Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades New favorite cheap knife?

That’s why I mentioned AROUND the house.

I field dress 40 to 60 deer a season and really enjoy using a nice custom knife on the “soft parts” and a spyderco native, that I don’t care about wearing out, on the “hard parts”.
They all have their place.

Picked up CRKT Squid for less than $20 a couple years back, not bad for a pocket clip frame lock.

There some good knives out that don't cost a lot.

There are also some other good knives out there that cost a great deal, based on the name branded on it.

I work at an outdoors store so basically all the knives are cheap with my discount. Trying not to own 500 of them lol

I had an early 80s Gerber Mk II somewhere around the house here, that has completely disappeared. No idea where the damn thing went to.

Sounds like I need to clean my house...

You don't live in my house. My wife loses at least one paring knife a year, never to be seen again. She loses silvrware too, so when we have the good stuff out, I clean it and count it before I take out the trash. Like the socks that go missing, never to be seen again.

Ever since Huntsman22 posted about the Gerber EAB utility folder, I use one with a straight utility blade to disjoint the 'hard parts'. Amazing how well that works while also preserving the edge of the economy knives under review here.

Absolutely outstanding EDC.


They get down in the $15-$18 range during the holidays.

Great stocking-stuffers... especially for the girls/ladies.




GR

WTF does "especially for the girls/ladies" mean? Do you have personal experience with this knife? I really tried to like this knife, but the two I've had were junk - the steel is garbage and I wouldn't gift one to anyone I cared about. Ontario R2 in either choice of steel is a far superiir knife...

And dammit, that's important. But I think you spelled more super-er wrong.

On the contrary...

Have carried the same Volt II knife EDC for nearly a decade - outstanding service.

Buy a case of'em every holiday Season when they get in the $15-$18 range, and give'em as gifts.

Girls and woman especially appreciate them because they are razor sharp and quick and easy to deploy.


Kershaw - appears to have two suppliers, and one is decidedly of better quality.

If you know what to look for, you can cull through a stock of'em and hand pick.


It's not my Benchmade AFCK... but they are damn fine <$20 EDC knives, even at twice the price.

So ya know.




GR

On a budget this is my favorite folder.


https://www.smkw.com/kabar-dozier-folding-hunter-blue

Blue wouldn't be my 1st color choice, but they come in black and other colors.

I've been using a Kershaw Chill lately and I am very satisfied with its performance. It has a blade of 8Cr13MoV which tests out @ RC 60, holds an edge fairly well and sharpens easily. For $25 I haven't found anything better for a daily carry knife.

JMR40-- plus 1 on the kabar-dozier, been my edc for over 12 years. Processed deer, small game , and anything else I need a knife for
Hell of a knife for $20.00

The contour and texturing of the Kershaw VOLT II is also outstanding - Almost like a cut-plug knife, but still trim enough for edc.






GR

To achieve status symbol people have to know what you have. 99.9% of people have no idea between a custom knife and a Walmart throw away. Not sure anyone gains status out of that.

I think that they buy them not because the need them, but because the cool kids have them and they want to be a part of that clique.

Nah. You would be wrong. Some guys, even average Joes like me, get to the point in their life where they are tired of using disposable junk, or something that is a tiny step above disposable junk. Don't get me wrong, cheap knives work for sure. Damn, a Havalon makes short work of skinning a deer. Try skinning a moose in freezing weather with a 25 mph wind where the fat freezes on your blade, and you may re-evaluate that Havalon right quick. Ask me how I know. But is there really something wrong with owning something you really like, and can take joy in owning because it was built with the hands of a real, Made in America, skilled craftsman, not a bloody CNC machine in China?

No more junk for this guy even though I may have to scrimp and pinch a few pennies.

Got two beauties on order right now, and you are damn skippy that I am gonna post pics when I get em. Not to brag, but to share a man’s work with like minded enthusiasts who appreciate what I have just mentioned.

But my vote for a decent everyday carry knife would be a Case Sodbuster for a folder or a Mora if you want a good, cheap fixed blade.

I always find it a bit ironic that guys will spend a LOT of money on multiple custom hunting knives, but have crap kitchen knives. The hunting knives realistically get used very little, while kitchen knives get used every day. I like quality knives, but I've got a lot more money in kitchen knives than hunting knives.

My favorite cheap knife? Opinel no.6.