ALL THINGS BUDGET KNIVES

Found this classy knife with S35VN and titanium.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-Quality-Tactical-Knife-S35vn-Stainless-Steel-Titanium-Folding-Pocket-Knife/113789541835?\_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D8b33e91c93304158a5a5a094fa94cc84%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dlo%26sd%3D113789541835%26itm%3D113789541835%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&\_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&\_trkparms=pageci%3Ae3f2fb5c-1933-11ea-b60f-74dbd180f3b2|parentrq%3Ae22548ca16e0a4e9226e3131ffcd4d06|iid%3A1

The grey version with ldt logo is much cheaper on Ali.

Is it real S35VN?

I once bought an LDT knife from that store on Aliexpress. It looked like a ZT knife and was stamped “Elmax”. It was an incredible bargain at only $12…

D2 is a popular stamp for the same reason that reputable manufacturers like Bestech and Civivi keep making blades out of it. It sells. In the case of unscrupulous companies or questionable rebranders, the actual steel could be a lot of things. It could be junky 3Cr13Mov. It could be properly treated 8Cr13Mov. For $20 or less, the latter would still be a good deal. The problem is that we don’t get to know up front.

I finally finished my general-use testing of that “D2” Gocomma knife that was all the rage here a while back. Edge retention was surprisingly good but that doesn’t mean it was D2. During my week of testing, I actually noticed the same knife on a number of sites listed as the Petrified Fish CF-1815 in 8Cr13Mov. Based on my use, that would make sense for properly treated 8Cr13Mov with good edge geometry. At the $12 I paid for it under Gocomma, that’s a stellar deal. The Petrified Fish version comes in a few more colors and costs $16.99 but that’s fine. I just wish Gocomma had given us an accurate label.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981069881.html

I’m still learning how to edit video and do YouTube but I’ll eventually have a review up for it. I’ll share it here when I do.

This is my first D2 knife and if there’s a telltale way to know it from honing, sharpening, & use, it’s unknown to me… other than D2 is supposed to be more difficult to sharpen than 8Cr13Mov due to greater hardness. It does feel like that on my honing rod. My inspiration to buy the knife wasn’t so much the blade material as the design, size, and titanium. And the body sure feels like it. If the blade is 8Cr13Mov that is properly heat treated, I really won’t mind. For the price, it was still worthwhile. I lubricated the pivot point and it smoothed out nicely. It’ll be interesting to see how it holds up over the long haul.

I have no idea. It would be hard to tell without testing it with an XRF alloy analyzer.

I see. thanks.
maybe in the future I’ll have permanent access to a XRF setup. that would rule out some things, but doesn’t tell everything. I see plenty of variation in D2 performance, when people test edge retention. that would be the heat treatment or something else.

Another budget knife that had tickled my interest. AliExpress had a good sale on it (now back up to original price) so I took a shot. Will know in a few weeks. And yes, it’s a flipper, while seemingly devoid of a lock. No liner or frame lock. Wasn’t in description either. Btw, that slot feature looks like it could be a wire insulation cutter when blade is closed. Curious to try that out.

That’s a cool compact sized frame-lock flipper! :+1: Have a look at my short action video here. It’s the mini budget version of the SNECX Buster by Green Thorn.

You are right about that. Ingredients can vary for different samples of D2. There are lots of other factors such as heat treatment, tempering, blade geometry, whether or not the factory grind fatigued the edge, etc. As a result, just being D2 isn’t a guarantee of incredible edge retention. I forget who first said this but you can think of knife steel like cake. Quality ingredients matter but so does the skill of the baker!

Thanks for the video link — cool! Looks like fabulous quality for the price. So it’s a frame lock? How strange, because the frame photo with it opens doesn’t reveal the frame presenting a typical lock. But then I can see in your video that the frame lock is engaging. Maybe they took the blade open photos without the frame engaged.

On Aliexpress nearly all knives pictures have the lock (when there is one) hidden or photoshoped and there is no mention of it in the description !

From what i understand chinese law about knives are very strict and AE doesn't allow locked knives sale so sellers have to hide the lock but if you ask them about they will answer that "this is the real knife" and that the picture might not be accurate ... without clearly saying that there is a lock ! For the same reason some even ask NOT to add pictures in the review.

What i don't understand is that gearbest doesn't seem to suffer the same restrictions.

Bingo! I’d heard that too. That explains it well. Some sellers of knives do state there is a lock, but perhaps they’re not offering those knives to Chinese buyers.

Xevious and Chrono.

Regarding the steel in blades.

After a few yrs of practice… You can FEEL he different density of different steels when using a stone or Diamond steel.

The harder. Denser the metals in blades… the smoother…… it feels. on a 600grit Diamond.
IE LESS drag on diamond steel through the higher density of the blade metals.

Get hold of a 6/7/8cr13, then a Wushof German Blade. Then a Japanese VG10,
Then a KNOWN D2 or higher.
and slide them over the steel. FEEL the difference in Smoothness, or stickiness.
as it slides over the steel. Or Stone.

Basically. Harder metal blend. More resistance to filing. FEELS Smoother.
It slides over the top.Rather than cutting into. MUCH harder to take an edge.
Which it holds for longer.
The 8cr. 440c and D2 can be improved over what they are though.
Depending on who does the heat treatment

I’ve never. Basically. Found the need for any harder than 440c, Swedish, or D2 in working knives.
Nor VG10 in my Japanese Kitchen knives. (I have a coupla expensive, Japanese Blends. “perv’s” in drawer.
Wuldn’t DARE use them, I’m a Butcher. In “rough as”. NOT a Chef.
Peruse only. Bought with spare money from a job. Yrs ago.

Wusthof are a blend/heat treat to themselves.
Ooold. Soft, beautiful, and bloody magic to work with on the heavier duty jobs…

Two other mini flippers
LDT Min S35VN Blade Titanium Handle
LDT TG03 D2

Does the LDT TG03 have a blade lock, considering what was discussed previously about some Chinese websites not showing it?

I never seen a flipper without. It very most likely has a lock.

Agreed. There is also the venue of customer support. I have asked sellers questions about their products. I’m sure they’d be able to relay the details of the locking mechanism if not stated in the description.

I have recently developed some interest in flippers just to fidget around. Is there any budget flippers recommended? Something which is nice and low price like an SRM 710? I dont really want any high quality material or such but just need a smooth operation to play around with.

Look at Ganzo FH11 or FH21 - reasonably priced at around $25, good flipping action, and good quality on top.