ALL THINGS BUDGET KNIVES

Thanks. I had forgotten that video. TwoSun’s S90V only did 270 cuts. That’s way below par for S90V. For instance, Spyderco’s S90V did 700 cuts in his test. So that looks pretty bad. However, it’s worth putting the numbers into context. I’ve seen him test S35VN from both Kizer and Chris Reeve. Neither made it past 200 cuts. So while 270 cuts is pretty bad for S90V, it’s still pretty good for a $100 knife. I think the least expensive knife in S90V on BladeHQ is like $200.

This reminds me of the controversy over “budget” M390 in the premium Kershaws, or Chinese D2 versus better D2 in Benchmade knives (etc.). Context is important in judging the value. At $50, I’d be pretty happy with TwoSun’s S90V. :stuck_out_tongue:

Agreed. I have a clever type one and a drop point? Not sure if the other is a drop point or not. Both excellent knives. They both needed a bit of loctite on the pivot screw though. Not sure if all of them do. After that, it is indeed rock solid. Great auto, non OTF choice.

Just want to share isti242 latest blog post.

You inquired if anyone had tested TwoSun S90V and I just answered with who did.
I am not arguing the value of the knife as I agree, for the price point, no one can complain.
However. while the knife is still definitely a value for the price, some people look specifically for this type of steel for the edge retention that it offers, which they won’t get with this knife.
I personally would have preferred them offering it in S35VN or M390 with a heat treat that offers similar performance to other companies with this steel, rather than offering S90V without the performance that it should have, regardless of the price point.

At $50, I would have preferred it in S35VN with S35VN performance even if it performs slightly less than their S90V.

Edit: btw, I wonder if TwoSun themselves have acknowledge that there might be something wrong with their S90V?
I might be wrong, but I don’t think I have seen any of their new models for the past couple of months coming in S90V, they seem to all be M390.
Also, I have had my eye on the TS187 on Ebay for a while now.
At first, it was offered in S90V on the CF version. Then they came out with a micarta version in M390. Then switched their CF to M390 as well and I no longer see it in S90V on Ebay (still see it on Aliexpress though).

Thanks guys, exactly what I was looking for. Those Kershaws look nice…

What does it mean when they say Boker Strike ‘conversion’ with coil spring…? Is that a factory option or a cobbed together nightmare.

Whats the opinion for best size for a edc. Kershaws and Bokers look sweet. But a sharp little mini Boker would maybe work for me as a box cutter, all around pocket knife and maybe even self defense if push comes to shove, but thats pretty doubtful as I’m very aware and careful of where/what I do. Suppose in these times you never know…

So, help a rookie figure this out, other than the obvious, what practical edc purpose does one gain going from a 2”stubby to mini 2.6” or to a 3.25” or a 4.75”…? What is the normal purpose/use of these different size autos…
Will the D2 or cts-xhp version chip easier than the aus-8 if I hit a staple box cutting, or is the aus-8 good enough…?

If you have any knives of varying handle lengths, try holding and manipulaing them in your hand and see how secure your grip seems. My hands are on the small side (I’m 5’8”) and a 4” handle length fills my hand pretty well, a 3.5” doesn’t reach the pinky. If you go to a really short-handled knife you may have trouble controlling it in use.

My 3.5”-handle spring-assist Kershaw is a bit more challenging to hold onto while activating the flipper than a 4”. But I like the 3.5” better for the light weight and compactness in the pocket. With a full auto (press a button and the blade springs out) this might not quite as much of an issue as with a spring assist, but I don’t have any autos smaller than the Kalashnikov to confirm that. That Boker is heavy for its size, though.

If you hardly ever deploy the blade and mostly just want to carry, short and light is good. If you will frequently need to pull it out and use it, go a little larger. If you are serious about using a blade for self defense, “go big or go home.” :wink:

Have just a few wooden handle knives. This is one of my favourite one. Lone Wolf rosewood handle T1 with CPM-S30V blade.
Too bad Lone Wolf knives are no longer in production.

FWIW the best value in S90V blades right now are arguably from Manly, a Bulgarian maker. The Peak (lockback) & Wasp (slip joint) are great knives.

I couldn’t agree more. Here’s my Peak one handed with 94 mm S90V blade. The TS150 is in the toothpick category with 115 mm overall length. :slight_smile:

As much as I love my one handed Peak, I’m hoping that eventually they come out with a smaller version. The Peak is just a little large for (my) EDC. Something closer to 3” rather than almost 4 would be ideal to me.

New review of a fixed knife that i like it:

::::::::::> Review Kubey KU230 GOLF

Found this M390 flipper, relative cheap 130 usd. Few left, hurry!
DICORIA MAXACE kestrel folding knife M390 blade KVT ball bearing
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001291069830.html

… New Arrival QSP WORKAHOLIC N690 FIXED BLADE …

How good is DC53? Just read it is an improvement over D2. Is this true, and how?
Seems like DC53 is more rust recistant than D2, still can’t find an info about how much more resistant / stainless it is.

If so, this nice DC53 knife should be a bargain, with Beef bone handle! 24 usd.
Edit: [Deleted link, probably fake DC53 stamp, do not buy Huowen knives]

Edit: Ref: DC53(Cr8Mo2Vsi) Flat/Plate/Bar - Tool steel|alloy steel|hot die steel| cold die steel
DC53, is an improvement over alloy tool steel D-2 specified in Standard (JIS) G4404. It eliminates the disadvantages of insufficient hardness and toughness, resulting from high-temperature tempering found with D-2, and is intended to replace D-2 in use for general purpose and precision dies.

Higher hardness (62-64 HRc) than D2 after heat treatment.
Twice the toughness of D2 with superior wear resistance.
Substantially higher fatigue strength compared to D2.
Smaller primary carbides than D2 protect the die from chipping and cracking.
Secondary refining process (DLF) reduces impurities.
Machines and grinds up to 40% faster than D2.
Less residual stress after wire EDMing.

I had never heard of it until I looked it up after your post. It does seem from what info that’s on the web that it is better than D2.
I seen some knife makers using it and they liked it but from what I read was the price was alot higher from comparable steel readily available.
That was a older post though. I have no experience with it for a opinion.
.
But knowing what I know about it and china knives, I would be very leery of it being true DC53 at a good hardness.

That’s a pretty darn sexy blade. I almost like the looks of it as much as my spyderco bushcraft.

Think you are right about this knife. Huowen can’t be trusted. It’s probably 5Cr15MoV, a low-end stainless Steel (it’s a Chinese copy of the famous german X50CrMoV15. Though X50CrMoV15 is a pretty good budget steel, I dunno 5Cr15MoV, looks more like 420HC. 5Cr15MoV “lower end” steels, when it comes to edge holding, but for that it is extremely easy to sharpen. If so, this knife can’t compete with a D2 about edge retention, wear and toughness. A decent DC53 knife would probably be around 50-60 usd.

From another Huowen knife test. Steel result: Huowen Koenig Arius-inspired thing (not real D2, 5Cr15MoV instead)
Ref: ttps://www.reddit.com/r/chineseknives/comments/9qlaa5/steel_test_results_for_twosun_tuya_ch_knives/

Green Micarta….yes please.

Spanish knives like Muela uses X50CrMoV15 on some of models like Muela Tanto for example.

Good catch. Lots of clones, counterfeits, and knives with fake steel stamps are either 3Cr13 or 5Cr15. Those steels are cheap and apparently easy to machine. (I can tell you from firsthand experience that they are very easy to sharpen.) The problem is that they tend to have abysmal edge retention. The lowest steels I’d consider in that range are 7Cr17 and 8Cr13 but even those are pretty easily outclassed in the current market. Coincidentally, 3Cr13 is sometimes used to make the liners for budget knives. :stuck_out_tongue: