The lanyard hole is further back lined with a tube I think. The larger hole looks like the wtf hole on the Sebenza (wtf in this case stands for what’s that for. :bigsmile: )
I’ve certainly not seen a SOG of that design before.
I have an Elk Ridge branded knife, although some might think them not up to par I’ve had zero problems with mine the few times I’ve had need of it it performed well.
8¾” blade full tang. Elk Ridge definitely China Made.
I guess the definition of “budget” varies widely. GP Knives has a lot of very nice blades from quite a few custom makers. When you can get a well made knife with a top blade steel for under $200, in many cases $120-140, to me that’s budget. Sure, there are also $6500 knives there, which makes the sub $200 knives look like quick grabs.
The exotic woods, giraffe bone, warthog tusk, water buffalo hide sheaths… some gorgeous work on those blades and a great many are priced very attractively.
Wouldn’t you know the one single blade on the entire site that I feel I MUST have is out of stock?
Hey guys, I’m really digging the looks of the Boker Kwaiken, especially the flipper version. I like the shape of it. Is there something similar to this in the budget realm?
Somewhat similar shape but may not be considered budget at $35 is the CRKT Heiho:
I own one of these and it’s a beautiful knife and excellent quality, extremely sharp out of the box. Slight tanto shape blade and no flipper but it has the OUTBURST Assisted Opening system. (I paid nearly $50 for mine with no regrets so $35 is a great deal)
It’s the little brother of the all black CRKT Hissatsu Folder (which is about the same size as the Kwaiken)
An even larger similar shape knife is the CRKT Otanashi noh Ken But that ones only about $10 less than the Kwaiken.
Timber Rattler Scarab, with a Cold Steel Kobun beside it for comparison.
While it isn’t particularly well made, a bit of blade movement side to side, and the steel isn’t anything to write home about, it is enormous. For $25US it’s probably the king of budget knives (well based on size anyway).
Heard of one guy who got into trouble because he had a Swiss Army knife in his pocket. When he was brought before the judge the judge turned around and said, “I carry a small knife, I know a lot of people who do, case dismissed.”
I wouldn’t recommend that with the Scarab though. It’s not a particularly good knife, but it would be a great thing to hang on the wall or keep on the coffee table. It reminds me of the folder Mick Dundee had in Crocodile Dundee 3 (although the rest of that movie was forgettable).
It’s somewhat close, but not quite Kwaiken style. I think the Kwaiken kind of reminds me of a Higonokami style knife. The straight lines from the handle to the blade is what attracts me to Kwaiken. There seems to be a lot customized Kwaikens out there. I would have thought that there would be more interests from Chinese makes to make something similar. I guess maybe it’s not quite as popular or it’s already fairly inexpensive($100?) knife.
The closest thing I have to it is a Sanrenmu 704 which kind of of looks similar; blade is not quite the right shape (more spear shaped). The 704 is also smaller overall.
Budget knives? Well, Kizer is a brand which, IMHO, presents a champagne product for beer budgets.
I have a Kizer KI3404A3 and am thrilled with it. I have had my eye on another model, but I am torn between aesthetic appeal (beautiful to my eyes) and seemingly devoid of practical use (no justification whatsover). Blade: 3.5" Oberall: 8" Steel: S35VN Frame: Titanium (Framelock) Weight: 3.65 oz
It's an $85 knife. What are your opinions, from any perspective at all? Can you think of worthy alternatives?