Quality inexpensive pocket knives

Arlon

Member
I prefer USA knifes but my real criteria is that I can very easily open and close it with one hand. Knifes I carry are almost always going to have a thumb hole in the blade (thumb studs seem to catch clothes too easily) and a liner lock. I've had a few of everything but seems the one I pick up and walk out the door with the most is an old Spyderco. The simpler they are the better I like them.
 

Dimner

Named Man
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Ive carried, worn out, or lost about five of these little French Opinel folders over the last twenty-six years. Carbon steel blade, cheap, fun design with a rotating ferrule that locks the blade. One piece wood handle. Brand new they look like an antique.

Not the only type of knife that I’ve carried, but the only one I’ve sourced direct replacements for.

Edit: not my photo
I came here to post this. Opinel #8 garden knife. It gets no better than this pocket knife for under 20 bucks.

A couple years ago I was testing a bunch of different pocket knives for the best one for an overall pocket active guy knife. The number 8 garden excelled and stays SHARP.

I proved it on a doe I took in 2015. I had been carrying it for a month and a half of random use and then in Nov I used the number 8 garden to Field dress that doe (including splitting the pelvis), skin the entire carcass, de-bone/quarter, and finally butcher it for vacuum sealing.

Only needed a stropping after I was done. It's a delightful pocket knife.

In 2016, I field dressed a buck with a Swiss army farmer knife in blue Alox. It was a bit harder to control, but it worked. I used the saw to split the rib cage. Did not go as easily as the opinel number 8 garden. But it worked.

My work place and in town carry is the Swiss army bantam also Alox. It's the standard main knife blade that they use and the bottle opener with flat head screwdriver. Has a million uses, but my favorite is slicing the lime and opening the Corona.
 

Dimner

Named Man
I carry a case knife also. A mini trapper.
I have the trapper and got my Dad's large case knife that he carried when hunting.
I also have some Cold Steel folding and sheath knifes that were made before they sold the company and quality dropped.
The Cold Steel folding knives are fantastic, but a little large to carry under a belt holster.
Mini trapper is also in my top 5 pocket knives. Its all I carry when small game hunting.
 

Joshua

Taco Aficionado/Salish Sea Pirate/Part-Time Dragon
I took this No. 6 to Japan. I had to shorten the blade to make it legal. I’d never think about cutting the tip off of a Benchmade folder. The Opinel are cheap 1930’s style French utility knives. The carbon steel is super easy to sharpen, and they hold a decent edge. I’ve broken a few tips by accident, I just regrind and move on.
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