Winchester knives

[Malice]

I went to WalMart for some things and I saw this Winchester folding knife on sale for $7. It looked really nice, and the guy at the counter had one for me to feel. I like it, so I bought it. For $7? I use noting but Winchester for my .22's but how are Winchester knives? How do they hold up?

 

[HiWayMan]

I just recently bought a small fixed blade "Winchester" knife from Walmart. The finish work was pretty good and the blade is of mediocre quality. The sheath just plain sucked. I bought it for $10 and consider it a throw away knife. I've been carrying it on my off side IWB. The knife actually looks good enough for me to have buffed out the "Made in China" stamp on the base of the blade though. My opinion is that these knives aren't bad for what one pays for them. At this price I'll buy some to give away as gifts to those few unfortunate souls that still haven't gotten on the bandwagon, and don't carry a pocket knife everyday.

 

[SLCDave]

Don't take this the wrong way.

- Consider what you paid for it.

- Consider the intended uses.

I'd dare say, for most people, a $10 knife will do 90% of what they need for it to do.

Knives are like a lot of things (sunglasses, vehicles, carpet, steaks), in that, you can be perfectly happy with a low-cost version. The problem comes up when you get to experience the higher quality versions, and you never want to go back

It's like driving a Kia. You'll probably still get where you're going, but you'll get some funny looks, and you aren't getting there in style, if you know what I mean.

As long as you are happy with it, and aren't planning on going after any MutantNinjaRoboticGrizzlyBears, enjoy it.

 

[Malice]

You mean iI *cant* use it on the MutantNinjaRoboticGrizzlyBears?

Damn. ::throws it away::

Ok, thanks for the input. Ive been carrying it for a couple days now and here are the things I like about it:

Its sharp enough to cut things.
It has some weight to it.
It seems sturdy. I dont see myself ever breaking the frame.
The blade, like someone said is kind of shoddy. But it is surgical stainless and it holds an edge.

Also, on the note of "getting there in style," this is the most stylish knife I have. That is somthing I like about it. As far as "Hey, thats a pretty knife" factor goes, this beats my Gerber Paraframes. This is my first knife in a long time that doesnt have that almost cliche "tactical" look for it.

My #1 purpose for this knife is for self defense until I get a CCW. It isn't my #1 choise for carry, but I feel pretty confident about having that blade in my pocket.

Also, for the price (this is a 7 in total length surgical stainless folder with wood inlay and a decent clip) it makes a great gift. I mean, you don't want to spend $50 on a knife for someone when you don't even know if they will carry it.

 

[SLCDave]

Well, there you go then!

I hope I got my point across without sounding like a "knife-snob", because I'm not. I have a $50-something little Buck knife that has served me well, and even though I like the Benchmades, I haven't broken down and gotten one because this one has served me well.

 

[eatatjoes]

The blade, like someone said is kind of shoddy. But it is surgical stainless and it holds an edge.

it may hold an edge but it doesn't hold a good edge. i had one of the winchester folders a few weeks ago before getting into higher quality stuff and thought it was awesome until i got my first benchmade. i can use my mini-grip for weeks straight without it needing to be resharpened, whereas i was sharpening my winchester everyday after work. if you ever get really in depth with knives you'll find out that surgical stainless really isn't a good thing. surgical stainless kind of puzzles me, i'm not quite sure how it became a good thing since it could be the steel in a pair of tweezers or a bedpan. it don't seem too great for self-defense either, but YMMV.

if i'm going to buy a knife the steel better at least have a number or a letter.

p.s.just my opinion but for another 10$ you can get a knife with 440C made in taiwan but to a much higher quality that the winchester stuff.

 

[Malice]

Oh, dont get me wrong either. This is neither my only nor last knife.

To make me really happy...

Can someone reccomend an assisted opening folder that holds an edge "well"?

Something nice... like an expensive Chrysler, but not a Lexus or BMW kind of thing. If that makes sense?

I have heard some good things about Kershaw. They have assisted folders by Kershaw at WalMart for under $30. Not sure of the specs, but I saw them.

Any input there?

 

[SteelyDan]

If you can get an assisted opening Kershaw for under $30, that sounds like a very good buy.

My personal recommendation for a low- to mid-priced Chrysler, which performs like an upper-end Chrysler, is the Ka-Bar/Dozier for $20.00:

http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...r_dozier_folding_hunterspear_point_blade.html

You can open it with one hand, but it's not "assisted." It's very solid and the blade (AUS-8 steel) holds an edge quite well for a $20 knife. Or even for a $40 knife.