Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Inexpensive doesn't always mean junk

I recently bought a little kershaw lock back knife for $15 and have been impressed with how good it is proving to be. Thinking about ithave found that a lot of the things that have served me well in the field for many years are items that were inexpensive to buy and while I have more expensive gear often it is left at home while the cheaper item makes the cut . For example

For the past 25 years I have had a compact 8x Pentax UCF binocular that has been packed all over the place. They are nice and clear and pretty light weight. I recall they were maybe $45 and ebay shows the going for $25-$30 used.

I have had a old southbend spin rod for probably 30+ years . It was about $12 to buy is just a composite glass rod but I have caught everything from bluegill to 12 lb northerns and catfish on it and more poundage than all of my other rods combined mainly because it is either behind my truck seat or sitting behind the door of the garage rigged and ready.

Really my old 870 express also rates this category. I bought it for about $175 in trade goods in the early 80's . It has been dragged around to take dove, quail, pheasents, geese, ducks, turkey, squirrels, rabbits plus various farm pests and targets of opportune


How about you do you have any cheapo gear that you just can't give up despite having more expensive gear available?gear that

Yups, lots of good, cheap stuff out there. My Fiskars hatchet, pretty much identical to the much pricier Gerber comes to mind. Leupold Yosemite 6x30s are another.

Older used stuff, especially good rifles with a few dents and dings, also qualify.

Ruger American rifles

Those in the business of selling smile every time that they hear "You get what you pay for".

Lee Reloading products are another example.

+1 on the Kershaw folders. The Volt II is my favorite edc. You can get them on sale for around $20 a pop.

Marlin X guns.

Leupold 6x30 Yosemite binoculars around $75.00. Shimano Sienna spinning reels, $30.00. Victorinox, red handle, serrated blade, kitchen knife, $8.00. Remington 1100 & 870 shotguns, had a couple 35/40 years.

No problems with the binocs or reels over five or six years. The knife's something else, only had it about a year but it gets a lot of different kinds of use almost daily and holds an edge. The Remingtons, some bought used have worked as well for me as newer more expensive shotguns that have gone down the road.

I had date in college... Oh wait a minute "Doesn't mean junk!" Never mind.

That confusing is kind of.

I have a Kershaw oso sweet



$30-40 depending on retailer, 8Cr13MoV blade and IMHO just the blade is just the right size and shape.

Victorinox Swiss Army knife.

Second that, I carry a Victorinox Farmer Model everyday.

Opinel knives, specifically the #8 and #9 size in stainless.

Remington 78's were a great buy, as were the 600's and 660's.

The amazing Blue Star Ointment.

Victorinox knives in general, especially the little general purpose jobs...

Mora carbon steel "companion" outperforms knives costing 5 times as much.

Swiss Army watch. Had one on my wrist daily for 20 years. Still in sync with my atomic clock, but looking the worse for wear. Switched over to another cheap watch in the same price range- Bertucci Field Watch. Can't praise it enough for rugged daily wear in a shop environment. Titanium case, nylon band, Japanese movement.

Schrade knifes