Thrifty Thursday... Cheap Traditional Knives

[marantz]

Post 3 of 3, another Chinese Buck Wally World Christmas combo. Stockman and single blade Solitaire, dark hardwood scales.

The fit and finish on these are all pretty good, flush springs, at least in the closed position, and sharp edges. The steel is not as good as Buck's 420HC, but probably even easier to resharpen. And still covered by Bucks Forever Warranty. At about $12 a knife, they're good Thrifty users, stocking stuffers, thank you gifts, etc. Get 'em before they're gone. Maybe see you in September.

 

[cbach8tw]

Been thinking of getting my Opinel #6 out for some pocket time, the MAM clip point has been in my pocket sometimes, EDC rotation you know, whatever hits my fancy at that time.

 

[joeradza]

 

[5K Qs]

View attachment 2289879

What do you think of that knife, Alan?
I think I can buy that knife and 2 different smaller versions as a set of 3 for under $5! (Which I might do if my next knife order needs to be $3 more to qualify for free shipping. )

Here's a thrifty Rough Rider stag bone canoe. RR has improved their stag bone covers immensely since I bought this example at least 6 years ago.


- GT

 

[joeradza]

What do you think of that knife, Alan?
I think I can buy that knife and 2 different smaller versions as a set of 3 for under $5! (Which I might do if my next knife order needs to be $3 more to qualify for free shipping. )

I bought it and a Case at the same time. The Imperial is a little thicker but I’m enjoying it both in use and aesthetically. I didn’t buy the 3 pack because the other 2 are just too small for me. I know you enjoy and use “thrifty” knives and this one certainly is a winner. Here’s a comparison photo of the Case and the Imperial.

 

[RickHuf]

Here is a thrifty one I snagged just for the nostalgia.

When I was a kid my uncle's brother worked for Cole hardware. Cole sold Sabre and KABAR to hardware stores. Unfortunately we never really got any of the good KABAR knives, but there were always a handful of Sabre knives that sat on store shelves too long. I think half my boyscout troop had a Sabre knife as a result. Only the rich kids had real Camillus scout knives, lol! I did get a Camillus eventually, but it took a lot of trading.

These scrimshaw(ish) lockbacks must not have sold well at all because we had a mess of them. Most didn't survive being tortured by teenage boys in the woods. I'll bet a good search of my dad's house will turn up at least one in bad shape. These have the shell construction, the blades usually wiggle but they are sharp and lock up well.

This particular one was on eBay still in its packaging and I couldn't resist. It looks good from a distance! Haha



Complete rip off of a Schrade, I think.

 

[Albim]

I love Thrifty Thursday, didn’t I hear that the Ontario Knife Co went out of business??

 

[afishhunter]

Autopoint (Chicago) and an Mikov.
View attachment 2289990

 

[mbkr]

I bought it and a Case at the same time. The Imperial is a little thicker but I’m enjoying it both in use and aesthetically. I didn’t buy the 3 pack because the other 2 are just too small for me. I know you enjoy and use “thrifty” knives and this one certainly is a winner. Here’s a comparison photo of the Case and the Imperial.View attachment 2289911

I'd put the Gerber US1 in the same category. Price competitive with the Case, if not the Imperial. Roughly the size of a Case mini copperlock.

 

[Headwinds]

Four parts = one thrifty knife...

 

[5K Qs]

I bought it and a Case at the same time. The Imperial is a little thicker but I’m enjoying it both in use and aesthetically. I didn’t buy the 3 pack because the other 2 are just too small for me. I know you enjoy and use “thrifty” knives and this one certainly is a winner. Here’s a comparison photo of the Case and the Imperial.View attachment 2289911

Thanks for the additional info, Alan.
In the set of 3, the 2.5" closed knife is definitely too small for me, but the "medium" size (3") is one I could find a use for.

- GT

 

[joeradza]

Thanks for the additional info, Alan.
In the set of 3, the 2.5" closed knife is definitely too small for me, but the "medium" size (3") is one I could find a use for.

- GT

3" is the size of the GEC 25 and with that spear point you'll get to use it equally well for a few bucks vs. the hundreds a drop point 25 goes for.

 

[dave308ek]

2 Thrifty Thursday razors.

 

[flatblackcapo]

 

[Just Tom.]

I got nothing for the “Prettiest Covers” thread, and nobody has started a “Most Garish Covers” thread, so I will just leave this here:

 

[afishhunter]

I got nothing for the “Prettiest Covers” thread, and nobody has started a “Most Garish Covers” thread, so I will just leave this here:

Not "garish" if they match your Tartan though, right?
Personally, I think they look a lot less "garish" than some of the ..."loud" ... acrylics CASE has put out ...

 

[5K Qs]

This Rough Rider red jigged bone medium stockman is a superb knife IMHO.



- GT

 

[dave308ek]

 

[RickHuf]

Most Garish Covers

Oh I have a good one for that to go along with thrifty Thursday.

How about "orange spray paint bone"
This is an old america knife. It's neither old or made in America.



Functionally it's not awful. 1990s Chinese. Overbladed on one side but not the other. Nothing is flush but nothing is all that bad. The steel doesn't like to stay sharp but it does get sharp with minimal effort.

I just liked it because it was orange!

 

[CarDude]

Hey I like this one John... good idea! Looks like I will have to take some time at lunch to look through this thread Often times I will be certain I am going to make an offer on a knife and I will also take a look through to see what other knives the seller may have. One of my favorite "cheap" knives are Thornton USA or Johnston USA, if I remember right they were made by the same manufacturer. You can get them for $15 or less from most sellers. Yes the scales are usually hideous but all of the ones I have take a really sharp edge and they have great snap and full half stop. You won't ever worry about losing one but you'll be happily zipping through your pile of Amazon boxes that need to fit in the recycle bin

View attachment 1445695 View attachment 1445696

I’m new to bladeforum and ran across this post. If you ever find any of these Johnston USA you don’t want please let me know. I started collecting these about a year and a half ago since Johnston is my last name. If I can figure out how to post a picture of my collection I will.