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Good cheap knives that don't suck.

cartman

Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2020
Messages
74
Location
North Carolina
Pretty straight forward thread. Post up your favorite knives that are also affordable.
Please only post knives that have been tested. Don't care if you just got it and it seems good.
Lots of cheap knives seem great out of the package until they actually cut some stuff and the edge goes to ****.

I have Benchmade, SpyderCo, and other high-end knives so I understand the value in paying for a premium knife.
This is more a discussion on cheap knives that are of good quality.

1) Shrade Old Timer Sharpfinger ($15-$20) - Fantastic skinning knife. Does not hold an edge for as long as some other knives but I have found it very easy to sharpen.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Schrade-Old-Timer-152OT-Sharpfinger--22081
2) Morakniv Pro S - ($10-15) Get this one over the Basic one. The extra $3 dollars is worth it... A strong blade on this one, made of decent Stainless steel.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Morakniv-Pro-S-Knife-Blue-3-Satin--28084
 
Spydercos made in chyyyyna (tenacious etc).
 
Came here to say Mora, I'll see myself out

Also victorinox butchering knives are the standard by which all other boning knives should be measured:

Totally forgot about the Victorinox Kitchen knives they are top-notch and like $20-50 each.
 
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This^

I also have been carrying an Esee Izula for like 5 years and would be lost without it.
I love Esee knives, unconditional lifetime warranty, someone actually hammered one into a stump, and shot it with a .308 all on camera and esee warrantied it. Their knives are not cheap though
 
Victorinox is practically the industry standard. Chicago cutlery is a step below, though alot of trappers use them. Rapala makes some decent filet knives if you're interested in them.

Another cheapo that I use primarily for butchering are Elk River knives. I've got one that might be a 1.5 blade length knife that I prefer to use over almost any knife for deboning.
 
I have a cheap made in China small Buck folder that of course doesn’t hold an edge long but it sharpens up real sharp real fast. I had a Kershaw skyline that I used for years and just lost. I liked that a lot. Had a spyderco delica that I was in love with but lost. I replaced my skyline with a Buck spitfire but haven’t had it long enough to give a review. Love my victorinox boning knife. I’d personally like suggestions on a decent chef and or santoku knife for the kitchen. Or even a decent set of 3 kitchen knives (chef, smaller chef and paring).
The biggest mistake made is guys using the tip of edc knives to pry stuff. You can’t say a knife is cheap and a bad knife for breaking off the tip doing dumb stuff with it.
 
Mora. Obviously.

I have butchered both deer I’ve killed this year with the little Mora Eldris. Finally sharpened it after the second buck was in the freezer.

I also like the Havalon Piranta.

My EDC is a Spyderco Cricket. I’ve had it for probably 7 or 8 years and NEVER sharpened it. It’s perfect for opening boxes.
 
Anyone use Opinel knives? I have a limb saw from them that I'm impressed with for the price.

The locking mechanism is pretty clever and I can't see it failing. The wood round handle might get slick with blood. They should make one with aggressive texturing.

 
I love Esee knives, unconditional lifetime warranty, someone actually hammered one into a stump, and shot it with a .308 all on camera and esee warrantied it. Their knives are not cheap though

Wow, I just checked their prices! I thought mine was like $50ish. Did they raise their prices over the years?
 
Anyone use Opinel knives? I have a limb saw from them that I'm impressed with for the price.

The locking mechanism is pretty clever and I can't see it failing. The wood round handle might get slick with blood. They should make one with aggressive texturing.

Thanks for posting this! My buddy hates liner-locks on knives because one failed on him and cut his fingers really good. I think it was a Kershaw.
I think this will be a XMas gift for him.
 
Ontario Knife OKC Rat Ii Sp-Black Folding Knife, 7Inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBPAOCW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_i_2w91FbZ11D7CC
Been on the same one for several years. Great knife.
The Rat1 is $25 on bladeHQ, I might pick one up.
 
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