Coast knives, worth it?

Neko2

Neko2

Joined
Jul 18, 2003
Messages
1,889
So I've been tempted on my last few trips to Home Depot by the large display of Coast knives at really cheap prices. I know that they are of questionable quality but I'm wondering if they're worth the $9.88 for those times you don't want to muck up an $80+ folder.
I've searched for reviews online (and here) and have only found people trying to get views and the reviews on Depot's website are mostly from non knife people.

So for the TLDR; Are the Coast knives at Home Depot worth the money?

Thanks,
Joshua
 
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As long as you know what you're buying and are willing to accept the lower quality, they are fine as beater knives.
 
For some reason the black coated one with the wood scales keeps calling my name...
 
Actually, I have a cryo, it's my poor man's Hinderer, but it's not super comfy to hold on to. The Coast looked like a decent size handle. I don't need this knife, just want it for some odd reason. Heck, it'll be the 4th "value" priced knife I've bought in the past week.

I'm playing around with sharpening techniques and always have something to cut at work that makes me think twice about using the RAT or Manix or whtever I'm carrying on and as long as they aren't total gas station knives I guess I'll be happy.
Still hoping someone has one out there and can give me the straight skinny. Might save me $10 (or cost me $20).
 
I am a contractor, and while I don't carry Coast, a couple of my guys do. Like you, they found them at Home Depot and they use them for light prying, scraping, some cutting, and generally any nasty task that come up. My plumber just outright abuses his knives, and when one of these Coast knives break, he just goes down and buys another.

I sharpened one of his for him and the steel was pretty soft. While that made it impossible to hold a good edge for any length of time, it also made it difficult for him to break.

In the mood for a Home Depot cheap knife, look at your local store and see if they are carrying the new Milwaukee branded Chinese knife. It looked more usable as a work knife to me and here they are the same price as the Coast.

Robert
 
midnight flyer said:
I am a contractor, and while I don't carry Coast, a couple of my guys do. Like you, they found them at Home Depot and they use them for light prying, scraping, some cutting, and generally any nasty task that come up. My plumber just outright abuses his knives, and when one of these Coast knives break, he just goes down and buys another.

I sharpened one of his for him and the steel was pretty soft. While that made it impossible to hold a good edge for any length of time, it also made it difficult for him to break.

In the mood for a Home Depot cheap knife, look at your local store and see if they are carrying the new Milwaukee branded Chinese knife. It looked more usable as a work knife to me and here they are the same price as the Coast.

Robert
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I saw those too. Not nearly as sexy but i might have to give one a shot if they're a touch better.

Something to save my Syderco & Kershaw knives for better use.
 
Some of the Coast knives are pretty decent, but like so many other brands, there is a lot of variation. I have a Coast FX350 with a flat grind 9Cr17Mov blade, and it's as sharp and solidly built as numerous more expensive knives I own, but I've had a couple of their smaller folders that are/were about what you'd expect for $10-15 coming from China.
 
If you're generally in the market for a cheaper knife to use, you may also want to consider Ganzo, Enlan, Sanrenmu and the like.
 
I would second looking at the big name Chinese manufacturers. Something like a Sanrenmu 710 is one of the best made cheap knives available. I won't carry one (I'm a lefty, not political reasons) but so many people swear by them and I handled one that seemed pretty nice, great if you consider the price. I would suggest sticking with Sanrenmu or Ganzo, the other companies don't have as tight of quality control.
 
NO, NO, NO! Think safety first.

You can find many Kershaws on sale for only about 10 bucks more. Much better knife.

A CRKT Razel should be considered, too

Why would you choose a Coast product if there is something better for about the same price?
 
Nevermind. It looks like the same knife as an enlan but is much larger with cheaper steel.

I think I'm going to order up a knockoff Sebenza and Hinderer to see what Enlan and SRM are all about.
It'd be nice to have a stylish beater.

Thanks everyone for saving me from myself.
 
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I had the FX 350 and it was a solid knife for the money.

I gave it to a coworker because the pocket clip worked better in tip-down carry then tip-up.
 
You can do better for your money, I did have a keychain knife from them that was decent, and their flashlights are not bad, but they have been known to claim their knives are 440C, when they are not (Leatherman tested a bunch of Coast products a few years ago and found that none of them were 440C, as advertised).
 
While I've had good luck with the Coast flashlights I can't speak for their knives.

Kershaw just came out with some sub-$20 folders that are blackwashed to boot but the steel is only 3Cr13 Steel: Starter, Lifter and Manifold. Made in China but KAI for the CS.


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My problem with Coast is the lockup: Your fingers are at risk with their locks.

Zieg
 
It's hard when there's a big ol' display of them just sittin' there looking at you. Most of the time I buy knives online so seeing one in person that actually seemed decent for under $10 really tests your willpower.

Maybe I'll pick one up just to test & review.
 
Neko2 said:
Nevermind. It looks like the same knife as an enlan but is much larger with cheaper steel.

I think I'm going to order up a knockoff Sebenza and Hinderer to see what Enlan and SRM are all about.
It'd be nice to have a stylish beater.

Thanks everyone for saving me from myself.
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When you do, send some money to Sebenza and Hinderer, since you're ripping off those companies.
 
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