Knife on a budget - any views?

[slamdunk]

Hi All,

Having parted with my AW/Woodlore recently to help fund a major investment, I'm now looking for a 'knife on a budget'. Any ideas/experience would be welcomed; Currently thinking along the lines of a brusletto, EKA, Karesuando around the £70 mark, or an SWC blade kit - or may be go with the Frosts for a tenner and get a custom later in the year.

Any thoughts?

Duncs

 

[heath]

I bought a few of these for a church youth group I run. And in my opinion they're fantastic. Great little knives and so cheap you're not going to worry about putting them to work.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product....r_id=Frosts&name=&user_search=&sfile=1&jump=0

 

[godfather]

Slamdunk,
I own a SWC knife (made by Steve) and it is a superb knife. I also own 3 clippers which I use every day (not all at once!).

Godfather

 

[sxmolloy]

£10 Frosts Clipper, maybe Fallkniven F1 (depending on what style of knife and grind you are after)

ATB....Stu

 

[slamdunk]

Has anyone tried a Brusletto or EKA?

 

[Jacknife]

I bought a few of these for a church youth group I run. And in my opinion they're fantastic. Great little knives and so cheap you're not going to worry about putting them to work.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product....r_id=Frosts&name=&user_search=&sfile=1&jump=0

I can recommend these too. Very sharp and great value for money.

 

[Dougster]

http://www.survivalschool.co.uk/acatalog/Knives_and_Saws.html

A very similar blade, but I think I MUCH more comfortable handle, the Clipper, near the bottom.

 

[KAE1]

My brusletto bamsen has butchered a couple of muntjac and no complaints so far. For even cheaper I prefer my opinel over my clipper, both fantastic for the money.
I really need an excuse to buy a helle or stromeng leuku.......just cant think of one.

 

[GST138]

I have to say I have just got a frost mora and it is great, so sharp from new that I cut myself when I got it out of the sheath, whittled a basic spoon in minutes and it was still sharp.
What for can you ask for for less that a tenner

Just my two peneth

 

[Mike Ameling]

When looking for an inexpensive fixed-blade belt knife, too many people overlook the simple kitchen Butcher Knife. For $10 to $20, you can get a very good tough using camp knife. You do have to make a sheath for it, but cost savings far surpass a little "tinkering" time.

Here in the States, Old Hickory is a pretty good brand. But also check out Ontario Knife Company, and Russell Knives. The all have an oak handle attached with two or three rivets.

The current issue of BACKWOODSMAN magazine has an article in it about converting a six inch Beef Skinner knife from several of these companies into a NESSMUK knife. May/June 2007 issue. The beef skinner/skinning knife has that big swept up cutting blade. They clip/grind about 1 inch off of the top/back of the blade out by the point. Clipping off the last bit of the big swept up cutting edge gets you that classic Nessmuk blade shape. Looks pretty good.

Just my humble thoughts to share.

Mike Ameling

 

[Mike Ameling]

Some thoughts on a folding knife.

Any knife, is only as good as how you use it. Most tasks don't require fancy blades or specialty functions. And for those common tasks, a $15 knife will do just as good as a $100 knife - just for a whole lot less money.

The folding knife I always carry everyday is a three-bladed "stockman" pattern that sells for a little under $15. It's made by a company called Uncle Henry - probably just one of a number of brands being made/marketed by one of the big knife companies here in the States.

The important parts to consider:

I carry it everywhere, and use it for any cutting task. I'm not worried about abusing it - since it only cost less than $15. I admit it - I abuse it. It's a working tool, and it's original cost does not figure in to any decisions I have about using it. If I break a blade, lose it, or lend it to a friend who doesn't return it, I'm not too concerned because I can replace it for under $15. That's much more important to me than paying a much higher price for fancy styling and special functions.

I do have several expensive knives, but their "value" seems to always creep into my thoughts when using them. So I tend to stick with the "user" tools. What I have on hand and am not afraid to use is more important to me than gimmicks or brand names.

Just my humble thoughts to share.

Mike Ameling

 

[Dougster]

I have just discovered that Jasper at Strike Force supplies is doing both the Carbon and Stainless clippers for £8!!!

http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk/index.php

Add to that surplus crusader mugs for £5, it's worth a call.

 

[Silverback]

Dougster are you sure the Crusader mug is a fiver I can only see it for £15 on the strikeforce site

 

[Dougster]

Dougster are you sure the Crusader mug is a fiver I can only see it for £15 on the strikeforce site

Give the guy a call, he has steel, issued surplus for £5, he told me this morning.

 

[Silverback]

Give the guy a call, he has steel, issued surplus for £5, he told me this morning.

Will do mate thanks

 

[Dunelm]

Nothing is going to be as cheap or as good as a Frosts Mora but if that's a little too plasticky and you have a bit more to spend some of the new Helle knives are very nice and won't break the bank.

 

[Dr Onion]

I can recommend the Helle range of knives - I bought myself one a while back and one for a friend when he left our office. Good, strong, sharp and sturdy all for not too much green! Can't really ask for much more than that!

Dr O

 

[MartiniDave]

I have to give another vote for the Frost, eithe Clipper of the older "Training" Knife.
I have many knives, Helle, Wilkinson/Woodlore etc, but I tend to be using the Frosts more and more. My deepesst cut on my thimb to date is with a training mora!
Opinels are good too, but the locking ring can fail under heavier loads, and I've known the blades to snap too.
One point on the Helle, my Eggen will NOT give decent sparks from a firesteel.
The Kellam range are also worth a look. I don't own any of their complete knives, but I've got a couple of their blades in knives I've made for myself and they are very good.

Its a minefield though, with so many different options. Have fun searching for the right one.

Dave

 

[brancho]

The Frost clipper is a great knife for the money so buy one now and save for something a little fancier or make one yourself later.

My Brusletto laminted blade is great and I like the knife i made with it.
Don't know about EKA
I made a knife from a Karesuando kit and I am not as impressed with the blade but I cannot say why exactly I get it sharp but is still seems hard to work with (didnt make such a good job of the hanle) find the same with a knife my mate made with the same kit.

 

[Hoodoo]

I can happily recommend the Brusletto Norgeskniven.