ALL THINGS BUDGET KNIVES

Does anyone have a EOS Prawn? Is it a decent knife? I have had one on my list for quite some time but have never ordered it. I am not big on watching Youtube reviews. I’d rather hear it from someone who actually has one and uses it.

Reviews depend on the reviewer. Some channels seem to showcase new product without being too critical. I prefer channels that use, carry, or test knives in preparation for a meaningful discussion.

I'd actually never heard of the EOS Prawn. I looked it up. It appears to be a discontinued product from Elite Outfitting Solutions. It looks like you can get different scale materials with prices ranging $100-200. It's made in the USA but that still feels expensive for D2. The blade seems a little chunky at 2.1" long and 0.15" thick. It's hard to rule something out without firsthand experience but stats like those would prevent me from gaining firsthand experience.

Knife Center seems to have the EOS prawn in stock. However $175 for D2 does seems steep. I’d also be careful with any blade that has those little speed holes that can trap debris and moisture in them, especially for a non-stainless steel.

All excellent points. Thank you. I think I shall move on to more proven products. Honestly it was the looks that got me.

I concur. Nice looking knife, but these issues caused me to move on to others.

Sounds like marriage… :smiling_imp:

We’ve all been there, right?

My wife says I look old. Obviously she’s overdue for her next eye exam. :nerd_face:

The Bestech Engine looks similar to the EOS Prawn. I just got this one from Drop.com for $135. It’s nice, but the handle is just too short for me.

Oh yeah, forgot about that one. Thank you. I have a Bestech Pebble and it is a mighty fine knife. The Engine might be a better choice than the Prawn. At least the odds of it being good are better anyway. Put that on the list so I don’t forget it.

I’ve really been trying to slow down on my knife buying. I am not so much a collector so I feel guilty when a knife just sits around not getting used. My friends on the other hand love it when I get to feeling that way because I start giving them away.

Checked my email to find that in there. How nice looking is that? Never mind that, not a collector thing above. :wink:

I’m really digging the Civivi Dogma!

Can anyone recommend some large Chinese budget fixed knives for me?

Something like the Harnds HK5006 (Desert Fox) would be ideal but the only seller with stock since it’s been discontinued wants too much for them.

The Brother F001 looks interesting but I’d prefer something larger.

Thanks for any help.

How about Morakniv knives? They are reputable with a pretty wide selection of prices, I own two and they seem to fit my large hands quite well.

I have one and it’s a lot smaller than I’m looking for, I want something heavy duty and about 10”/25cm overall. The Mora (Bahco 2444) is about a inch and a half shorter has a delicate thin blade.

I have a Bahco 2449 wrecking knife and a Hultafords Heavy Duty GK knife which are both bigger and have thicker blades but I’m looking for something bigger than those as well.

That looks like a great alternative to the Prawn. The thinner 0.12" blade stock should be a much better fit for that blade length. The S35VN should be much better for EDC.

I haven't tried any of the premium Bestechs but my experience with their budget knives has been fantastic. Fit, finish, and action are all excellent and have actually improved since the Pebble was released. If you end up getting one of these, please share your experiences with it here.

The Desert Fox is currently $60 on Amazon. What was the going price when it was in production?

I ask because if you love the knife and you love the sheath, that might not be terrible. It looks expensive compared to fixed blades in 9Cr18Mov from Schrade, CRKT, etc. but those are junk. My experience with Harnds has been okay. Compare it to decent fixed blades in 9Cr18Mov from Real Steel or Steel Will: https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Fixed-Blade-Knives--179#/filter:price:40:90/filter:blade_material:9Cr18MoV

Beyond that, do you have any preferences regarding steel, sheath type, etc.? For another $10, you could get a Ruike Jager. The Jager is a very nice fixed blade. It's a little more compact but still a good size. I prefer that kind of sheath for regular carry. It's also 14C28N. Its particular balance of toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance makes 14C28N a great choice for fixed blades.

I recently purchased this J. E. Made Nessmuk. I don’t know anything about the manufacturer but I believe they are a Chinese company. This is a superb knife.

The LW Boa II is an excellent knife for the money

Got this qsp penguin in green micarta with D2 blade. Very nice knife for the money.