Thread: Good, affordable, small knife

Originally Posted by thatguy

@Daithi Opinel is very affordable. You rate it?
This size seems good:

https://opinel.co.nz/collections/car...42246239223999

I bought an opinel #8 6 months ago. Not much use so far but I'm impressed. I ground the tip just a tad to give it a small drop point.

When i was skinning ferrets ( FITCH ) commercially in the mid 80"s my boss used to buy boxes of Mercators . Should have pocketed a few at the cost of the now. Im sure the blades were a better quality to, we used to wear them well down and they would still keep a edge,MM

Originally Posted by Madmax

. Im sure the blades were a better quality to, we used to wear them well down and they would still keep a edge,MM

The company (Otter knives) who bought the machines and rights to use the name „Mercaror“ continues to produce knives with quality steel. The Carbon steel version is made from C75, the stainless version is made from 1.4034, both a German/European steel numbers.
Unfortunately there are a lot of knock offs coming from China being sold under the same name.
So if you want an original, use a trustworthy dealer.

Bloody cheap Mercator here. Nearly half the price of most places.
https://bootsandgear.nz/Mercator-pocket-knife

Originally Posted by McNotty

Bloody cheap Mercator here. Nearly half the price of most places.
https://bootsandgear.nz/Mercator-pocket-knife

He was a member of the old forum. An ok guy to deal with.

I just brought an Opinel No.6. Small, light and handy wee thing, hasnt had much use so far but for $24 is nice to get something with wood, no plastic and not made in China

Keep it dry at all times. once the handle swells, they are difficult to open. I put a droppoint on mine. Suits me better.

I've only just discovered Fallkniven and goddamit they're draining my funds. The little R2 is amazing (I can see this getting the most use) and I just won an S1pro after missing out last week on an A1 and S1.

There are some useful knives coming out of China - I picked up this "definitely not Cold Steel" and "guessing it's not S35VN" off Aliexpress. But whatever it is, it sharpens to a very nice edge, which it seems to hold really well even against bone, the lock is strong, blade is nicely centred, and it doesn't rust at the first sign of blood or water at USD$28.08, my only regret is that I didn't get one more suitable for a fallow's butt.

The thing I don't like about the opinels and mercators is the lack of something stopping you from sliding up the knife if you have to plunge into something for whatever reason. That and the handles have virtually no grip once you have fat or blood on the hands.

I know people knock them, but for a fixed blade the Swedish Bahco's just... do. And keep doing it - the one I have in the kitchen is a prick to sharpen (I think it is on the harder side of their normal output) but once it is sharp it stay that way for a good amount of time. I have a green river for bigger jobs, a Duel sheath knife which is a lovely knife to use and a better profile for some jobs than the Bahco but for the majority of work the Bahco's are the way to go. As good as and cheaper to buy than the Victory equivalent that I used to use, put it that way.

For a folder, I have a couple of cheap Gerber knockoffs that are good, but it's getting very hard to find a decent profile (not too chunky) slim bladed folding knife with decent handles, a sturdy lock and a hinge mechanism that won't shit itself. A lot of the newer options have blades designed for restocking a machete factory I think!

Originally Posted by Speill

There are some useful knives coming out of China - I picked up this "definitely not Cold Steel" and "guessing it's not S35VN" off Aliexpress. But whatever it is, it sharpens to a very nice edge, which it seems to hold really well even against bone, the lock is strong, blade is nicely centred, and it doesn't rust at the first sign of blood or waterAttachment 258079 at USD$28.08, my only regret is that I didn't get one more suitable for a fallow's butt.

More suitable for a fallow's? Never mind, I think you mean the blade chord is too deep? I could see that being a pain...

Originally Posted by No.3

The thing I don't like about the opinels and mercators is the lack of something stopping you from sliding up the knife if you have to plunge into something for whatever reason. That and the handles have virtually no grip once you have fat or blood on the hands.

I know people knock them, but for a fixed blade the Swedish Bahco's just... do. And keep doing it - the one I have in the kitchen is a prick to sharpen (I think it is on the harder side of their normal output) but once it is sharp it stay that way for a good amount of time. I have a green river for bigger jobs, a Duel sheath knife which is a lovely knife to use and a better profile for some jobs than the Bahco but for the majority of work the Bahco's are the way to go. As good as and cheaper to buy than the Victory equivalent that I used to use, put it that way.

For a folder, I have a couple of cheap Gerber knockoffs that are good, but it's getting very hard to find a decent profile (not too chunky) slim bladed folding knife with decent handles, a sturdy lock and a hinge mechanism that won't shit itself. A lot of the newer options have blades designed for restocking a machete factory I think!

I’ve got the Swiss bachos and just bought the newer $20 china one from farmlands.
I fully processed a fallow from start to finish with it on Sunday and they’re bloody good.
Had a few licks on a diamond steel twice through the whole job!

I do everything with the simple victorinox...super easy to keep sharp.....