Vintage Buck 112
This one's mine and I'm not selling

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww6/bushmaster1313/DSC_0333.jpg

This one on e-Bay at $20.50:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1974-80-Buck-Ranger-Mod-112-/360443887369?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item53ec213f09#ht_3162wt_989

A long time ago I made an order from CDNN investments and they sent me some knife free with my order. I can't recall what make and model it was but it held up better then anything I've ever bought at Wal Mart. I'd probably recognize it if I saw it again. It was was a true dime a dozen knife but it was dependable and got the job done. Kinda like the AK-47. :)

The Condor line a family of great outdoor working knives.

Rough Rider makes some great folders for EDC. Stainless blades, yes, but they hold their edges and are easy to sharpen.

I have several knives at "found" prices below $25 which, unhappily, cannot be bought at retail for less than $50, so I'll refrain from listing them.

I'll try to stay under $25, but I may stumble into $30 territory.

I have Mora knives, both old and new designs, that I bought for under $20. I also have some Mora 2000 knives that I got at "found" prices from $20 to $25, but they normally retail for more like $30.

In general, Mora will have something suitable (and of quality) at a fraction of the price of similar offerings from mainstream brands.

Case XX knives. The Sod Buster Jr can be had for under $25. I have a dozen scattered among vehicles and tool boxes. Well, maybe more than a dozen. I also have some other Case models that I picked up for under $30, but most of those were "found" prices rather than MSRP.

I also have Böker sodbusters, both large and small, that will stack up against anybody else's sodbusters, and I don't think I've paid $30 for any of them.


Buck Knives. Depending on what you need, you will often find something among the offerings in the Buck brand that does what you need and costs well under $30.

Take, for example, the Buck 112 PaperStone Ranger (112BO5-B) currently for sale on Buck's "Web Specials" page for $20. It's a full sized 112 with handles made of the PaperStone synthetic. I have several. It performs exactly like the $54 Buck 112 (with the wood & brass handle), but it's lighter. At $20 it's inexpensive and a serious piece of quality. Also on that page are a couple of the BuckLite models at under $20. These are standard production quality 420HC blades set on lightweight handles.

Buck also offers a range of inexpensive folders in the under $30 range. Among these are the Bantam line costing (depending on the size) $25, $30, and $35. Smaller versions for less. Street prices may be lower.

The new PakLite Caper goes for $27, PakLite Skinner: Small for $27, Large for $32. Serious hunting gear.

Most of the ones I've mentioned above are US production, some will be imports.


I concur wholeheartedly with the Opinel suggestions. Everybody should have a few.

If you can find the ones made in Sweden and Finland, the Rapala fishing knives are very good value. I'm not yet ready to endorse the import versions, since I have no real experience with them. The Swedish company, EKA, is the original source for the Rapala and Normark folding fillet knife. Real quality, under $25.

Wenger SAK models are all over the place, but a good ordinary SAK can be had for under $30. I have a soft spot for the new Evo S10 design. I bought mine for $25.

Marttiini (Finland) makes a line of Puukko style knives whose prices average out below $30. The do a bait knife for under $15. Good quality, very affordable.

I'll have to review this when I'm awake.

Past my bed time tonight.

Schrade "old timer" I got it in a horse trade. I think mine was called a 'sharp finger'.

http://www.knife-depot.com/knife-211359.html (I think these are now made overseas but its a good utility/hunting knife)

Buck original 'skinner'. I don't think they run much more than $50 (pricey for this thread) but one of the best shaped blades in a purpose built knife.

http://www.knife-depot.com/knife-297142.html

A good Swiss (Wegner/Victorinox) army knife for you pocket. The serrated blade models are hard to sharpen, but I have used my corkscrew around many a campfire. I have field dressed an antelope using only an SAK. They are really useful tools.

Ahhhh ... this is the thread I've been waiting for! Though I'm a big fan of "The THR Knife Picture Thread," most of the knifes cost more than my rent money, so I look at the Bark River knives and drool.

Here's my two cents: The SOG Blink. I'm a fool for assisted openers (some say just a plain fool), and I can't count the number of times my left hand has been wrestling with a bag of feed or PVC pipe, and I've reached into my right pocket of my jeans to retrieve my Blink. A flick of the thumb stud and you're good to go ... in a blink! It's flat and small, yet fills the hand, and I use it as a money clip when the wife lets me hang on to a bit of my paycheck. (It's a magical knife: put a couple of 20-dollar bills under the clip and it will turn them into singles by the end of the week---and then they'll disappear!)

One caveat, however: keep it clean. If you're working in a ditch or sandy area, the mechanism will bind up if it gets gritty. I've resorted to paper strips, dental floss, and even compressed air to clean it out. There's a tiny ball and spring detent on the inside that's difficult to disassemble and clean. Last time I attempted to do so I botched it up, and SOG most graciously reassembled it for me.

The SOG Blink is made in the USA and can be had for about 30 bucks.

http://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq315/Magnageek/IMG_4428.jpg

Folding - Svord folding knives, Spyderco Kiwi, Spyderco Byrd line-up
Fixed - in addition to the Mora, Cold Steel's lite series: Tanto, Outdoorsman, Pendleton, Cold Steel Bushman. Some of the Condor neck knives: Bush Buddy, CRKT Folts Neck knives, Ritter RSK, and Buck Smidgen.

Borderline cheap, just a hair over $25 Cold Steel Kobun, Boker Tom Krein Pocket Bowie and TOPs Key knives.

Lets compile a short list of truly quality knives that don't cost an arm and a leg.
An off beat approach, but I enjoy finding old, US made, Schrades, colonials, Camillus, Ka-bars, and other fine knives at yard sales for way less than $25. Most just need to be cleaned and sharpened.

I have often traveled and taken just a carry-on, so I have stopped at a local Walmart or Lowes. At Walmart, I get a little
Gerber locking folder (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gerber-STL-2.0-Fine-Edge-Knife/16671514) or at Lowes I get a Case Blackthorn. (http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=121100-10714-253&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3050185&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1)

Yesterday I bought my daughter a Victorinox Recruit for $15.98 + tax at Lowe's. It's a nice little knife with two blades and a few other tools.

I guess some of this is sticking as I have both of the knives mentioned in the OP (I really like the Morakniv a lot. Just wish I had a different sheath for it). I need to find a an older Sodbuster in good shape. I have a couple of Bucks that I might have paid under $25 or $30 each for years ago - one is a muskrat style folder and the other is a fixed blade (I want to say it is called the Personal or maybe Pathfinder) about a 4-5" blade with a false edge grind about an inch long and not a drop point.

I have to agree with the Opinel being one of if not THE best under 25 dollar knife there is. In spite of my love for the Case peanut, I have a few Opinels I just can't stand to part with. A number 6 or 7 is a very light weight knife that rides in dress pants well, and will handle most any pocket knife job that comes along. The big number 12 makes a fine pocket machete or roast pig slicer.

Of course, you should always have a Victorinox classic on your keyring.

If someone wants a Stainless 3" blade, pocket clip, one hand opener under $20.I can really recommend the 482 Bucklite Max.

Buck's famous 420HC, made in the USA , lock-back folder. I bought one to play with awhile back ended up giving it to my son. Comfortable in the hand (no liners though), easy to sharpen, good edge geometry. My son has had it for about 8 months now, and if a 13 year old hasn't broken it yet, it should be durable enough for the masses.

I like Steve's list.

I have a Victorinox Executive in my wallet I got from eBay for $10. My bag has a Tinker I got for $15 or so ... about that many years ago.

And my right pocket has my little Case 32087. I paid more than I had to for it. You can find one for $25 or so, if you look around. I just liked it, and paid a bit over $30.

It never weighs down a pocket, or makes it bulge, but it feels solid and is long enough to hold on to. It has become my all the time knife. I hate bulk in my pockets, and this is just right. For now, anyway. :D

I wonder if hso would mind maintaining a summary list of the knives mentioned in this thread, possibly as an edit to the OP?

I don't know whether it's practical to list every single model, but at least the brands and "families" of types could be interesting.

I had completely forgotten about the Svord Peasant knives, and I'm sure some others will show up. Would be cool to have a summary.

I'm thinking this thread will have some persistent value.

I have an S&W H.R.T folder that I am a fan of... use it for edc. It can be found for about 20 bucks on ebay :)

I use this at work, light, thin, fairly decent, and it won't hurt my feelings if I lose it.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gerber-Paraframe-I-Fine-Edge-Edge-Knife/16523858?findingMethod=rr

A few years back, a friend stopped by to pick some veggies sporting an Opinel No.7 in Carbon Steel.
I offered to sharpen it and using the "stones" got a very scary edge on the knife.
Impressed, I soon ordered a couple from SMKW and have been hooked on 'em ever since.
For general use, a No.12 in a homemade leather sheath OR a No.10 in a flashlight holder.
A No.7 is set aside for my Sunday "go to meetin" pants.
Easy to sharpen with good edgeholding ability and the new Carbon blades are easily "patinad" using French's yellow mustard.

My old air force survival knife has just gotten a new lease on life by being transferred from the tool box to the bedroom wall of my cabin. Picked up a new model by Ontario with a rubber grip for under 50 bucks for the other house. They get used in the yard and go for hikes with me. The old leather handle ones can be occasionally found used for a song because there are a lot of them out there. Same with Buck 119s and other models--pick up a used one cheap and you have lots of knife for the money.
My daily carry is a 6 blade Victorinoix Swiss. My old original ''Leatherman with few blades'' is always around too. I use the pliers and can opener more than anything else.

Stuff that isn't 'collectible'', wizzbang, or rambo sells cheap on the used market. Great when you are on the buying end. When I croak they can pass them down to the grand kids or give them to the thrift store!

J Marttiini Hunter $24 This knife is a razor blade out of the package. Feels good in the hand light weight. Really works good for the money.http://www.discountcutlery.net/media/MN-15.gif

Folder CRKT M16 EDC $28.00. I have beat the heck out of one of these for three years and it just asks for more. Given to me as a gift that I would of just thrown in a drawer. Carried it when I was around the person who gave it to me. Started to like it. Tough as nails hard to sharpen. Good utility type knife.http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31ltw4h3iEL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

J Marttiini Hunter $24 This knife is a razor blade out of the package. Feels good in the hand light weight. Really works good for the money.http://www.discountcutlery.net/media/MN-15.gif


Your post sent me to Knifeworks, where I found an impressive assortment of Marttini knives, both folders and hunters. And you're right, they appear to be well-made and regarded quite highly. Thanks for the lead, Jbkebert!

This thread promises to cost me some bucks, by the way.

I bought six J Marttinni knives from a local guy. I think that he had gotten them at a auction of something like that. After a few messages back and forth with ArfinGreebly. I had never heard of them so I sought the opinion of the knife man. In the end I was glad that I bought them.

The lumberjack knife is a little higher than the limit of this thread. Not much $37 darn good little knife. If I lost either one of the Marttinni knives that I kept. It would certainly not be the end of the world but they would more than likely be replaced.

I'm liking the Knifeworks site. Selection and pricing were excellent. Just ordered 2 Opinels, a Marttiinni Bowie, and a Gerber Gator to replace the one I lost a couple of years ago.

First experience with the Opinels and Marttiini but I'm pretty confident they'll be up to par.

Mercator,k55k black cat, I have one coming and it could be here next week but probably be here next month or 2.

I like my spyderco kiwi, and its under $25.00.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

For inexpensive folders I'm a fan of the Byrd knives. I just picked up a Meadowlark Rescue yesterday for $15. You can't beat that. The Marttiini and Svord knives as well as Mora. Some model Condor knives can be had under $30, a lot more models for not much more than that. Thise are all high quality knives for the budget minded.

I like SOME of the USA made Kershaws. I have gone thru 3 Blurs in almost 20 years.I like other models too and the Outcast Bolo machete (made in Japan) is way good as was the early German made stuff like the"Kershaw" Puma Boot Dagger.
The Early Puma Knives made before 1980 are really good for the money. I still covet my Puma Master Steel (pre Rost Frei) Game Warden from the late 60s.

Gordon,

You're way above the $25 upper bound there.

Holy Smoke ! I never saw a decent Martiini for $25 , nor a Buck 110 as previously noted for $25 either. I can't think of any thing other than the ubiquitous box cutter or safety knives that I would buy under $25. Wait when I would go to North Korea for decommisioning the reactor, I bought a lot of chinese swiss army knock offs to hand out as bribes and presents. They were $9.99 each. Someone gave me an S&W knife I threw in my tool box that they bought a K mart for $20.

Better read the thread so you can save yourself some money too.;)

ForEveryone'sInformation - GREAT deals here to be had (Opi #8 for $8, Mora Bushcraft for $22) . http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&isAmazonFulfilled=&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&isCBA=&asin=&seller=A3SBPKNHAC8P55 And at knifeworks.com ($25 for a Marttiini Skinner with wood handle)

Gordon,

Buck 110 & 112 EcoLite models for just over $25 - http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?ttl=Buck%20Ecolite%20Knives&cat=BU&k=&woDESCRIPTIONdatarq=ecolite&

Buck 112 EcoLite (non cataloged black handle) $20 direct - http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3986

Buck 110 based BuckLite III $18 direct - http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3997 or 112 based BuckLite - http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3995. These two appear to be discontinued with the new thumbstud & pocket clip setup Bucklite Max (http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?ttl=Buck%20Bucklite%20Knives&cat=BU&k=bucklite&a=folder) series folders taking their namesake, and the EcoLite 110 & 112 filling their role in function. All of those Max folders (save the biggest one with the orange handle) are under $20 at the linked retailer.

Buck
Case
Old timer
Moore Maker
I got almost of them back in the 1980's.
I got my Buck 110 folding hunter for $25.00 3 years ago at Wal mart.
SAK are also great.
Imperial made some good ones I hunt them up at Pawn Shops.

they tend to be a bit over the 25 dollar limit usually 26-30 ish so not too bad but i have nothing but good things to say about the boker plus knives I have specifically the chad los banos designed ones

+1 on the Buck Caper. Inexpensive, thin and light, with decent steel and a good heat treat. All it needs is a good Kydex sheath to have a better (and more useful) neck knife than the majority of knives sold as such.

The Svord Peasant is awesome. No lock, so it goes places (like San Antonio) where locking folders are banned. It travels with me and is used constantly at home. Great knife. Get it from Ragweed Forge, where you can buy some Moras at the same time.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=101038&d=1246914204
Svord Peasant

Ragnar (Ragweed Forge) also sells several knives under the Ahti brand, and the Finman is excellent, and a total steal at $11.50.

The 12-inch Tramontina machete is also a winner, and very inexpensive (mine was under $10). It's one of my most-used tools. I look at it more as a large, sturdy (but thin) knife. It's used like a large fixed blade, but it's light enough and thin enough to be very useful in a camp kitchen, although it could be used for limited chopping, such as making a stretcher or a shelter. I made a cardboard-and-duct-tape sheath with a small pocket for a mill file, so I can keep it sharp. It goes in my day pack and is much more useful to me than most fixed blade knives. Buy at least two, so you can give the extra as a gift to a friend or family member who wants your machete. By the way, the hardwood handle is the way to go, so that you can reshape it if needed to fit your hand better.

Ontario 12-inch machetes (the heavy-duty ones with the 1/8-inch thick blade) are also useful as a chopper than the Tramontina, but heavier. The 12-inch length makes it lighter and handier than the full-size model. Shop around, and you can probably find one within the price range. Stay away from the dorky D-handle models. The grip on mine was loose, and it was way too big for average hands.

+1 also on the Opinels and Moras.

All my best,
Dirty Bob

HSO thank you for the last Amazon link. There are indeed very useful knives under $25. I think a dozen of these
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Z5CTV0/ref=sc_pgp__m_A3SBPKNHAC8P55_12?ie=UTF8&m=A3SBPKNHAC8P55&n=&s=&v=glance

would make nice presents especially for the woman. My wife has a Martiini birch handled similar one but you know it cost us a little over $25 in Norway .
That Amazon lik has the cheapest price for Bruks ax I have seen or that model BTW.

I have had alot of luck with this Gerber I picked up from Cabela's for $20. Light weight, sharp and good lookin!

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc99/maskedman504/IMG_2310.jpg

Gordon,

I was especially impressed by the non-knife items there as well. Great prices on a lot of things.

If amazon.com sold guns I would be in hog heaven. I find many things there at outstanding prices.

I recently ordered a flooring nail gun from them. Price was no kidding $218 dollars cheaper than I was quoted by both Lowes and Home Depot to special order the exact same item. A water solenoid I need for a whole house humidifeir was $63 dollars cheaper than I could get locally.

Spyderco Kiwi.

Spyderco Tenacious, if they're on sale.

Several come to mind.

Glock field knife. Might be just a hair above the $25 limit though.

Cold Steel Bushman. I got 3 for $39 a few years ago with nylon sheaths. The sheaths are nothing to brag about. The knives are factory seconds but there is nothing real obvious that screams problem. Every now and then for fun I take one out on the porch and split wood with it. I have not been able to break one.

http://ilbob.blogspot.com/2010/10/cold-steel-bushman-wood-splitting.html

I got this Kershaw Vapor folder I carry in my pocket now from the Cabelas Bargain Cave for $15.
http://ilbob.blogspot.com/2011/01/cabelas-purchases.html

It is not like I get all that much use out of my knives.

Often you can find used knives at flea markets and garage sales (or eBay) for pennies on the dollar. I have often seen high quality wood handled, full tang butcher knives at garage sales for a dollar or two. They would make very suitable field knives with the addition of some kind of sheath.

I don't consider the Glock field knives to be of sufficient quality since they come without a working edge on them far too often.

Probably at the lower end of the quality curve, but a handy knife that I carried for many years till TSA became the proud owner...Leatherman Micro. Usually comes with a little holster so it won't snag your pant's pocket. The blade is sharp and stays sharp. I have a nice scar on a finger to prove it. It has a few other small tools that are handy as well.
I guess I put the Micro in the category of an inexpensive handy multi task pocket tool that is light and doesn't take up much space in the pocket. I think I paid less than $15.00 for it.
I carry a little Victorinox now. One blade for string cutting and box opening etc. and a blunt fingernail file that can double as a little screw driver for a small chore on one side, and a scissors on the other side. Good for fingernail trimming and clipping skin snags. Close to weightless as any little knife can be. Price would certainly be under $25.00. I got mine as a gift.

I've had two of the Buck knives shown on post #14. Two different sizes of them. I've used them when small game hunting.

I find the Byrd line of knives to be well made and inexpensive, however some models venture beyond the 25 dollar mark. Mora's obviously. Then Kershaw has their own "value" line of folding knives that feature the Clash, Drone, Asset, Chill, Needs Work, OD-2, and a few others. Most of the knives are Speedsafe assisted and are very reasonably priced. 8Cr13MoV steel may not be the best around but, from what I've experienced, it's a reasonable steel that provides decent performance for the price.

I'm going with Mora #1, Gerber Profile, Victoinox Trekker, Becker BK14 (30bucks), Leatherman ps4, and S&W SWAT II.

There's a little Gerber clipped to my T shirt. It's one of the paraframe models with about 2" of blade and weighs little more than a sigh. I think I paid less than $10 for it.

I cleaned my nails with it a few minutes past, opened some mail and shaved a bare patch on the back of my left hand. It's scary sharp and a good little tool. Cleans squirrels like it was made for that.

In the truck there's a former Navy Electrician's knife, like a Boy Scout knife but all metal. Yard sale, $0.25.

Another yard sale provided a bone handled Barlow my son now has. I believe that was under a dollar also. I think that was an Imperial.

Last time at Bass Pro, saw a Fiskars filet knife for $14. Didn't buy it, my old one,also a Fiskars, is still going after close to 30 years. Scary sharp.

I really like the CRKT Minimalist knives. Something like 18 bucks on Amazon and 24 at a local outdoor store.

Opinels are some of the best in any price range.

The Victorinox paring knife is great. I like it better then my more expensive paring knife. It's the most used in my kitchen. I always see the guys working the farmers markets and fruit stands using them. You can get a blade cover for it and still be under 15 bucks I bet. Then it's a great lightweight camping or picnic knife.

Fixed: Mora Classic No. 1
Folder: Victorinox Pocket Pal, Bantam, Pioneer and Farmer.
Always Knife: Vic Classic SD.
Gentleman's knife*: Case yellow handle, CV blade Peanut and 32087

A man of great taste. Gotta love those Moras and CV Peanuts.
Just bought my nephew a yellow CV Mini Trapper. They were out of Peanuts, or that would've been what I bought him.


Jason

Opinel and the basic Mora knives must be the best values on the planet. Another vote for the Svord Peasant knife. For fixed blades, I also like the Old Hickory line of kitchen knives.

Jeff

If we are going into the realm of kitchen knives. Rada Cutlery, super paring knife R127, the tomato slicer R126, and the cheese knife R139.

These are all darn good little knives for little money. The Ladies Auxilary from the VFW, sells them often for a fund raiser. Seems like I have a extra three dozen laying here and there.

Grampster, on that note the Leatherman Micra series tools are all readily available online for under $25. The slightly larger Squirt and Wingman sit in the $25-$30 range, again from most of the reputable online dealers. The more pocketknife Style series are all available for less than $20 online as well. I've no experience with the Wingman, but if it's anything like every other Leatherman I've used quality will be excellent. The Leatherman knives & tools are still US Made (with some foreign companents, but so few that only the State of CA says they can't be labeled as US Made), whereas most other similarly priced multi tools from competitors are made in China to varying degrees of quality.

Forgot the CRKT Folts Minimalist. Terrific knife for the price.

None of the post Taylor Brands Schrade or S&W knives or current Winchester or Ozark Trail products are good enough to include as being a real value quality knife. Some of the Gerbers are on the line. These look good, but they're not "punching above their weight" like other knives mentioned that deliver outstanding quality and great value at a $25 and below.

Our objective isn't to find cool looking knives that are cheap, but great performing knives that are inexpensive.

Camillus TL knife, commonly found on ebay for around $10 to $15
Schrade USA Sharpfinger $10 to $30 on Ebay.

I love my Opinel. It's a No.08. I sort of blued the blade. I can, and have shaved with it.

Fixed blade (which I prefer) - Courier des bois knife from Track of the Wolf.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/464/1/KNIFE-COURIER-L
It goes (almost) everywhere with me, and gets used (almost) every day. Even fits in my pocket, in a sheath. Easy to sharpen, beautiful, and sturdy. It's not a pry bar, but it's sturdy. Also, the handle fits the hand very, very well.
I recommend anything from that maker (Dean Oliver, I think).

I also have to recommend the Old Hickory line from Ontario. Just great kitchen knives. I don't use wustoff anymore, as the Hickory knives are easier to maintain, and I don't feel bad throwing their AWESOME butcher knife. Man, does that thing fly!

This little Gem- a OLD Schrade Imperial was a whole dollar at a yard sale. Crusted, rusted, and yucky. Dude smirked at me when I bought it. Whatever look at it now

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg134/bikerdoc1948/IMG_1250.jpg


Igot an Schrade SB 7 that was 5 dollars and have been offered $150 for - no deal, that one is put up for my only grandson. he is 3. :)

One caveat on the knives in this category: the manufacturers save $$ somewhere, and it's often in the sheath (if any). Those who want any kind of sheath, scabbard or pouch may find that they have to buy a better one than the one that accompanied the knife, or make their own.

This isn't really a complaint. I would much rather they spent the money giving me a good blade for my dollars. Sheaths I can make, from leather, from Kydex, or from trash can plastic (for machetes only). I even make my own rivets / grommets from copper tubing, so the cost of a sheath is minimal.

All my best,
Dirty Bob

If we are going into the realm of kitchen knives. Rada Cutlery, super paring knife R127, the tomato slicer R126, and the cheese knife R139.

These are all darn good little knives for little money. The Ladies Auxilary from the VFW, sells them often for a fund raiser. Seems like I have a extra three dozen laying here and there.

Are those the ones with the aluminum handles? I think I have quite a few of those as well.


Jason

if i tried to stick to the $25, theres only a few that come to mind..

any Buck that says USA, the Mora knives and the Glock field knife.

I'm good with two of those (I'm less fond of my Glock knife), but I think you're missing out if you haven't tried Opinel.

They're not perfect for every application, but they are cheap and light, made with good steel, and sharp. And with very little effort, they get hazard sharp. You can sprinkle them throughout your tool boxes, cars, camping gear, and random "ready bags," just in case.

If you do manage to break one (and that's harder than it looks) you won't cry, you'll just replace it.

It's a working man's knife. Ain't nuthin' pretentious about it at all.

It fits in the same "application space" as the sodbuster, but is available in a range of sizes beyond what's available in a sodbuster. The #12 . . . well, it would be awesome if I could find an affordable sodbuster in that size.

:D

if i tried to stick to the $25, theres only a few that come to mind

If it were easy we wouldn't need this thread. ;)

http://www.radacutlery.com/Content/Images/General/knifeconstruction.jpg

http://www.radacutlery.com/about/madeinusa

These are the Rada knives I am talking about. I use the super paring knife R127 more than any other knife in my game processing. Darn fine little boning knife for a whopping $7

My list
Mora, by Frost
Case Sodbuster
Mercator k55k Black cat
Opinel # 6 thru#8
Douk-Douk
Case Blackthorn
Ebay Camillus TL-29
Ebay Schrade (USA) Sharpfinger
Ebay Schrade (USA) 194ot, 18ot and 108ot
Camillus 717 Trapper with 1 clip blade
All were under $25 each

Case Blackhorn for sure!

Now for me, I have been "piddlin" with a Buck Smigeon. Granted not a Kim Breed or our own Sam knife, still it fits a niche. (Granted I am not enamored by the sheath and perhaps I can talk Sam into doing something for me and my needs...)

Vic Paring knife, don't laugh as another known knifemaker recommended this to me.
( I lost mine and need to get another)

Now of late I also have been piddlin' with a Chicago Cutlery Walnut handled, paring knife.

I think out of the box and more folks should do so...

Note: I have come to understand and appreciate the beaded key chain for a neck/belt knife of more recent, than I ever thought I would.

*consider*

The Glock field knife come off to me as a cheap plastic handled bar of metal. I would rather have this, http://www.amazon.com/Ontario-Knife-Sticker-Hardwood-Handle/dp/B000I7OBPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333163396&sr=8-1

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/315B4WJeVWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Love my Boker Trance Knives. German company outsourcing to Taiwan. They're well-made with decent steel and are very affordable. Always a fan of the USA line of Kershaws shuch as the Skyline.

Been looking for a Case Blackthorn to no avail since first learning about it on this thread. Ebay lists three of them. Are you sure it isn't BlackHORN? Not being a wiseguy here, just want to get it right. :)

The Sod Busters can be had for the $25 tag...and Definately the Sod Buster Junior which is an all time favorite.

I also like the Victorinox Officer... A daily carry! While Some are above $25..they can be found regularly for the price...just shop around..and even less on ebay etc.

Least but not last is the Knife I carry on my side for last 15 years aprox. and it is my Gerber Gator...Readily available for $23.99 and sometimes climbing into $30 range..(again Shop! They are there for under $25)

This knife has hunted, worked, fished, camped and it is just total utilitarian, and ready for the task you throw at it! I never thought the rubberized handles would hold up..but I am here to say..it is still tight and holding an edge like day one!

Been looking for a Case Blackthorn to no avail since first learning about it on this thread. Ebay lists three of them. Are you sure it isn't BlackHORN? Not being a wiseguy here, just want to get it right. :)

Yup.

It's this one:
161953 - http://uncrate.com/p/2009/01/case-blackhorn-knife.jpg

Also available with Boy Scout logo:
161954

Post deleted by Sport45 as it was not in line with thread intentions.

black(t)horn? (http://www.lowes.com/pd_121100-10714-253_0__?productId=3050185&Ntt=case+knife&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dcase%2Bknife&facetInfo=)
can be found here at Lowes

Thanks for the clarification on the Blackhorn! Apparently Lowe's in the Empire State does not sell these knives, so I ordered one online.

Gosh, I'm digging this thread! :)

Since the thread is about knives in general I'll add Old Hickory knives to the list.

Really not about knives in general, but specific knives that while inexpensive really work.

I had to drop by the hardware store for T-posts this morning and took a look at their selection of knives. Ace carries the Gerber and Buck knives mentioned.

My nearest ACE typically just carries some carton cutters, box cutters and the folding knife that takes a razor blade.

In another nearby small town, Do It Best is all about Case. Name it, they probably have it. They also carry Chicago Cutlery kitchen knives and Vic Swiss Army knives.
One can also buy ammo there. Yeah, just across from the courthouse, on the town square.
Ain't small towns wonderful? *grin*

Anyway I once asked what they sold the most of. Now this is farm country, mostly corn and soybeans. We have some ranches too, and well typical "out in the country".

Case Sodbusters, Vic Recruits, Pocket Pals were the first three off the top of his head. He added quite a few Chicago Cutlery kitchen knives were known to be kept in barns, sheds and the like.

Buck Vantage in 420HC can be had right at $25 and that's a lot of knife for the money.
Their Bucklite folders are as well.

One great way to "cheat" this topic is to go to Knifecenter and look at fixed or folding knives (or tools) and sort them by price or select a range of prices to display. This allows us to see what Knifecenter offers at or below $25. Not all of what is offered is desirable, but most of it is depending upon your applications. http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?a=folder&brand=&min_price=0&max_price=30&country=

The Glock field knife come off to me as a cheap plastic handled bar of metal. I would rather have this, http://www.amazon.com/Ontario-Knife-Sticker-Hardwood-Handle/dp/B000I7OBPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333163396&sr=8-1

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/315B4WJeVWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
I have got one that I use in Civil war stuff as my Boot knife. They can be made as sharp as a Mora.

I am going to get a belt sheath made for it because it is a nasty ole school blade.

Also on Amazon or Ebay you can get them for under 10 bucks.

I keep reading about how good the Opinel is. I'd REALLY like to find a good one so I can understand what everyone likes about them. POS is all I've been able to get from them thus far. Blades so brittle they snap or chip with what I would consider ordinary knife work, and on the other end of the spectrum, I bent one as well. For a knife of this design, I'm going to stick with the couple of Cold Steel Twistmasters I have. This is another knife whose design Mr. Ego has stolen, but at least in this case he did something good with it: Take a good, simple idea, and put quality materials into it so it makes a knife that isn't a piece of crap.

Moras, on the other hand, are knives I can't have enough of. I probably have a Mora in every room of the house, a couple in my truck, one secured to the frame of my Goldwing, and several sitting in boxes waiting to be placed. I also really like the Swedish Fireknife (http://lightmyfire.com/products/sparking-fire-collection/swedish-fireknife.aspx) by Light My Fire. Take a Mora knife, put a Swedish Fire Steel striker in the handle so you've always got a way to start a fire with your knife, and you've got a winner. Granted, it is $4 over the limit for what we're taling about in this thread, but I hope this can be overlooked.

eBay is a good place to look for knife deals. I found a very old Sharpfinger knife for $17, several Western knives (once made in my own adopted home town, Longmont, Colorado) and quite a few Schrade Walden.

No knife is for everyone. Glad you like the Moras, though. They're amazing knives for the money, available in many shapes and sizes. Ragweed Forge is my favorite place to buy Moras and other Scandinavian knives.

All my best,
Dirty Bob

My Budget performers include:
-Tramontina machete
-Svord peasant (in day-glow Orange)
-Opinel No:6
-Gerber Gator

and for $25, my EDC is a Boker Subcom
or punching out slightly higher at $29 a Boker Trance, both highly recommended.

But my favourite in that price range is a Rough Rider Deerslayer.
It's the Mick Dundee of slip joint folders.

I second (third?) that Old Hickory sticker. Good knife for the money, and throws nicely, too.

I also have to throw in their skinner (http://www.amazon.com/Old-Hickory-71-6-in-Skinner/dp/B000WHRS6K/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1333460590&sr=1-1-catcorr) as its quite nice, and only a little over $6 right now on amazon. And guess what? it can be made to fly, as well. I don't know what it is, but I just like throwing my Old Hickory knives. I should also mention that a 5 pc. "kitchen" (read "throwing/kitchen") set is only around $33 on amazon.

Just sayin'.

I see the Schrade Sharpfinger (152OT) USA was mentioned earlier, and after looking around for one, found that the "vintage" USA-manufactured ones are going for about double what the current-manufacture (read: China) ones are, even though they appear identical. Is there a substantive difference between the two? Are the Chinese-manufactured Schrades really made of inferior metal?

Cold Steel Finn Wolf (9.99)
Any of the Old Hickory series (from 1.99 on up to the mid $20s)
I have a Gerber mini para frame I really want to hate but can't (9.99)
Kershaw G10 Hawk 1530 (yes it is marked made in china but it works) (19.95)
A GI TL-29 Made by Camillus (22.95)

I have a Gerber mini para frame I really want to hate but can't (9.99)

I have one of these, too.

Bought it as a stand-in for a nicer knife when I had to travel on business. Turned out it does a pretty good job of being a light-use knife.

It's not a world beater, but it's of acceptable quality. Inexpensive, takes a decent edge, and the framelock is solid for a knife that size.

It'll do.

This thread has already cost me $50... I think I ought to unsubscribe.

But think of the money you've saved!!!:evil:

after looking around for one, found that the "vintage" USA-manufactured ones are going for about double what the current-manufacture (read: China) ones are, even though they appear identical. Is there a substantive difference between the two? Are the Chinese-manufactured Schrades really made of inferior metal?The USA made Sharpfingers are good 1095 steel (I think), the Chinese made ones are a crapshoot.

Thanks, Brian. I scored a new-old-stock Sharpfinger on Ebay last night for 30 bucks. I'm happy.

The USA made Sharpfingers are good 1095 steel (I think)

Almost

During 1989-91 Schrade Sharpfingers were made using stainless blades and tangstamped "SCHRADE+" over "U.S.A. 512OT". Subsequent Sharpfingers may have been 420HC even if the box and catalogue indicated carbon.

Condor Tools also makes several knives that come in around this price. While I haven't used any of their knives, I do have their Parang, and it's well made.

While I can't personally vouch for their value, two Kershaw knives are listed in the current Sportsmans Guide flyer that I received in the mail today.

The first is the Kershaw "Asset" which is listed for $21.97 ($19.77 if you've signed up for their "buyer's club"). It's rated at 4 stars on Amazon (where you can get it slightly cheaper, actually).

The second is the Kershaw "OSO Sweet" which is listed for $19.97 ($17.97 for club members). It's rated at 4.5 stars on Amazon (where it is slightly more expensive).

Do any of you have experience with these knives? Would they be worth picking up?

I would have to say the Bushmaster Survival knife due to it's composition and stability... With a 9 and a half inch blade i serves the purpose of getting you out of a tight spot (more than once for me) with a long straight edge and a saw on the spine it serves as 2 tools in one. With a survival kit in the screw off watertight cap on the hilt it comes in handy... also comes with an emergency flash light and animal snare, snakebite kit, whetstone, and a GI can-opener all packed in a hardcase that easily straps to your leg... I only paid $40 before shipping at budk.com

I picked up a Buck Bantam BBW today at my local Academy Sports. The BBW is the second smallest of the four Bantams with a 2.75" blade. At $12.99 + tax it was actually less expensive there than I could find it online before shipping. Based on impressions from initial use I can now vouch for the Bantam line in the strong value category. There are some minor compromises, but it was half the max target price of this thread. I'll post a more detailed review in a new thread later.

I would have to say the Bushmaster Survival knife due to it's composition and stability... With a 9 and a half inch blade it serves the purpose of getting you out of a tight spot (more than once for me) with a long straight edge and a saw on the spine it serves as 2 tools in one. With a survival kit in the screw off watertight cap on the hilt it comes in handy... also comes with an emergency flash light and animal snare, snakebite kit, whetstone, and a GI can-opener all packed in a hardcase that easily straps to your leg... I only paid $40 before shipping at budk.com

Couple of things: 1) we've set an arbitrary upper bound of $25, and 2) the quality threshold is somewhat higher.

Unfortunately, the steel and temper of this knife is substandard, thus it misses the "valuable" part of the qualifier.

There are actually a number of high quality survival knives having hollow handles and made of good steel properly hardened to stand up to hard use. I have a tiny one (3-inch blade) that would cost $60 if you could buy it today (sadly, it's out of production). But a full sized knife of that kind? In a good steel? Hundreds of dollars. And even if you left out the hollow handle and just went with a good quality 9-inch blade from a reputable source, you're still up at nearly (or over) a hundred bucks.

Not many years ago (like maybe seven or so) when I started trying to figure out what would work well for me, I went through a "Bowie knife" phase. I bought several large knives of various Bowie-style appearance. Most of them I got for under $30. Such a deal.

As I learned about steel quality and hardening and grind and balance and fit & finish, I came to realize that my "bargains" were all basically junk. Most of them (like the one you mentioned) were made in China, while some were made in Pakistan. I gave some of them away, others I hid out of sight, knowing that I couldn't sell them or give them away to anyone I actually liked.

However, it wasn't all bad news. A few of the bargains turned out to be keepers. They were good buys even though I didn't understand it at the time.

It's a learning curve thing. In the beginning, I didn't know what it was I didn't know. As I learned a little about steel and heat treatments, I realized I was completely ignorant on the subject, and set about asking all the dumb questions I could.

I still ask dumb questions, but not so many as before. I still make buying mistakes, but not so many as before.

Today if I spend more than $30 for a knife, I have a fair idea what kind of quality it is I'm getting, and I've developed a decent sense of quality and value. I'm still not as good at it as, for example, hso or JShirley or Sam1911 or Valkman or any of a dozen other members here, but I'm getting better.

Anyway . . . the Bushmaster doesn't make the cut. Sorry, man.

Dexter/Green River knives are very similar to Old Hickory in design and cost around the same. Take a great edge, look nice, and fun to mod as well.

There are actually a number of high quality survival knives having hollow handles and made of good steel properly hardened to stand up to hard use. I have a tiny one (3-inch blade) that would cost $60 if you could buy it today (sadly, it's out of production). But a full sized knife of that kind? In a good steel? Hundreds of dollars. And even if you left out the hollow handle and just went with a good quality 9-inch blade from a reputable source, you're still up at nearly (or over) a hundred bucks.
Arfin, I mostly agree. Mostly, because I'll cite three exceptions:

1. Full size, without hollow handle, Ontario 499 USAF survival knife - about $40 online

2. 8+ inch, not hollow handle, various Ontario Spec Plus knives - these can get into the $70+ range, but there are 8" blade models as low as $40, and 10" blade models, online for around $50. Rather than the stacked leather washer handles, and parkerized blades of the true military spec Ontarios, this series uses one piece injection molded soft plastic handles, and powder coated blades. Like their mil spec brethren the spec plus models are still made in the US with the same 1095 steel blades and full tang construction.

Neither of the first two meet the under $25 price point of this thread.

However, I'll throw out a sight unseen recommendation (if you want to call it that) that does hit the pricepoint:

3. Cold Steel Bushman - $23 online. This isn't fancy, and it's still made in China. However, it's forged, with integral handle, from Cold Steel's SK5 carbon steel. The blade is 7" long, so it fits the full sized criteria. The handle is hollow, but there's no cap; although some handy black duct tape fixes that on the cheap.

Some folks may not agree with the fiery personality who owns Cold Steel. That aside, they stand behind their products, and those products have always been well made in my experience - maybe not the most refined, but definitely rugged and well built. I'd take what I consider a very low risk on a Cold Steel Bushman at $23 if I had to have a big fixed blade under $25.

I would have to say the Bushmaster Survival knife

Sorry, no.

Many people starting out will mistake size and "wow factor" for quality and value. Eventually they learn that these are usually indications of poor value when dealing with inexpensive knives. If you look through the list here you'll see unimpressive looking knives with impressive performance.

United produces cheap knives, not quality inexpensive ones. Your "Bushmaster" is a low grade of 420J2 steel that won't take or hold an edge with use, attached to a cast potmetal handle that is not secured well to the blade. It is actually a poorly made copy of the Marto Survival Knife of the '80s (yes, I had one :o) and neither would perform well side by side with a $20 Mora. It may be impressive to some because of the size and the materials in the handle, but it is of too cheap a quality to recommend for this list.

+1 on the Cold Steel Bushman as perhaps the only affordable "hollow handle" knife available. I would look for a rubber plug or stopper -- or make one from wood to fit fairly snugly -- and wrap the kit contents in a piece of packcloth (itself useful) and tie with a length of paracord (also useful) before sliding into the handle.

If you don't want to line Lynn Thompson's pockets, then buy your Bushman used. I wouldn't worry about it that much, however.

The United "Cutlery" "survival knife" discussion was useful. This thread could also include a cheap knives to avoid.

All my best,
Dirty Bob

... This thread could also include a cheap knives to avoid.

All my best,
Dirty Bob
That's a great idea, and I second the motion. If agreeable to the OP, maybe we could type "AVOID" into the subject line to further separate the "wheat from the chaff," and avoid confusion.

Might be better as another topic

Outstanding thread. I vote Sticky.

Let's not confuse the issue by combining cheap knives to avoid with a discussion of inexpensive knives to seek out. There are too far too few of the latter for comfort and far too many of the former to even begin to waste bandwidth on.

Schrade imported knives are well made despite what collector snobs have to say. Their stainless steel has enought nickel for corossion resistance but not too hard for ease of sharpening. You don't need to buy a spendy knife to get a good one!

TR

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/SchradeLB71.jpg

I may have missed these, though I re-read this thread.

Victorinox paring knife, Krein suggested this to me and said I would think he was nuts, but damn if he was not correct. ( I gave mine away, to someone in "need" and I need another(s).

Vic Spartan.
Some know the only darn knife I had after tornadoes took darn everything from me, this was the only knife I had for a bit.
[and thanks to hso I had a means to sharpen it, after he sent some sharpening stuff, which I will be eternally grateful for.}

Case Mako Shark.
Yes deals can still be found for these within the
$25 dealie we speak of.
I have nothing against the Buck 110 or 112s just I come up with Case and the Mako Shark fits my hand better.

I bet I can still do the "Mako pop" though I don't have one, or done so in years.

The local Pawn shops have been great for me finding American made Pocket knives in this price range.

I am sorry TR, the 3 New Taylor made Schrade's were ok for metal but the pins were not enough to keep them together.

I have a Schrade Little Finger. I'd wanted one since they came out when I was a kid, but they were only made for a few years.

Great knife. I found several on eBay, but I wasn't willing to pay too much for one, and finally won the 7th or 8th one I bid on. I got it for less than $30, IIRC. Deals can be had, if one is patient.

It had never been sharpened, since the factory edge.

My favorite $25.00 value I've bought recently was a Spyderco Tenacious I got last year. Takes a great edge, holds it pretty good, big enough to do anything (including field dressing), flat and compact enough to carry every day unless I'm wearing a suit. Then, it's just ridiculous. :D That's when I carry a penknife, though. Like a Pocket Pal or Case 32087 or Peanut.

Schrade imported knives are well made despite what collector snobs have to say.

Considering this is a $25 and under thread there aren't any collector snobs here (well, except perhaps me). Current Taylor/Schrade knives are not just inexpensive, they're cheaply made and have too high a failure rate to be recommended in this thread.

i bought a Buck 143 Paklite Skinner to compliment my Hoodlum, and after wrapping the skeletonized handle with paracord, i attached it on the Hood's sheath.
for under $20 its a darn good knife thats made in the USA.

My twins:

Fixed: Cold Steel Outdoorsman Lite.
Folders: CRKT m16, Kershaw Assets, Tremors, Compounds

I've bought three new Schrade knives and one was actually 440C much to my surprise. The third was Remington-WallyWorld-Christmas quality so its a crapshoot.

That "crapshoot" problem with uneven quality is why we don't recommend them.

The same goes for the S&W knives that Taylor has produced.

We're only looking for reliable quality providing excellent value.

If you find one used, the long-discontinued Cold Steel Twistmaster was a winner. It was their copy / upgrade of the Opinel, with a beefier blade and lock, and a Zytel handle. It was a bit thick at the edge and needed some re-profiling. I bought several and am now down to one. It's a keeper.

All my best,
Dirty Bob

Mora knives, cheap, sharp, and hold an edge.

Thank you for this thread- I really have enjoyed learning here.

I will say that a #6 opinel rides with me about every day- I wear "dress" clothes to work and it generally gets used to slice fruit at lunch, open mail, about anything I need a knife to do. The only issue I have is the need not to get water in the handle after lunch- I have read that this area isn't sealed all that well and can swell. But, all that said, I haven't found any other knife I can sharpen so easily, that does what the opinel does. Great knife-

I haven't owned a Mora yet, but this thread has me thinking I need to get one. Oh, and a Svord Peasant as well. That's the good thing here; these knives don't cost that much and it is fairly easy to acquire them.

Based on the recommendations in this thread, I purchased a wood-handled Svord Peasant. It is a great knife for the price: simple yet sturdy construction, high carbon steel that keeps an edge, and it's fun to learn to open it (my son has almost adopted the knife as his own). Frankly, I'm surprised they don't sell for more.

The same goes for the S&W knives that Taylor has produced.

HSO, I have to defend my beloved SWAT II. It's been such a reliable knife, and great value. I don't have any other liner lock folder. It's been used so so bad. If I have to use a knife hard, I can't bring myself to use the more expensive ones I own.

The SWAT II has taken bird bones, carpet, scrapping concrete. It stays sharp for a while, and cleans up quickly.

I know nothing about the other Taylor knifes, and bought the knife before I knew better, but was always glad to have it for the big jobs. For 15bucks, I can't complain.

The problem with S&W, and other Taylors, is that for every 10 knives, 6 will be keepers and 4 won't. That's too high a failure rate for inexpensive, but great for cheap.

Picked up a case Mini Blackhorn today... Was all of $14 at the local bass pro. Completely impulse buy, was there to pick up some ammo that was on sale and saw it hanging there and thought back to this thread and suddenly it was in my hand getting paid for... haha

[ -snip- ]

Moras, on the other hand, are knives I can't have enough of. I probably have a Mora in every room of the house, a couple in my truck, one secured to the frame of my Goldwing, and several sitting in boxes waiting to be placed. I also really like the Swedish Fireknife (http://lightmyfire.com/products/sparking-fire-collection/swedish-fireknife.aspx) by Light My Fire. Take a Mora knife, put a Swedish Fire Steel striker in the handle so you've always got a way to start a fire with your knife, and you've got a winner. Granted, it is $4 over the limit for what we're taling about in this thread, but I hope this can be overlooked.

[ -snip- ]

I just picked up one of these knives.

Impressive.

My first impressions are here.

Folder: Douk-Douk, Opinel, Cold Steel Pocket Bushman.
Fixed blade: Mora, J Marttiini, Bushman.
I bought a J Marttiini filet knife for 5 dollars at a pawn shop.
I also bought a Case 2 blade slimline barehead trapper, that was made in 1970 or 71, for 5 bucks at a pawn shop. All it needed was honing.
Got a Victorinox Spartan with translucent blue scales for 10 bucks.

LeeD....

After reading your post i too picked up the Buck 143 Paklite Skinner and for $19 its one heck of a knife. Im surprised because i even like the sheath. Fantastic once you get used to it and its now my EDC.

LeeD....

After reading your post i too picked up the Buck 143 Paklite Skinner and for $19 its one heck of a knife. Im surprised because i even like the sheath. Fantastic once you get used to it and its now my EDC.
I guess the handle isn't as uncomfortable as it looks? I keep hearing great things about it this knife, but it just looks so uncomfortable...

I guess the handle isn't as uncomfortable as it looks? I keep hearing great things about it this knife, but it just looks so uncomfortable...
It looks uncomfortable to me too. But for less than $20 I'm thinking I'm gonna pick one up based on what I've read here and seen on youtube about the knife.

Monarch (Japan) made good but not great knives for many years.

TR

This is a favorite:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/Monarch5.jpg

I have a Kershaw 1760 (stainless/plastic folder)... less than $40 at wally world, about 3 years ago... constant companion sinc. it's solid, light, smooth, sharp, and the 3" blade,while arguably not perfect for anything, has worked ok for everything i've ever set it to.

If you can find one a Case 279 is a great pen knife.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=165765&stc=1&d=1338946453

We have an upper limit of $25. As a reminder, see post #s 1 and 8.
It is much easier to find a good value at $30 or $40 for a knife than it is to find those great value $25 knives.

I've had an opinel 8 for a while now, and til today it's gotten nothing but light use (opening envelopes, a few packages here and there, etc.). I had accumulated quite a lot of cardboard I needed to get rid of though, so I used it to go through at least 200 ft of cardboard in one sitting (probably about 20 lbs of cardboard). Lasered through it til maybe the last 5th. Pretty dull now, but can still work its way through paper if you come at it right. Can't believe these knives are so inexpensive!

Edit: and 5 minutes on the back of a ceramic plate, it's like it's never been used

Guys, while I appreciate the enthusiasm, let's confine this thread to the cap that's already been set: $25 or less.

Perhaps we should have a "modestly priced quality knives" thread.

Of course, there's a lot of latitude in "modestly priced," so we'd have to set some bounds for the thing to make any sense.

EDIT:
I went ahead and copied some posts to a new thread for modestly priced quality knives.

Enjoy.

Most of my sub-$25 knives seem to have already been mentioned, but here are some that I think "make the grade" and fit in the price range . . .

- Condor Rodan: I found this on Amazon for $25 with free shipping when I was looking for a "rough use" knife on a budget. Considering that it is made in El Salvador, comes with a leather sheath and is very solidly built, I was amazed that it cost so little.

- Tekut Ares: I bought this at the Sportsman's Guide brick-and-mortar outlet store for $25, maybe even less now that I think of it. It's made in China, but supposedly (taken with a grain of salt) made for Chinese military/police use. Regardless, it has a tanto-style blade and a cord-wrapped handle, so not everyone would care for it, but I bought it as my go-to "test knife" for things that I don't want to potentially wreck my nicer knives when attempting.

- Walther BlackTAC: $18 and made in China, this is supposed to be the "companion" knife to the Walther P22, at least according to Walther's marketing wizards. I have to give it points for being a nice-looking knife with the most effortless (but secure) opening mechanism I've encountered. The extremely pointy glass breaker makes it unsuitable for pocket carry, but I would absolutely carry this on my belt for defensive purposes. Easily the most comfortable folding knife I've ever picked up.

Do many carry the karambit and do you like it and use it much?

I'm surprised and pleased to hear that the Opinel is such a well-regarded knife. I picked up a No. 6 last summer in france and have been real pleased with it. They were pretty common over there, picked mine out of a display case on a street corner in Bayeux for 14euro.
I'd have to throw in a vote for the Gerber Gator II. Its right at the upper price limit, but its very comfortable and will take and hold a razor edge. It's an excellent skinning/cleaning knife.

Do many carry the karambit and do you like it and use it much?


J1,

There are no kerambits suitable for this thread. They're either too expensive for the $25 limit or they're trash not worth buying. Also, they're not particularly value packed.

Buck 143 $20
http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r529/Nymosinman/0607121127-1.jpg

Condor Bushcraft Basic 5" $23
http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r529/Nymosinman/FB-Bushcraft-3.jpg

As far as inexpensive quality knives go, I'll have to refer, once again, to my score a few years back on the entire Case display at a local Mom&Pop hardware.
The knives were half- priced and I bought'em all.
I wound up with over 60 knives, some duplicates of course but I have large and small Sod Busters, Trappers,Barehead trappers, and a couple of folding hunters, Stockman and a Muskrat or two, mostly stuff popular in a farming community.
Thrown in for good measure were two Schrade 158OT Guthhook Skinners.
I also like the Schrade/Old Timer line and when Schrade closed it's doors I bought every knife I could find locally.

Zeke you sound like my Father. I called him when the news broke and he drove the Hardware store and cleaned out the case.

Zeke you sound like my Father. I called him when the news broke and he drove the Hardware store and cleaned out the case.

Every now and then in an obscure store I'll come across a stray Schrade or two.
Thr last ones that I found were about 18 months ago in an out of the way Maryland Lumber yard.
It's getting tough though.

Guys, the focus on the thread needs to stay on knives you can commonly find for this price instead of "honey holes" where you got knives for a bargain.

We're trying to show folks that think that a cheap knife is the same as an inexpensive knife that they can get good quality knives every day by reading this thread.

Guys, the focus on the thread needs to stay on knives you can commonly find for this price instead of "honey holes" where you got knives for a bargain.

We're trying to show folks that think that a cheap knife is the same as an inexpensive knife that they can get good quality knives every day by reading this thread.

Cheaper knives of decent quality?
Opinels are super and easy to find on line reasonably priced.
Case Sodbusters are around $25.00 for the Jr. $35.00 for the Sodbuster.
Someone mentioned the "made in China" Schrades.
They are REALLY not that bad.

Someone mentioned the "made in China" Schrades.
They are REALLY not that bad.
No I think they are worse.
Easy to sharpen but won't stay.
open easy because the joint is sloppy
I bought 6 just as throw away knives for here in Cambodia

"not bad" isn't the same as great value, and that's what we're looking for here.

We're seeing the same knives over and over again except for the occasional above the limit suggestions and the not that great suggestions so we've probably exhausted the best examples for inexpensive valuable knives at this point in the $25 range. We never expected the list to be large, but the objective was to tell others that there are really good quality knives that can be had if all you have is $25 in your pocket.

Good job folks!

From EKA . . .

The EKA Compact

http://www.ragweedforge.com/eka-compact-yellow.jpg

Prices in at about $15 before shipping. I bought a couple last year. Very light, thin blade, Sandvik steel, brass screw for adjustment/disassembly.

Very nice little knife.


Also from them, the EKA 1000 folding fillet knife.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/eka-1000.jpg

Available for prices ranging from $19 and up. Typically less than $25.

I have at least half a dozen of these under different brand names. The first two I got were "Normark" branded (but the blade stamp reads "EKA"), and then I got some "Rapala" branded (blade stamped "EKA"), and finally I got the actual "EKA" branded product. I also have one EKA Fillet with a wooden handle (bubinga), but I'm not sure that was at or below $25.

If you're shopping for this knife -- or a copy of it -- please be aware that Rapala is currently selling a licensed version of this knife made in China. It looks exactly the same, and is very reasonably priced. But . . . it's not Sandvik steel, and I don't yet have faith in its quality.

If you can obtain the Normark, Rapala, or EKA versions of this knife made in Sweden it will be made of Sandvik steel, will hold an edge, and will serve a wide range of purposes. It makes a fine kitchen knife or, alternatively, a fine picnic knife.

EKA's other folders are priced in the range that fits in the other thread.

Pawn shops have been my best mining fields for old made in the USA pocket and fixed bladed knifes.

And, while that may be true, the thread is not about "where can I get a good knife for cheap money," rather it is about which knives can be found inexpensively no matter where you look.

As a thrower, I see a lot of junk on the market. Most mass-produced throwing knives are junk; however, there is one company that is doing a great job of producing lots of quality throwing knives and keeping the cost down -- Cold Steel. Their Pro Balance Thrower is simply awesome for the money. It easily throws as well as any custom-made knife costing five times its cost. You can pick these up all day for under $25 per knife. I just bought another four on sale at $17 per knife.

10th,

Are they practical as knives or only as throwers?

Guys, the focus on the thread needs to stay on knives you can commonly find for this price instead of "honey holes" where you got knives for a bargain.

We're trying to show folks that think that a cheap knife is the same as an inexpensive knife that they can get good quality knives every day by reading this thread.

Sheesch!

HSO,

The CS Pro Balance comes from the factory as a throwing knife, but a little sharpening of the blade would make it an excellent camp knife due to its heft and weight. CS also makes a Perfect Balance knife that is billed as a camp knife/throwing knife -- a really good all around hunting/survival knife. Anyway, it's also less than $25.

The invitation to this thread didn't mention they couldn't be throwing knives only, so I apologize if I added something that shouldn't be there. The CS Perfect Balance would fit the bill though if the Pro Balance Thrower isn't a good fit.

I got a CRKT for 24.99 at Academy for my 17th anniversy from my wife.

Since HSO informed me that the Coldsteel pocket bushman
is half as expensive as in Europe ... it definintely belongs into this thread.

It's been my EDC for 2 months now - and I couldn't be happier.

( especially sind it's 2mm under the legal lenght of 125mm here,
and it´s no a one-handed opener (illegal too) ... I have the most knife
i can legally carry and it's so thin I forget it's in my backpocket.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/csstoreonline_2212_9180053

http://www.coldsteel.com/pocketbushman.html

my 02$.

Bladetech make some decent little folders like the mouse and gayanna for around $20. I believe they are made in Taiwan so that may rule them out for some people.