ALL THINGS BUDGET KNIVES

Some ask:

Why don’t you take a look at my channel? :beer:

You can skip at 3.17’’ to the “salami test” and than upset yourself with my cheesy english translation/subtitles :smiley:
(in the video I speak of how cheap knives,especially Chinese, can have their glory)

By the way, I really need some feedback by visitors to understand how I can improve the videos.
Thank you very much and sorry for the spam.

Thanks. Have you lubricated any of them? I’ve found a touch of lubricant can really “open up” the action on a knife that feels a little lacking. And of course, over time with repeated open/close, action will likely smooth out.

Has anyone here bought knives from those eBay sellers in China who are offering what look to be name brand production knives for a good bit less? While some are knock-offs, some appear to be additional production runs by the same manufacturing houses that produce for the name brands. I imagine there’s some risk in lesser quality control, though. There’s some sellers who have “challenged” feedback, but then others which are actually above 99%.

I’ve also seen on AliExpress some Sebenza 21 knock-offs that look tempting. Of course, you’re not going to get CR level quality, but… I did see a couple knock-off reviews from several years ago where it was admitted that quality was decent, above the going prices. Not bad if you’re not able to afford a CR knife but would like one that resembles something iconic like a Sebenza.

I take most of my knives apart and wipe them down completely. Then I lube them with mineral oil.

As far as knives that look similar to the Sebenza; the Sanrenmu LAND 912 I own is a great knife. Very impressed with it.

The CJRB Kicker is quite figgety, like an OTF.

Ide pay a few dollars more for some chamfering, but it’s not that bad.

Arm shaving hair sharp, love their gray/ blue color.

I recommend the Land 812 if you want something more fancy with titanium & VG10.
Here`s mine:

^ That Sanrenmu Land 812 looks like a terrific Sebenza 21 inspired knife. It’s too bad the price shot up so significantly. There’s only one seller on AliExpress, offering it for $110. That’s a far cry from $50~60 that it commanded just a year ago.

It`s $54.31 at the moment. Have a look at it here. I also bought mine around $50 last year.

Ah, I see what’s the problem now… Does not ship to USA. So the price must be showing differently for EU then.

Have you much experience with Yon Xanadu knives? How do they compare to brands like Kizer, Sanrenmu, Green Thorn, etc.? The YX635 caught my eye…

54.31$ ??? Are you crazy?
I got this, the poor man version :smiley:
I think I paid it around 12/15 dollars shipped two years ago, I believe from Gearbest (when he still sent knives to Italy)

Being very impressed with the LAND 912, I decided to try another Sanrenmu knife. Received Saturday evening was a $25 Sanrenmu 9001. The overall build quality and materials are very good, but the detent is too weak and the thumb studs are too small.

Thanks for sharing this. Bummer how such oversights can diminish an otherwise very reasonably priced knife.

Well, 20 mm more in overall length, a much wider handle, that’s comparing apples and oranges to me.
Both knives don’t seem to have the inside of the handles milled out for weight reduction, that would show stronger on the bigger knife though.
Titanium and steel are titanium and steel when it comes to weight, not much more than a gram you could gain, if even.
On the other hand I’m totally with you how much the weight of the knife can change how much you’d carry it.

The aforementioned SRM 812 and 9103 were too heavy for my taske so I made a carbon fiber front scale for each which reduced the weight about 30%
I will never do that for the 9103 or any other knife with ball bearings though…


SRM 812


SRM 9103 (912) compared to 135g


SRM 9103, left scale is the original front scale


SRM 910+

Nice!

Awesome job on the carbon fiber scale!

My PF818 has arrived. Quality seems good overall. Blade is nice and sharp. I can see why some people say that these PF knifes are most likely made at the same factory as Ganzo FH series. However, the flipper opening on this PF818 doesn’t seem as slick as on my Ganzo FH21. With the FH21, once you get the blade to start unfolding, it will go all the way to the full open position, even with very little effort. With this PF818, if you don’t press the flipper with a lot of force, it will only partially open.

Mine opens the same way whether I light switch or push button the tab.
I can’t fail an opening attempt.

Enjoy!

The action and detent strength on mine are pretty good. As I’ve learned with Ganzo, a little variance can spoil a good thing. A weak detent can be tricky and you’ve got to ask yourself if you want to mess with it. However, sticky action can be as simple as a little dirt, grime, or even a little burr in the works.

If you haven’t already, take your PF818 apart for inspection. Clean it thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol. Then wipe down the clean metal surfaces with a light coat of mineral oil for protection. Lubricate the bearings and their contact surfaces with a quality oil such as Lubriplate FMO 350-AW. Then put it together and get the pivot tuned in. Spend some time working the action. See if things improve.

(Note: Like some other budget knives with nested liners, the internal scale edges on my PF818 were a little rough. This is easy to fix while you have the knife apart. Just be sure to mark the location of the back spacer before disassembly. Then use sand paper or an emery board to smooth out the rest of the edge.)

@Isti242


More info: Adahn's Place: Boker+ Urban Trapper + Green Thorn Mouse 3 (Slysz design)

Good job, congratulations! Which one is the more slicey? :slight_smile:
I saw a guy who used one of those plastic bags with a valve and a vacuum cleaner to make home made micarta.

The Mouse is the better slicer and the better knife overall.
An Urban Trapper with inlays instead of onlays would be much more rigid, such a tiny rim around it adds cost, too, so it won’t happen.
Also I think this slim knife would work better with washers than ball bearings, a bigger surface would add stability.
Anyways, I’m glad I’ve bough the B+UT for €50 instead of €100 and more, I’d mod it anyways :wink:

The GT Mini Persian flipper is also looking very nice, is that a Slysz design, too?

Do you think the GT Mouse3 would look good to have the flat area anodized in one color and the chamfered areas on the sides in (an)other color(s)?
I was also thinking about using a Q-tip to create a camouflage look.

And about the tartan micarta - I could do it on job, we have the vaccuum machine for it and all the epoxy I’d need.
The personel there is not as friendly as my colleage who worked there, too, but now has his own little company.