ALL THINGS BUDGET KNIVES

When I began this thread, I knew that (for me) the definition of "budget knives" is ever evolving. As I spend more time looking into the universe of knives, the $$$ ceiling for "budget" gradually rises like an elevator to infinity!

I'm now fishing the ocean of "low cost" custom fixed blade knives. I suspect that the simpler mechanics/parts/assembly of fixed blades may put more of my money into the knife itself. Also, these knifemakers seem to be, well, more artistic.

Here's a sample of one I landed this week:

Yep, gorgeous damascus and Boxed Elder Burl wood (dyed purple/eggplant). Sheath is custom grey leather.

Think I'll be fishin' in these here waters for a spell!

Two big knives, one small knife.

Timber Rattler Scarab
Cold Steel Espada XL G10
Victorinox Minichamp Midnite

Needless to say, the Victorinox is the one I carry everyday.

I got my Sanrenmu 6029LUC-G. Wonderful quality but I hope the styles turn more to my taste.
The last thing in the “Instruction” is “Note All knives sold in mainland China do not have a lock, since they are not subject to the carrying ban-law.” I think I read someone in Britain refer to a law that favored locking knives, though I can think of no good reason for such a distinction. Perhaps Hong Kong also has such a law left from British administration.
More interesting, they sell all non-locking knives in China and one sees mostly locking knives in the US, so locking is a matter of style and popular taste rather than an agreed upon advantage. And that might be part of why liner locks are more popular relative to back locks than they used to be. It is probably easier to have both locking and non-locking versions of a model if it is a liner lock than if it is a back lock that requires a different spring configuration. Also, the lack of a metal bolster would not matter as much without a liner lock, which weakens the liner rather than weakening the blade as back locks do. (Admittedly, the fiber glass handle makes up for some of this.) So the bolster-less style may originate in the Chinese market more than in those where locking knives are preferred.

Not entirely true as far as there not being agreed upon advantages. Some locks are stronger, some easier to manipulate one handed, some only work with one hand (lefty or righty), some are cheaper, some will self adjust with wear. There’s a lot that goes into a good blade lock.

Made from the right materials, I prefer a frame lock. Next for me is the axis style lock, then liner, then lockback. In a general sort of way that ends up being in order of long term lockup stability (not necessarily strength, I avoid using folders hard enough to damage the locks from prying, banging, etc), but implementation matters and some companies get it right and some don’t.

Hi, anyone knows where i can buy knife washers?
i think the ones in my Navy k607 need replacing.

the knife doesn’t open smoothly, so i took it apart to find out why.
turns out the inner circle of the washers is very rough.
it kinda looks like this.
it’s not my pic. i found it by googling. but my washers look just like that.
i tried to smooth out the edge with a screw driver and put the washers back and lube it of course. it did make the opening a little smoother but still not as smooth as i hope.
so i think the washers have to be replaced. I tried searching aliexpress and did not find any.

There are lots of places online. Do a Google search for knife parts and you should turn up a few stores. I’d recommend phosphor bronze.

This link for washers was posted earlier. Hope they are proper sizing for your Navy.

http://www.lazylizardgear.com/store/c13/Washers_%2526_Parts.html

wow, the international shipping is really expensive. ( i am in canada). thanks anyway.

If someone find a good shop for international shipping (for example on aliexpress), please post it.

I wonder if normal bronze washers in big box stores and such contain phosphorous like alloy 544 phosphor bronze. It's widely accepted that phosphorous increases the wear resistance and stiffness. So maybe it's already in most common bronze washers. I don't know this. Just wondering.

You’ll spend half your life lapping the washers to finally get a pair of them thinned out to the correct thickness and parallel out of bronze hardware store washers(this is critical if you want them to not be a huge disappointment). Order some of the real deal online and be patient and you’ll end up spending far less of your life frustrated.

Introducing "Bush Hawg":

email Lazy Lizard, he only charged me $7 for postage on 3 sets of pivot screws and washers. He’s great to do business with.
If you have a digital micrometer measure the thickness of the washers you have and the inside and outside diameters.
As a comparison try USA Knifemaker
Be sat down when you get the post and packing cost, $23 for thirty or forty washers to the U.K., the postage was way overpriced but they insisted on shipping them in a box instead of a padded bag that would go at letter rate, I emailed USPS about it.

Shouldn’t that be “The Burgh Burl”? Love that handle - with the Damascus as well, stunning

The problem with that is trying to explain phosphor bronze to the seller, all the washers I’ve seen for sale in the Chinese stores that have been described as phosphor bronze are brass.
I’m constantly trying to find more inexpensive sources but it seems that they are rarely used now that things aren’t made to be repaired or serviced, just new assembly fitted.

I mean, if the Chinese, who have been using knives since paleolithic times just as we have, don’t want their knives to lock, then there is not agreement on the utility of locking. Thanks for the details.

i have ordered a few things from the lazy lizard, great guy to do business with.

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I mean, if the Chinese, who have been using knives since paleolithic times just as we have, don’t want their knives to lock, then there is not agreement on the utility of locking. Thanks for the details.
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Most knife laws are products of fear or crime. It’s hard to imagine that they ban locks because knives work better without them.

I saw that one and nearly snagged it. I’m waiting for the new Scrapyard offering before I commit to another knife.