Please pick your top 5 knives from the list inside and tell us why you like them.

[agenthex]

You bastard!

[Vectrex]

What do you mean exactly?

[agenthex]

That was directed at the post above yours. Look at the post time. :)

[Vectrex]

Thanks for the clarification. They are still available but not at Exduct.

[agenthex]

Twice the price :(

[Vectrex]

Make an offer and buy more than 1 knife, i think he does combine shippings (but ask him first). To be more precise, buy some of the new knives and tell us, how they are.

[FlashPilot]

@agenthex

You bastard!

Sorry bro!

[FlashPilot]

@Vectrex

Make an offer and buy more than 1 knife, i think he does combine shippings (but ask him first). To be more precise, buy some of new knives and tell us, how they are.

I do that all the time on ebay and get great rates. Usually after initial contact, we negotiate outside of ebay so that we can both save more. This vendor has many fine budget knives, including several SRM 9 series that are now extinct. Just make sure he can actually get them before ordering. Ive had several cancel and then had my palpal refunded.

[hyde]

as to the knife industry being larcenous, think poor michael walker who streamlined and popularized the linerlock around 1980. its a brilliant, efficient rework of a design that had been around since the 19th century but he didnt patent it. he eventually won the right to the trademark "linerlock" but by then everyone was using it. not that these chinese makers (for right or wrong) would have cared about that.

[jekostas]

@hyde

as to the knife industry being larcenous, think poor michael walker who streamlined and popularized the linerlock around 1980. its a brilliant, efficient rework of a design that had been around since the 19th century but he didnt patent it. he eventually won the right to the trademark "linerlock" but by then everyone was using it. not that these chinese makers (for right or wrong) would have cared about that.

You're going to call out the Chinese makers on the liner lock? Sorry to tell you this, but EVERY knife company in the world uses liner and frame lock knives these days without giving credit to Chris Reeve or Michael Walker.

Well, except for Spyderco, perhaps.

[hyde]

maybe i did not phrase it correctly. i was calling out ALL the knife companies as i think the chinese were not even an issue in 1980. they are only the latest wolves to the table. i just thought a shout out to walker could not hurt. it must irk him.

[photon1k]

@FlashPilot

Least favorite: Ganzo G704. I had high hopes for this knife and was expecting a better build quality. My 2 examples both exhibit noticeable looseness in the locking mechanism and bolsters. The blade isnt as robust as the EL-01 and they aren't very sharp from the factory. The handle to blade ratio of the EL-01 seems much better, utilizing all available space in the frame to make use of the largest blade possible. The EL-01 closed length is only about 1/4" longer than the G704 but is substantially larger when opened. In the hand, I cant feel any difference in weight between the two. I still haven't attempted to take them apart to tune and polish them but the vertical movement in the locked position is likely something permanent that cant be corrected. Tightening the pivot torx screws might take out some of the side play but will make it much more difficult to open, and likely impossible to flick open with one hand. Its also not as easy or consistent to flick open as the EL-01 straight out of the box. The EL-01 locks in with authority every time, even with mild wrist action. I'm still happy to have the G704 in my collection. The coolness factor rates a sold 9 in my book. Its just that for the price, I was expecting something produced to a much higher standard.

I found my copy of the K-704 somewhat disappointing as well. The vertical play is what bugged me. But like you, I still like the knife overall. If you haven't heard already, Exduct is claiming to have a 'new improved' version of the 704. Differences are stated to be an increase in the stud diameter from 5mm to 6mm and blade thickness from ~3mm to ~4mm. I ordered one on the chance that it will have better lock up. The one I currently have has 5mm studs and 3.5mm blade. Here's hoping!

[boomhauer]

Buck 768s arrived. General impression is favorable. Not very sharp out of the box, but a few swipes on my hone got them to cut paper OK. Fit and finish are good. Some grind marks are evident on the blade, satin (not mirror) finish, that's just fine w/me. Good grip on the handles. Good looking knives. "BUCK" on one side, like in the pics (I'll get some pics up later). Time will tell wrt steel quality, edge holding etc.

So far, a thumbs-up for two $13 knives.

[jekostas]

Would you have a chance to go through the measurements and compare them to the SRM site? That would really nail it down if it's a "Strike Civil"

[boomhauer]

@jekostas

Would you have a chance to go through the measurements and compare them to the SRM site? That would really nail it down if it's a "Strike Civil"

Yes, just not tonight. I'm not sure if I will even have time tomorrow night, but I will get to it. Comparison to the Magnusson (sp?) knife specs, if available, might also be interesting.

[nitelight]

@boomhauer

I have no experience with entry-level Bucks, but the Vanguard retails for $90 (although it can usually be bought for about $60) and the limited reviews I've seen rate it decently. The possibility of getting one for $15 intrigues me, I might have to be the guinea pig.

Also picked up a SRM 939, thanks to this thread. DB had them previously; I didn't realize they recently returned with an active link until I saw this.

Kindly tell me what seller is “DB”? I thought purchased from nearly every chinese/hk Sanrenmu site on the net who did I miss?

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

I like K606 the best. K607 amd K603 aren't bad either.

[raccoon]

@nitelight

Kindly tell me what seller is "DB"? I thought purchased from nearly every chinese/hk Sanrenmu site on the net who did I miss?

DB is short for DiscoveryBargain, which is now called HotDealings.

Most of their folding knives are in these two categories:

http://www.hotdealings.com/cplist.asp?catid=953

http://www.hotdealings.com/cplist.asp?catid=1036

If I have read correctly, they no longer take PayPal; just credit cards.

You can read more about DB in these two threads:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/1596

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/1780

[FlashPilot]

I wont do business any longer with DB or any of their subsidiaries. I was likely one of the major contributors of information in assisting palpay to decide to stop doing business with them. Far to many people were getting ripped off and I hope their shabby company disappears forever.

While shipping is expensive from exduct and several other suppliers, it isnt to bad when you buy several knives at once (4 or more). For the more popular models, you can usually find other suppliers that provide free shipping. Google does a good job of locating them by model number. Most ebay suppliers will also usually combine shipping.

[pounder]

I only have 3 knives..srm-763, enlan el-01 and 02 micarta..all 3 are great knives and I really don;t need any more lol other than an el-04mct..