Inexpensive Traditional Knives

r redden · Jul 30, 2015

Curious if anyone else have under $20 knives they really like and find they carry them a lot. I have these two knives in my pocket almost every day. One is a Marbles etched Damascus Stockman and the other is a Schrade "Limited Edition" Stockman. Both hold a decent, edge easy to sharpen and hold their on in everyday use. Even though I have spent stupid money on some of my knives these two seem to find their way into my pocket much more that the expensive one's. If you do have an inexpensive knife you like and carry tell us about it and post some pictures.

jackknife · Jul 30, 2015

One of the best cutting knives out there for allow price is the Opinel. Made in France and a favorite with farm workers, construction people, store clerks and street thugs. They cut like a laser, and I always have one around. A bit finicky, you have to work on them a bit and 'tune' them, but they will do any cutting you have to.

The Case Sodbuster is more than 20 bucks, but well worth it. Rugged, nice wide blade with great cutting geometry, and light weight for it's size.

Any of the old Camillus small pen and jackknives that are floating around the great auction site. Can be had for a song, usually have great 1095 carbon blades that hold a wicked edge for a good amount of time.

ncnurseryman · Jul 30, 2015

Jackknife. What do you do to "tune" your Opinel? On mine, the blade is "floppy" and swings around.

supratentorial · Jul 30, 2015

A lot of Swiss army knives are under $20... though not as many as there used to be. Before Victorinox implemented a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) a few years ago, you could buy a red alox Victorinox Farmer for less than $20.

Opinels are another favorite. The basic knives are less than $10.

Douk-Douk and Mercator are pretty close to the $20 mark... maybe a little more.

The Case sodbuster can also be found for under $20.

Railsplitter · Jul 30, 2015

I think this Kershaw Corral Creek qualifies as a traditional knife. I tend to carry my more expensive knives more often but I really like this knife. It goes in my pocket when I'm going camping, vacationing, or if I might get into a water fight. Under those conditions I like to have an expendable knife in my pocket in case I lose it or damage it.

It's a very good knife for the 12 dollars that I paid for it. Smooth action and tight construction all around. There's a Clip blade version too but I'm a Sheepsfoot fanatic.

davek14 · Jul 30, 2015

ncnurseryman said:
Jackknife. What do you do to "tune" your Opinel? On mine, the blade is "floppy" and swings around.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/28597626/tuning-opinels.txt

Here's a bunch of stuff on tuning. For a floppy blade you can squeeze the inner ring as said in Pinnah's tutorial or you can peen the pivot pin more. Take the locking ring off, put one end of the pivot pin on a hard surface and tap the other end with a hammer.

ncnurseryman · Jul 30, 2015

Thanks very much.

Rich S · Jul 30, 2015

For well made, good knives in the sub $20 range, look at Rough Rider and Colt also. Knife Center also runs specials that sometimes have Kershaws, CRKTs, etc for under $20 (of course most Kershaws and CRKTs aren't "traditional").
Rich

W.M.B. · Jul 30, 2015

I just picked up 4 old slip joints at an antique store, and the total for all of them was less than 30 bucks.

All old carbon steel beauties. Well, I like them any way. My wife says the black stockman is ugly, but I guess that's in the eye of the beholder.

bleh · Jul 30, 2015

Vintage all the way! I've picked up a few for under $20 with bone handles. Some of them require a little work or cleaning to get them back int shape, but they're great users.
This Camillus serpentine jack was good to go, picked it up for a short song.

This Camillus barlow was a franken job. Marksharp removed the secondary blade and brass pivot pen and put it back together for me while somehow preserving the original bone scales!

(this scout may have been a touch more than $20, but not as much as you might think)

20150701_082002 by mrbleh, on Flickr

afishhunter · Jul 30, 2015

Rough Rider, Buck (301, 371, 389) Colt, Taylor-Schrade, Marbles camp/utility knife are my go-to knives.

bflying · Jul 30, 2015

Yup, I've got a ton of cheap (under $20) traditionals. There are a couple of Colts and Rough Riders that I like best and carry often along side a more expensive modern folder. Favorite designs are Barlow's, Stockman's, and Sunfish/Toenails. I probably have the most of the Colt's/RR's (many dozens), but the Schrade et al's (Old Timers, Uncle Henrys, etc) are a close second. And for just a few more $'s, you can get into Boker's or U.S. Made Canal Street's (and/or private labels), which are pretty darn good in my opinion.

I guess I just love them (and hoard them) all. Ok, I have a problem. In fact, on my desk at the office right now, I've got a cheap Schrade fixed blade, RR Toenail and Barlow, and a no-name $5 Barlow with wood scales and solid bolsters that I really like. I like it so much I keep at least 10 on hand to give as gifts anytime someone dares open a knife discussion with me. Sure it's super cheap, but it looks nice, and it'll get the job done in a pinch. And nobody turns down a free gift.

cchu518 · Jul 30, 2015

I love this little pen knife by RR it's called a half whittler but it's more pen knife than whittler.

supratentorial · Jul 30, 2015

cchu518 said:
I love this little pen knife by RR it's called a half whittler but it's more pen knife than whittler...

A "whittler" is a collector term for a "pen knife" with a specific construction. So you're right either way.

black mamba · Jul 30, 2015

R redden, I have the exact same Marbles stockman, and leave it in my kit bag for traveling so I have something to pocket in my destination. An out and out sucker for stockmen, this RR in yellow comp has seen lots of pocket time, and a red bone version sits on my workbench in the basement, seeing constant use.

cchu518 · Jul 30, 2015

supratentorial said:
A "whittler" is a collector term for a "pen knife" with a specific construction. So you're right either way.

Its missing the little short coping blade. It makes for a horrible whittler but I love it anyhow!

jc57 · Jul 30, 2015

Don't have any pics of them but I've got a Case Sod Buster Jr in the black synthetic handle that was under $20. Great little knife. I leave it in my car console just to make sure I always have one. Sharp as can be, right out of the box.

My Alox Vic Cadet was right at $20 when I got it. Probably gone up a little since then. I have two Rough Rider knives (Baby Copperhead and Coke Bottle Jack) and a Taylor Brands Old Timer 93OT that I bought recently that are all decent knives for the money. I don't really carry them much just because I have others that I like better, but there is nothing wrong with them.

Ace Krampus · Jul 30, 2015

I've had great experiences with my Svord Mini-Peasant and Higonokami, both are laughably inexpensive and have some real personality.

Tdhurl1103 · Jul 30, 2015

I have been rotating between 3 Alox Cadet SAK's (which were just over 20 each) but my Colonial Ranger unseated those for a while. It get most of the carry time since last week.

Ernie1980 · Jul 31, 2015

The SAK squeaks in just under $20, and is my favorite of the Swiss Army patterns. Not my picture, mine is at home today