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Knife quality vs price.

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  • RoadRunner

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    My main concern was I want a knife with a reliablity of a glock, I am not sure if $40 S&W would do it or do I need to go for the $100 or $200 knife. I am not worried about the box cutting or other stuff, I got plenty of cheap knives. I want to know for self defense situations what is a good reliable knife or qualities of knife I can look for without breaking my bank.

    S&W knives are pretty much junk and I would never pay $40 for one.

    There are some knives for under $100 that are great knives. I recently bought a Ruger brand knife made by CRKT for just over $20 and it seems to be a really good knife.



    .
     

    sharkey

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    My main concern was I want a knife with a reliablity of a glock, I am not sure if $40 S&W would do it or do I need to go for the $100 or $200 knife. I am not worried about the box cutting or other stuff, I got plenty of cheap knives. I want to know for self defense situations what is a good reliable knife or qualities of knife I can look for without breaking my bank.
    As already stated, you are paying for materials, made in the USA, badging, and uniqueness AND there is nothing wrong with that.

    I own several BUT carry knives in the $50-70 range. Even a $20 knife can cut n stab. I have about 25 clone knives and gotta say, the Chinese have upped their game.

    Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk
     

    easy rider

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    I have owned many knives of cheaper and more expensive. The main difference between a quality (possibly expensive) and cheaper (less quality) is the metal and construction. With a good quality knife you are still cutting while others are sharpening often. Higher amounts of stainless steal also are harder to sharpen, while high carbon and high carbon stainless alloy steels will sharpen easier and hold an edge better.

    I very rarely lose my knives, but I often misplace my sharpener since I don't sharpen often.
     

    TheDan

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    There are good values and turds at every price point... At $40 that S&W is a turd; sorry, man. Kershaw is usually pretty good bang for your buck in the $50 and below category. Gerber has a few there, too.

    If you want to step it up a notch look at Benchmade. Really hard to beat their quality at even twice their price.
     

    RoadRunner

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    "Any of you boys smithys?"

    Are you referring to bladesmith? I made a few knives back several years ago. I used the stock removal method exclusively, I never forged any blades.

    My brother and I were at a family gathering back when I was making knives and he brought a couple of knives that he had made and was showing them around. I too had brought a couple of my knives and I couldn't help but bring them out to show him up. He looked at my knives and said those look like factory made knives not like homemade knives. To that I said I don't make homemade knives I make custom knives.
     

    easy rider

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    A blade that is easy to sharpen will not hold an edge as well as a harder to sharpen blade.

    You are right that a high carbon stainless alloy steels will hold an edge better but they are not easier to sharpen.
    I said easier, high carbon steels are easier to sharpen than higher chromium stainless steel and will hold an edge longer.
     

    deemus

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    My main concern was I want a knife with a reliablity of a glock, I am not sure if $40 S&W would do it or do I need to go for the $100 or $200 knife. I am not worried about the box cutting or other stuff, I got plenty of cheap knives. I want to know for self defense situations what is a good reliable knife or qualities of knife I can look for without breaking my bank.

    Check into the Boker Automat Kalishnakov

    I've been using these for a few years and it's good quality for around $40-$50.

    Blade stays sharp, the push button works perfect and has never opened in my pocket. I have a bunch of knives. But I pretty much only carry the Boker.
     

    Darkpriest667

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    A lot of guys will know a LOT more about knives than me. That being said, unless you're just a complete snob you don't need to spend even more than 50 dollars these days to get a GOOD knife. The steel is the key... 440 anything is shit and you shouldn't even look at it. There are "super" steels out there that will push the price of the knife, and I'm not joking, above 500 dollars. Don't even waste your time. I carry a KA-BAR Dozier.. it's 20 bucks and made of Aus8 steel. Aus8 is a Japanese steel that kicks the crap out of any of the 440s and CM145 and D2 Steelss... I guarantee to find a knife better than this you'll pay a LOT more money. I've been EDCing this knife for about 2 years. I've only had to oil it once.

    Here's the knife at knifecenter... (you can also buy it on amazon) https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KA...-3-inch-Satin-Plain-Blade-Black-Zytel-Handles

    Here's a lot more info from a guy that knows a hell of a lot more about steel and knives than I ever hope to.

    http://blog.bladeops.com/review-of-aus-8-stainless-steel.html

    Here's a video by a pretty respected knife reviewer.

     

    Ole Cowboy

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    A lot of guys will know a LOT more about knives than me. That being said, unless you're just a complete snob you don't need to spend even more than 50 dollars these days to get a GOOD knife. The steel is the key... 440 anything is shit and you shouldn't even look at it. There are "super" steels out there that will push the price of the knife, and I'm not joking, above 500 dollars. Don't even waste your time. I carry a KA-BAR Dozier.. it's 20 bucks and made of Aus8 steel. Aus8 is a Japanese steel that kicks the crap out of any of the 440s and CM145 and D2 Steelss... I guarantee to find a knife better than this you'll pay a LOT more money. I've been EDCing this knife for about 2 years. I've only had to oil it once.

    Here's the knife at knifecenter... (you can also buy it on amazon) https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KA...-3-inch-Satin-Plain-Blade-Black-Zytel-Handles

    Here's a lot more info from a guy that knows a hell of a lot more about steel and knives than I ever hope to.

    http://blog.bladeops.com/review-of-aus-8-stainless-steel.html

    Here's a video by a pretty respected knife reviewer.



    Not what he says in his article:

    "Despite the quality of AUS 8 steel, it should not be thought to be a premium grade steel, such as S35VN, ELMAX, and M390 steels. AUS 8 is a high-grade metal that is in the ranks of steels such as 440C and 8Cr13MoV grade steels. Therefore, knives with AUS 8 steel will typically be more in the 30 to 150 dollar range"

    Here are 2 of my knives, both are 440C, one was given to me Dec 1966, the other is new as I finally retired my old one after carrying it all these years.

    20112009115_med.jpg
     

    Darkpriest667

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    Not what he says in his article:

    "Despite the quality of AUS 8 steel, it should not be thought to be a premium grade steel, such as S35VN, ELMAX, and M390 steels. AUS 8 is a high-grade metal that is in the ranks of steels such as 440C and 8Cr13MoV grade steels. Therefore, knives with AUS 8 steel will typically be more in the 30 to 150 dollar range"

    Right, I disagree with that for the most part. I think Aus8 is much higher quality than any 440 I've handled.. YMMV.

    Anecdotally it's not been my experience that 440 is as good as Aus8. He's an expert, I'm not. Go with his opinion certainly.
     
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    If the knife says China on it. Communist slave labor made it with ripped off blade making technology stolen of the free world. From Japan to the good Ole USA.

    I'd abuse it if I had one. Treat it like a screwdriver you hate. I'd own one just to have a knife somebody can borrow. Because you can't borrow the Benchmade.
     

    Moonpie

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    Gunz are icky.
    If the knife says China on it. Communist slave labor made it with ripped off blade making technology stolen from the free world. From Japan to the good Ole USA.

    I'd abuse it too. Treat it like a screwdriver you hate. I'd own one just to have a knife somebody can borrow. Because you can't borrow the Benchmade.

    Yep. I consider it an expendable item.
    Gets lost or Bozo swipes it? Meh.
     
    Every Day Man
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