Those are well made knives, I just don't care for assisted opening, and most of the Kershaw line just doesn't do it for me. If they work for you, you would be hard pressed to find anything better for the price.
Favorite $20-$30 pocket knife or less.
- Thread starter Ton ton
- Start date
Those are well made knives, I just don't care for assisted opening, and most of the Kershaw line just doesn't do it for me. If they work for you, you would be hard pressed to find anything better for the price.
I like my Gerber Highbrow (mine might be a compact, I don't remember) because it's a spring assist flipper, with a pivot lock (like the Benchmade Axis). I actually have a Benchmade MiniGrip but I didn't want to spend $200+ for the exact knife I want. Went to Cabelas, asked the guy at the counter if they had anything like it but cheaper, and he sold me one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082VYFD9N/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I wish it held an edge a bit longer but for a cheap knife I can't complain too much. I also wish it was thinner, it's pretty chunky for a pocket/EDC knife.
I wish it held an edge a bit longer but for a cheap knife I can't complain too much. I also wish it was thinner, it's pretty chunky for a pocket/EDC knife.
bpjr
Well-known member
Is there a "best" web site to buy knives from?
"For $30.00 bucks or less your not getting much of a knife and some pretty soft steel.
I am not wealthy enough to buy cheap Chinese disposable items. That being said China does produce some high end quality knifes on par with or better than some American companies.
The Spyderco "Gayle Bradley" shown in that post was indeed made in China (many consider Taiwan part of China)."
I highlighted the part of my post that you didn't grasp. No intent to politicize, just to elaborate as to the high quality now coming out of Asian countries. Feel free to get off your high horse now.
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Handyandy23
Well-known member
This must be used? Cheapest one I can find on eBay right now is $30 usd, which is about $40 CAD. By the time you add on intl shipping and duties it's getting damn close to the $100 CAD I could just buy one for new with free shipping.
I use a Leathermen micra I use it primarily because It goes in my pocket and I never even notice it is there. I don't feel it digging into my hip or weighing down my belt. I keep other knves in the truck, but I keep this in my pocket all the time.
JatoTheRipper
Well-known member
I'm a big fan of my Kershaw Cryo and scAmazon has $10 off Kershaw knives right now so you can get get it for as cheap as $26.18.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0074FI28Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0074FI28Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20
ajchien
Well-known member
I’ve been doing the Smaller knife + smaller multi tool carry for quite a few years now. It’s worked decently well.
Opinel is certainly a knife that cuts really, really well. Outcuts many more expensive options imho. Downsides: You lose a bit on ease of function with the lock ring. It looks like a kitchen knife instead of a pocket knife. It’s not USA made. It’s round handle sometimes doesn’t like some pockets. It’s a thin blade, so you’re not really thinking of prying or using it for non cutting tasks.
Swiss Army Knives (victorinox) are certainly multifunctional and very handy for numerous tasks. Blades cut very well after sharpening, but don’t hold the edge as long. However, the other tools allows you to save the blade for ...actual cutting tasks. Downsides - so many options makes your head spin. Not USA made. Sometimes to get all the tools you want, you wind up with so many layers it’s too heavy or too thick for the pocket.
Although not my personal carry, I could be very happy pairing an Opinel 6 and a Swiss army sportsman (total $35).
Opinel is certainly a knife that cuts really, really well. Outcuts many more expensive options imho. Downsides: You lose a bit on ease of function with the lock ring. It looks like a kitchen knife instead of a pocket knife. It’s not USA made. It’s round handle sometimes doesn’t like some pockets. It’s a thin blade, so you’re not really thinking of prying or using it for non cutting tasks.
Swiss Army Knives (victorinox) are certainly multifunctional and very handy for numerous tasks. Blades cut very well after sharpening, but don’t hold the edge as long. However, the other tools allows you to save the blade for ...actual cutting tasks. Downsides - so many options makes your head spin. Not USA made. Sometimes to get all the tools you want, you wind up with so many layers it’s too heavy or too thick for the pocket.
Although not my personal carry, I could be very happy pairing an Opinel 6 and a Swiss army sportsman (total $35).
ajchien
Well-known member
FWIW, I think the bolded area is the politically controversial part that was the cause for annoyance.
Fluelikesymptoms
Well-known member
I've never been really critical of pocket knives as I tend to loose them for whatever reason, but a buddy of mine once got a pocket knife subscription for like 20 bucks a month or something and every month they sent him a random pocket knife. He cancelled it after about 6 months but he got a couple he likes alot, kind of a cool thought.
majorbanjo
Active member
another Kershaw cryo recommendation........used to exclusively carry bench maid but I tend to lose knives quite often and the kershaws are good quality and not as painful to lose.
seber
Well-known member
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Schrade. They use high carbon steel instead of stainless and the finishing is nothing special but they are solid hard working knives that will outlast most knives costing many times as much. High carbon steel in my opinion is superior to 440C or AUS8 (essentially the same thing) as it will take and hold an edge far longer. There certainly are great stainless steels but they are very costly.
COO is important information... even required by law
Nope. COO is irrelevant, quality of the product is important.
I don’t generally carry cheap knives, but I have been happy with my small spydercos.
For a cheap disposable knife it is hard to beat one of the razor blade knives. I have Milwaukee version and a SnapOn one, but there are several good ones. (No it is not actually Snap On quality they just sold there name). For things like opening boxes, slicing rope, and stripping wire I find them to be better then a Traditional knife.
Are you sure they still use carbon steel? I thought they went to all stainless steel in 2004 when the USA factory was sold to a Chinese maker.
Tanto
jfleisher
Well-known member
Kershaw Reverb or Reverb XL.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
Nope. COO is important, just not to you unfortunately. If made in America was important to more people, that would be better for America. I'm an American, not an American't.
Quality is very important. More than 1 thing can be important. And there are high quality American made knives.
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seber
Well-known member
There I go again. I didn't even know they were sold. Just ignore that last post.
