WalMart knives

[shecky]

Quote:Originally Posted by shecky
It doesn't take a lot of money to get a knife that'll cut open a 55 gal drum, or have a great warranty, or be made in the USA.

Dude, you're kidding, right?

Nope. A $10 Mora will cut open a steel drum. A $30 Buck 110 has a great warranty and is made in the USA.

Where in the world are you going to get an inexpensive folding knife that will cut a hole in a steel drum without chipping or rolling the edge over badly or damaging the pivot/lockup and still be good enough to do it again and again?

If you put those qualifiers, you are right. However, such a "knife" usually makes for a crappy cutting implement compared to, say a Opinel, as the profile is ridiculously beefy. Keep in mind, opening a steel drum doesn't take much of a knife. A literal sharpened prybar will do it also.

My original point still stands: It doesn't take a lot of money to get a knife that'll cut open a 55 gal drum, or have a great warranty, or be made in the USA, the criteria some use to justify an expensive knife.

 

[hso]

Ok, I see where you're going. I suppose we can establish cirteria that just can't be met by anything but a single make/model (or ignore criteria and cite different knives that meet different parts of the criteria), but that's gaming the debate instead of honestly exchanging information. Of course you and I already know that the Sebenza isn't a "sharpened pry bar" so let's clear that up for those who don't so they don't get confused by what we're discussing. We already know the Sebenza is a folder, but let's be sure that everyone knows the Mora is a fixed blade and not a folder. We also know that the Sebenza bevel is set for standard day to day use and not one of the wide bevels that don't cut and slice well nor one of the razor bevels, but not everyone knows that so we'll state it for them.

Finaly, I'll repeat that there are now knives a third of the price of the Sebenza that will probably do pretty much everything the Sebenza will do. I've not acquired and abused them to know personally, but the've got the locks and materials and bevels and heat treats to match the Sebenza so I'll assume they'll perform the same.

 

[sm]

never mind...

 

[chrisb507]

I've not acquired and abused them to know personally, but the've got the locks and materials and bevels and heat treats to match the Sebenza so I'll assume they'll perform the same.

HSO,

A recently acquired small Sebenza just replaced my stainless Delica as an EDC. I love the Sebenza--but what would you put in the same ballpark for a third of the price?

(I haven't used mine to cut anything more than cardboard, so this is just curiosity.)

Thanks,
Chris

 

[steeltiger]

420 has been bucks primary steel for the past decade.
There is oly desire of the perfect that justifies my sentiments.
''If it costs that much it has to be good.'' Whatever you like better, is likely the best awnser not simply a price issue, nor a quality issue, but whatevers' more fun or ''prettier''.
P.S. I find that I'l abuse a cheap knife before one that costs more, even if I know it can handle it.

 

[snow]

new member

Hello all,

well I have bought walmart knives mostly gerber and let me tell you i gave them all away. it is not that they were bad knives it was i really did not like the appearance or finish of that greyish black coat that they put on most of their blades. I bought these knive because at the time it was all i could afford and they served me well enough but as things got better for me financially i ordered a few knives from ag russel and man after my CRkt m-16 and my benchmade nimravus i will never go back to lower priced knives from walmart. not that i am going to spend over 200 dollars for one either but for my needs a good 3 1/2-5 inch blade is fine for me at prices from 50-150 in general.

 

[hso]

Welcome to THR snow!

 

[10-Ring]

I've bought a few knives from Walmart & a few of the "cherished more expensive" ones too. The differences I've seen are in the quality of materials, fit & finish and in asthetics

 

[PedalBiker]

It's not rocket science.

I don't spend a whole lot of money on mine, I tend to lose them. On the other hand the first "hunting" knife I ever bought I still have. It has a leather handle and an aluminum butt. 30 years after I bought it I finally got to use it to skin an elk. It was a Kmart purchase and doesn't have a brand stamped on it. It takes an edge well, but doesn't hold it all that long, it's outlasted it's first sheath and still is very serviceable.

I like Gerbers, Rapala and Chicago Cutlery as far as brands go, but have others that have held up well too. WIth modern metals and CNC machinery it doesn't cost much to make a good knife.

I've also made good knives from files and saw blades. The file has been oil tempered and is an awsome blade. The saw blade is good enough for camping, but won't take a good edge.

 

[madmike]

Thread zombification!

If you look at Wally World's Chicago Cutlery (Which are now ALL made in China, instead of Terre Haute), you'll find a much coarser grind and a crappy cherry wood handle.

It seems Chicago Cutlery sold their name cheap.

As to blades, I carry everything from a $5 Chinese to a $500 hand made, depending on what I'm doing.

I'd never spend less than $100 on a kitchen knife, though.

 

[theotherwaldo]

When we're talking about tools, I try to match the tool to the job. When the job is related to my survival, I tend to select the tool a bit more carefully and care for the tool more carefully. I usually don't select the most expensive tool, but I am more careful.

This applies to knives, guns, vehicles, shoes, homes, whatever.

If WalMart provides the appropriate tool, I choose WalMart. Otherwise I go elsewhere.

Simple, yes?

 

[Dismantler]

I think that the original poster's question, "What do I gain?" was rhetorical. So to answer it, not much. Like others I have decent working knives and "Sunday Go To Meeting" knives.

I think that Case has the best factory/non-custom pocket knife right now. I have many others, however, as I buy airport confiscations from our state surplus store.

I think that the best deal in cheap working-class pocket knives is the Buck Everyday line with the brown Pakkawood handles. They are made in Buck's factory in China, and are a good choice for a knife that has to be worked hard and have a minimum of care and maintenance.

 

[madmike]

When deployed, I tend to carry a 12 pack of a reliable, cheap Chinese folder. I don't care if I lose one. I also tend to have my CUDA on a length of paracord tied to my belt. Usually a modified tanto-point bayonet, too. My tool kit contains an issue machete. Add a Swisstool and I can cut anything I need. If it takes more than that, I contact Structures for a chainsaw.

 

[eliphalet]

Buck dropped the 440C about 1980 IIRC.

Some rowdys I ran with some in the 70's were the reason I got my first Buck.
We were all having some fun in the desert and they came up with the idea of shooting their 110's with a 38 Special layed upright in the sand to see if "it would split the bullet" sure enough a old model 110 will "split" a 38 lead bullet, a Gerber's blade broke into. So I got one and have used it hunting a lot since.

HSO I would like to know who makes a folder that will open a 55 Ga. drum and hold up.
I will look but doubt I can afford a Chris Reeves Sebenza.

Edit: Reeves is in Boise less than a hour from me, at least I can stop by and take a look see.

 

[Sniper X]

For the same reason you buy say a Breitling or Rolex watch instead of a Citizen, or Seiko. Well, maybe that's a little too much, lets say a Seiko instead of a Timex!

 

[The Tourist]

As I've said before, I have gotten to an age where I want to have nice things and the disposable cash to obtain them.

Yeah, I can use a Chevy Biscayne to get anywhere I need to go, but I like Harleys and nice trucks.

No matter what people think of alloys and affordable knives, I have knives of S30V and a Paul Bos HT that could go into combat. I'm amazed at how keen those knives can get. If you want to lose some money on shady barroom bet, bring any knife for a cutting competition against a Razel with a good polish.

In my home I have Schrade knives I bought for 6.33 and they will easily gut a deer, perhaps three of them. They just don't excite me--and they have Japanese edges on them that would cost you at least 100 bucks.

I've slept under a picnic table in the rain, and I've had room service.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I use a Queen's Cutlery folder that I bought almost 50 years ago for $4.00 with a sheath included and I wouldn't think of carrying any other knife deer hunting. Stainless to boot but with a shaving edge as we speak.

HOWEVER!!!!
I am a knife nut and just can't seem to own enough.
For some of us, the attraction is the dis-continued stuff.
Some like a certain pattern and all the variables of a given maker.(e.g. Case Trappers).
Knives are an art form and pride in ownership af a maker is an attraction to many.
The made in USA Schrades are another downfall of mine and the list goes on and on and on...........
Zeke

 

[sm]

Bottom line, what am I getting for monies spent?

It does not matter where I buy something, be this Wal-Mart or a Custom made piece.

Do not insult my intelligence that a $50 item is marked up to $100, and it is "on sale for 50% off, and I still pay $50 for that item.

$50 is the bottom line, and what did I get for my money?
Did I get a $50 item, or one worth $75, or one worth $15?

Tools for task, and sometimes one has a legitimate "need" to use an "inexpensive" or "less quality" tool.

Those inexpensive screwdrivers are just fine, for prying paint cans, using as chisels and intentional abuse.
Working around water, where might drop one overboard, these inexpensive, less quality tools have a place.
Just like leaving a $4 Old Hickory, paring knife in a barn to open feed sacks, or cut cord, or scrape mud off a boot.

My deal is, don't tell me that OH paring knife is a $50 knife and insult my intelligence by blowing smoke up my nose it is worth $50.
I do not have a problem if one place, with markup and profit margin charges me 50 cents, even 75 cents more for the same OH paring knife than someone else across town, I respect the business owner, and it is not worth my time, or gas to drive over to "save" 50 or 75 cents.

--
I appreciate and respect quality craftsmanship and talent, I really do.
Those that know my background, can attest to this, as I have been on the other side of many fences.

In Jan tornadoes ripped through, and again recently this April.
13 tornadoes ripped through, infrastructures down, and flooding and all sorts of residual problems.

One person in all the real life experience, lost a nice knife, sentimental, an anniversary gift, and pricey too boot.

One of the kids lost her Edelweiss SAK she got for a B-Day.

Now I am not a Wal-Mart fan, some I run with are not either.
Still we had some serious needs and one has to do what one has to do.

We hit a Wal-Mart, and the fellow that lost his nice knife, got something from them, snagged some Buck made in China , and SAKs, some classics and whatever that other one is they stock , bigger and with tools.
That Smith sharpening set up totally sucks, but one was bought, as need was serious at this time.

We gave the little girl one of the red classic SDs, just a little girl, but with all this stuff happening, she needed to feel good about herself and all.
She appreciated it, still we could tell she was frumpy and missed her knife.

I and some of the ladies hit a Target store the next day , and there on the display was the Edelweiss Classic SAK with a Pruner, a combo pack.
Pruner makes sense, a real useful knife, with its "sheepsfoot" style blade.
Big handle easy to use, and while using gloves.

Money was tight, we had little cash, ATMs could not work, and some did not know how much money they had using debit cards and ...
No power, no phones, no way to get cash, and we could not call banks to find out, even cell service was down.

One person had cash, and while we were watching cash, we opted to get that combo set.
Sounds stupid, but that little girl feeling better, and all played a huge part in why.

We gave her that combo pack, and she broke down and cried, then got over it, got into "big girl" mode and - she gave her red knife to another older kid she me, that did not have a knife.
Her Pruner "Mom, you can use this better than I can so you use it, or whatever".
Pruner came in handy that mom "borrowed" from daughter.

Kid ...she is a kid, is going to add another "dumb old red classic" to her stuff,
later on, as it dawned on her having a "dumb old knife" made sense.
She feels good giving hers away...
She is collecting the Classics and does like the red ones .

Some of the folks lost equipment in all this, some was nicer than others.
Still, passing out some Buck made in China, or $2 flashlights, with Heavy Duty Batteries bought at the Dollar store ( 4 /$1 D cells) worked.

I lost most of my equipment, and was going into all this serious mess not having a lot of what I had, due to events in Jan, and having suffered a theft since Jan.
[My truck tool box was stolen, with stuff in it, including replacement items just before these 13 tornadoes ripped through -]

I am using my back up Case Peanut, yellow handle, CV, as I lost the one I was using.
This one, is extremely sentimental, and it would hurt big time to lose this one.
My Zippos ( all of them) are gone.
Oh I use matches and cuss using a Bic, but ...I and mine survived, everyone made it, and that is the real important thing.

Mag starters, compasses, tools ( I had to buy a grocery store pair of slip joint pliers for instance the other day).
If a serious deal hits right now, I am really going to be "minimalist".

Still the bottom line we got tools for task, got what we paid for , for the most part, nobody "scalped" us on prices and we survived.


That kid with the Edelweiss SAK "said" cheese and Vienna sausgage cut with that knife tasted better on a cracker than with a red one...
Danged if she was not right!
*wink*

 

[madmike]

Of course, if I ever find the son of a ____ who stole my Predator CS that followed me halfway around the world on duty, I'll show him a whole bunch of ways to use it that don't leave any marks. It's not the $150. It's the memories.

 

[Ash]

I use a Wenger Tradesman SAK every day. The blades cut when I need them to cut, the screw-drivers work when I need them to, the awl makes a great engraver on soft brass when needed, and the pliers, while small, even work on tiny stuff. I have a Queen #29, too, as well as a pile of American Shrades that look like they have 886 Uncle Henry blades, but the scales are not UH's (and not Old Timers either) and are simply marked "Schrade." In any case, the SAK does everything I personally need and I have no need for "craftsmanship" in a pocket knife.

I do like old swords from the 1700's and early 1800's, ephemera from the 1400's-1700's, and old clocks (in addition to C&R's). I can drop serious cash for a heavy cavalry sword that has no practical value, so I don't mind folks paying a bunch for a pocket knife or car. A BMW is not worth the money to me. But a Scottish baskethilt with a French or German blade is.

Ash

 

[The Tourist]

match the tool...This applies to knives, guns, vehicles, shoes, homes, whatever.

I think that's the prudent idea.

Now granted, if I was going to use a knife in a restaurant to cut my steak, I admit I'd use a Schrade or a Buck I got for a good price. The edge would be good, perhaps polished, and I'd have no cares about getting salt and butter all over the thing.

But if I only had an Emerson or a Graham, guess what, the expensive knife gets "mayonaissed" just like its brothers.

In the end, it's a tool. A tool that is to serve me, not the other way around.

I just like some of the nicer things in life.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

I was glad to get my Spyderco Native (USA made, S30V steel) for $35 at Walmart. Good quality, good price, good value, good performance...but not "GREAT" anything. It's an everyday carry that won't cause any uncontrolled weeping if I; lose it, break it or give it away.

BUT, if I'm knowingly going into circumstances where my knife's quality & performance can well determine my chances of returning home intact? Then it's my Emerson. And I haven't found one of those yet at Walmart for $35.

 

[Ash]

It all depends on your use. I imagine my SAK is more versatile than your Emerson.

However, I would also wager that your Emerson can cut better than my SAK.

Were I to find my primary need was cutting, I might go beyond or different than that Wenger. However, my use is more in the line of Jack-of-all-trades knife. Can't unscrew something with an Emerson very well, and it certainly won't open a can as well. However, it will likely cut a greater variety of things (though that humble SAK cuts many things quite well).

In the end, the uses required of the tool dictate the tool needed.

Ash

 

[The Tourist]

Spyderco Native (USA made, S30V steel)

Contact me PM.

 

[sm]

The Tourist wrote:
Now granted, if I was going to use a knife in a restaurant to cut my steak, I admit I'd use a Schrade or a Buck I got for a good price. The edge would be good, perhaps polished, and I'd have no cares about getting salt and butter all over the thing.

Ya know, I see a real need to meet up with the Tourist and he and I , for the sake of THR of course, to go out to eat steaks and test knives.

I mean this would be a real world test.

The Tourist, with his nice knives, skill sets as a professional sharperner.

I on the other hand, just a dumb southern boy, who prefers pocket knives, with no clips, no locks, make of tool steels, carbon steel and Chrome Vanadium, and sharpens free hand.

The Tourist and I like you folks, we care about you, and have your best interests at heart.

Donations can be sent to The Tourist, he can provide contact information as to where send steak money....err...Testing and Evaluation Funds.

*medium rare please*