Reasonably Priced Knives That Work!

[cadet3]

I like these from Home Depot. You can find them in the Tool section. I've had one that's held up for daily use for almost two years. When it breaks, I'll toss it and buy another.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Coast-3...ated-Drop-Point-Folding-Knife-DX344/306625581

 

[Madcap_Magician]

But personally, I think expensive knives are a diminishing return. I don't think a $400 knife is 10x better than a $40 knife. Having said that, I think it's cool that there are premium stuff... I like Lambos even though I'll never buy one.

This is true, and that's coming from someone who has thousands and thousands of dollars' worth of knives.

The difference between a $5 and a $75 knife is immense. The difference between a $75 and a $225 knife is small. The difference between a $225 knife and a $450 knife is very small. And the difference between a $450 knife and a $22,000 knife is art and scarcity.

A $50 Ontario RAT 1 is 90% as much knife as a $450 Sebenza 21 for 10% of the cost.

All that said, I still buy expensive knives, because I can tell the difference. I wear cheap jeans because I can't, but I know people who can, and they buy expensive jeans.

 

[22-rimfire]

There are always diminishing returns issues with tools.... knives, power tools, guns, flash lights.... you name it. You just have to get what you think you will be comfortable with. I carry a small Vic SAK all the time and for the most part, this $20 knife is all I need day to day. But I have more expensive stuff that I like.

We tend to spend more money on stuff we are more interested in. There is an experience issue involved too, but I think there is a happy median between good functionality and cost which I think tends to fall in the $60-$100 area in general but will vary with the particular knife.

I just bought a Rav-o-vac battery lantern for $30. I find them really useful for work in dark places when holding a flashlight is a pain in the butt or the head lamp is just not quite enough. I use them for emergency lighting too at home. I have a number of these lanterns. I buy them for functionality and not particularly weight or looks. They are quite comforting to have available at home or camping.

 

[hso]

If you aren't familiar with the 80-20 Rule think of it like this, 80% of the effort costs 20% of the total cost therefore that last 20% refinement takes 80% of the total cost. When you look at incremental refinements this still generally applies seeming to accelerate the rise in price.

 

[streak]

The ball bearing honey badger flippers open very easily even when wearing gloves. This gut hook skinner works great for slicing seat belts and air bag curtains.
Many models all under $40 except for the ones with D2 steel.

 

[hso]

This gut hook skinner works great for slicing seat belts

Ummm, a gut hook on a knife risks cutting the victim with the blade. Thinking, "I can remember to keep the sharp slicey part away from the victim" is depending too much on the user.

 

[KevininPa]

there is much to be said for Opinels since they are easy to keep sharp and come in a wide range of sizes--the 10 and 12 are plenty long to handle most jobs

Among a small variety of knives, my Opinels get used the most. A #8 I've had for about thirty years, a #12 that I've for about twelve is my favorite kitchen knife( I don't let the wife touch that one). And I just purchased a #10 to bridge that gap. Still wringing that one out.