Cheapest combo to cover all your knife needs? More suggestions is welcome

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I met a guy who haves just three very affordable blades:

Glock 81
Mora 511
Schrade SCHF57


Glock is his garage/forest knife, Mora is his garage/garden knife, and that Schrade is his EDC.
Glock is around 30
Mora is around 10€
Schrade is around 20€

He covered it all with just around 50-60€, all three of his knives have seen plenty of use in last few years (schratches, worn out coatings, patina and so on...).

What's your ideal cheap combo?

There are people out there who don't want to spend too much, or are just poor and can't afford to spend more on a knife, and yet they need a good quality yet affordable tool.
I mean, if this thread can save at least one person from buying gas station junk - I'll be more than happy.
Let's try to do our best to help all those who want or need a good quality blade, but can't afford to spend a lot.
 
I'd keep the Mora, but replace the other two with a SAK and one of those box cutters that flips open like a folding knife. There's a SAK and a Mora for every price range, and those box cutters are ~$10. Not much you couldn't accomplish with that trio. :)
 
My point being that I see threads like this one on how few and cheap knives somebody can live with. Yet, knives are all around us. E.g., my father in law "just needs one knife", including for camping, etc. He forgets to tell you that, also during camping, somebody else does all the food for him. How often did our moms use kitchen knives for other applications inside the house ? Does the OP's friend always use his pocket knife to open Amazon boxes, or does he grab a knife from the kitchen for that ... I would, because I wouldn't want to clean the Schrade all the time to get the glue off. Etc.

Didn't mean to derail the thread, carry on, please :)
 
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Fixed : Mora. You could spend $8+. I'll go with the Mora HD for $19.

EDC (I went with a folder that locks) : Kabar Dozier $20. I've never had an opinel but that is an option too.

Utility : SAK Tinker $22

Kitchen : Cold Steel serrated steak knife $9 or $8 Mora. I'll go CS for the serrations and something different.

$70 usd.
 
EDC: Victorinox Pioneer. Pretty much indestructible.

Camp: Mora robust. Robust but sheath could be better. Add a little bit of ”ranger band” for added security.
 
Having a box cutter in the mix is a great idea.

If I ignore that, I would have to choose a Ka-Bar Dozier, SAK Spartan or Cadet, and a Mora.

A RAT 1 would also work well instead of the Dozier.
 
ferider said:
would, because I wouldn't want to clean the Schrade all the time to get the glue off. Etc.

Didn't mean to derail the thread, carry on, please :)
Click to expand...
I actually did see that he has a boxcutter too LOL

And I see nothing wrong with including kitchen knives too, as we all use them.
Dadpool said:
I'd keep the Mora, but replace the other two with a SAK and one of those box cutters that flips open like a folding knife. There's a SAK and a Mora for every price range, and those box cutters are ~$10. Not much you couldn't accomplish with that trio. :)
Click to expand...
I remember him using that Glock knife for wood processing (hacking and chopping stuff), prying, digging, cutting really large fish into pieces and so on...
I think that Mora could do that too, but it's more convenient for him to have a larger blade for that. I know that I'd personally want a large knife for these tasks.

I definitely agree that SAK should be added here tho.
I know the "right tool for the job" story... and I don't know a single person carrying a toolbox on them all the time, and carrying all that would be rather heavy. Cost of these tools would also add up, and then you have people who won't need those tools for more than once within a year or more. But the SAK comes handy here as it has plenty of tools in one small package.

I think main reason for Glock knife is the fact we can't really carry guns around here in Europe, and forest is still a forest, and if I was about to go to forest alone, I'd feel safer with Glock knife than a Mora. Knife isn't ideal tool for self defense, but it's sure better than nothing, and Glock knife can also be used as a spear.

While a SAK is convenient, it's still a slipjoint, and even if there are locking versions, I doubt the lock is very strong, not to mention the handle itself not being the most ideal for prolonged use. Also, I definitely think it's easier to clean that Schrade than a SAK.
SAK is a very versatile and useful tool, but I'd still rather have a dedicated knife, just for those tasks where I might have to push harder or use plenty of force, or cut something wet and/or dirty.

All that being said, everyone is going to buy tools depending on their personal needs what can be vastly different from person to person, SAK is perfect for some people, single folder or fixed blade is enough for others, someone needs a bigger knife, and there are people who even use machetes a lot.

Point of this thread is finding tools that are affordable and reliable, so all suggestions are welcome :D
 
Some kind of SAK and a machete.

Thats what the guides on our rain forest trip in Costa Rica carried. We camped out for several nights after hiking and nature watching in the day. They made camp, cooked meals, served meals all with a small machete with a blade about 10 to 12 inches in length. They all had a pouch on their belt with a SAK and Bic lighter. They did a lot with just that combo.
 
This question depends on who you are and what your daily knife tasks are, but for me, this is what works well for my line of work and general non-food related tasks:

1) A well equipped Leatherman (Wave, surge, etc). I have a Leatherman Blast, and all the tools have been used at some point
2) A decent one hand opening folding knife. A Cold Steel American Lawman does this well for me
3) A SAK. I have a Victorinox Spartan. Gotta have a SAK close to you. Such useful tools

I use a machete a lot for work, but wouldn't really consider it a "knife". I would throw in a decent, slicey fixed blade knife as a fourth option if a lot of food prep is to be done

In general there's not much you can't do without a multitool, a one hand folding knife and a fixed blade
 
INOX Opinel 9 (or larger), will do fine in the kitchen, but can be EDC too.
Mora or Hultafors as heavy duty and outdoors knife.
Tramontina machete for yardwork, camping, etc
a two or three layer SAK is also a good EDC, eg the Cadet.
 
An Opinel and a Mora would be capable, and cost no more than a $20 bill.

Folder's can be had pretty cheap, I like the Buck Bantam, the Gerber Ultralight LST and the Case Caliber. Light, easy to maintain and each made in the USA.

One of my favorite inexpensive fixed blades is the BuckLite Max. Quite a performer for under $20, made in USA, capable, easy to maintain and flawless warranty.

For a cheap, fun machete I like the Cold Steel Kukri machete. Very inexpensive, very tough and a very good cutter. Got mine for $15.

I tossed the Case Caliber, Bucklite Max and the CS Kukri into the cart at KnifeCenter, and it says I'm getting the package for $53.99. Not bad I suppose.
 
Hmmmm...
An interesting topic to be sure, and I like the idea that it may help someone who is interested but stuggleing financially.
The "all your needs" aspect does seem to imply much yet leave things very vague...
Based on my experience, off top of my head I think I'd suggest...
1) Rat 1 in d2 for a primary dedicated knife. About $40.
2) A cheap box cutter for all those jobs that might be dirty or sticky to save the edge on the Rat where appropriate. About $2 at any grocery store.
3) For a sak I'd recommend a German Soldiers knife. The one that's basically a One Handed Trekker but with green pants. It's excellent as a sak and the serrations at the tip of the blade make it an amazing pocket steak knife for eating or cooking. About $50.
4) For a fixed blade, the moras are cute and all, but if you're only gonna have the one fixed knife to bet your life and safety on, I want something a little heavier with a full tang. So I'm gonna suggest the Gerber Strongarm. I know some people may not like it because Gerber hasn't been Gerber since Fiskars and all, but I love this model and mine has served well, and it is one of the few models made in the Portland factory. About $75.
5) Add to those an inexpensive folding saw like they always have numerous options of in various garden departments of every big retailer this time of year, and you're pretty set. About $10-20 depending on where you are and which one you choose.

I know that brings us to nearly $200 total after taxes and gas, but I believe this is the type of thing where if you go too "inexpensive" you only cheat yourself. As I've heard others say here a few times "buy once, cry once". Get some gear that you can bet on and will last. I believe if you use them appropriately and take care of them, this combo could offer many years of reliability and fun in the forest.
 
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