What's the best pocketknife for $30-40 USD (December 2017)
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- Опубликовано: 21 дек 2017
- Today, we're going to look at four pairs of knives, all in the $30-40 range, all with 3" or 3.5" options, and all packing some excellence. The ESEE Avispa and Zancudo, the Ontario RAT I and RAT II, the Steel Will Cutjack (D2 Steel) 3" and 3.5", and the Kershaw Link and Dividend.
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I very much appreciate you not only reviewing top end knives. But also the budget as well!! Keep up the great work..
I have the R2 in D2.... absolutely killer of a small folder. The action on it is so smooth and almost as fast as a flipper. Light weight and holds a great edge. I could not recommend this knife enough, just a dream.
Hi Nick, I have recently started to build my collection ... I have the ESSE Avispa and I have being really pleased with it, it slices beautifully and it doesn’t have any play at all ... actually in terms of aesthetics I like more than the RAT I, just me saying, although I recognize that the RAT is an awesome and well praised knife
This is the video I needed! Getting the Rat 1 for work and the Link M390 for EDC. Thanks
Picked up the cutjack. Thanks for the info, and great channel.
I got a blue aluminum liner Kershaw Link. I love it, but I’m also going to love moving up one day!
i have a zancudo in each steel and have never had the issues you’re talking about with blade play or any bad construction. i’m not doubting you, but the viewers should know they aren’t bad knives. personally, i prefer the ergonomics of the zancudo to the rat 2 because the bump at the end of the rat is right where my pinky falls and it crams my fingers together. the zancudo is much more comfortable to me and it’s d2. :) both are fine for small edc though.
This Link, model 1776GRYBW, is our drop-point blade model. The 420HC stainless blade steel
As I watch this I'm playing with my new mini Cutjack. This thing is awesome
Glad to see reviews of budget lines. As a knife addict I purchase value folders filling between the higher cost knives. The standard for value folders sets the mark for what high dollar knives are bringing to the table. As dirty as Ganzo's designs are they have a value that I think sets the standard for quality in a budget line.
Excellent review. The Cutjack mini flipper in my opinion stands out as the most enjoyable to fidget with.
Cutjacks are killing it... Love the shape and ergos.
Ontario rat 2 in D2 is out
I have a m390 dividend and it is one of my favorite knives.
Great review as usual especially for a budget niche. I agree whole heartedly on the cutjack. It is my 2nd favorite knife just after a minigrip in 20cv at 4x the price. Quite frankly at that quality and price point it's a slam dunk in the knife world. My biggest complaint is it not being a domestically produced product.
I just got the Rat 1 today I live in Louisiana humidity is a big problem so I went with AUS 8 I absolutely love it I will be getting the cutjack next in M390 love that swedish steel 👋😁
Great video! Appreciate it and bought the rat 1 d2, love it! Maybe consider a 2019 update? With all these new budget knives out now from China?
Kizer's new budget Tangram line are all
I have an Ontario RAT-1 with AUS-8 steel, and it's good. I paid a smidge less for worse steel which I regret wholly, but my only other complaint which may be specific to my knife individually is that the belt clip seems to loosen quickly over daily, EDC use. However, it does not impede the knife's accessibility or ability to stay on my belt. I haven't had the knife slip from my belt without my wanting it to, and I've never had the belt clip detach from the frame of the knife.
I run the D2 Zancudo as my small working beater. I agree that the blade steel has been good to go, my only complaint is the steel frame lock makes it a bit heavy for the size. Overall, its a pretty good option and it stands out for a budget knife in a world full of Kershaws and CRKTs
I have the Rat 1 and the Cutjack Mini and a plethora of Kershaws, but my under $40 EDC is the Ruike Fang.
It flips so fast and fits my hand so well, easy to get the edge back and is pretty.
Chris Walls There are only two drawbacks I see for that knife:
1. Made in China: some people don’t like that but in all seriousness there are great knives coming out of China now that are really great deals!
2. Handle thickness: some people don’t like thicker handles because of the comfort of carry. I can personally say that I love a knife that fills my hand but for everyday use in brand new or tighter jeans they won’t be as comfortable for a little bit.
The steel is a good steel and it will dull quickly with heavy use but if you can strop it everyday its definitely a great choice for you! 🙂 Hope I have “shed some light on the subject!” (Nick Shabazz quote 😝)
If you can stretch by $6-7, the Buck Vantage Pro and small Pro come with S30V steel for under $50. Amazon and Copper & Clad have them at this price, though Amazon fluctuates as Amazon does, but it averages $47.
Throwback to when I bought my RAT1 without knowing there was a D2 version available until less than a year after the AUS-8 version was in my pocket
I'm new into knives and your videos have been a lot of help! I couldn't decide of these 3 so I bought each of one of them, the R1D2 the Cutjack 3.5 and the K Link in tanto blade, very different knives, but out of the 3... The ontario is the one with higher perceived quality to my eyes, totally a beater. The link is just gorgeous but I'm afraid of dropping it or losing it, and the cutjack is an all-around nice blade to have.
If I had to keep just one, I would go for the Ontario R1D2!!! :)
I'm also new into the knife world, the Ontario rat is really good and I'm glad you're happy with it!
...nice choices and ideas...Merry Christmas...
I ended up buying the Cutjack mini because of this video and am more than pleased with my choice. Love the unassisted flipper , size, forward finger choil and how thin it is.
So it's pretty slim in the pocket? Trying to figure that out
@@telegoose9905 just seeing this. Yes plus I use the pocket clip
Good list. Would like to see the CRKT Ruger Hollowpoint series review also. They would be good for this list.
My knife shop is a Steel Will dealer.. I have way too many and have handled a bunch more.. For another $10ish (or less) you can get the D2 Tenet or Modus with 3.25" blades.. They flip better then Cutjacks and feel more refined.. They do have much thicker blade stock (about twice as thick)..The Tenet has G10 (not great, like a Tenacious) and deep carry clip.. The Modus has an aluminum back spacer and nice blade shape.. Ergos are better on Tenet and Modus too..
Loving my Dividend...one hell of a slicer 😉
I own the mini Cutjack ( blue handle) it’s a good inexpensive beater blade.
The Dividend in M390 is probably the best deal in the current knife game.
I just ordered a rat 1 aus8. I have a Cutjack frn with the d2 steel. I like the cutjack in d2 but for hunting and outdoor activities the blood and water aren't as kind to d2 as they are with aus8. I don't mind having to touch up the rat aus8 and being better with blood and water it's better for me. Plus aus8 is easier to sharpen in the field. If you only sharpen at home then maybe the cutjack would be better. Its all personal.
Nick I am seeing a lot of knife evaluations online that are showing AUS-8 to be equal or even better than D2 in the budget knife category. While D2 is a higher spec grade steel the issue appears to be that D2 is more difficult to heat treat in larger size batches such as you would expect in a budget knife production run. Steels like AUS-8 knife steel seems to be more reliable and less fussy to bulk heat treat leading to an improved overall performance in higher volume "mass market" knives. I would love to hear your opinion or testing on this topic.
Been waiting for this video. I'm with you,if the Rat2 comes out in d2 next year, it will sell out the day it drops. Also I think the Dividend in m390 for $80 is a win but that is in another price group.
Zachary Martof m390 for that money is fabulous!!!
Got mine for $72. The only thing I'm not crazy about (for the price) is the plunge grind has a big radius that doesn't line up well with the choil. Might be a bit awkward to sharpen.
Ruster Kat I have seen them on Ebay for as low as $69.95
Zancudo and Opinel make the best cardboard slicers as their blades are so slim and easy to sharpen too.
Thanks nick, I have just ordered the rat 2 d2.
How is it?
I have all of those knives, but for me it's the Kershaw link and the Steelwill modus although it's not on the table. I just think the modus is a better design. Also I have to admit that my link has m390 steel, but even if it had the 420c steel it would still be at the top of my list.
you know you're a true Nick fan when you own all the budget knives on nick's table.
If you stare at the Cutjack’s handle long enough it looks like a penguin
You gotta look at kizers tangram line sometime, they look really promising especially for the price
Check out the Tangram Santa Fe. Imo outclasses many of these knives
Ontario needs to do the Jpe Pardue series in D2. Theyed outsell the Rats for sure
what about the bestech line using D2 around the same price tag ?
Nick. Great review as always. I just want to clear up that Speedsafe (on the Kershaws) is not spring activated. There is a torsion bar in there, not a spring. That important since many states do not allow spring assisted knives.
A piece of spring steel which provides an impulse due to stored kinetic energy is, to my mind, a spring. And I suspect a jury could be convinced of that fact. Don't hang your freedom on it.
Nick Shabazz lol a torsion bar isn’t a spring. Not even close. Think tailgate on a Chevy Silverado. You should look into it.
Thanks for blasting Ontario for fibbing about offering a RAT II in D2 by year's end. They deserved it. Pocket pecker--good stuff.
I found a zancudo with an AUS-8 blade in the woods, mine now :)
Hello I am French I did not arrive to translate well the video. Can you advise me a good knife below €40 please?
I wonder what specifically makes you not like AUS8 so much?
Nice cuting edges. U use Lansky System ?
I have never had a problem with the essence (blue ridge knifes) I own them in both Asus 8 and D2. They are thin and both disappear in my pocket. I understand that every once in a while a lemon slips in to any product line but I have had good luck with them just saying.
Feldspar and mini feldspar my dude 🤙
I think you need a 2017 out takes and 2017 best moments video. "This is not a channel it is a support group"
In this list the best is zancudo! But you can also add in this list kabar dozier, kershaw atmos and chinese Land 8103. But last one not like these knives.
By far the rat 1/2 is the best choice there in my opinion.
Thoughts on the Tekut ZERO?
As soon as the rat 2 drops in D2 I'll be getting one.
hey nick do u want to do a review on a rick berret fallout mid tech?
The Rat 2 is also in D2
Lol you made the video I needed before I even asked if you could make it lol.
I believe the dividend is 420hc, nice knife.
I can't understand all this hate around aus 8 steel. It's super tough and it must be one of the easiest steels to sharpen. Sure it dulls quicker than others but no one ever talks about the edge maintenance. A few swipes on a sharpening steel and aus 8 will shave. Try a few swipes with d2 when it's lost its edge!
Completely agree about the Esee knives. But I am disappointed with the 3in cutjack. The frn makes it feel real cheap, like a sub $20 knife. I also dislike the pocket clip. But this is a great time for inexpensive quality knives.
My Kershaw Link is using Sandvik steel which has nothing to do with the Chinese steels in the mov series. Sandvik steel is not the best on the market, edge retention us not great, but it is easy to sharpen and due to a quite low carbon content it is quite rust resistant. In my book it is good to go in a budget line. D2 holds an edge longer but it is as well harder to sharpen and it is prone for chipping, so it is a matter of preference.
A link in 14c28n? I haven't seen one of those. I love my link in the 420HC though. I don't mind budget steels. I have knives with "fancy" steels and they all do the same just some need sharpened more often.
That cutjack is seriously calling my name
I think the USA kershaw’s are using 420hc, also the only USA produced knives on the table.
Whoops. Good correction. Thanks!
They are using 420HC! In my experience carrying my Link for a year I’ve actually only resharpened it once. It has kept an amazing edge even when I have cut through double-thick cardboard for a year! Whatever they’re doing they’re doing it damn well! If Blade HQ gets the M390 blades in again ohhh god I’m getting one of both!!!
Nick Maccioli I believe HOB has s35vn versions of the link and dividend atm. :D
Mr. Crumbly Yes they do! For around $90! You can choose between a blue anodizes aluminum scale and red backspacer model or a red scale and blue backspacer! Idk if BladeHQ is getting the M390 versions of the Link and Dividend soon, but the S35Vn version is more of a looker ;P
What about Ruike p801 and p108?
Try to switch blades on the Ontario’s I might work
Rat 1 & 2 are 25$ a are great budget knifes I carry my rat 2 daily.
The kershaw link in glass filled nylon is on sale for under $24 on Amazon right now. I recommend it, I have it with me today.
The Ruike knives look fantastic and in 14C28N, I’d recommend them.
Kershaw has other knives like the Blur which can be had for good prices and come in 14C28N which is a better Steel than the S30V it also comes in IMHO.
Cujobob How is 14C28N “better “ than s30v?
Tmankiller72 takes a finer edge, resists deformation better, slightly less edge retention but much easier to sharpen. Also better corrosion resistance.
Cujobob In my experience S30V is tough to resharpen from being completely dull without the correct equipment. The S30V is a great choice for the Blur but the 14C28N is probably the better choice being as it is way easier to sharpen and they both take a very fine edge! Maybe your S30V Blur just isn’t the best S30V Blur of the bunch!
Nick Maccioli I have tons of S30V from various makers, IMO, the trade offs just don’t balance out. 14C28N can be easily stropped back to hair popping sharp and only rarely need an actual resharpen. For what it’s worth, I have a Sharpmaker and Wicked Edge. S30V is the weakest of the higher carbide steels. Of the lower end high carbide steels, I’d take XHP, CPM Cruwear, or even S35Vn over it any day of the week. A properly heat treated lower carbide steel is a beautiful thing, though. The biggest issue with inexpensive knives is poor heat treating of the inexpensive steels they’re using, not that the steels are bad. 8Cr13MoV may be of poor quality (purity) because of its country of origin though.
Cujobob Well said! Not every S30V is treated equal 😂 Also S35VN is actually S30V with some added elements to make it easier to sharpen and chips way less than S30V will! Cruwear is also a super steel and has more carbides in the blade making it hold the edge longer! XHP I have not had to chance to try out but I imagine it is tougher than S30V. 8Cr13MoV isn’t a powdered steel like the ones we have mentioned (sandvik isn’t a powdered steel to my knowledge but hey I don’t know everything) so the powdered metals will have a finer edge while holding it longer!
What Nick, no Z Hunter recommendations this year .... LOL :)
I personally never liked spring assist. My friend hopped I've a pipe rail once and his spring assist sprung open and stuck his leg.
Don’t forget the spyderco Tenacious! Great value knife.
I think the Rat 2 knives appeals to a certain clientele that isn't as likely to take the kind of care that some of us "knife people" do of our blades. Cut a piece of meat with your D2 Rat 1 and when you get home to wash, clean and oil it properly, you are going to find tarnish on your blade. And even if you oil it. sooner or later you are going to wind up with tiny rust spots because you had it out in the rain too long or something wet got into it in your pocket.... I can't imagine giving my wife a rat 2 knife in D2 steel. She most certainly would never oil it and is likely to leave it in the sink to soak overnight. In no time at all, it would look gawd awful and I'd get it back with a host of complaints.... D2 in a thin blade configuration, if hardened properly can also be a bit fragile and chippy. Sure it can be left softer and tougher, but that defeats the purpose of keeping a good edge longer. The Rat 1 in D2 is a great knife... a man's knife, designed for hard service. It's big enough for tough jobs and still small enough to edc. It's size and robustness can support a hard D2 blade. The Rat 2 fits smaller hands and is less intimidating. It comes in fun colors like pink and is perfect for ladies who don't want to think about their knives, other than to cut something. And it's better off in stainless steel...That said, the Aus 8 is an awful choice of steel for such a good knife. 14C28n or S35VN or better yet LC200N would be much better choices and there are lots of others just as good. The Rat 2 deserves an upgrade, but not to a carbon or tool steel that rusts. So, I agree with you that the Rat 2 is due to be upgraded. but not to D2 and I believe that Ontario realizes that. I EDC a D2 Rat 1 and I love it for utility use. I avoid cutting food or wet things with it, which I don't like so much because the one time I did, the blade turned dull. I'm also careful not to cut into things that might chip the edge. But I knew the limitations of D2 when I bought the knife and I got what I paid for and I'm satisfied.Also, if you watch Cedric's reviews on D2, you'll see lots of D2 knives that won't hold an edge. That's because most blade designs aren't good for D2 when it's hardened properly. Many manufacturers leave D2 soft to avoid chipping and breaking. So yes, you get a D2 knife, but it won't hold an edge well and it will rust... Dies are made out of D2. It's a great die steel. It was never intended to be a knife steel. D2 steel dies are commonly used to stamp out and cut softer steels, but dies are designed with a particular geometry where the die steel is well supported and thin unsupported edges are typically avoided in die design. It takes a robust knife design to wear D2 well. D2 has been around for a very long time and there's a reason it never became popular in knives. I realize your not a metallurgist and you don't pretend to be... but consider the material for the application. Certain high speed steels hold an amazing edge, but would be absolutely terrible for a thin filet knife that needs to flex a lot. D2 has a certain place and is great for certain knives... but for the most part, there are way better choices for a slim knife that needs to be low maintenance.In some ways, I appreciate Ontario not cranking out knives that will bring their users grief, even if there is a popular clamor for them.
Cutjack all day. Lighter, thinner, D2
How can I heat treat aus 8 into d2 hardness. Or is there something I can rub on it?
ThisIsAPrettyLongUserNameWhyTheFuckWouldHeDoThatSoThatEveryoneWouldThumbsUpIt In my opinion you can probably get it to harden at D2 level but you wouldn’t have the edge retention like D2 because of the difference in amounts of elements! I’d love to say it can be done but you would truly need to speak with a metal maker for conclusive answers!
No LAPG TBFK?
RAT 1 D2, and Steel Will 3.5 (even though it's a friggin flipper).
Aus-8 is fine it just requires a bit more attention
My rat liner lock up is near 80%. Not good. Assisted doesn't bother me. Kershaw for me.
Don't the Kershaws use 420HC since they're made in the US?
Jim Ramsey Khouri Yes they are made with 420HC! In my experience the steel is of good quality and won’t need resharpened often if you strop it frequently!
These knives are great and all, but the z hunter is the best knife under $100 by far.
In your books!!
It is really unfair to compare the Z-Hunter with lesser knives
@@thomash4578 with lesser knives?? the z hunter is a collection of cheap ass zombie themed knives. any of these are way better
@@bigsean2473 other knives can only dream of being a Z-Hunter
@@bigsean2473 You just aren't ready for the Z hunter, the Z stands for Zenith, a true masterpiece and work of art.
The two Kershaws are made in the U.S. Buck Vantage Avid and Buck Alpha Hunter also U.S. made, fairly thin blades, under $50. Kershaw Skyline usually recommended in this category. Just a so-so knife for me. I'd take Nick's recommendations or the Bucks over the Skyline (sorry Kershaw).
Admit it Nick, you own Ontario knife co...
would it be possible to frankenstein the ESEE blades onto the ontario handles?
Also, have you ever seen anyone have rubberized flipper tabs? It seems like an obvious thing to do, but I've never seen it.
SynthGal I asked the same thing. The handles look kinda like they might do it. Not yet sure our man Nick is to it himself, but he probably knows someone... Right....?
SynthGal It all really depends on the size of the pivot, the detent hole and the blade thickness
GREAT VIDEO. my question, just for shits and giggles, what happens if you try to put a Esee blade on a rat handle...?
Lock geometry is different, alas.
Nick Shabazz I don't want to hear your excuses Shabazz. Just make it happen and tell us how great it it 😀😀😀😋
D2 rat2 needs to happen! What is taking them so long?
Deanw06 customs has the boat anchored off the coast waiting to be unloaded.
Disagree with your opinion on the Esee. I have the Zancudo and its rock sold disengages easy and centered. I guess to each his own. In my book my Esee easily beats the others and I have handled them all.
He has a grudge against Esee. Why else even have them on except to badmouth them. Probably no kickbacks.
where are you seeing the cutjack for $40??
Found it! ebay $38.99. and now i have 39 less dollars than i did 5 minutes ago...
nice! I've been wondering. I went rat1 with Brown scales, d2 obviously. it was such a hard choice took weeks between that and cutjack
poisonousnut Bought the 3.5 D2 cutjack for $43 yesterday at Knifecenter.com.
I was waiting to hear weight and country of origin considerations. Ya can't win them all. Dont feel like you need to rush. Personally, I'll watch an hour long review if it's good content and not fluff. Thanks for another great video.
Civivi praxis hands down.
Lots o' randall stuff.
Are you also planning on a 50-100 dollar video? "For example"
Nazgoroth how about a 50-75. 50-100 is a BIG difference.
Hands down if you like an assisted knife they’re going to win!
It is an unsafe knife because there is no detent. I know this because my Link’s torsion bar broke a bit ago and I have cut myself pretty bad trying to get it out of my pocket. Please do not do this and replace the torsion bar, the torsion bar is the only thing keeping the blade from coming out!
Nick Maccioli common issue with many assisted kershaws.
Nazgoroth Sadly it is even worse because the body screws on my Link are either stripped and or free-spinning so I cannot remove the broken torsion bar. ☹️ Its actually my favorite knife that I have and I cannot use it anymore. I will probably send it into Kershaw and see what they would recommend!
Are those really the best in that range?? Seems like a very limited selection and not a clear winner.
They're just his favorites out of the few he's checked out, not really the "best".
Pinki2019 to be his favorites, he was really fast discarding the first ones
Where is ganzo?
The steel will closed looks like penguin @3:00
“Pocket pecker” lol...
EKA Swede 9
I too want the $50-$100 video and just in case I go “crazy” $100 to $150 please please please please please
no Tenacious?
Tenacious is good but it has a really shitty steel
Sebastian Fox and they'll sell it for $50+ 8cr13mov should never go past $30.
It's decent steel, you just have to be more diligent in keeping the edge sharp. . But I prefer the BD1 steel on the Byrd Raven and Spyderco Polestar. Those are really good budget knives! A little more than $40 dollars though. Just slightly....
Sebastian Fox 8Cr13MoV isn’t as shitty as you think. Its actually a good all around steel. It sharpens well and fast with a seriously nice edge! Maybe you’ve just spoiled yourself with a steel thats not the best to sharpen. I honestly think they should put a Tenacious out in S30V!!! That’d be amazing!!!
wjblocks I agree that the steel shouldn’t be on knives that are worth more than $30-40 but if it is used on a larger folder or even a larger fixed blade I don’t think it should be more than say $50-60! Its a good steel for budget stuff and for most individuals in everyday life. If you don’t want to sharpen the steel all the time just strop it at the end of every day! Its way better than resharpening, its only 10-20 passes per side on some leather or even blue jeans and it will be shaving sharp again!
Rat probably the best.
Come on Nick, the steel type is printed on the blade! ... wait, no it isn't. Come on Kershaw!
Very few people that I know carry a $250 pocket knife with them every day and use them everyday....these are all show pieces...There are heaps of $40 made in china knives that are excelent knives...a $5 knife is still better than no knife !!!