(Part 3) Top products from r/BudgetBlades

A little late to the party... You are following the same trajectory as me. I'm just now expanding into fixed blades, but before you put the brakes on budget folders you should check out a few more options.

The Coast FX350 (9cr18mov, G-10, frame lock, 3-position clip) is a beauty for under $20. The BX315 (9cr18mov, rubberized handle, lock back) is great for wet work and is currently selling for just under $15—it has a sheath instead of a clip because the large rubberized grip doesn't slide in and out of pockets very well. The BX315 also has a little brother, the BX300.

If you like the Kershaw Link's profile then you should try a Flock (8cr13mov, FRN, tip-up clip) that's going for $15. It is a dealer exclusive that was poorly marketed and escaped most people's notice. Probably one of the best Kershaw deals going right now.

Spyderco's Spy-DK is currently selling for $30. It's a special non-locking model for Denmark knife laws. It's old school slip joint action but you get a N690Co blade that is a step up from their more expensive budget folders.

Back to fixed blades...

As I mentioned in another comment, Schrade is a good place to start for budget fixed blades—check out the SCHF36 Frontier for under $30. One thing to note is many fixed blades in this category are going to use 1095 steel which typically requires some maintenance, but most are powder coated to address this. Don't let 1095 scare you away from some nice options.

Now, I know you are looking for budget knives but there is a mid-range option that you may want on your wishlist. If you have an Ontario Rat folder (which you should) then you might want to compliment it with a Rat 3, 5, or 7. Like I said, I wouldn't consider Ontario fixed blades as 'budget' but they're a bargain compared to brands like Tops.

I hope this helps and have fun exploring, this rabbit hole runs DEEP.

I have a couple versions of the Kershaw Emersons and would definitely recommend them given the price range. I love the Emerson wave and wish more knives had it. They open quick and easy with one hand, even with gloves on. Fit and finish is on part with the price and the blade stock is quite think; It will hold up well for hiking and camping as long as you don't abuse it. Only downside is the blade is rather large - great for outdoors, but a bit bulky in the pocket for some people.

I haven't used the Reverb, but it looks like it may not be the best choice for use outdoors. It looks pretty, but the extra machining and effort required makes me wonder if they cut corners elsewhere to hit the price point. Again, I haven't used one, but looks like it could be tricky to open one handed, especially if you have wet hands. I've had multiple knives with integrated carabineers/clips and have never found a use for them - they usually just result in hot spots that dig into my palm.

Not a fan of Gerber, but that's just personal preference after having a couple of them fail to hold up. Their flippers never seem to be smooth enough to reliably open every time either, though that may just be poor luck on my part. The Quadrant looks nice if you wanted something that would disappear in your pocket for light EDC, but it's not something I would want to use outdoors.

All three should be low maintenance, but at this price point the steels will dull relatively easily. I'd grab a cheap draw-through sharpener to take along.

I'm rough on my knives so I lean towards simple and durable, but there's nothing wrong with choosing based on aesthetics if one really catches your eye. Ultimate, if you like it then that's all that matters.

Not off of Ali per se, but I bought this bad boy and have used it to sharpen a few kitchen knives with great success. It can accept other stones, but so far the ones that came with it have been good enough for my purposes.

You can definitely make knives on the kitchen counter!

You'll need a way to heat it up, either to aid with forging and heat treating if you go the blacksmithing route, or as the first step in heat treating, if you're going the stock removal route.

A two-brick forge is very cheap and only requires two soft (not the hard ones) kiln bricks and a propane or MAP gas torch - https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/virtual-bbq-2-brick-forge-wip.920120/

Just make sure you leave a window open for venting out any fumes, as one of the byproducts from propane or MAP gas being burned is carbon monoxide, and in an enclosed environment with no ventilation, that can kill you.

You can do stock removal very cheaply by hand with a jig like this one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9iNDRwwBQQ

I made one based on that video when I was starting out, and while it is very time consuming and manual labor intensive to use, the results were quite good.

A small benchtop 1"x30" belt sander can speed things up a great deal, like this one for $69 - https://www.amazon.com/Generic-Mini-Belt-Sander-3400/dp/B004D96ZCG/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519657469&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=craftsman+benchtop+belt+sander


Once you have it sanded / ground / hammered to shape, you heat it up until it glows bright orange, then you quench it in motor oil or hydraulic oil.

After it's cooled, pull it out and clean it off. Make sure to look for any cracks. If there are none, you can temper it in any standard home oven, as it will be extremely brittle at this point. It depends on the steel and the desired final hardness as to what temperature you'll set the oven to, but 300 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit is common.

After that, put a handle on it, sharpen it up and you're done!

Fine, progress past early Victorinox or Case knives? Early Bucks or Opinels?

I don’t see how at any point I said people have to be rich. I’m literally saying that there are better options for the same price, if not less.

This is a popular Ganzo.

This is a Kershaw that costs less.

So the argument that they buy Ganzos because it’s the only option for that price point falls flat. Not only do they not have to spend more, they in fact can spend less for better quality. And if I’m a betting gal, id say that the same people could probably (most likely) squeeze +/- $10 more for another sea of Kershaws that will still be better.

You’re gonna have to show some proof that those companies outsource to said OEM. I know that Kizer and other mid range Chinese companies do it. And even if they do, that doesn’t make up for the lack of warranty on the Ganzos and gang. Until they do that, they have no equal footing.

Kershaw Scrambler

IMO it is the best of the Kershaw budget folder lineup and ticks off all of the boxes you mention.

The UKPK really does hit all your points. I certainly understand your concern about the aesthetics, though -- I disregarded Spyderco for years for that reason. Get one in your pocket for a couple of days and chances are you'll do a complete 180.

Alternatively, you can make any knife a one hand opener with one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Kwik-Thumb-KTS01756-Stud-Stainless/dp/B006OCP46S

This is the best sub-$20 knife i've ever owned. Can't recommend it enough. Kershaw Shuffle )

Nite Ize Tool Holster Strech, you can find it for $10.45 on Amazon free shipping.

Yes that is a Short USMC Kabar Fighting/ Utility Knife.
5 - 1/2in blade

After trying the Home Depot Husky brand, I bit the bullet and bought a Wiha set. The difference is huge.

https://www.amazon.com/Wiha-36291-Screwdriver-Torx-Piece/dp/B002C582AQ

About $25 depending on price fluctuation.

I'm not much of a fixed blade guy, but I have a MTECH USA MT-151 and its a beast. Look for reviews on Youtube, people cant break the damn thing and from my limited use, I'd say they are correct.

I also like the Mneck Tool (MT-669) for a neck knife. I generally would not recommend Mtech folding knives, but they do some things right with the fixed blades.

Eh what the heck, here's what CS based the huntsman off of

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00629W99I/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522289877&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mtech%2Bfixed%2Bblade&dpPl=1&dpID=41RdhFR8xgL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

It’s not a cleaver or sheepsfoot style, but this is another excellent option

If UKPK is too expensive, why not Byrd Tern? Spyderco BY23GP Byrd Tern Folding Knife https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DMFK3C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_K6FVCb7PGEHQ8

Spyderco Honeybee

I would pick this one for a scout - a bit smaller. and a few bucks cheaper

The Spyderco Persistence:

https://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Persistence-C136GP-Plain-Knife/dp/B002IWWYS4/ref=pd_sim_200_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002IWWYS4&pd_rd_r=46e03e58-e45e-11e8-8128-07608570eb48&pd_rd_w=LJC6s&pd_rd_wg=b2U0X&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=18bb0b78-4200-49b9-ac91-f141d61a1780&pf_rd_r=Y24WEN6FP5SAYMFTB2GY&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=Y24WEN6FP5SAYMFTB2GY

I have this smaller Wiha set and it’s been great!

I went through a Husky set I think and even bent a set from Benchmade. Never been more satisfied than with Wiha.