ALL THINGS BUDGET KNIVES

Interesting, I’ve had mine for several years and no idea it was made my SRM, thanks for the info!

Need your opinions please!

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?

That’s a quite weird blade shape. For such a money I would go for this Shirogorov style Ti frame lock flipper if you can deal with the 9Cr18MoV blade steel (same weight, 5mm shorter blade, ball bearing pivot system).

Just arrived, A LOVELY BEAST!

Initial inspection yielding terrific results. Flipper flips easily - no wrist action required. (Description claims "spring assisted.)Good detent and lockup. No sharp edges at all. A few minor mis-grinding marks along bottom edge of frame at liner lock cutout - no big deal. No dirt, grit or grime. Countersunk screws protrude tiniest bit. Blade is super sharp and has immaculate grind and finish. Blue liner (glossy, probably just painted) exactly matches the (?fake?) blue carbon-appearing inserts (which are high gloss). Beautiful contrast between those colored inserts and the blue aluminum scales. Liner lock slab is a bit thin but perfectly engaged. Zero bladplay in any direction. Blade centering to rear standoof is perfect to my eye. Blade is sharp, but not sharpest - guessing that a few strokes with a fine/extra-fine ceramic rod will finish it. Two-screw pocket clip is too strongly sprung for my tastes and is (ugh!) matte black in color. Double level spine of blade is perfect. 200 grams is claimed and feels about right.

I just absolutely love the look of the perforations from the back of the handle up through the channel in the blade.

$11.99 delivered from my source? http://www.doubleknife.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=205 WARNING: This retailer/website, and some of the products thereof, may be reprehensibly objectionable for those who object to piracy, cloning, trademark infringement, copies, etc.. No, I am not deriding your opinions or views. This is merely a fair warning.

You gotta' be kiddin'! Admire it, use it, beat it up and still feel like you got an amazing bargain.

Safe Queen in your pocket for $12.00!

^ The Burgh wrote:

. . . just absolutely love the look of the perforations from the back of the handle up through the channel in the blade.

$11.99 delivered from my source?

Me too. Your source? Can you host a group buy or give us a link?

That’s a modified drop point blade. You can do just about anything from EDC to hunting and skinning. It should be straightforward to sharpen too.

It’s a little slim in the handle for hard use but if the steel is s35vn, you’ll like the edge performance better than most steels that you’ll find coming out of mainland China.

I ran across this beautiful CRKT ball bearing knife today and thought I’d share it here and get some opinions.

(Click on the photos for the links)

CRKT V.A.S.P.™ (Verify.Advance.Secure.Proceed.) folding pocket knife. Design by Steve Jernigan. Model #7481
.

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I really want MUST HAVE this knife!
Some may not consider it budget, however at $31 and change delivered its not super expensive either.

I don’t have any ball bearing knives and have been wanting to try one, however the ones I’ve seen were well over twice the price of this CRKT. I’m seeing this same bearing system is utilized on some expensive high end knives.

There is also a non serrated version but it seemed to be selling for a slightly higher price. I don’t usually buy part serrated knives but I kinda like the serrations on this one.

I really like the tan G10 “pistol grip” checkered pattern scales and the shape of the blade (8Cr14Mov), the flipper and nice jimping on the steep thumb ramp, I also like the hefty stonewashed clip. Plus it’s a good sized knife measuring 8.25 in. overall.

IKBS ball bearing system: (shown on a different knife)

This is confusing, a Todd Begg bodega copy labelled GTC (Gustavo T Cecchini).

Just picked this up;

CRKT 5650 Outburst, $18.99, came to $25 and change with the shipping and tax.
Looks like a decent knife, anyone own one?

They have a few more deals there as well, some of these knives seem to sell out quick.
HTH
Later,
Keith

Darn you The Burgh. I told myself that I wasn't going to buy anymore cheap knives, especially stainless steel folders. But, I couldn't resist that GTC at that price and pulled the trigger.

I really like that CRKT that beam0 posted above too. I gotta quit visiting this thread.

Dang, you guys are costing me $ again!

Got that CRKT 7481 off of Amazon as I had some points and a small gift card balance.
Looks like a nice knife and as there is no Ball Bearing knife in the collection, this is the one now!

Thanks beam0 for the info.
Later,
Keith

i wonder if you can buy these ikbs pivots separately

Have a look at THESE.

thank you very much, i really appriciate it. $4 apiece is kinda pricey even for chinese though.

You’re welcome.
Let me know about your DIY project when you finish it. :slight_smile:

Unfortunately they’re too thick for the EL01 otherwise I’d have ordered them without hesitation.

yea you are correct, i wonder if it would work in my brous reloader clone

There are these from USAKnifemaker but I think they’ll be too thick like isti says, they look like is would need a machining job to fit.
I also wondered about the fit on an Enlan EL-01 but they only need 20 thousandths of an inch each side.

Awesome, I’m looking forward to getting it too.

DISCLAIMER: All blame goes to freman, I came across the 7481 while researching the CRKT Persian Folder he posted earlier. :wink:

Hold on to your wallet…I went back on CRKT’s site tonight to look at the VASP again and found this gem:

CRKT Glenn Klecker Graphite 5195 Folding Blade Combo Edge

Another must have CRKT! No bearings but I like the high tech look of the open build skeletal frame. At first I thought it was a regular frame lock, then I realized it was on the top of the frame. It has something called an “integrated Klecker Lock”

My favorite blade shape a modified drop point (also 8Cr13MoV) it comes in plain edge or with “Veff Flat Top Serrations”. I like the plain edge but again I’m drawn to the rugged utilitarian look of the Veff Serrations. Now I’m torn on getting the plain or combo edge on this one.

Could still be considered budget at $36.95

(Click on photo for link to crkt.com/graphite Folding Knife)

Cheers
beam0

I’m waiting for these

Enlan Bee EM01

my excuse is that I can give them away at birthdays. Already have a stock of knives and flashlights that are to be given away.