Best budget folding knife?

[philaw]

I've checked through the every-day carry threads, and found that a lot of you have folding knives that are either beyond what I can afford, or are lock knives that it's illegal to carry in britain. The spyderco UK looks great, but 50 pounds is probably more than I need to spend, right? Having been very satisfied with my mora and opinel, I'm inclined to think that there should be a bargain folding knife out there, too!

Right now I'm thinking of picking up the victorinox soldier, because the blade is much more solid than the normal ones. I'm also tempted by the british army knife but am suspicious that nobody else out there seems to use it! Is there a 3 inch okapi that doesn't lock?

 

[Graham_S]

i've got a camillus stockman i got off e-bay for about £6. it's got three blades and is a legal edc.

 

[Phil562]

My EDC is a "British Army Clasp Knife"

Some people seem to loathe them, however I have had mine since it was issued to me, years ago.

Bomb proof, but not the nicest looking

 

[Doc]

Or see the German Army Knife thread...

 

[Topcat02]

I carry an Opinel, cheap as chips, very sharp, huge shower of sparks from my firesteel, easy to sharpen, and I wouldnt get to upset if I lost it, because for £4-£6 I could get another

Regards

TC

 

[JoshG]

I carry an Opinel, cheap as chips, very sharp, huge shower of sparks from my firesteel, easy to sharpen, and I wouldnt get to upset if I lost it, because for £4-£6 I could get another

Regards

TC

I've heard alot about Opinels, I think I may have to get one, what number do you use? I was thinking of getting the #8.

 

[Ogri the trog]

There might be a little confusion here.
We all like to ask for recommendations for a good knife which meets a list of specifications.
But that probably differs from a knife that each of us considers to be a bargain or the best amongst a collection.
I would certainly rate a "Spyderco somethingorother" above a "Reptiles Bland Blend - Soopercutter" but then if the soopercutter does everything that you want it to do at a fraction of the cost of the Spydie, its up to you to determine whether you have a bargain or not.
SAK's, etc have very good steel for the price and meet most legality issues. Find a knife that you like and get on with. I fin the future you change your mind, buy another one. My current EDC was a freebie with a clothing order from years ago, though it is a liner lock so not entirely legal.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Doc]

Opinels are good. The number 6 has a sub 3" blade but is technically illegal EDC as it locks.

I like them:
- Traditional looking and non threatening
- carbon steel takes a very good edge
- ideal for cutting wood
- cheap
- far more robust than they look
- exceptionally light

However:
- no good for anything other than cutting (no tools, unsuitable for prying)
- handles swell when wet, making opening/closing difficult
- locking ones illegal as EDC

 

[Hoodoo]

I would vote for the Victorinox Pioneer Farmer. This is a great, solid knife that has a little extra.

Vic Farmer

 

[RovingArcher]

I second Hoodoo's recommendation.

 

[mojofilter]

Or you could just pull the lock ring off an opinel no. 6......

 

[MartiniDave]

I also love the opinels, but a carry a victorinox SAK! I have many SAK's including the much praised pioneer farmer, but I usually carry my huntsman. I just like it better, all the tools are useful to me (even the hook thing for pulling tent pegs) and you can strike a firesteel with the back of the saw if you're careful by holding along the saw. And its legal for everyday carry too.

Dave

 

[Doc]

How does the farmer differ from the plastic handled SAKs? Is it just the handle, or are the blades thicker? or springs stronger? ???

 

[scanker]

Or you could just pull the lock ring off an opinel no. 6......

The No5 doesn't have a locking ring AFAIK, so would be a legal EDC as it comes. Suppose it's a little smaller than the No6.

 

[Moose]

Doc,

I don't know if the springs are meant to be stronger, the springs on mine aren't.
But the blade is very noticeably thicker than on the plastic handled models of the same size.

 

[addyb]

Dave

Thank gawd, I'm glad someone else here besides me is passionate about SAK's!

I kept reading posts about people not being satisfied with Victorinox's steel, but I put a convex edge onto mine, and my edge retention has gone through the roof. Plus, they have an amazing warranty, incredible quality control on the finished product, and don't cost an arm and a leg!

I used to use Opinels, I went through 3 of them in less than that many years. I almost lost some fingers when the ring locks failed me, I found the tips on yatagan blades very fragile, and although the steel was excellent, the knives had a horrible blade-heavy balance on them, not to mention that although I re-varnished them, I didn't have any luck with them in the snow.

I will admit though, Opinel's are an absolute beauty, a work of art in design and functionality. (Is that a word?)

I've just stuck with my SAK's because they have the tools necessary for what I do in the outdoors. (climbing) I have a knife-blade for slicing my cheese and sausage for lunch, a can opener for if I want salmon, (haha) and screwdrivers to tighten ski-bindings.

But in the end, there's different tools for different jobs.

Adam

 

[Shing]

Its hard to beat the SAKs for quality and value. No one makes the same quality knife at twice or three times the price. Ebay is a good place to get SAKs, theres always plenty of choice and the prices are lower than the shops in most instances.

 

[MartiniDave]

Some people are starting to ask if I might have a problem with my SAK fixation. I've bought well over 60 this year, a lot in one batch from evil-bay, many of those were sold to buy a few more special ones (including an older Red Alox Farmer that my wife is giving me for christmas). I currently own about 20, but mainly use the huntsman, or my very first sak which is an astronaut. That said I'm always swapping them around to try different models for everyday use, and am starting to really like some of the smaller ones like the lumberjack and recruit. Then there are the ones I make new scales for. At least it never gets boring.

Erm - excuse me, I'll get me coat!

Dave